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HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
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DRAFT MINUTES OF EVENTS COMMITTEE MEETING PUBLIC SESSION MINUTES 2 July 2026: at 09:00 |
Membership:
| Councillor Jackie Pell | Chairman | Present |
| Councillor Linda Hilton | Vice Chairman | Present |
| Councillor Janet Atkinson | Absent | |
| Councillor James Bond | Present | |
| Councillor Malcolm Fincken | Apologies | |
| Councillor Gemma MacAndrews | Absent |
Also in attendance: Sarah Greatorex (Town Clerk), Ed Merry (Administrator)
16/26 Cllr Fincken had sent his apologies for personal reasons.
17/26 There were no declarations of interest.
18/26 There were no Public Questions
20/26 To reconsider the procession on 9 December 2026
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Hilton, that the Events committee recommends that HTC pays expenses for Halstead Young Farmers. This was unanimously agreed.
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Hilton, that, exceptionally, due to the difficulty of obtaining quotes, the Events committee recommends that HTC selects quote 1 of the 2 quotes available for traffic management for the procession. This was unanimously agreed.
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Hilton, that the event be renamed the Light procession, with gradual and constant updating to the public of the event. This was unanimously agreed.
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Hilton, that the Clerk research a stronger sound system for the event, with a blessing and hymn at the top of the town, probably a laser display, followed by a churches together carol service in the gardens. This was unanimously agreed.
21/26 To consider aspects of HTC outings
Cllr Pell proposed, seconded by Cllr Hilton, that the raffles on the outings should continue safely for 2026, and that a question should be put on the questionnaire for 2027, as to whether there should continue to be a raffle.
Cllr Pell proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that there should be no health questionnaire for the outings. This was unanimously agreed.
22/26 To reconsider aspects of the Christmas Fair
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Hilton, that the late night shopping event should have a Santas’s grotto in a suitable location, and that further investigations should be carried out into possible rides to be located on the river bank, or in car parking areas near Weavers’ Court. This was unanimously agreed.
Cllr Pell proposed seconded by Cllr Hilton, that local charities be offered the opportunity to hold stalls during the late-night shopping event.
23/26 To consider opening the public gardens in December for the public to enjoy the lights
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Hilton, that the public gardens be kept open for public appreciation of the lights, with food vans, and public toilets open, on 5 and 19 December from 16.00 – 20.00. This was unanimously agreed.
24/26 To consider management of the events
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Hilton, that the list of events be circulated to all councillors, stating that the Events committee were looking forward to the events, and hoping that more volunteers would be able to attend and assist with the events. Tasks such as erection of Gazebos need to be covered. It was agreed to ask the Skatepark crew to bring their own generator.This was agreed unanimously
The meeting closed at 10.25