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HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
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MINUTES OF ANNUAL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING PUBLIC SESSION MINUTES 18 MAY 2026: at 19:15 |
Membership:
| Councillor Andrew Munday | Present | |
| Councillor James Bond | 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 | Present | |
| Councillor Felix Preston | Present | |
| Councillor Linda Smith | Present | |
| Councillor Garry Warren | Present |
Also in attendance: Jo Mager, Anne Banister, Vicky Bond, Abi Mapes, Bill Mapes, Emily Bearn, Nadja Bearn, Rebecca Bearn, Rosemary Creasey, Emily Hume, ECC Cllr Isa da Rocha, Sarah Greatorex (Town Clerk)
Outgoing Mayor Cllr Munday welcomed those attending the meeting, and said what a pleasure it had been to be mayor, and that over the preceding year he had raised £9000 for Dementia activities in the town, and the monthly Dementia drop in had been established at Queens Hall.
001/26 ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN/MAYOR
Town Clerk had received a nomination for Cllr Bond as Chairman/Mayor to stand 2026/27. No other nominations were received. Cllr Munday proposed Cllr Bond as Chairman/Mayor 2026/27, seconded by Cllr Hilton, and agreed unanimously.
Cllr Bond was elected as Chairman/Mayor 2026/27
Cllr Bond read and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office of Chairman.
Acceptance speech Mayor 2026 May
I would like to thank my fellow councillors for the trust that they have placed in me by electing me to the position of Mayor and Chairman of Halstead Town Council. Particularly Cllr Pell and Cllr Munday, my predecessors, who have inspired me by their actions to stand for the position
Precisely 80 years ago the first Mayor of Halstead was appointed and among their number have been some distinguished names and, interestingly, the first 13 were magistrates – a sign perhaps of how the role and its status was perceived in the early years? Our world has changed a lot since then and leadership is about creating an environment where everyone can feel valued and contribute, supporting civility in public life and being clear about what we are doing and where we are going. I hope that I can meet those requirements in my year as your Mayor.
I follow on from Cllr Munday who has just finished two terms in these roles and wish to congratulate and thank him for the work that he has done – most notably raising the largest sum of money ever for the Mayor’s Charity in aid of the Dementia friendly activities in the town – that is no mean feat. I will, however, not be following him in his footsteps in the mud of the River Blackwater in Maldon!
With our world going through major challenges which are, and will continue, creating both opportunities and threats for us all. My desire is that the Town Council will continue to show leadership and vision in supporting our community in ways that will help them with some of the challenges and opportunities.
In this meeting we will shortly be adopting powers to do what any reasonable person would do. I would hope that we can lead with new and exciting ways of supporting residents new and old by hearing what they have to say – then acting where we can to provide services and activities that are relevant and useful to all.
Recognising the particular challenges that children and young people are facing – with cost of living still at very high levels, social isolation, significant youth unemployment, transport challenges and limited opportunities for community engagement. I will be concentrating my Mayor’s Charity activities this year on raising funds for activities for children and young people. I have already agreed with the Halstead & District Photographic Society an event to involve young people and am in discussions with other groups.
I will also continue to focus on the promised delivery of the Community Arts Centre and, continued working with the Council and H4C Charity, to find ways that the Charity can realise their ambitions to provide a community facility of some kind for the Town both of which will help to regenerate an important area of the Town.
I look forward with excitement and determination to the next year and once again thank everyone for putting their trust in me and, Paraphrasing from part of the Civic Service this month I quote:
“we each have time, talents and resources – may we use these gifts wisely and well, as we seek to make a difference in our community and in the wider world, Help us to work together towards our common goals, to learn from each other and to support one another. May we make the most of the opportunities we have, as we work together to serve others”
002/26 APOLOGIES
There were no apologies
003/26 ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE TOWN COUNCIL FOR 2026/27
Cllr Munday nominated Cllr Nunn to stand as Vice Chairman for 2026/27. This was seconded by Cllr Pell. Cllr McCoyd nominated Cllr MacAndrews to stand as Vice-chairman. This was seconded by Cllr MacAndrews. There were 8 votes for Cllr Nunn, and he was duly elected Vice-chairman
Cllr Nunn read and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
004/26 GENERAL POWER OF COMPETENCE
Cllr Bond proposed that Halstead Town Council re-approve the use of the General Power of Competence, seconded by Cllr Fincken, and agreed unanimously.
Cllr Bond requested that all committees, at their first meeting decide the positions of Chair and Vice Chair, the best time for meetings and the terms under which they operate to report back to full Council at the following meeting for approval.
005/26 ELECTION OF STAFF ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Cllr Preston proposed , seconded by Cllr Warren, that the members of SAC be Cllrs Atkinson, Fincken, Hilton, McCoyd, Munday and Pell. This was unanimously agreed
006/26 Courtaulds Sports Ground User Advisory Group
Cllr Bond proposed that Cllrs Bond, Fincken and Pell sit on the CSG User Advisory Group. This was seconded by Cllr Fincken and unanimously agreed.
007/26 Events committee
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that Cllrs Atkinson, Bond, Fincken, Hilton, MacAndrews and Pell sit on the Events committee, with the Clerk and the Administrator also to attend. This was unanimously agreed.
008/26 PLANNING
Cllr Fincken proposed that the lead member for planning be Cllr Pell and the deputy Cllr Nunn, seconded by Cllr Munday, and unanimously agreed.
009/26 FINANCE
Cllr Fincken proposed that the lead member for Finance be Cllr Munday and the deputy member for Finance be Cllr McCoyd, seconded by Cllr Munday, and agreed unanimously.
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 19.35