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HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
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MINUTES OF TOWN COUNCIL MEETING PUBLIC SESSION MINUTES 13 April 2026: at 19:15 |
Membership:
| Councillor Andrew Munday | Chairman | Present |
| 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 | Present |
Also in attendance: Dielle Mills, Rebecca Tapin, Kai Gami, Sanjay Patel, Jo Varsani, Lavina Patel, Angela Tapin, Terence Tapin, Tom Lawrence (all from Richard de Clare school), Sarah Greatorex (Town Clerk)
201/25 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllr Smith sent apologies due to work commitments, and Cllrs Nunn and Preston sent apologies for personal reasons.
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr McCoyd, acceptance of the apologies. This was unanimously agreed.
202/25 DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS
Cllr Warren declared NPI item 17, as an ATC staff member. Cllrs Fincken and Munday declared an NPI item 5 as members of BDC planning committee. Cllr Pell declared an NPI Item 5, 25/02230/REM as a family member is working on the site, item 10 as Vice president of the Cricket Club, and as a member of H4C. Cllrs Fincken, Bond, Pell and Munday declared NPI items 7b and 7ba as they included payments to BDC
203/25 PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Head Boy Kai Gami and Head Girl Rebecca Tapin, Richard de Clare school, spoke about the Community awards at their school. Already 85 students at the school have gained Stage 1 awards, and 12 have moved on to Stage 2. The awards are given for helping others in the local area. The school has been establishing links with local groups, one of which is the Colneview Carehome, which the children have visited. Activities include litterpicking, fundraising, raising awareness and helping others. Prizes are given for community causes.
The Chairman thanked the children and the school for their presentation.
Cllr Fincken raised the matter of the roadworks in Halstead related to Cadent gas updates. He has been contacted by constituents, and there have been many difficult knock-on effects, disruption to heavy traffic , and the general feeling that it was not properly planned. There is also concern that the works may overrun, and make it impossible to use the Three Pigeons pub as a polling station. There is also a clear obligation for Highways to provide a shuttle bus, which they have not done.
The Clerk was asked to go back to Highways to voice concerns.
204/25 MINUTES
To consider changing a decision made at the meeting of 9 March 2026
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.
To approve the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 9 March 2026. Minutes had been circulated. A proposal to adopt minutes, as amended, of the Full Town council meeting of 9 March 2026, was put forward by Cllr Fincken, seconded by Cllr Hilton, and was agreed with 3 abstentions.
Minutes of the Events working group of 10 April had also been circulated and Cllr Pell proposed approval of the minutes of the Events working group, seconded by Cllr Fincken, and agreed with 2 abstentions. It was agreed that there would be another meeting in the near future.
205/25 PLANNING APPLICATIONS – Cllr Bond, Deputy Chairman
Cllrs Munday and Fincken left the meeting.
26/00572/ADV – 25 High Street, Halstead, Essex
Signage to include:
1 No. non-illuminated fascia sign on shopfront
1 No. non-illuminated hanging sign
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr McCoyd, objection to this application, since it was incomplete, and no mention was made of the building being listed. This was unanimously agreed.
26/00613/LBC – 25 High Street, Halstead, Essex
Listed building retrospective application for repainting of the signage fascia, including repainting of the existing door and window frames
Cllr Pell proposed, seconded by Cllr Warren, objection to this application, since the colour chosen was not in keeping with the conservation area. This was agreed, with 4 in favour, 1 against and 2 abstentions.
25/02230/REM (Revised) – 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 Pell proposed, seconded by Cllr Warren, objection to this application in line with Greenstead Green and Halstead Rural Parish Council, since no heed had been paid to the points they had made earlier in the process.
This was agreed, with 5 in favour and 2 abstentions.
206/25 To consider the Local Plan
Cllr Bond suggested that the following summary should be sent;
- There is concern that there are currently sufficient planning approvals for housing that has yet to be built
- The number of empty dwellings need to be brought back into use
- Sustainability, concerns re lack of employment locally, lack of sufficient provision within the plan to promote employment growth, inevitable increase in reliance on car transport especially given poor public transport links and lack of suitable infrastructure.
- 20% housing increase on 9% of employment
- HTC challenge employment and transport statistics that support the assumptions made in the local plan.
- HTC is sceptical that there are sufficient guarantees to ensure that infrastructure, particularly the relief road will be achieved without significant legal conditions.
- Biodiversity Net Gain is an issue that will require robust action.
- HTC acknowledge that there is benefit in supporting our own plan to avoid being told what will be placed by central government.
Cllr Atkinson proposed that a summary of the views discussed at the meeting be submitted. This was seconded by Cllr Warren and agreed with 1 abstention.
Cllrs Munday and Fincken returned to the meeting.
207/25 MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS
In addition to his appointments, the Mayor referred to National Dementia week 18-25 May 2026. He said that he is hoping that High Street shops will turn their shopfronts blue. He also mentioned various other events in aid of funding dementia friendly activities, such as the Rotary concert, the Mud run and a Radio Essex broadcast from Double Pistachio on 25 April.
Cllr Munday proposed that the Mayor’s appointments be noted, seconded by Cllr Fincken, and unanimously agreed.
208/25 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 March
Cllr Munday commented that the end of year saw HTC in a healthy financial position.
Cllr Warren proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that income and expenditure for March be approved. This was agreed with 1 abstention.
b) To approve the lists of payments
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that the lists of payments be approved. This was agreed with 1 abstention.
c) To approve the balance sheet, and EMR report
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that the balance sheet and EMR report be approved. This was agreed with 1 abstention.
d) To consider the Fixed Asset Policy
Cllr McCoyd proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond that the Fixed Asset Policy be adopted, and be revisited annually. This was agreed unanimously.
e) To consider the Fixed Asset Register
Cllr MacAndrews proposed, seconded by Cllr McCoyd, that HTC approves the current version of the Fixed Asset Register, and that it should be brought back updated in June. This was unanimously agreed.
f) To consider the use of the franking machine
The Clerk was asked to provide more figures on the saving the use of the machine provided, and the cost of using the machine.
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that this item be brought back to council in May.
g) To revisit the issue of trees on Tidings Hill allotments.
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that Quote 2 be accepted
209/25 DISTRICT COUNCILLORS gave their reports
Cllr Fincken reported that he had attended planning committee, and that planning permission had been given for the land north of New Street, for 2 semidetached and 2 detached houses, and that the building materials were suitable for the area. He had also attended Community Showcase at Braintree Institute, which was well attended. The Men’s Shed had attended the Agewell Fair.
Cllr Bond had been involved in discussions on the Asset transfer policy, and had attended the Employment Fair in Halstead, which was very well attended.
Cllr Pell had been working on constituent problems and had attended the leaving event for Alison Webb.
Cllr Munday reported that he had attended only the planning meeting.
Cllr Munday proposed that the BDC reports be noted. This was seconded by Cllr McCoyd and unanimously agreed.
210/25 To receive reports from Champions
Cllr Munday suggested that there should be an overhaul of the idea of Champions at a future meeting.
Cllr Pell reported that there would be a satellite surgery opening in the former Xray department at Halstead Hospital on 15 April.
Cllr Bond had been invited to attend Richard de Clare school
Cllr Fincken reported that the Annual Town meeting on 20 April will be devoted to Halstead Community Connections for the third year running.
Cllr McCoyd reported that there would be a BALC meeting on 24 April
211/25 To note the update on the proposed Community Arts Centre project
Cllr Pell left the meeting.
Cllr Bond reported that CAC trustees, and Empire Theatre trustees are meeting the architect appointed for the second time on 15 April to discuss his initial proposals
Some feedback had been received from BDC on the Business Case, and that is being worked on, to reinforce the Funding strategy and the income/expenditure forecast.
In order to manage the Arts Council application for funds, an operational group will be set up, and patrons are being sought for publicity purposes.
Surrounding villages, and local schools are being contacted to make them aware of the plans. The Clerk is preparing a list of local businesses and their contacts.
Cllr Bond said it had been confirmed to him that H4C have no intention of building on the land in Butler Road, as the CAC project is going forward.
Cllr Pell returned to the meeting
Cllr Bond said that the Culture, Sport and Recreation strategy would help to inform future grant requests, and had been reworded by Cllr Fincken, including information from the current Local Plan showing current recreational provision. He explained that this will now be taken to the Community in a public consultation to get their support.
Cllr Fincken commented that it had been very difficult to find someone to take appropriate photos.
Cllr Bond proposed that the wording be approved, while exploring for a photographer and graphic designer. The draft should be put out to consultation. This was seconded by Cllr Warren and agreed unanimously.
212/25 To consider training for councillors in the next civic year
Cllr Warren proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, that HTC should agree to the safeguarding training on a date suitable for as many councillors as possible, and that councillors should inform the Clerk of any training needs.
213/25 To approve Christmas office hours 2026
Cllr Warren proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, that the Christmas office hours for 2026 be approved. This was agreed unanimously.
214/25 To consider ECC Safer Streets strategy
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that councillors should complete the Safer speeds consultation individually.
215/25 Items to be considered at the next meeting
- Action to be taken following the internal review
- Review of Champions
216/25 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 Atkinson proposed, seconded by Cllr Warren, that the public and press be excluded from the meeting. This was unanimously agreed.
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Warren, that Standing orders be extended until close of business. This was agreed unanimously.
217/25 To consider an event
Cllr Atkinson proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that the Christmas lights contract be awarded. This was agreed with 1 abstention.
218/25 To consider parking at Courtaulds
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that the matter of parking at Courtaulds be explored further, through discussions with the MOD, and exploration of the legal costs, and the number of spaces available.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 21.24