Full Council Minutes 9th January 2007
AT A MEETING of HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL
held at THE GUILDHALL, HARWICH, ESSEX on
TUESDAY 9 th JANUARY 2007 at 7.46pm.
PRESENT
The Mayor of Harwich Councillor J Thurlow in the Chair
The Deputy Mayor Councillor D McLeod
Councillors:
W Bleakley
V Williams
L Double
M Gardner
W Rose
P Brand
D Rutson until 8.30pm
H MarkhamLee
L Payne
Clerk to the Council Mrs E Novorol
Also present was one member of the press
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors
Calver, Morrison, Ford, Gibbins and Henderson
109/06 PRAYERS
Prayers were said by Reverend Erwin Lammens
110/06 REPRESENTATIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
None
111/06 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None
112/06 MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor gave details of engagements undertaken since the last meeting.
113/06 MINUTES
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on the 28 th November 2006 (previously circulated) be approved by the Chairman and signed as a true record.
114/06 DOVERCOURT SEAFRONT
Further to minute 92/06, grass cutting and the removal of the rose bushes from Dovercourt Seafront.
RESOLVED: to write to Tendring District Council demanding that the rose beds are reinstated and that further improvements are made to enhance the cliffs as the views of the seafront should include well maintained gardens.
115/06 PUBLIC CONVENIENCES DOVERCOURT SEAFRONT
Further to minute 93/06, Councillors welcomed the news that the money for new public conveniences is available but emphasised the need for Harwich Town Council to
be consulted regarding the plans.
RESOLVED: to write to Tendring District Council asking that they consult Harwich Town Council regarding the location and design of the possible new toilet block with a request for the consideration of a second block at the West End Area even if it were to be for seasonal use only.
116/06 MILTON ROAD CAR PARK
Councillor McLeod advised the meeting that he is to meet with the relevant Portfolio Holder to discuss the matter of ‘first hour free parking’ and that local traders would also be attending.
117/06 CARS FOR SALE TOP OF AINGER ROAD
Further to Minute 77/06, the responses from Tendring District Council were noted.
RESOLVED: to pass these letters to Mr. Ryan or Mr Taylor, Parking Services Manager, advising that it is not the place of Harwich Town Councillors to act as traffic wardens in providing the information mentioned.
118/06 FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE
Councillor Double presented the minutes of the meeting held on 18 th December 2006.
RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
119/06 SEADEFENCE GATES DOVERCOURT SEAFRONT
Councillors considered the removal of the sea defence gates at Dovercourt seafront.
RESOLVED: to write to the Chief Executive of Tendring District Council asking for some technical information as the beach huts are now vulnerable to flooding and also ask if an appropriate
refund or discount will be made to beach hut owners.
120/06 BUS SHELTER HARWICH TOWN STATION
A member raised concerns that the bus shelter had been vandalised and that the roof is too high and with no frontage, it does not offer good shelter.
RESOLVED: to write to Mr Adrian Summons at Essex County Council advising of the need for a better shelter and requesting a site visit.
121/06 BRIEF REPORT OF MEMBERS
Councillor McLeod gave a brief report regarding the upgrading of bus stops within the town. Members also discussed the New Year’s Eve firework display and expressed their gratitude to the Pier Hotel and the Globe public house for their efforts. Councillor Payne expressed thanks to the lifeboat crew for their efforts over many years and advised the meeting that health and safety issues had forced them to stop.
122/06 FINANCIAL UPDATE
Payments and receipts, current balances, financial activity against budgets and earmarked funds were noted. Councillor Double referred to the donation of £5000 to the Tourist Information Centre and suggested that it may be of interest to Councillors for the manager of the Tourist Information Centre to speak to the Council regarding their activities.
123/06 THE LICENSING ACT 2003
Application for grant of a premises licence for Cuppa Coffee, 180 High Street, Harwich was noted.
Application for variation of premises licence for Tasty Takeaway, 159 High Street, Dovercourt was noted.
124/06 TEENTALK HARWICH
A letter from Teentalk, thanking Harwich Town Council for assisting with their planning application enabling them to receive a 50% reduction in costs, was noted.
125/06 ESSEX WASTE DEVELOPMENT DOCUMENT
A letter from Essex County Council regarding waste management throughout Essex was noted.
126/06 MINERALS CORE STRATEGY
A letter from Suffolk County Council, advising that the Mineral Core Strategy Revised Issues and Options (v3) Paper is available on their website, was noted.
127/06 RHYME AGAINST CRIME 2007
Members were advised that the theme of Rhyme Against Crime 2007 will be ‘Bullying’ and that All Saints Church of England School, Great Oakley have applied to join the scheme, bringing the total number of schools involved to eight. A Presentation Evening for the 2007 scheme is
provisionally booked for 10 th May, 2007 at the Harwich School.
128/06 NORTH EAST ESSEX PRIMARY CARE TRUST
A letter from the Chief Executive of North East Essex PCT, proposing that he visit Harwich Town Council to discuss the direction of the new PCT as well as specific local issues was considered.
RESOLVED: to invite the Chief Executive to a private meeting with Councillors on an agreed special date.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.00pm.