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HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
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MINUTES OF TOWN COUNCIL MEETING PUBLIC SESSION MINUTES 14 October 2024: at 19:15 |
Membership:
| Councillor Andrew Munday | Chairman | Apologies |
| Councillor James Bond | Vice Chairman | Present |
| Councillor Janet Atkinson | Present | |
| Councillor Malcolm Fincken | Present | |
| Councillor Linda Hilton | Present | |
| Councillor Gemma MacAndrews | Present | |
| Councillor Grahame McCoyd | Present | |
| Councillor Paul Nunn | Apologies | |
| Councillor Jackie Pell | Present | |
| Councillor Felix Preston | Apologies | |
| Councillor Linda Smith | Apologies | |
| Councillor Garry Warren | Apologies |
Also in attendance: Eileen Penn, Jan Mellon, Glen Lagdon, Mary Atkinson, Jill Curtis, Neil Williams, Lexi Gedge, Brian Farren, Sarah Greatorex (Town Clerk)
24/79. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Cllr Smith and Cllr Munday sent apologies as they were on holiday, Cllr Warren and Cllr Preston sent apologies due to a previous commitment, Cllr Nunn sent apologies as he was unwell.
Cllr Atkinson proposed, seconded by Cllr Pell, acceptance of the apologies. This was unanimously agreed.
24/80. DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS:
Cllr Pell declared NPI item 7b & 7b(a) as a member of BDC and CSGMC, Item 5 24/01991/LBC as owner known to her, 24/01994/LBC as owner known to her, 24/01938/FUL as architect known to her, and item 15 as son-in-law works at Head office. Cllr Hilton declared NPI item 7b& 7b(a) as a member of CSGMC. Cllr Fincken declared NPI, item 5 as a member of BDC planning committee. Cllr McCoyd declared a PI Item 7b, as he was being paid for an expenses claim.
Cllr Bond delivered the Chairman’s statement :
HTC and CSGMC held a productive meeting to find a way towards a new governance structure. That will increase efficiency, openness and transparency in the future. This will also clarify the legal arrangements that cover the relationship between the two organisations. A further meeting will be held on 24 October to consider the options available and, it is hoped, a recommendation will be made by the working group to both HTC and CSGMC as to a way
forward before the end of 2024.
24/81. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
a) Glen Lagdon of 21st century working group made the following statement:
After 11 years of campaigning for the retention of Halstead Air Raid Shelters and the surrounding land, Halstead 21st Century once again presented a statement to Braintree District Council Planning Committee on 1 October, for the latest planning application for the development of the land east of Halstead High Street.
However, for the first time, we broadly support the latest application, and the constraints within it.
Whilst it is still the case that we want to preserve all of the shelters, we also recognise that a compromise needs to be found where we can preserve as much of this unique history on our doorstep as we possibly can.
We all recognise that this is a complex site, with a host of constraints, and cannot be approached and developed without recognition of this. This current planning application is the first one that actually recognises the significance of the shelters and the heritage they represent. For 2 years, we have been working with Halstead New Homes and specialist Archaeological consultants to develop, price and implement a solution for the refurbishment and reinstatement of the shelters, and a sustainable plan for the ongoing management and return of the shelters and surrounding site to community use.
Whilst the outcome of the planning application was a refusal from the planning committee, we still believe that this is an opportunity to create a “Heritage Park” within the Centre of our town, preserving our history, creating a safe open space for wellness, nature and bio-diversity, as well as a destination and educational resource that will immerse visitors, schools and community groups is our historic past.
Wider to the heritage of the park, it will bring people and commerce to our town, provide a resource for schools and community groups, and help residents to further develop pride in our community.
The BDC Planning Committee were complimentary of the development and its aspirations. They recognised that this was the best solution they had seen for the land and gave their support too the development of a Heritage Park in Halstead. However, they were unable to give their approval, as there were too many conditions that were yet to be achieved within the current application.
They were also very complimentary to the Halstead 21st century group, and recognised our effort to preserve this site for as long as we have and with such resilience.
Moving forward, the Planning Committee proposed taking the application to a planning Forum as well as the potential of a “Change in designation” for the remaining land on the site.
The Halstead 21st century group will continue to campaign for the saving of our shelters, and will work with Halstead New Homes, Halstead Town Council and Braintree District Council, to reach a workable solution, that will provide a sustainable long-term solution to bring this valuable historical heritage back to the centre of our community.
However, the opportunity to change the designation of the remaining land gives us an opportunity to engage widely and exert what influence we can on local planners and decision makers, to extend the creation of an open space within the centre of our town. We would ask if the setting up of a working group with Halstead Town Council and other interested parties to explore the redesignation and further uses for the site would be the best way forward.
b) Neil Williams of the Halstead River improvement group made the following statement:
He expressed the concern of the Halstead River improvement group over the clearance works carried out at the river in the Causeway. He explained that they had worked on introducing indigenous plants, to increase the biological diversity of the area. Recent work had been carried out without regard to work done, and would have an adverse effect on habitat. The group had yet to receive a substantive reply to the approach to the town council.
c) Eileen Penn explained the background
Eileen referred to a meeting in 2019 with HTC and BDC, and the River improvement group was then formed. It met with the Environment Agency and cleared some unwanted vegetation. Groundworks were carried out in 2020, to balance visual and ecological requirements. They cut down some trees with the agreement of the Environment Agency, but some trees were left to shade the fish. ECC provided a grant for tree cutting work and the Environment Agency provided plants. Volunteers were therefore angry, sad and disappointed when the growth was recently cut back.
d) Janet Atkinson made a statement in agreement
She explained that trees have a role in preserving oxygen levels in the water and providing shade. She said that the group had themselves planned to pollard the trees.
e) Brian Farren said that the group would appreciate in future the assistance of the HTC groundsmen and their equipment in managing the trees. As a group they have no power tools for this work and as already shown the council have, therefore, and in mitigation, I suggest one way in which we can work together for the benefit of the river and the community would be for the council to provide council workers and their power saws to help “under guidance” with this work. He sees this as a long term arrangement.
Cllr Bond expressed his regret that the well-intentioned efforts to clear part of the river had had a bad effect. He had sent a holding email to the group. He suggested that HTC and the River Improvement group should meet. He did also say that some people were very pleased that the clearance had been done. It could not be debated at the Council meeting, but since the matter has been raised, it will get a response.
24/82. MINUTES To approve the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 16 September 2024. Minutes had been circulated and proposal to adopt minutes of the Full Town council meeting of 16 September 2024 was put forward by Cllr Fincken, seconded by Cllr Hilton and agreed unanimously.
24/83. PLANNING APPLICATIONS – Cllr Pell, Lead for planning
Cllr Fincken left the meeting.
The following Planning Applications, which were received and circulated electronically, were considered at the Council meeting.
24/01990/LBC – 2 Adams Maltings , Trinity Street, Halstead – Installation of Flood Protection Barriers to all areas on ingress in line with RABs Flood Risk Report recommendations enclosed, as part of Essex County Council Flood Alleviation Scheme
24/01992/LBC – 4 Adams Maltings , Trinity Street, Halstead – Installation of Flood Protection Barriers to all areas on ingress in line with RABs Flood Risk Report recommendations enclosed, as part of Essex County Council Flood Alleviation Scheme
24/01991/LBC – 6 Adams Maltings , Trinity Street, Halstead – Installation of Flood Protection Barriers to all areas on ingress in line with RABs Flood Risk Report recommendations enclosed, as part of Essex County Council Flood Alleviation Scheme
24/01993/LBC – 8 Adams Maltings , Trinity Street, Halstead – Installation of Flood Protection Barriers to all areas on ingress in line with RABs Flood Risk Report recommendations enclosed, as part of Essex County Council Flood Alleviation Scheme
24/01994/LBC – 10 Adams Maltings , Trinity Street, Halstead – Installation of Flood Protection Barriers to all areas on ingress in line with RABs Flood Risk Report recommendations enclosed, as part of Essex County Council Flood Alleviation Scheme
24/01995/LBC – 14 Adams Maltings , Trinity Street, Halstead – Installation of Flood Protection Barriers to all areas on ingress in line with RABs Flood Risk Report recommendations enclosed, as part of Essex County Council Flood Alleviation Scheme
Cllr Pell proposed, seconded by Cllr McCoyd, that there be no objection to these applications. This was agreed with 5 in favour and 1 abstention.
24/02084/FUL – 1A & 1B Butler Road, Halstead, Essex – Replacement of timber windows
Cllr Pell proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, objection to this application, since it had been recommended that timber windows similar to the original ones be installed.
This was agreed, with 3 in favour and 3 abstentions.
24/01938/FUL – 1 Martin’s Road, Halstead, Essex – Proposed works to commercial part comprising of single storey side extension, repositioning of door from front to side elevation and removal of canopy. Residential works comprising of front porch and part change of use of commercial space at the rear to residential.
Cllr Pell proposed, seconded by Cllr McCoyd, that there be no objection to this application. This was agreed, with 5 in favour and 1 abstention.
Cllr Fincken returned to the meeting.
24/84. MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS
The mayor’s appointments were noted.
24/85 FINANCE
Finance – Cllr Atkinson, Lead for Finance, led this part of the meeting.
All members of the Council are members of the Finance section
a) Income and expenditure for September 2024
Cllr Atkinson proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, approval of the income and expenditure report for September 2024. This was agreed unanimously.
Cllr MacAndrews requested an explanation of the balance sheet, which the bookkeeper will supply.
b) To approve the List of payments and the supplementary list of payments.
Cllr Atkinson proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, approval of the lists of payments. This was agreed unanimously.
c) To approve the Bank reconciliation for the previous quarter
Cllr Atkinson proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that the bank reconciliation be noted. This was agreed unanimously.
d) To approve a report on outings in 2024.
Cllr Pell proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that all recommendations be approved. This was agreed unanimously.
e) To consider repairs to the Empire Theatre.
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, that, subject to discussions with the Empire Trust, the quote should be accepted and the work go ahead. This was agreed unanimously.
Cllr Bond also proposed that HTC should review the process by which it gets quotes for work which needs doing. This was seconded by Cllr Atkinson and unanimously agreed.
f) To appoint a councillor to carry out internal control
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Pell, that Cllrs MacAndrews and Warren be appointed to carry out internal control. This was agreed unanimously.
g) To consider the new website accessibility rules
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, that the website be updated to be in line with new accessibility guidance, and approved the expenditure. This was agreed unanimously.
24/86. DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS
Cllr Fincken said that he had attended the Planning meeting where the land East of the High Street had been discussed, The proposals had been supported, but the application was refused by the majority vote. The winter fuel allowance had also been discussed.
Cllr Pell said she had had, as group leader, a 1:1 with Kim Mayo, the Monitoring officer, and attended training for future meetings.
Cllr Bond said he had attended the scrutiny committee, and a planning policy committee meeting.
24/87. To receive reports from Champions
Doctors’ surgery – no report
Education – no report
Police – No report
Open Spaces – A meeting will be held to discuss new potential Open spaces projects. The Riverwalk is going to be improved.
Tourism – The plans for land Eats of the High Street would certainly encourage visitors to the area.
24/88. To note the proposed programme of maintenance for council properties
Cllr Fincken proposed that the programme of maintenance be noted. This was seconded by Cllr Atkinson and unanimously agreed.
24/89. To update the Health and Safety policy
Cllr Pell proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken that the updated Health and Safety policy be approved. This was unanimously agreed.
24/90. To approve the schedule of dates 25/26
Cllr Fincken proposed that the schedule of dates be approved, subject to the dates in April 2025 being switched, with the Annual Town meeting on 7 April, and the Full Council meeting on 14 April, seconded by Cllr Atkinson and unanimously agreed.
24/91. To consider adopting a Biodiversity policy
Cllr Fincken proposed that the Biodiversity policy be approved and a linked Action Plan be prepared, seconded by Cllr Hilton, and unanimously agreed. He also said that this would constitute a great deal of work and thanked Cllr Atkinson for volunteering to take the lead in this.
24/92. EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS
To give consideration to adopting the following resolution: – “That in view of the confidential nature of the business about to be transacted and pursuant to the provisions of section 1(2)-of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, as amended, the public and the press be temporarily excluded from the meeting”.
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Hilton, that the public and press be excluded from the meeting. This was unanimously agreed.
24/93. A business agreement was approved.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 20.29