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HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
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MINUTES OF TOWN COUNCIL MEETING PUBLIC SESSION MINUTES 10 November 2025: at 19:15 |
Membership:
| Councillor Andrew Munday | Chairman | Present |
| Councillor James Bond | Vice Chairman | Present |
| Councillor Janet Atkinson | Apologies | |
| Councillor Malcolm Fincken | Present | |
| Councillor Linda Hilton | Present | |
| Councillor Gemma MacAndrews | Apologies | |
| Councillor Grahame McCoyd | Present | |
| Councillor Paul Nunn | Present | |
| Councillor Jackie Pell | Apologies | |
| Councillor Felix Preston | Apologies | |
| Councillor Linda Smith | Apologies | |
| Councillor Garry Warren | Apologies |
Also in attendance: Cllr Mike Eldred, Tony Jones, Stephanie Kirby, Wendy Pickess, Judith Hume, Nick Hard, Mark Sedgwick, Russell and Georgia Oakey, Ken Paisley, Cllr Chris Siddall, Sarah Greatorex (Town Clerk)
094/25 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllrs Smith, Warren and MacAndrews sent apologies due to work commitments, Cllrs Pell and Atkinson sent apologies as they were unwell, and Cllr Preston sent apologies as he was on holiday.
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, acceptance of the apologies. This was unanimously agreed.
Cllr Mike Eldred awarded the Local Council Gold Award to Halstead Town Council, saying that only 50 out of 10,000 local councils currently have the award – and Halstead is one of them.
112/25 DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS:
Cllr Fincken declared an NPI item 5 as a member of BDC planning committee. Cllr Munday declared an NPI item 5 as a member of BDC planning committee. Cllr Bond declared an NPI Item 5 25/02138/HH & PP-14342092, as a relative is a close neighbour.
113/25 PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
a) Wendy Pickess spoke about a possible event for 2026. She had witnessed the opening of the Ramsey Road Skatepark, and said what a wonderful event it provided for families in their 30s and children, with a DJ, Jaycee, ice creams and burgers for sale, skate lessons and competitions with prizes. She suggested that something similar could be put on in the Public Gardens in 2026.
b) Stephanie Kirby spoke about the neglect of the Centre by councils. They had reported issues in the Centre to Cllr Siddall in 2022 and to Halstead Town Council (HTC) in 2023, and this was followed up by HTC. The Centre is part of the High Street and is in the Conservation area, but so far no work has been carried out by Braintree District Council (BDC) or Essex County Council (ECC). There have been no poppies , no painting of street furniture or lampposts. There is an unsafe fence and steps, which have not been repaired in spite of requests. The streetsweeper does not go into the Centre, and there are rats tunnelling under the walls.
They then referred to the consultation on parking in the High Street. This was not widely publicised and local people are unaware of it. The changes would have a serious effect on the shops.
c) Tony Jones has a business in the town. He stated that the parking plan put forward by NEPP was only about NEPP making money. It would not ease congestion, or improve road safety or increase the amount of parking available.
d) Nick Hard who has run the butchers shop on the High Street for the past 9 years, said that his customers spend 10-15 minutes and then leave. The parking restrictions will not help the High Street at all.
e) Judith Hume who works in Humes bakery which has been a feature on the High Street for the past 67 years, said that they are likely to lose a lot of their passing trade, as people will not park if they have to get a ticket. She predicted that this will cause the death of the High Street.
f) Mark Sedgwick lives in Halstead, and stated that placing a parking machine in the High Street would destroy the beautiful town.
g) Ken Paisley, who runs a long established business in the Centre, agreed that restrictions would be terrible for trade, and that customers would be unwilling to use a parking App to park in the Centre.
h) Georgia Oakey who runs Evans in the High Street asked that HTC offer more help and organise a meeting with North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP)
Cllr Munday read out the decisions taken by HTC at its meeting in December 2024 which were forwarded to NEPP after the parking plans were discussed in Council on 11 December 2024.
HTC continues to reject proposals put forward by NEPP to start charging for parking on the High Street.
HTC is keen to take over the monitoring of the parking in the High Street.
HTC agrees to update its parking order to allow it to monitor the onstreet parking in the High Street.
i) Cllr Chris Siddall reported that he had told NEPP their suggestion for parking on the High Street were unacceptable, and should be cancelled. This was now a new consultation, and the reason for it was to save money for NEPP. He agreed that parking should be free. He said that if 3 councillors attend the consultation meeting, they may be able to convince NEPP not to impose their ideas.
It was agreed that another strong letter should be sent to NEPP from HTC, saying that it does not support its plans to force the obtaining of a ticket for the first hour and the option of paying for a second hour on the bays in the High Street.
Cllr Siddall also commented on the issues in the High Street, concerning the railings by the traffic lights, and on Hedingham Road, and the pothole by Lidl. He said that the tree outside WH Smith has a preservation order on it and this is why the regeneration project has not yet been completed. He asked that the Clerk write to him about all these issues. He and Cllr Hilton also spoke about the remainder of the Mary Portas funds which could be used for the work in the Centre.
114/25 MINUTES To approve the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 13 October 2025, Minutes had been circulated. A proposal to adopt minutes of the Full Town council meeting of 13 October 2025, was put forward by Cllr Fincken, seconded by Cllr Bond, with an amendment proposed by Cllr McCoyd stating that it was Cllr Pell who had said that Courtaulds surgery would be using Halstead Hospital. This was unanimously agreed.
115/25 PLANNING APPLICATIONS – Cllr Nunn, Deputy Lead for planning
Cllrs Munday and Fincken left the meeting.
25/02138/HH & PP-14342092 – 35 Morley Road, Halstead, Essex
Retention of front boundary wall
As council was at this point not quorate, there was no comment.
25/02238/FUL – Land Adjacent To Blamsters Farm, Mount Hill, Halstead
A specialist neighbourhood for people aged 60+ ,consisting of 33no. dwellings and community hub building, with associated landscaping and infrastructure.
There was no comment, but councillors were mindful of the views of the Heritage consultant that further measures should be taken to reduce the impact on the old building of Blamsters Farm, and that an archaeological investigation should be carried out before starting work.
25/02072/LBC – 32A Head Street, Halstead, Essex
Repair and repaint windows to match existing. Install new softwood front door in existing style. Replace existing concrete driveway with new concrete driveway as per existing.
Cllr Nunn proposed no objection, but did recommend a permeable surface for the new driveway. This was seconded by Cllr Hilton, and unanimously agreed.
25/02230/REM – Land At Mount Hill, Halstead, Essex
Application for Approval of Reserved Matters (in respect of Appearance, Landscaping, Layout and Scale) pursuant to outline planning permission 20/01493/OUT granted 14.04.2023 for: Outline application with all matters reserved except access for up to 55 dwellings with new landscaping, open space, access and associated infrastructure.
Cllr Nunn proposed no objection but stated that the developers should look at more natural materials in keeping with the area. This was seconded by Cllr McCoyd, and unanimously agreed.
25/02474/HH – 6 Michael Avenue, Halstead, Essex
Installation of Bi-Folding Doors into rear elevation.
Cllr Nunn proposed no objection, seconded by Cllr Hilton, and unanimously agreed.
25/02416/HH – 14 Blamsters Crescent, Halstead, Essex
Proposed single storey rear lean-to extension and rear dormer to enable loft conversion.
Cllr Nunn proposed no objection, seconded by Cllr Hilton, and unanimously agreed.
Cllrs Munday and Fincken returned to the meeting
116/25 MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that the appointments be noted. This was unanimously agreed.
117/25 FINANCE – Cllr Munday Lead for Finance, led this part of the meeting.
All members of the Council are members of the Finance section
a) To consider income and expenditure for October
Cllr McCoyd proposed, seconded by Cllr Munday, that income and expenditure for October be approved, but suggested that sick leave for the current month be left blank. This was unanimously agreed.
b) To approve the lists of payments
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that the lists of payments be approved. This was unanimously agreed.
c) To approve the balance sheet, and EMR report
Cllr McCoyd said that he could not reconcile the EMR with the income and expenditure report, but would consult with the bookkeeper.
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that the balance sheet and EMR report be approved. This was unanimously agreed.
d) To consider resanding and resealing Queens Hall floor
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that the hall floor be cleaned and resealed, accepting quote 3. This was unanimously agreed.
118/25 DISTRICT COUNCILLORS gave their reports
Cllr Fincken stated that he had mentioned the matters still not completed under the town centre regeneration, such as the top of the High Street and outside WH Smith, and the bent railings in the High Street. He had learnt that the housing supply is still short of around 1000 houses for the Local Plan. He said that he thought a public meeting should be held once the Local Plan goes out to consultation.
Cllrs Munday and Bond had nothing to add.
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Hilton, that the reports be noted.
119/25 To receive reports from Champions
Surgery – It was mentioned that it had not been possible to get a Covid jab in Halstead except for a limited time at the Well pharmacy.
Open Spaces – Cllr Fincken reported that he and Cllr Atkinson would have a thorough discussion on the Open Spaces Improvement Plan with the Clerk.
HCC – Cllr Fincken said that HCC matters should be reported in minutes and that a councillor should be on the committee. He asked that the HRIG meetings should be advertised on HCC.
120/25 To note the update on the proposed Community Arts Centre project
Cllr Bond reported that it had been a very busy month for the Trustees.
Cllr Munday proposed that HTC confirms its position that it supports the development of the Community Arts Centre at the Empire Theatre site to provide community activities in conjunction with increased arts provision. This was seconded by Cllr Nunn and unanimously agreed.
Cllr Munday, seconded by Cllr Fincken, proposed that HTC acknowledges the work of Halstead Community Centre Charitable Trust (H4C) to date to deliver a community centre. This was unanimously agreed.
Cllr Munday, seconded by Cllr Fincken, proposed that HTC commits to continued dialogue with H4C to find ways to utilise the donated land in Butler Road for community use and to assist with the regeneration of this area of the Town as supported by the almost unanimous majority of respondents to the Community Arts Centre (CAC) survey. This was unanimously agreed.
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that a copy of the minutes be sent to all H4C trust members. This was unanimously agreed.
121/25 To consider Events to be organised for the Community in 2026.
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken that the Council supports the action taken to consult with Councillors, residents and groups and through the Community Connections other residents, about the proposed events run by the council in 2026.
Council agrees that the attempt to consult with a wider audience is good practice and supports discussions at the events group which makes recommendations to the Town Council as to the provision of events in 2026 and future years.
The Council will review the status, membership of the events group and meeting times/dates will be agreed in line with the calendar of events of the council. This was unanimously agreed.
Cllr Munday proposed that the dates of the Events group meetings should be decided by HTC at the earliest opportunity, in line with the calendar of meeting dates, normally provided every year. In addition, the Events working group must make proper recommendations to council following its meetings. This was seconded by Cllr Hilton and unanimously agreed.
122/25 To consider items for the Potential Open spaces Improvement plan (POSI)
Items suggested for inclusion on the POSI were:
- The proposed Community Arts Centre
- The Butler Road site (to be regenerated)
- The ECC strip of land in front of the Empire
- The proposed dog park
- Courtaulds Sports ground
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that this item be brought back to the December meeting with a revised report of sites to be added to the POSI. This was unanimously agreed.
123/25 To consider an amendment to Standing Orders
Cllr McCoyd proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that the item should be deferred to a future meeting, and said that he would prepare a paper on the topic. This was unanimously agreed.
124/25 To confirm action agreed by email
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr McCoyd, that the decision to make extra payment was taken under the Clerk’s delegated powers. This was unanimously agreed.
Items for next council meeting
- The Owl device should be explored to discover if it can help with audibility of meetings
- BALC should be a permanent item on the Agenda
125/25 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”.
There were no matters in private session.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 22.01