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MINUTES of the Meeting of Wivenhoe Town
Council
held in the Council Chamber on Monday 21
September 2009.
Present: The Town Mayor, Cllr. N. Lodge (Chairman), Cllrs: C. Fox, K.
Rogers, C. Liddy, B. Sinclair, A. Vaughan, R. Needham and D. Purdey.
Borough Cllrs. S. Ford, J. Manning and A. Quarrie. Cllr. D. Barrenger, Mr.
P. Kay, Mrs. A. Stinson (Town Clerk) and N. Edwards (Admin),
Mr. R. Mallett (member of the public)
Prior to the start of the meeting a presentation on the newly-formed
Wivenhoe Business Association was given by Ian Blunnie and Stuart Lee. A
paper was circulated to members summarizing the purpose of the Association,
including initiatives, projects and objectives in the pipeline. Members were
very supportive and thanked Mr. Blunnie and Mr. Lee for the presentation.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. M. Iacovou, F. Richards and
P.Kraft, County Cllr. J. Young and Borough Cllr. M. Cory.
2. MINUTES. RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Town Council
held on 20 July 2009 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
3. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES.
5. b) Borough Cllrs report. In response to Cllr. Roger’s question Cllr.
Quarrie reported that there had been no prosecutions issued to managers of
licensed premises by the CBC Licensing department regarding the sale/serving
of alcohol to persons who had already had too much to drink. Cllr. Quarrie
reported that she had visited Colchester town centre late at night with CBC
licensing officers and had not found anything untoward apart from noise
which was mainly generated by smokers standing on the pavements outside
licensed premises. Cllr. Rogers maintained that there was serious concerns
and Cllr. Quarrie said that she would go out again with the officers. Cllr.
Quarrie was also asked to find out if any of the licensed premises had Café
Pavement Licences.
4. POINTS RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
Mr. R. Gifford – Parking matters: Members each received a copy of a written
report, originally sent to Cllr. T. Young, from Mr. R.Gifford concerning
proposals for Residents’ Parking in Park Road.
Those members of the Town Council present supported Mr. Gifford’s views and
the Town Council would find out from Parking Services if there was a
deadline for the consultation process. A letter would also be sent to
Parking Services requesting clarification on the need for Residents’ Parking
in Park Road.
5. REPORTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY AND BOROUGH COUNCILS.
a) Essex County Council: A written report had been received from Cllr.
Young detailing that she had met with Highways and Essex University
regarding improvements to the walking route to Essex University keeping
students away from the A133. The access road into the new knowledge gateway
will be constructed between April-November next year causing considerable
disruption during this period. Cllr. Young also reported that ECC Highways
officer Jennifer Gudka had drawn up proposals for new footways in Elmstead
Road and Cllr.Young was optimistic that these will be progressed. This would
mean 3 new pieces of footway.
The proposal for parallel parking spaces at Vine Parade shops had been
rejected and the area is to be re-examined for a better solution.
The VAS will be installed on Rectory Hill/Road in December.
b) Borough Council: Cllr. Ford reported that he had organized meetings with
residents concerned the Residents’ Parking proposals. Overhanging
vegetation, missing road signs and the 20 mph were other topics which he had
been working on.
Cllr. Manning reported that he had been dealing with Henrietta Close open
space and the fence at Lower Lodge. Cllr. Fox mentioned that the condition
of the play equipment at Lower Lodge needed looking into as some had been
reported as having faults. Cllr. Manning would look into this. Proposals for
turning off of street lights early were another important issue which needed
monitoring.
Cllr. Quarrie said that she had also been dealing with the speeding issues
along Station Road.
c) Public Transport Representative. Members received and noted the written
report of Mr. P. Kay, which was circulated around the table.
6. COMMITTEE REPORTS.
6.1 Planning
a) Minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 4 and 25 August
and 15 September were received and noted. Cllr. Liddy briefed members on the
Phase 3 proposals for Cooks Shipyard. Consultation on the East of England
Plan was imminent with a deadline of 24 November and the LDF Site
Allocations Submission Document and LDF Development Policies Submission
Document were now out for consultation with a deadline of 30 October. Agreed
to invite Karen Syrett to attend a Planning Committee meeting regarding
these consultations.
b) Section 106 Working Party (Cooks’): Cllr. Liddy reported on the meeting
held with Taylor Wimpey re the Wet Dock and that a further report from the
Marine Surveyor had been received. The matter was progressing well and up to
date plans were awaited. Following that further meetings would be held with
Taylor Wimpey and the Town Council’s legal representatives. Agreed that a
small working group consisting of Cllrs. Richards, Purdey, Fox and Liddy be
formed to progress matters.
An information board depicting the history of the site was ongoing.
Concerning other Section 106 matters development at Glance Lodge, De Vere
Lane had recently been approved with an amount of S106 planning gain being
attributed to Wivenhoe.
c) Health Centre: Cllr. Lodge reported that there had been no progress and
that land sale had not been agreed upon yet.
6.2 Personnel Committee.
Cllr. Purdey gave a brief report on the meeting held on 16 September.
6.3 Finance and Administration Committee.
Cllr. Purdey reported on the meeting held on 8 September. Items of report:
Purchase of new
Lawntractor; new 3-tier trolley for William Loveless Hall; increasing legal
fees in regard to
the Cooks’ leases. Proposals for CCTV was still under review.
6.4 Best Value Committee
a) Draft notes of meeting held on Monday 14 September were received and
noted.
Items of Note: Following receipt of three written quotations AGREED to
purchase John
Deere Lawn tractor, with the old machine being traded in. AGREED also to
purchase the
3-tier trolley.
Cllr. Lodge reported that the groundsmen had carried out a temporary repair
on the garage door which had been very successful. Quotes for a new door
were being looked into.
b) Wivenhoe Conservation Area: Cllr. Fox asked Cllr. Ford if he could find
out from CBC planning department what has happened to the appraisal of the
Wivenhoe Conservation area carried out by Qube several years ago.
7. WORKING PARTY REPORTS.
7.1 William Loveless Hall Working Party:
a) Date of the next meeting would be 28 October.
7.2 Estates (General Amenities & Landscaping) Working Party.
a) Notes of the Meeting held on September 7 were received and noted.
Cllr. Fox updated the meeting re woodland burials at Cockaynes Wood, stating
that it
would not be feasible as a woodland burial site.
7.3 Wivenhoe Wood Working Party: Cllr. Sinclair reported that there was an
Action Plan meeting the following evening meeting at the Rosabelle Avenue
entrance. Main topic would be coppicing. An educational day had been held in
August for youngsters which had been very successful.
7.4. Minibus Working Group. A meeting would be arranged shortly.
7.5 Youth Facilities Working Party.
Cllr. Purdey reported on the very successful climbing wall event, held on
the KGV field on 15 September, organized by the Essex Association of Boys’
Clubs. A meeting was being arranged with the Borough Council and the County
Council about internet access at the Phillip Road Centre. Cllr. Lodge added
that the Youth Centre was still looking for volunteers.
7.6 Members' Individual Proposals or Reports:
a) Mayoral Activities: Cllr. Lodge reported on attendances at the University
of Essex on 26 July for Race For Life event; Cricket Week on 29 July; Bring
and Buy sale at St. Mary’s Church on 1 August and Cricket Club dinner in the
evening; Teddy Bears Picnic on Sunday 9 July on the KGV playing field; Over
60’s dinner on 21 August; Wivenhoe Memories on 29-31 August, including
helping to clear up and put tables away after the exhibition; St. Mary’s
Church on 30 August; opening of Youth Centre BBQ for parent and children on
1 September; opened Garden Party in aid of motor neurone and cancer ward at
Colchester General Hospital; attended opening of Angie Diggens Theatre
School on 6 September and in the afternoon attended the Wivenhoe Crabbing
Competition; guest at Monday Club in the Scout and Guide Hall on 7
September; Wivenhoe Society Fun Day and Water Colour Challenge on 12
September and in the afternoon the Wivenhoe Show lunch and judging and
presenting trophies; Launch of book ‘Portrait of Shipbuilders’ at the
Nottage Institute on 18 September and on 20 September the Wivenhoe Society
presentation of cheques to St. Mary’s Church and the British Legion Wivenhoe
Branch Building Fund and lunch at Ten Acres.
b) Community Safety and Police Matters: Cllr. Rogers reported that there had
been a burglary at One-Stop, theft from garages, cars and boats. The
increase in drinking on the KGV playing field had been noticeable. The
turning off of street lights was an issue under current consideration, with
some towns being selected as pilot areas. Members to monitor this carefully.
c) Age Concern/Outreach Community Facilities: Cllr. Needham reported on
proposals for facilities such as a Luncheon Club at the William Loveless
Hall combining Welfare Advice Services. The possibility of the free hearing
aid batteries being made available at the Town Council offices would also be
looked into by Cllr. Rogers.
8. TOWN CLERK'S REPORT.
8.1 Burial Grants and approval of memorials.
The Town Clerk reported that one Burial Grant had been issued and five
memorials had been approved since the last meeting. Three interments of
ashes had taken place.
8.2 NALC/EALC Communications. DIS communications and July/August monthly
communications and newsletters from both NALC and EALC were both available
in office for members to read.
8.3 Tenancy Allocations/Changes from Colchester Borough Council. None.
8.4 Work Management.
a) General: The Town Clerk reported that grass-cutting and footpath clearing
was continuing. The Old cemetery had been cleared and a new notice depicting
flora and fauna put up. Landscaped areas had been cut back and trimmed and
tubs regularly watered. Repairs to fencing and gate around dog exercise area
had been undertaken and a repair carried out on the tractor shed door. Two
new bins installed on the KGV field. Office archiving and clearance of old
files had been carried out during August and a heavy duty shredder obtained.
Allotment rents had all been issued. The number of visitors to the Council
Offices for the month of July totalled 160 and August 122.
9. FINANCE.
9.1 Current Financial Report
a) The July/August spending and income Report was received and noted. Town
Clerk drew attention to an overspend on professional fees in regard to
Cooks’ Shipyard. This was noted by members.
9.2 List of cheques numbered 503160 -503194 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.
a) Lawn Tractor £5900
b) 3 Tier trolley £290
9.5 Appeals for Financial Support. None.
10. NEW BUSINESS.
10.1 Correspondence. None had been received.
10.2 Conferences/Seminars. Members noted the following:
EALC AGM 23 Sept Heybridge
EALC Health and Safety Course, Dunmow, 6 November, £75
10.3 Notices. Members noted the following:
Mayor’s Charity Events
1960’s night – William Loveless Hall Saturday 10 October. Tickets £8.
1940’s Big Band dance, William Loveless Hall, Saturday 31 October £10
French/Belgium trip with Cedrics Saturday 14 November £18
Civic
Annual Civic Service Sunday 18 October 10.30am
Remembrance Service Sunday 8 November Congregational Church 2.30pm
10.4 Licences. None.
10.5 Highway Matters.
a) ECC Highways Consultation on Wivenhoe Speed Cushions & 20mph Zone.
Cllrs. Lodge and Fox would be attending a meeting at ECC Highways on
Wednesday 23 September concerning this.
b) Residents’ Parking, Park Road: Town Clerk to write to Colchester Borough
Council Parking services asking them to quantify the need for Residents’
Parking in
Park Road in the light of residents’ views on the matter.
10.6 Press Releases.
The meeting closed at 9.20pm.
CHAIRMAN
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