Wivenhoe Town Council

MINUTES of the Meeting of Wivenhoe Town Council held in the Council Chamber onMonday 21 November 2011.

Present:            The Town Mayor, Cllr. R,Needham(Chairman), Cllrs:  A. Aldis, J. Campbell,I.Endean, K. Hall, P. Kraft, N. Lodge, K. Read, F. Richards, B. Sinclair, A. Stinson, N. Tile and A. Vaughan,Borough Cllrs. S. Ford, M. Cory, J. Manning and A. Quarrie. County Cllr.J. Young, Mrs. A. Stinson (Town Clerk),Jason Cobb. Members of the public: Roger Mallett and Audrey Crosby.

Prior to commencement of business safety announcements were given.

1.  APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.

Apologies for absence were received from Peter Kay, Public Transport Representative. 

2. MINUTES. RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Town Council held on 17 October 2011 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

 3. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES.   

7.2b) Salt Spreader.  Cllr. Lodge requested that a risk assessment be carried out on the salt spreader according to the manufacturer’s manual.

 4.  POINTS RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.  None.

 5. REPORTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY AND BOROUGH

    COUNCILS.

a) Essex County Council: Cllr. Young reported that work was imminent on the crossing by Cedrics Garages and the bus shelter at Rectory Road should be in put in soon; Cllr. Young also reported on the County’s preparation for next year’s budget, highlighting the cut backs in areas affecting older people, libraries, children’s homes and adult social care; the new Localism Act had come into force earlier and this devolved more responsibility down to local council level engaging more people on local issues.  The deadline for consultation on the Tendring District Local Development Plan had been extended to 25 November. To date, Colchester Borough Council’s response was that the proposals for this area were unworkable.  Responding to Cllr. Vaughan’s question Cllr. Young stated that she was first aware of the TDLP from reading about it in the paper and that she had not been contacted by Tendring District Council. The Colchester Local Development Framework team were aware of the TDLP and had considered it.

b) Borough Council:  Cllr. Cory also reported on the LDF, stating that CBC had completed their framework.  CBC is a statutory consultee in respect of Tendring’s proposals.

Cllr. Ford referred to the National Planning Policy which was in favour of sustainable development and which could potentially make it easier for developments to be passed. With reference to the Community Day of Action taking place on Thursday 24 November, parking, speeding, dog fouling, overhanging trees and bushes and litter were some of the concerns already voiced by residents.  Cllr. Ford also spoke about the Green Parishes Tree Scheme. The Town Council had placed a request for two cherry trees one of which was to be put in front of  73 High Street to replace a cherry tree which had died. 

Cllr. Manning spoke about the Tendring LDF and said that as Colchester were a consultee he would ensure that Wivenhoe is kept informed on consultations which may affect the town. Cllr. Cory added that the Tendring consultation was not a solid document at the moment and would be firmed up as it progressed along.  Cllr. Manning reported that CBC’s capital programme for the year ahead had now been finalized, included were projects for the pavilions at both the King George V Playing Field and Broad Lane and also included was the project for the Cricket Club nets.

Cllr. Quarrie reported that she was arranging a meeting with Bernard Jenkin MP about the Persimmon Site.  Cllr. Quarrie also said that she was meeting licensing officers about the issue of a Café Pavement Licence at the Rose and Crown again.

 c) Public Transport Representative.  Peter Kay had circulated a report which was noted by members.  Low floor buses, timetable consultation and location of bus station in Stanwell Street were some of the points raised in his report.

 6.  COMMITTEE REPORTS.

6.1 Planning

a) Minutes of the meetings of the Planning Committee held on 25 October 2011 were received and noted.  A report was given on the meeting held on15 November 2011. The Town Council’s response to the Tendring District Local Development Framework was formulated and this would be published on the Town Council’s website.  It was formally noted that Cllr. Frances Richards had stepped down from the Planning Committee and that Cllr.Asa Aldis would be taking her place.  Cllr. Richards was thanked for her contribution to the Planning Committee over the years

b) Cooks’ shipyard Wet dock:  Cllr. Sinclair reported that a site meeting had taken place. To date four fishermen were in the wet dock and progress was being made in drawing up the mooring agreements.

c) Section 106 (Cooks’) Working Party:  Cllr. Sinclair reported that the leases for the wet dock, fisherman’s store and slipway had now been signed and dated. The two remaining leases for the car park and dinghy park had been signed but not be dated yet.

d) Health Centre:  Members noted the response from Sheila Bremner, Chief Executive for North East Essex, stating that they are actively seeking a solution that meets the needs of the residents of Wivenhoe.

e) Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Consultation:

Members noted this public consultation which runs from 11 November –9 December 2011, details of which had been emailed to all members.  Cllrs. Tile and Read would formulate a response.

 6.2 Personnel Committee.  Noted that the date of next meeting would be on 30 November 2011. Cllr. Vaughan submitted her apologies for the next meeting.  Cllr. Read reminded members of the in-house Cllr Training Day arranged for Saturday 10 December at 10.00am in the Council Chamber.

 6.3 Finance and Administration Committee.  

a) Minutes of meeting held on19 October 2011 were received and noted.

b) Cllr. Lodge advised that the date of the next meeting, which would also incorporate a pre-budget meeting would be held on 14 December 2011 at 7.30pm.

6.4 Best Value Committee.

a) Notes of  the meeting held on Monday 7 November  2011 were received.

Recommendations: Wivenhoe Fair Trade Group – formal request for a Fair Trade Sign if  the group were successful in their application was agreed.

7.  WORKING PARTY REPORTS.

7.1 William Loveless Hall Working Party: 

a) Notes of the meeting held on Tuesday 1 November 2011 were received.  The Town Clerk advised that E & J would be inspecting the heat sensor in the Hall kitchen the following day. The specification for a suitable cooker hood had also been received.

b) The next meeting would be held on Wednesday 7 December at 7.30pm in the Council Chamber.

7.2 Estates Working Party.

a) Notes of the meeting held on 24 October 2011 at 7.30pm were received.

b) Pavilion Lease: Cllr. Richards advised that the issue of the lease for the pavilion was with the Town Council’s solicitors.

c) Sign: The sponsor of the large advertising sign which had been placed in the flower bed at Vine Parade without Town Council or Wivenhoe in Bloom permission has been asked to remove it.

d) Smiths Corner: A letter had been received from the resident, which explained the need for the small piece of fence projecting onto Town Council land at Smith’s Corner.   AGREED that a letter be sent to the resident advising that the Town Council had no objection to the fence remaining where it is for the time being but that the permission would not be in perpetuity.

e) Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Garden: Cllr. Vaughan updated members on her designs for the Quiet Garden area.  The proposal would be put before Cory Environmental Trust to gauge their reaction and the Essex Wildlife Trust had also been consulted. The scheme was very ambitious and would require major funding.

7.3 Wivenhoe Wood Working Party.  Nothing to report.

7.4. Minibus Working Group. 

A meeting would be scheduled shortly.  Cllr. Needham drew member’s attention to a very generous donation which had just been received from the Wivenhoe Quay Quilters following their recent very successful exhibition. A letter of thanks had been sent to the Quay Quilters by Cllr. Needham.

7.5 Youth Facilities Working Party.  Nothing to report. 

7.6 Community Opportunities Group. 

Cllr. Lodge reported that the acquisition of 81/83 High Street was proceeding.  It was envisaged that there would be opportunities for local housing, office space and car parking. The Group would be meeting soon to inspect the premises and draw up a list of what needs doing.  This meeting is scheduled for 8.30am on Saturday 26 November 2011.

7.7 Diamond Jubilee Working Group.

a) Notes of the meeting held on 26 October 2011 were received.  Cllr. Needham summarized events to date with the main expense being the hire of toilet facilities for the fun day, arranged for Bank Holiday Monday 4 June 2012.

b) The next meeting would be held on 11 January 2012 at7.30pm. 

7.8 Members’ Individual Proposals or Reports:

a) Mayoral Activities: Cllr. Needham reported on attendances as follows: Sunday 16 October  – Wivenhoe Civic Service; Friday 28 October – Colchester Oyster Feast; Saturday 29 October – FOSM Autumn Fayre; Friday 11 November – Colchester Town Hall Armistice Remembrance Service; Saturday 12 November – Wivenhoe Society Craft Fair; Sunday 13 November – 1100 Colchester Remembrance Service; Sunday 13 November – Wivenhoe Remembrance Service and Sunday 20 November – ADTP production of Fawlty Towers at the William Loveless Hall, which was highly entertaining.

Total of 8 attendances.   

b) Community Safety and Police Matters:  Cllr. Endean reported on the meeting held on  27 October.  Some Committee members had changed but the Chairman, Karl Douzier, remained with Linda Routledge continuing as Secretary.   Matters discussed were thefts from cars and an increase in metal theft.

c)  NAP report: Date of next meeting 13 December at 7.00pm.

d) Colne Estuary Liaison Group – Cllr. Sinclair reported on this very interesting group which dealt with all matters concerning the estuary.  Sewage capacity and improvements to the Anglian Water Sewage Treatment Works was being discussed as was the setting up of a Marine Conservation Centre; the group was constantly monitoring the safety of the water and pollution levels.

e) New Web site: Cllr. Needham reported on the official launch of the new Wivenhoe web-site www.wivenhoetowncouncil.co.uk which dealt with all Town Council matters. A link would be retained to the Wivenhoe Encyclopedia as it held much historical information.  Cllr. Needham formally thanked Jason Cobb for his valuable contribution in assisting with the project and training members.  

8.  TOWN CLERK’S REPORT.

8.1 Burial Grants and approval of memorials.

The Town Clerk reported that no Burial Grants had been issued and one memorial had been approved since the last meeting.  One burial of ashes had taken place.    

 8.2 NALC/EALC Communications.  November DIS communications and Making the Links communications and newsletters from both NALC and EALC were both available in office for members to read.  Electronic versions had been emailed to members where available.

8.3 Work Management.

a) General: The Town Clerk reported work had started on getting the Christmas Lights ready; the salt spreader had arrived;  replacement windows in the Cemetery Chapel had been installed; Footpaths had been cut back and assistance had been given in moving the pantomime flats;  the War Memorial had been cleaned prior to the Remembrance Service.  The number of visitors to the Council Offices for the month of October totalled 219. 

9.  FINANCE.

9.1  Current Financial Report

a) The October spending and income Report was received and noted.  Noted that capital projects had been put on hold for the time being.

b) 2010/11 Audit: Members noted that the Statement and Annual Return had been signed and duly completed.  

c)  Pre-Budget meeting:  Noted that this had been arranged for 14 December at7.30pm.            

9.2 List of cheques numbered 503627 -503652 drawn since the last Town Council Meeting was approved and signed.  

9.3 List of Payments made from the Imprest Account since the last Town Council Meeting was approved.

9.4    Motions Under Standing Orders Recommending Expenditure.  None.  

9.5 Appeals for Financial Support.  None.

10.  NEW BUSINESS.

10.1 Correspondence.    

a) St. Mary’s Church:   Cllr. Needham read out a letter of thanks from Rev. Lammens of St. Mary’s Church for the Town Council’s contribution of £75 towards sweets for the St. Nicholas festival.  Cllr. Needham advised that a private donation had enabled the  contribution amount to reach £100, which was the amount required to purchase the sweets.

10.2 Conferences/Seminars.  None.

10.3 Notices.  Members noted the following:  

Mayor’s Charity shopping trip to France/Belgium, Saturday 26 November with    Cedrics.

10.4 Licences.    Nothing to report.

10.5 Highway Matters.   Members noted the following:

a)  Lorry movements:  Members were advised that lorries were using Manor Road to get to the Co-op Supermarket in The Avenue. Cllr. Tile would find out if they had been any official re-routing.

10.6 Press Releases.  

The meeting closed at 9.05pm.

 CHAIRMAN