MINUTES of the Meeting of the Estates Properties Committee
held in the Council Chamber on Monday 8th January 2018 at 7.30pm
Present / Cllr. A Aldis (Chair), Cllrs: S Boughton, P Finn, R Needham, K Read, N Tile, S Nash, M Newton, A Hearn (WTC, Estates Properties Manager), M Smart (WTC, Minute Taker), D Sleightholm (W/H Pantomime/Gilbert & Sullivan Group).
1 / Apologies were received from Cllr. C. Singleton
Declarations of Interest. None
2 / Minutes of last meeting.
RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Estates Properties meeting held on Monday 13th November 2017 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record. /
3 / Points Raised by Members of the Public.
No points were raised by Members of the Public.
4 / Estate’s Properties Manager’s report.
Copies of the report were circulated to Members.
Tanking of the toilets at the Pavillion has been deferred to the summer holidays 2018 at the request of the tenant (revisit June 2018).
PAT testing at the Yard and Outbuildings is currently being updated. The new Minibus garage
construction will start next week with the demolition of the old paper shed, unless toilet works
take priority. Cllrs Tile asked if the floor of the paper shed could be scanned with a metal
detector before it was demolished. Cllr. Boughton to arrange.
Cllr. Newton suggested Peter Hill, Wivenhoe Society is contacted to visit and take
photographs for a magazine article.
Action: Cllr. Boughton to arrange metal detector. Office to contact Peter Hill.
Job list yet to complete: Door lock to main door to be replaced for safety issues. Construct a new soak away within Yard for Office block. Install Pavilion French drain. Quay shelter roof tiles. Inspect plumbing issue in public toilet.
Quay Shelter and Pontoon: Nothing to report. /
5 / REPORTS:
a) Offices & Police Houses.
Estates Properties Manager reported that the asbestos water tank has been removed from the
Office in preparation for toilet refurbishment and estimates for this work has been submitted
and are awaiting approval/adjustment. Cllr. Newton said that office staff were concerned about
the condition of the toilets and were not keen on unisex facilities.
Cllrs Newton, Needham and Read asked that disabled adaptations are considered alongside
Baby changing facilities.
Action: Estates Properties Manager to carry out further investigations into design
concepts and disabled adaptations and report back to Committee.
b) William Loveless Hall.
No report was received from Cllr. Vaughan, Chair of William Loveless Hall Working Party.
Three quotes that had been received for electrical work from Baxter Electricals, Chappel
Electrics and Essex & Suffolk were read to the Committee by Cllr. Aldis. All three quotes
Were discussed at length by the Committee and D Sleightholm.
Cllr. Newton explained that William Loveless Hall is fully compliant with current safety
regulations. Cllr. Aldis added that the work to be undertaken is to ensure full compliance with
future safety regulations.
Cllr. Needham proposed Essex & Suffolk’s quotation as the preferred option.
Seconded by Cllr. Boughton. AGREED unanimously.
Cllr. Aldis requested an update from the Town Clerk regarding the sound system.
Cllr. Newton explained that Wivenhoe Moving Image intends to make a formal request for
WTC funding at the next full Town Council meeting.
Action Point: Estates Properties Manager to contact Essex & Suffolk and if a delay in
work going ahead is anticipated, to report back to Committee immediately as job is time
sensitive. Town Clerk to provide update on sound system.
c) Car Park & Toilets.
Estates Properties Manager reported that the drains have been cleared regularly, however
flooding in Chapel Rd. continues to be problematic during heavy rainfall. Vegetation
obscuring street lighting has been cut back and tree surgeon is yet to coppice the oak trees.
Cllr. Nash asked if there had been any feedback from NEPP following the recent site meeting
with herself, Cllr. Newton and NEPP.
Action Point: Town Clerk to contact NEPP.
d) Chapel Museum.
Cllr. Aldis said that Colchester Borough Council Museums have recommended a coating for
the wooden coat pegs that will be saved from the paper shed demolition. After preservation
the intention is to display them in the Museum. Cllr. Newton suggested that Council Chamber
items could eventually be housed also in the Museum.
Cllr. Aldis reported that there would be a February Chapel Museum meeting, date to be
confirmed and circulated to Members
Estates Properties Manager reported that the Cemetery toilet store door has been fitted and is
ready for use.
e) Cook’s Shipyard (Fisherman Store).
Estates Properties Manager reported that ADV had been contacted to provide a quote for a
push pad entry system for the disabled toilet with site visit planned, cost expected to be in the
region of £2,000.
Cllr. Newton and Cllr. Aldis queried the need for a push pad entry system. The matter was
discussed and Estates Properties Manager asked to investigate what other options there are and
report back at the next meeting. Cllrs Nash & Read suggested asking other Councils/E.A.L.C.
what they do in terms of DDA compliance and user safety.
Action Point: Estates Properties Manager to carry out further assessment of toilet
facility and what is needed for DDA compliance. Town Clerk to liaise with E.A.L.C. and
other Councils about how they meet their responsibilities for toilet DDA compliance.
Town Clerk to explore rent review of Fisherman Store with TTW. /
6 / Fire Safety Inspection.
Estates Properties Manager reported that fire risk assessments have been annually reviewed
for the Offices, Police Houses, Shop and William Loveless Hall. The broken fire exit door in
the Hall has now been repaired. Landlords gas certificates are due for the Police Houses and
Shop in February. Fire Safety room limit for the Council Chambers is 25 people.
D Sleightholm left the meeting at 7.55pm.
7 / Date of Next Meeting
Monday 12th March, 2018.
The meeting closed at 8.50pm
CHAIRMAN
Estates Properties 8.1.2018 - 2 -