Agenda item

Subject to the required notice being given, Members of the Council can ask questions of the Chairman of the Council, the Leader of the Council, Portfolio Holders or Chairmen of Committees or Sub-Committees.

 

The time allocated for receiving and disposing of questions shall be a maximum of 45 minutes. Any question not disposed of at the end of this time shall be the subject of a written response, copied to all Members unless withdrawn by the questioner.

 

Six questions have been received, on notice, from Members and they are attached to this Agenda.

            The Council had received questions from Members in relation to:

 

(1)    Open Spaces;

(2)    Street Cleaning in Harwich and Dovercourt;

(3)    Proposed TIC in Clacton Town Centre;

(4)    Public Conveniences on Harwich Quay;

(5)    Temporary Traffic Lights at Thorpe-le-Soken; and

(6)    Ban on Trade Waste at Recycling Centres at Kirby-le-Soken, Lawford and Dovercourt

           

            Notice of the questions had been given in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.2.

 

Question One

 

From Councillor Andrew Pemberton to Councillor Michael Talbot, Portfolio Holder for the Environment:

“What are we doing about our OPEN SPACES that you keep leaving open year on, year off?

 

This doesn’t only affect the area that I live in but all our area. There needs to be some sort of sign saying “no overnight camping" or "no motorised vehicles” like the ones up at Holland-on-Sea.  As it's Tendring that has to foot the bill, can we enforce this or would it have to go to Essex County Council?” 

 

Councillor Talbot responded as follows:

 

“I would like to thank Cllr Pemberton for his question.

 

The Council is responsible for many areas of open space throughout the District and, where possible, these spaces remain accessible in order that our residents and visitors are able to fully enjoy them.

 

However, where open spaces are regularly misused such as by the presence of unauthorised vehicles, or as a consequence of travellers / campers or any similar activity, the Council does take action as can be seen in a variety of open spaces across the District.

 

Some areas are cordoned off by means of low level fencing, wooden or metal posts and / or gates which effectively prevent vehicle access at all times. Where others may remain more open, but with clear signage indicating what activities are permitted. I would also add that evidence shows that even with lockable posts being installed to prevent unauthorised access, they seldom if ever deter the determined incursion onto public land.

 

Any action taken to restrict access to open spaces or to place signs on them will be in proportion to problems as reported and monitored, but in general open spaces will remain open if possible. In this way they remain available for public use and enjoyment and invariably look much better in terms of appearance if free from posts, gates, warning signs or other obstacles.

 

I’m not quite clear from the question whether Cllr Pemberton has a specific area in mind because he makes reference to open spaces being left open, “year on, year off..” and a requirement for signs to in place about camping and vehicles, which sounds rather specific Chairman.

 

If Councillor Pemberton has a specific area of concern I would be very pleased to investigate this on his behalf and to work with him to identify and to recommend appropriate action is taken if he is referring to a specific site.

 

Councillor Pemberton then asked the following supplementary question:

 

“Yes, there are a few areas of great concern so if we could arrange a date, a few residents of my area and other areas will also be grateful to meet to put the views if that is okay?”

 

Councillor Talbot responded as follows:

 

“Yes, just as I said at the end of my reply, if you have got any particular areas of concern come to me with it we’ll have a discussion together with the appropriate Officers and see whether they agree with us as Councillors on what should be done and what we can do about it within the various constraints we suffer under.”

 

Question Two

 

From Councillor Garry Calver to Councillor Michael Talbot, Portfolio Holder for the Environment:

 

“There is a growing sense of annoyance amongst the residents of Harwich and Dovercourt with the poor state of cleanliness of the roads, gutters and pavements within the town.

 

In order to confirm to residents that TDC is meeting its obligation to clean the streets and in order to allow residents to monitor the frequency of the work would the Portfolio Holder agree to publish the TDC schedule for street, gutter and pavement cleaning for Harwich and Dovercourt?”

 

The Chairman of the Council informed Council that Councillor Calver, pursuant to the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 11.9, had withdrawn his Question prior to the commencement of the meeting.

 

Council noted the forgoing.

 

Question Three

 

From Councillor Lis Bennison to Councillor Tanya Ferguson, Portfolio Holder for Tourism and Culture:

 

“I used to own a small hotel in Clacton town centre when the Tourist Information Centre was located at the junction with West Avenue, Pier Avenue and Station Street in what is now the Vodaphone shop.  I visited the office several times a week for information and to advise of any vacancies.  The office was always busy with tourists, people here on business, those looking for places to stay, residents, people buying theatre tickets and air show programmes and those just picking up brochures.  I found the centre invaluable in helping to promote my business, as did many of my colleagues in the tourism trade.

 

The building was subsequently disposed of about fifteen years ago and the office moved into the town hall.  I occasionally visit the office now but the through traffic appears vastly reduced.  By comparison, when I’m in the town centre I am often approached by visitors to the town asking for directions and information, which I am only too happy to give to the best of my ability.  If I give directions to the Tourist Information Centre, the response is invariably ‘I’m not walking all that way’.

 

Has the Portfolio Holder for Tourism and Culture, Councillor Tanya Ferguson, given any thought to the possibility of either using one of the empty shops in Clacton town centre or the prospect of providing a kiosk close to the seafront, preferably in Christmas Tree Island, to enable a Tourist Information Centre to be located where one is needed rather than where there is available space?

 

It appears to work on Walton seafront.  I understand that money is tight, but as the old saying goes, you have to speculate to accumulate.  There is currently an empty premises in Pier Avenue available at £6,750 pa or £563 per calendar month, not a lot when you consider what business could be generated for the town.”

 

Councillor Ferguson responded as follows:

 

“I would like to thank Councillor Bennison for her question.

 

Whilst I would agree that the location of the Information centre within the Town centre was ideal at that time for the old style Tourist Information Centre’s, the vast majority of modern visitors now tend to undertake research on-line about an area before they visit, borne out by a survey undertaken a few years ago with less than 8% of visitors using the TIC prior to visiting.

 

I think that this is also reflected in the increased traffic on the Essex Sunshine Coast website which has gone up from around 9,500 hits in the summer of 2012 to around 68,500 in the summer of 2015.

 

Discussions have taken place with businesses based at the seafront to host an electronic and interactive facility and I will continue to those discussions.

 

As Councillor Bennison will, I am sure appreciate, the TIC at the Town hall is multifunctional and staff deal with many other duties as well as the tourist information centre function and it would not be practical to relocate them elsewhere in the town.

 

However, I am keen to explore other options such as apps, information booths etc. but not another physical tourist information centre but I am very grateful to Councillor Bennison for this suggestion.”

 

Question Four

 

From Councillor Maria Fowler to Councillor Nick Turner, Portfolio Holder for Commercialisation:

 

“There are a growing number of complaints from visitors and residents about the condition of the TDC operated toilets on Harwich Quay.

 

Will the Portfolio Holder please confirm where these toilets are on the list for refurbishment and when it is likely to take place?

 

Will he further ensure that additional support is given to the routine maintenance of TDC operated toilets in the vicinity of major community events on the occasions when such events are taking place?”

 

Councillor Turner responded as follows:

 

“Thank you Councillor Fowler for your question. I’m sure you are aware that this Council is currently preparing a Public Conveniences Strategy for the District as already reported in draft form to the Service Development and Delivery Committee of which you are a member.

 

As part of this strategic review the Council is addressing many issues relating to public conveniences which will achieve the overall aim of providing: ‘Accessible, Safe, High Quality Public Conveniences for Residents and Visitors alike’.

 

The toilets at Harwich Quay have been identified as one of the Council’s main priorities for future refurbishment but the issue of accessibility is currently under investigation at this location due to the absence of a disabled toilet on Harwich Quay. It would be prudent for this Council to investigate and resolve this issue before the refurbishment is undertaken at these particular toilets.

 

The Council has already obtained positive planning advice in respect of this issue and further to this has commissioned plans which will include indicative costs for both the installation of a disabled toilet as well as the refurbishment of the whole toilet block on Harwich Quay.

 

Further to this there is a requirement on this service to investigate operational savings as part of the budget overview. To that end I would very much like to ask Councillor Fowler to reconsider her position and accept my invitation to join my Budget Working Party set up to investigate savings associated with the operation of public conveniences in Tendring which, among other things, will help to establish the future priorities of this very important service. I hope you will say ‘Yes’ this time.”

 

Councillor Fowler then asked the following supplementary question:

 

“I thank Councillor Turner for his reply. I’d like to point out that in that particular area on Harwich Quay there are 10+ large events every year plus coming up this weekend we have two big events: the Essex Air Ambulance Motorcycle Run and also the Heritage Weekend. That area is a heavy footfall especially for the public conveniences. Throughout the year there are big events like the New Year’s Eve fireworks; the Harwich Sausage Festival; the International Shanty Festival and many others. Of course a key part of these events are the public conveniences. I’m also sorry Councillor Turner but I’ll have to decline your invitation.”

 

Councillor Turner responded as follows:

 

“Thank you Councillor Fowler for your supplementary. Yes, we are aware of these and my teams – seafronts, public conveniences and parking – do put in extra resources as and when required and they will be there this weekend. And it’s a shame that you are not putting in on the working party what you would like to see as a Ward Councillor. Thank you.”

 

Question Five

 

From Councillor Jack Parsons to Councillor Neil Stock, Leader of the Council:

 

“It is not right that temporary traffic lights are erected in the middle of the day in the height of the summer season.

 

We are a District that relies on its tourist footfall and the disruption caused by temporary traffic lights at peak times has completely decimated the potential trade flowing through our District.

 

I completely support the comments made by, among others, Cllr Nick Turner. Essex County Council should be supporting and working with us but instead, seem to be sending us up the river without a paddle.

 

Is there anything that we as a Council can do to ensure that pressure is applied to ensure that the interests of this District are put in a higher regard within Essex County Council than current activities suggest?”

 

Councillor Stock responded as follows:

 

“I would like to thank Councillor Parsons for his question and I certainly agree with his premise in what he says that we as a local authority must do all that we can to promote tourism within the District and as a fundamental part of that clearly we need to ensure that unnecessary obstacles are not hindering visitors coming into Tendring or indeed hindering or delaying local residents and businesses from going about their daily activities.

 

I am not at all certain whether Councillor Parsons has any particular location or specific set of temporary traffic lights in mind in what he says but what is important to remember is that utility companies have the right to carry out urgent works for public safety or to restore failed services and neither we as a District Council or Essex County Council as the Highways Authority can prevent them from doing that..

 

When works are undertaken by Utility companies, over whom we have no control, it is very difficult to influence them as their right to undertake the works are enshrined in legislation under the “New Roads and Street Works Act 1991”. Furthermore they do not have to give any notice. When it is planned works then notice is given to the highway authority (ECC) who ensure disruption to the travelling public is minimised as much as possible. Essex Highways employ Street Works Coordinators who oversee and inspect such works.

 

I know that Members and officers at TDC do work very hard to ensure that all statutory and utility undertakers are mindful of the timing of necessary works. I’m grateful that Councillor Parsons has commented on what Councillor Turner is doing and I can assure Members that we will continue to press our case and if Councillor Parsons is referring to a particular location or a specific issue then I can assure him that I will ask officers to review the matter and if necessary I will ensure that this is raised at the Local Highways Panel.”

 

Councillor Parsons then asked the following supplementary question:

 

“I’d like to thank Councillor Stock for his response and I completely understand the difficulties we face with regards to utility companies basically disrupting our roads with little or no notice given. However, I am slightly confused given that both the District Council and the County Council are run by Conservatives and yet there is no cohesion with regards to communication. I would understand it if the Conservative Party was as divided as the Labour Party. Can I ask if Councillor Stock intends to contact Essex County Council with regards to negotiating with utility companies as to a suitable time to carry out their non-emergency works?”

 

Councillor Stock responded as follows:

 

“First I must clarify that this is not a Conservative Administration that there are three other political groups that work with the Conservatives to run this Council. There are only 23 Conservative Members and yes, the County Council is a Conservative Administration. I’m not aware of any issues or concerns about communication between this Council and the County Council. As I said utility companies have the right to carry out works without even the County Council having any powers in which case the way to get that changed is through primary legislation so I would encourage you to ask your Party’s MP, Douglas Carswell to put a Bill through the House of Commons. I am happy to take up any specific issues and if it requires me to fly a missive off to County, trust me, I’ve done it before and I’ll do it again.”

 

Question Six

 

From Councillor Roy Raby to Councillor Michael Talbot, Portfolio Holder for the Environment:

 

“Can I ask Cllr. Talbot, the Portfolio Holder for Environment, for his response to the announcement from Essex County Council (ECC), who plan from 31^st October to ban trade waste from three sites in Tendring, namely Kirby-le-Soken, Lawford and Dovercourt and place restrictions on Clacton?

 

All three sites are part of an Essex-wide crack down on illegal waste left at recycling centres for household waste (RCHWs). Whilst I agree that a problem exists and ECC needs to find a solution I was wondering if the Portfolio Holder agrees with me that this is the wrong way to go about it. There are many different solutions ranging from payment-to-throw-away schemes to the setting up of licensed specialist sites at a cost to the trader, both of which are already in action in other counties.

 

I understand that there is no duty on local authorities to accept or dispose of DIY and construction waste but the lines become blurred when some sites won’t accept a van or pick-up truck with normal household waste whilst others will accept a car with what could be considered trade waste.

 

This also does not take into account those residents whose only form of transport is a van or pick up truck. If these residents are willing to travel further to dispose of their waste they will only be able to go the Clacton RCHW on Rush Green Road as this is the only site able to allow entry to such vehicles in the whole of Tendring.

 

Is the Portfolio Holder in agreement with me that despite ECC promises that this will not lead to increased fly-tipping that this will be contrary to what will actually happen and that it will be an extra financial burden on this Council passed on indirectly from ECC?”

 

Councillor Talbot responded as follows:

 

“I would like to thank Councillor Raby for his question and I can confirm that I share a lot of your reservations about the proposals.

 

I think that it is difficult at this distance to accurately assess what the impact will be of these proposals and therefore difficult to effectively persuade ECC away from taking this course of action.

 

Having said that I can also understand why ECC are attempting to prevent the illegal dumping of Trade waste at recycling sites, which of course costs all Council tax payers to deal with.  

 

I have no doubt in my mind that there is a very high possibility that fly tipping of building waste materials will result from these changes but until this happens and until we are able to judge the scale and extent it is difficult to predict the additional costs which TDC may have to bear.

 

There is a suggestion that ECC may provide some funding if fly tipping does increase but as yet this is unquantified.

 

However, I can give Councillor Raby my assurance that I will be working with officers and if it is identified that there is an increase in fly tipping of such materials we will be looking to firstly prosecute those responsible and secondly to get ECC to review this decision.”

 

Councillor Raby then asked the following supplementary question:

 

“I thank Councillor Talbot for his response. I’d like to ask him if he has been in contact with his opposite number at Essex County Council regarding the statement that ECC has put out?

 

Councillor Talbot responded as follows:

 

“We actually have a joint committee between District and Borough Councils and Essex County Council – the Waste Partnership Committee and I, as Portfolio Holder, represent this Council on that Committee. Lots of Councils have raised their concerns on that Committee that these changes will lead to an increase in fly-tipping. However, you can understand that ECC is trying to prevent professional builders and developers from illegally taking their waste to Household Recycling Centres. This matter will be kept under review by Councils all over Essex and I will keep this Council informed through Portfolio Holder Statements as appropriate.”