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HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL

INTRODUCTION

Harwich Town Council succeeded Harwich Borough Council during local government re-organization in 1974.

The Council is statutorily responsible for the provision and administration of allotment land, and is the administrative body for tennis courts, putting green and croquet lawn in the leisure area of the town.

Buildings behind the Magistrates Court (previously known as The Hill School) were purchased by the Council in 1993 and developed for community use, and currently these buildings are let to various community and leisure organizations.

All other services in the Town are the responsibility of Tendring District Council and Essex County Council and Harwich Town Council works in a consultative capacity with these authorities.

Harwich Town Council consists of 16 councilors who are elected every four years. The Chairman of the Council (The Town Mayor) and the Deputy Mayor are elected in May annually by their colleagues, with the Deputy Mayor succeeding The Mayor.

At present seven town councillors also serve as representatives for Harwich on the District Council and one on the County Council.

The Full Council meets once every six weeks, usually at The Guildhall, Church Street, Harwich, with a Planning Committee meeting being held every three weeks. At this meeting recommendations on Town Planning Applications are made to Tendring District Council who are the Planning Authority for Harwich. Other Committee meetings are held at approximately two month intervals throughout the year.

Allotments Committee – To oversee the management of allotment land

Finance and General Purposed Committee – to oversee issues relating to finance, staffing, security and general running of the Council.

Environment and Highways Committee – to oversee issues relating to the environment and highways, as well as tree planting, and to liaise with the relevant authorities.

Guildhall Committee – to oversee the management and upkeep of the historic Guildhall building.

Hill School Committee – to oversee the management of the community buildings behind The Magistrates Court.

Council administration takes place at The Guildhall where three members of staff are employed – The Clerk to the Council and Responsible Finance Officer, Mrs. Denise Humphris; The Assistant to the Clerk to the Council Miss Maree Newnham and the caretaker Mr. Fraser Morrison.