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MINUTES of the Meeting of Wivenhoe Town
Council
held in the Council Chamber on Monday 18
October 2010.
Present: The Town Mayor, Cllr. B. Sinclair (Chairman), Cllrs: C. Liddy,
D. Purdey, N. Lodge, A. Vaughan, C. Fox and P. Kraft.
Borough Cllr. S. Ford and A. Quarrie
County Cllr. J. Young
Peter Kay, Public Transport Representative
Mr. R. Mallett, member of the public
Mrs. A. Stinson (Town Clerk)
Supt. Alison Newcomb and Sgt. Lou Middleton
Prior to the start of business Supt. Newcomb and Sgt. Middleton briefed
members on the Police Property Rationalization Programme. A three month
pilot scheme at Tiptree had just finished and evaluation was now taking
place. The decision on whether to roll it out throughout Essex would be
taken on 29 November. The proposed scheme would entail selling off the two
police houses in Wivenhoe and relocating to the Fire Station in Colchester
Road with a ‘surgery’ being held at Wivenhoe Library. Supt. Newcomb stressed
there would not be a reduction in police cover for Wivenhoe. The Town
Council would be kept informed of progress after 29 November.
Members were supportive of the initiative provided that there would not be a
reduction in Police services in Wivenhoe.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. R. Needham, F. Richards, M.
Iacovou and Borough Cllrs. M. Cory, and J. Manning.
2. MINUTES. RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Town Council
held on 20 September 2010 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
3. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES.
Casual Vacancy: Town Clerk reported that two applications had been received
to date. AGREED to extend the application period until the date of the next
Town Council meeting on 15 November 2010.
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 she had been
corresponding with the Head of School Access Services about primary school
places in Wivenhoe; re the Knowledge Gateway housing Karen Syrett had
responded that it did not look like the private residential development
would be progressed at this time and that it would be houses rather than
flats, if built. A senior officer’s pay review was being carried out at ECC
with higher paid officers taking a 5% pay cut. Cllr. Vaughan asked Cllr.
Young to look into the school intake prediction with ECC to confirm if the
development at Cooks’ shipyard had been taken into account.
b) Borough Council: Cllr. Ford reported that the LDF had been formally
adopted on 13 October with the land opposite Millfields being designated an
Open Space. The consultation into CBC Elections had closed with CBC opting
to continue with the present system. Concerning the gates at Gothic House
Cllr. Ford reported that the gates could not be found and the suggestion of
a chain across was being investigated. Cllr. Kraft said that a chain would
not keep a dog in. Cllr. Ford would look further into this.
Cllr. Quarrie congratulated Cllr. Sinclair on a successful Civic Service.
Cllr. Quarrie also commented on the recent fire incident at Brook Street and
suggested that a one way system round lower Wivenhoe should be looked into
by Highways. The owner of the business centre would be writing to ECC
Highways to express his concerns about the access to the site. Clarity was
also needed from the Divisional Fire Officer on the situation, particularly
as Phase 3 Cooks’ Shipyard would be returning before the Planning Committee
shortly, having been deferred. Cllr. Young said that she had also asked
Highways to obtain an opinion from the Fire Officer.
c) Public Transport Representative. Peter Kay reported that First Bus had
now produced a combined timetable that covers the University, Wivenhoe,
Colchester and surrounding areas. He also commented on the one-way system in
that it would involve a huge number of signs everywhere. Cllr. Lodge
reminded members that work was imminent on the new roundabout on Clingoe
Hill and that this would have a major impact on road users trying to get
into Colchester. The new footbridge at the Hythe was raised and Cllr. Young
advised that this had been provided by S106 monies from the developer.
6. COMMITTEE REPORTS.
6.1 Planning
a) Minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 20 September and
5 October were received and noted.
b) Section 106 Working Party (Cooks’): Cllr. Liddy reported that a letter
had been sent to Bernard Jenkin MP relaying the situation concerning the
Cooks’ leases. Cllr. Liddy said that he was also meeting the residents’
association about Cooks development.
c) West Street: A letter had been sent to Sue Jackson, CBC Planning
concerning remediation works on application F/COL/07/0160. No response had
been received and the Town Clerk would follow this up.
d) Health Centre: Cllr. Lodge said there was nothing further to report at
the moment and that the future of the new Health Centre now looked unlikely
due to the government White Paper.
6.2 Personnel Committee. Date of next meeting 27 October 2010.
6.3 Finance and Administration Committee.
a) Cllr. Purdey reported that the date of the next meeting would be on 4
November 2010.
A response from Cllr. Tina Dopson had been received that day which confirmed
that the
‘bid’ issue for the Parish Grant had been discarded and that it was proposed
to levy an
amount to each parish according to their spend and population. More details
would follow
which it was hoped would be known in time for the finance meeting on 4
November.
6.4 Best Value Committee.
a) Notes of meeting held on Monday 11 October were received and noted.
Items of Note: Severe Weather Policy – The recommendation for adoption of
the Severe
Weather Policy was AGREED; Rectory Road Bus shelter location: A proposal for
a bus
shelter outside of William Sparrow Court had been put forward for
consideration. Cllr. Sinclair had written to all residents of William
Sparrow Court asking for any objections to be sent in 30 October following
which Cllr. Young would be advised. A wooden style shelter would be
preferable and in keeping with others in Wivenhoe.
7. WORKING PARTY REPORTS.
7.1 William Loveless Hall Working Party:
a) Notes of the meeting held on Thursday 23 September at 7.30pm in the
Council Chamber were received.
b) Lighting in Wyvern Room: Cllr. Kraft reported that there was a
manufacturer’s delay in the fitting of the dimmable strip lights in the
Wyvern Room. Town Clerk to chase this up.
c) Wall: Cllr. Kraft reported that Mr. Wheatley, who working on the house
next to the WL Hall, had agreed to rebuild the low wall when a shed was
being dismantled. A bit of the grass edge would also be reduced which would
enable the mini-bus to navigate the corner better. This would be taken to
estates first.
d) Hall hire: In response to WSDFT’s request to hire the William Loveless
Hall for a public meeting it was decided that the normal charge would be
made and that a damage deposit in the form of a cheque be held, as per other
hirers.
7.2 Estates (General Amenities & Landscaping) Working Party.
a) Notes of the meeting held on Monday 4 October 2010 were received.
b) KGV Goal nets: Noted that the Sunday footballers had provided a set of
goal nets for
the goal posts as a result of the Town Council’s set of nets being
vandalized. The co-
operation of the Sunday footballers was much appreciated by members.
7.3 Wivenhoe Wood Working Party: Cllr. Sinclair reported that further work
had been undertaken on clearing ditches on the Colne Nature Reserve.
7.4. Minibus Working Group. Date of next meeting to be arranged.
7.5 Youth Facilities Working Party. Cllr. Purdey reported that the ‘hub’ as
it was now called was a great success on the Tuesdays between 6.30 and
8.30pm. The older age group was less enthusiastic at the moment. Resurfacing
the outdoor play area was suggested as an item for S 106 funding and this
would be raised at the next Town Council Planning meeting for addition to
the ‘wish list’ currently lodged with Colchester Borough Council.
7.6 Members' Individual Proposals or Reports:
a) Mayoral Activities: Cllr. Sinclair reported attendances at the following:
Colne School Awards on 22 September; Soup Luncheon for Okangoroso School,
Wivenhoe Society Fun Day, Art Exhibition at St. Mary’s, Wivenhoe Sailing
Club Regatta and Cadet Fun Event all on Saturday 25 September; Rowhedge
Heritage Centre Plans presentation to show support; Wivenhoe Open Galleries
and Combined Churches Harvest Songs of Praise, both on Sunday 26 September;
Monday Club, music for Margaret Britton’s birthday on 27 September; CBC
exhibition for Older People on 29 September; Colne College Open Evening on
30 September; Quiz at The Flag in aid of Mayor’s Charity Fund on 4 October;
Millfields School Harvest Show and competition on 6 October; Anglia Ruskin
Students visit on 6 October; WTFC presentation evening on future plans on 7
October; Freshers Fair at Essex University and Barn Dance/Ceilidh on 9
October; West Mersea Civic Service on 10 October and Helping Hands Get to
Know Everyone tea party on 10 October; ECC Budget Seminar and consultation
at County Hall on 11 October; Wivenhoe Luncheon Club with Mayoress playing
handbells on 14 October; Monday Club visit on 15 October; Wivenhoe Annual
Civic Service on Sunday 17 October, where Cllr. Sinclair thanked all those
involved in its preparations and, finally, helping the Quay Quilters in
their Exhibition following the Civic Service on Sunday 17 October.
b) Community Safety and Police Matters: Cllr. Ford reported that Karl
Douzier had been appointed Chairman on the Community Safety Group to replace
the late Cllr. Ken Rogers.
c) NAP report: Cllr. Kraft reported that the next meeting would be on 9
November.
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 no
memorials had been approved since the last meeting. One burial of ashes had
taken place.
8.2 NALC/EALC Communications. DIS communications and October monthly
communications and newsletters from both NALC and EALC were both available
in office for members to read.
8.3 Work Management.
a) General: The Town Clerk reported that clearance in the Old Cemetery and
grass-cutting was continuing in all Town Council owned areas. Overhanging
trees in the cemeteries had been trimmed back following complaints from
First Bus. A start had been made on rebuilding the Old Cemetery Wall. The
number of visitors to the Council Offices for the month of September
totalled 218.
b) SLCC Conference: The Town Clerk reported on a very good conference held
at Durham. Some good ideas and initiatives had been sourced from other
parish and town Clerks which the Town Clerk would be putting together in a
report.
9. FINANCE.
9.1 Current Financial Report
a) The September spending and income Report was received and noted. Town
Clerk reported that there was no major overspend on any budget and that the
financial situation was on course.
9.2 List of cheques numbered 503411 -503426 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.
9.5 Appeals for Financial Support. None.
10. NEW BUSINESS.
10.1 Correspondence.
a) CBC Consultation on new Executive Arrangements:
Choice between two options – Leader and Cabinet (similar to existing) and
Directly elected Mayor and Cabinet. Closing date 15 November 2010
Implementation date May 2011.
Agreed that this be taken to next Best Value Committee.
b) NATS (National Air Traffic Services): Noted receipt of a letter from NATS
stating that no second consultation would now take place and confirming that
the proposals would not be taken forward as there was less urgency on
capacity
grounds to achieve TCN (Terminal Control North) changes. Current forecasts
show that air traffic levels are not expected to return to the peak levels
of 2007
until at least 2013/14.
10.2 Conferences/Seminars.
Larger Local Councils Forum 19 October 10-12noon South Woodham Ferrers.
Noted.
Planning Training Sessions in Wivenhoe from CBC: 22, 26, 29 October; 3, 5,
10, 12 November between 6-10pm.
Agreed that Wednesday 10 November at 7.30pm be put forward to CBC.
10.3 Notices. Members noted the following:
Royal British Legion Service of Remembrance, Sunday 14 November, St. Mary’s
Church 2.30pm. Members assemble at Congregational Church at 2.00pm for
parade.
Mayor’s Charity shopping trip to France/Belgium, Saturday 20 November with
Cedrics.
10.4 Licences.
a) 7-9 High Street, Coffee Shop. Application for supply of alcohol on the
premises 11.00 to 22.00 Mondays to Sundays inclusive.
AGREED that this be taken to the next Town Council Planning Committee
meeting on 26 October.
10.5 Highway Matters.
a) CIF Pedestrian Crossing at The Avenue. A response and map had been
received from ECC Highways which indicated the preferred site to be a
crossing at the present site of the bus shelter.
Members were disappointed that ECC Highways had not taken into account the
Town Council’s wishes at the site meeting and concentrated on the need of
the
motorist over the need of pedestrians, contrary to the Town Council’s
preference.
The Town Clerk would convey this to ECC Highways.
b) ECC Proposed Revocation of Existing Residents Parking Rebow Road in
favour of a granted vehicular access being installed at the Almhouses.
Members considered this to be premature in that they would await the
planning application first before passing judgement.
c) Chapel Road: Noted the current unsatisfactory state of affairs concerning
tables and chairs being placed in this unadopted road to prevent anyone
parking.
10.6 Press Releases.
The meeting closed at 9.30pm.
CHAIRMAN |
