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HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
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MINUTES OF TOWN COUNCIL MEETING PUBLIC SESSION MINUTES 9 March 2026: 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 | Present | |
| Councillor Jackie Pell | Apologies | |
| Councillor Felix Preston | Apologies | |
| Councillor Linda Smith | Apologies | |
| Councillor Garry Warren | Apologies |
Also in attendance: Mr R.G.Richmond, Cynthia Barry, Sue Rawcliffe, Elizabeth Skipp, Alan Skipp, Sylvia Stoneham, Mike Rees, Annie Rees, David Bevan, Lori Bevan, Sarah Greatorex (Town Clerk)
185/25 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllrs Smith and Warren sent apologies due to work commitments, and Cllrs Pell, Preston and Munday sent apologies for personal reasons.
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, acceptance of the apologies. This was unanimously agreed.
186/25 DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS:
Cllr Fincken declared an NPI item 5 as a member of BDC planning committee. Cllr McCoyd declared an NPI item 7k as he is planning to take the training referred to.
187/25 PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
a) Alan Skipp, who attended the meeting along with neighbours from Box Mill Lane, spoke about a flooding issue in Box Mill Lane, which has been going on for several years. This affects 12 properties in Box Mill Lane, and is becoming dangerous and a possible health hazard. It is thought that an underground water pipe has become blocked by tree roots and therefore when the water flowing down the pipe reaches the blockage, the water spills out onto the road surface. The drain cover is blown off by the force of the water. This results in frequent flooding of the road, and erosion of the road surface and a broken drain at the roadside. The stagnant water is a health hazard, and the broken edge of the road and the broken drain are a hazard to those on bicycles.
Essex Highways have been contacted on numerous occasions, and also ECC Cllr Chris Siddall. The residents are now asking for help from the Town Council. They were asked to give the Town Clerk the reference numbers for the issues they had reported, and it was suggested that the only way to get the attention of ECC was to use their complaints process.
b) Mr R.G Richmond made a complaint, which he said needed no response. He stated that the council had failed to specify matters for consideration in the public exclusion section of agendas, had approved false minutes and withheld true minutes from the public.
188/25 MINUTES To approve the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 9 February 2026. Minutes had been circulated. A proposal to adopt minutes of the Full Town council meeting of 9 March 2026, was put forward by Cllr Fincken, seconded by Cllr Nunn, and was agreed with 2 abstentions. Minutes of SAC had also been circulated and Cllr Bond proposed approval of the SAC minutes, seconded by Cllr Atkinson. This was agreed with 2 abstentions.
189/25 PLANNING APPLICATIONS – Cllr Bond, Deputy Chairman
Cllr Fincken left the meeting.
26/00249/FUL & 26/00250/LBC – Holy Trinity C Of E Primary School, Beridge Road, Halstead
Proposed drainage works to school within grounds of the church
Cllr Nunn proposed no objection, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, and unanimously agreed.
25/02831/LBC – 43A High Street, Halstead, Essex
Proposed replacement of 4 windows and 1 door and repair of 3 windows and 1 door on the rear elevation, like for like replacement of external wall tiles, and renewal of fascias, bargeboards, downpipes and gutters.
Cllr Nunn proposed no objection, seconded by Cllr MacAndrews, and unanimously agreed.
26/00087/FUL – Halstead Methodist Church, New Street, Halstead, Essex
Replace timber windows to East and West elevations with timber double glazed windows
Cllr Nunn proposed no objection, seconded by Cllr MacAndrews, and unanimously agreed.
26/00348/HH – 27 Mathews Close, Halstead, Essex
Proposed demolition of existing conservatory, replacement single storey extension with flat roof
Cllr Nunn proposed no objection, seconded by Cllr McCoyd, and unanimously agreed.
26/00443/HH – 6 Balls Chase, Halstead, Essex
Proposed single storey rear extension.
Cllr Nunn proposed no objection, seconded by Cllr Hilton, and unanimously agreed.
Cllr Fincken returned to the meeting
190/25 MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS
Cllr Bond proposed that the Mayor’s appointments be noted, seconded by Cllr Fincken, and unanimously agreed.
191/25 FINANCE
Finance – Cllr McCoyd Deputy 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 February
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that income and expenditure for February be approved. This was unanimously agreed.
b) To approve the lists of payments
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Hilton, that it should be noted that the cost towards the driving lessons be increased by £80 to (£1,080) for driving lessons for the apprentice groundsman. This was agreed with one against.
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, that the lists of payments be approved. This was agreed unanimously.
c) To approve the balance sheet, and EMR report
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, that the balance sheet and EMR report be approved. This was agreed unanimously.
d) To revisit the internal control report
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr McCoyd that the matter of a Fixed Asset policy and internal control be deferred to the April meeting. This was unanimously agreed.
Cllr McCoyd proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, that the revisions to the Fixed Asset register be deferred until June, and be completed in time for submitting the accounts.
This was unanimously agreed.
e) To consider ways to pay at HTC
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Nunn, that HTC should no longer take cheques in payment from 31 March 2026. This was agreed with one abstention.
f) To consider Halstead Christmas lights
Cllr MacAndrews proposed that the decision on the Christmas lights be deferred to the April meeting, while responses to the following three points from the new supplier could be obtained:
- What would they use as the source of electricity?
- How would they manage any challenges arising during the first year?
- Would they consider a 1 year contract rather than the 3 year contract proposed?
This was seconded by Cllr Nunn, and unanimously agreed.
g) To consider reducing trees on Tidings Hill allotments.
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, that this matter be deferred to the April meeting, in order for the Clerk to get advice from a qualified arboriculturist on the level of work to be undertaken. This was unanimously agreed.
h) To consider repairs to the public toilet roof
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that quote 5 be accepted. This was unanimously agreed.
i) To consider a microphone system for Queens Hall
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr McCoyd, that, considering the proven track record of services to BDC in this very specialised area, that, exceptionally, the single quote should be accepted. This was agreed unanimously.
Cllr McCoyd proposed, seconded by Cllr Nunn, that the quote be accepted. This was unanimously agreed.
j) To consider an update to Rialtas
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, that HTC agrees to use the cloud based version of Rialtas, with no extra payment until April 2027, when the extra cost will be £700 per year. This was agreed with one abstention. Council noted that the current system is not perfect but that to start with a new one at this time was not prudent. This situation would be reviewed following a trial of the cloud based offer.
k) To consider a request for training for Cllr McCoyd
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, that Cllr McCoyd should attend the audit training. This was unanimously agreed.
192/25 DISTRICT COUNCILLORS gave their reports
Cllr Fincken and Cllr Bond had attended the Corporate policy committee, with a presentation by the operations manager on the waste scheme, to which there had been a positive reaction. They said that the Local Plan consultation period was now open. And that HTC should hold an Extraordinary meeting to discuss the Local Plan. No decision has yet been made on the number of unitary authorities, but that is expected on 26 March.
Cllr Fincken proposed that the BDC reports be noted. This was seconded by Cllr Bond and unanimously agreed.
193/25 To receive reports from Champions
Cllr McCoyd reported that a branch surgery will open at Halstead Hospital and will be called Halstead Heights.
Cllr Bond reported that Ramsey students are being questioned about naming of roads.
Cllr Atkinson reported that there is concern among the HRIG and Riverclean group about the debris gathering on the pipe in the river, but that discussions are ongoing between the Environment Agency and Anglian Water.
194/25 To note the update on the proposed Community Arts Centre project
Cllr Bond reported that a first meeting had been held with the architect appointed to the project, attended by all CAC trustees bar one who was in Australia, and all Empire Trustees bar one. It had been a useful discussion for all attending. It is hoped that an application for Arts Council funding can be made in April, and trustees will agree a fundraising strategy at their April meeting, as well as a working agreement between the Empire Trust, the Community Arts Centre CIO and Halstead Town Council. Further information on the existing building is to be provided by Oswick’s, and the volunteer project officer engaged will work on a timeline.
Cllr Bond proposed that the report be noted. This was seconded by Cllr Fincken and agreed unanimously.
195/25 To review the Website accessibility policy
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, that the update to the Website accessibility policy be approved. This was unanimously agreed.
Council noted that there remain 2 Councillors not using the .gov.uk email address which is now a requirement.
196/25 To consider the Events Group becoming a committee
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Pell, that the Clerk and the Administrator attend meetings of the Events Committee and would offer professional advice and guidance, but would not be members and would not vote. This was agreed with 1 abstention.
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that the Events working group become the Events Committee, from the date of the Annual Town Council meeting on 18 May 2026, when the 6 members will be chosen. The Committee itself will choose its chairman, and will make recommendations to Full Council, as is the case with the Staff Advisory Committee.
Cllr Bond proposed extending Standing Orders until the close of business. This was seconded by Cllr Fincken and unanimously agreed.
197/25 To consider installing Parksmarter on our pay and display machines.
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Nunn, that the Parksmarter payment app be installed on the pay and display machines in Butler Road and Chapel Street carparks. This was unanimously agreed.
198/25 Items to be considered at the next meeting
- Fixed asset policy
- Internal control
- To seek funding from BDC for a business breakfast for retail shop owners on the High Street to engage with local businesses
- Completion of the Recreation Strategy
199/25 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”.
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, that the public and press be excluded from the meeting. This was unanimously agreed
200/25 To consider the Minutes of the Staff Advisory Committee of 27 February 2026.
A thorough and detailed discussion of recent events had taken place.
A revised handbook containing all HR policies had been produced.
Cllr Bond commended the work done by SAC on policies, and proposed that councillors should be summonsed to a formal training meeting on relations between councillors, and between staff and councillors. This was seconded by Cllr Fincken and unanimously agreed.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 21.38.