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MINUTES of the Annual Town
Meeting of Wivenhoe held at the William Loveless Hall, Wivenhoe at 7.30pm on
Wednesday 13th May 2009.
Present: The Town Mayor (Cllr. F. Richards) (Chairman)
Cllrs: P. Kraft, K. Rogers, F. Richards, B. Sinclair,
M. Iacovou, C. Liddy, R. Needham and A. Vaughan.
County Cllr J. Young
Borough Cllrs. S. Ford and M. Cory
PC Neil Gibson and Community Street Warden Carl Davies
Town Clerk, Antoinette Stinson and Admin Assistant, Nicola Edwards
67 local residents
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. C. Fox and N. Lodge.
The Town Mayor, Cllr. Richards, announced the start of the meeting,
apologizing for the incorrect start time which was printed in the paper and
welcomed all those present. Cllr. Richards then gave a short resume of the
Town Council’s year, briefing the audience on topics such as the success of
the Youth Bus and the opening of the Youth Club, which was a great
achievement for all those involved. Other items of note were the
installation of two memorial benches for past Community Policeman Sid Cox
and past Town Mayor, Val Last. In February the Town Council was
re-accredited with ‘Quality Status’, reflecting the commitment and hard work
of both the Town Council and its staff. ‘Quality Status’ enables the Town
Council greater recognition in applying for grant funding. A new initiative,
the setting up of a Community Interest Assets Group was in the pipeline for
the future, the purpose of this group would be to resource grants for those
finding it difficult to secure grant-aid. Cllr. Richards spoke about the
departure of Rev. David Thomas, who will be much missed and regrettably of
the resignation of Cllr. Peter Hill, after 25 years dedication to the Town
Council. In his place, Cllr. Richards introduced newly co-opted Cllr. Robert
Needham, who was also the Colchester Town Crier.
Cllr. Richards also spoke about the sad loss of former Wivenhoe Mayor, Mrs.
Margaret Dunne earlier in the year and, most recently, Dr. Edward Palmer,
Wivenhoe’s Doctor for many years.
1/ Mayor's Charity Fund and Presentation of Cheques.
Cllr. Richards thanked all those who had so generously helped to raise money
for the Mayor's Charity during her year. An amount of £5,265 had been raised
at a variety of successful events ranging from the Teddy Bears’ Picnic, two
‘1940s’ events, Wivenhoe Memories, a Summer Ball and the Mayor’s Ball, New
Year’s Eve dance, and day trips to France and Belgium, courtesy of Cedrics’
coaches – all repeat successes of traditions begun in previous years. Also
this year the auction of a Gail Cross painting, donated anonymously, raised
a considerable amount for the Mayor’s Charity.
Cllr. Richards then presented the proceeds of her Mayor’s Charity to
representatives of the following organisations:
Town and Gown Bursary 700.00
Britannia Court 100.00
Broomgrove Infant School 200.00
Broomgrove Junior School 200.00
Christmas Lights 100.00
Colne Community School 250.00
FOSM 100.00
Junior Badminton Club 100.00
May Fair Committee 200.00
Millfields School 200.00
Royal British Legion 200.00
Sailing Club Cadets 100.00
St Mary’s Parent and Toddler Group 100.00
Stuart Pawsey Court 100.00
The “Munty” Bus 300.00
The Avenue Play Group 100.00
The Ferry Trust 50.00
The Monday Club (over 60’s) 100.00
The Nottage Maritime Institute 150.00
The Scout and Guide Association 250.00
Town Regatta 200.00
Wiv Over 60’s Club 100.00
Wiv Pre School Group 100.00
Wivenhoe Bosom Pals 100.00
Wivenhoe Cricket Club 100.00
Wivenhoe Football Club 200.00
Wivenhoe Jubilee Youth Trust 100.00
Wivenhoe Junior Football Club 100.00
Wivenhoe Community Safety Group 100.00
Wivenhoe Sporting Trust 200.00
Youth Club 200.00
Loveless Hall (for extra lights) 89.61
Loveless Hall (Chiller in Wyvern Room) 75.00
Grand Total 5264.61
Doug Stockwell, on behalf of the Wivenhoe Over 60’s Club, thanked Cllr.
Richards and the Town Council for all that they do and in particular said
how grateful the Over 60’s were to the Wivenhoe Community Bus, especially
its volunteer drivers
Photographs were taken of each recipient of the Mayor’s Charity Fund .
2/ Minutes.
RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Annual Town Meeting held on 7th May 2008 be
confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a true record.
3/ Matters arising from the Minutes.
There were no matters arising.
4/ Annual Report.
The Town Council's Annual Report for 2008/09, previously circulated to all
residents in the April edition of the Brightlingsea and Wivenhoe Chronicle,
was presented by Cllr. Richards.
RESOLVED that the Annual Report be received.
5/ Financial Statement.
The Town Council's Financial Statement for 2008/09 was received and noted.
RESOLVED that the Financial Statement be received.
6/ Points/Resolutions raised by residents.
One formal point had been submitted:
1. Name: Mr. Alan Butler
Address: 18 Trinity Close, Wivenhoe
As regard to the Wivenhoe Trail after it has rained, I cycle on it twice a
day and it gets so sloshy with bad puddles that I have to use the main road
out of Wivenhoe which is narrow and dangerous and in the winter months the
trail is very dark.
One formal resolution had been submitted:
1. Name: Mr. Alan Butler
Address: 18 Trinity Close, Wivenhoe
To harden the trail like the University path, and have lighting like theirs
as well, then we would not have to use the dangerous main road in and out of
Wivenhoe.
Cllr. Richards said that this was a matter of concern as well to the Town
Council and invited County Cllr. Julie Young to respond. Cllr. Young said
that there were proposals for improving the surface of the cycle trail in
2010 but that the proposal did not include for any lighting as it was
classed as a rural route, not an urban route. Cllr. Young said that she
would respond to the resident who had raised the matter.
Cllr. Richards invited questions from the floor on any other matters
contained within the report.
A spokesman for the Wivenhoe Town Football Club said how the Club really
appreciates the help and support which the community had given to the Club
and thanked everyone for their support.
One resident asked what was happening about the cyclepath to the University.
Cllr. Julie Young responded that there were proposals although they were at
the decision stage at present, pending land acquisition.
Sanchia Nash of the Wivenhoe Voluntary Youth Group then updated the meeting
on the
continued success of the youth club, stating that it was getting a lot of
support from the community and was being well used.
Cllr. Ken Rogers spoke about the low crime figures in Wivenhoe and the
wonderful community spirit within the town. PC Neil Gibson was introduced to
the audience.
Cllr. Maria Iacovou spoke about the success of the Town Plan, of which the
Town Plan Group would progress further with their findings.
7/ Introduction of Community Street Warden:
Cllr. Richards then introduced Carl Davies, Colchester Community Street
Warden, to the audience. Carl outlined the Community Street Warden scheme,
which so far had been very successful in other areas of Colchester.
Anti-social behaviour, litter and graffiti were some of the hotspots which
the Street Warden scheme could deal with. Everyone welcomed this and Cllr.
Richards said that it would be a real bonus for the town.
8/ Any Other Matters.
The Town Mayor, Cllr. Richards, after asking residents if there was anything
else they wished to discuss, thanked all who had attended and formally
declared the meeting closed.
The meeting ended at 8.15pm.
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CHAIRMAN
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