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HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
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DRAFT MINUTES OF FULL COUNCIL MEETING HALSTEAD, Essex. CO9 1ET
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Membership:
| Councillor D Hume | Chairman |
Present |
| Councillor Mrs J A Pell | Vice Chairman | Present |
| Councillor Mrs J Allen Councillor Mrs H W Catley |
Present Present |
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| Councillor Mrs S A Diver | Apologies | |
| Councillor M J Fincken | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs L J Hilton | Present | |
| Councillor S Kirby | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs K A Little | Present | |
| Councillor A Munday | Apologies | |
| Councillor K Paisley | Apologies | |
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Also in attendance: Amanda Storie – Acorn Children’s Centre
Craig Smith – Empire Theatre Trust
Paul Hook – Public
Marion Hill – Public
Stuart Gilbert – Public
PCSO B Edwards
Mr M C Murkin – Town Clerk
Mrs J Smith – Minute Clerk
197. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies had been received from Cllr Mrs S Diver, Cllr A Munday and Cllr K Paisley
198. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Cllr Mrs J Pell declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 11 as Trustee (not yet constituted) for new Community Hall.
Cllr Mrs J Pell declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 14 as member of Halstead Residents Association that has made representations to Braintree Council jointly with the Green Party.
Cllr Mrs J Pell declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 17 as Chair of Courtaulds Sports Ground Management Committee
Cllr Mrs H Catley declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 14 as member of Halstead Residents Association that has made representation to Braintree Council jointly with the Green Party.
Cllr Mrs H Catley declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 6, Planning, on two counts:- Application no. 13/00354/FUL as lives in close proximity to site and application no. 13/00381/FUL as is known to applicant.
Cllrs Mrs L Hilton declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 14 as member of Halstead Residents Association that has made representation to Braintree Council jointly with the Green Party.
Cllr Mrs L Hilton declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 17 as member of Courtaulds Sports Ground Management Committee
Cllr S Kirby declared non-pecuniary interest in all planning matters as he is member of Braintree District Council Planning Committee.
Cllr S Kirby declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 14 as is member of Braintree District Council
Cllr S Kirby declared other-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 17 as is owner of retail premises at The Centre, Halstead.
Cllr Mrs J Allen declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 14 as is member of Braintree District Council
Cllr Mrs J Allen declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 4 (b) as is member of Management Committee of Acorn Children’s Centre
Cllr M Fincken declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 4 (b) as is Chair of Management Committee of Acorn Children’s Centre Focus Group
Cllr M Fincken declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 14 as is member of Braintree District Council and is member of the Labour Party
Cllr Mrs K Little declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 14 as member of Halstead Residents Association that has made representation to Braintree Council jointly with the Green Party.
Cllr D Hume declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 14 as member of Halstead Residents Association that has made representation to Braintree Council jointly with the Green Party.
Cllr D Hume declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 17 as is Secretary to Courtaulds Sports Ground Management Committee
Cllr D Hume declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 6, Planning, Application no. 13/00381/FUL as applicant is well known to him
Cllr D Hume declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 10 as partner is unpaid volunteer Citizens Advice Bureau advisor
199. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Marion Hill spoke about Tidings Hill and the difficulties with speeding traffic and parked cars; she asked if speed humps could be erected in this busy, narrow street.
Chairman explained that this committee has no powers over Highways although could make representations. This matter will be passed to Essex CC.
PCSO Edwards said he would take contact details and will discuss this matter. All agreed that this road does need some traffic calming and cars parked on pavements are dangerous in some instances.
200. PRESENTATIONS
Prior to Police Presentation Chairman said he had spoken to Sgt Wright regarding protocol for presentations to Council and he is happy with what is being said.
- a) Police PCSO Edwards said that over the past 4 weeks there have been no ‘burglaries – dwelling’ in Halstead and 2 ‘burglaries – other’ (one from unsecured shed and other from United Reformed Church where nothing was taken). There have been 3 thefts – 2 from shops and 1 of gas bottles stolen from Broton Estate. There has been one instance of criminal damage – car windscreen smashed in Kings Road. One instance of suspicious behaviour has been reported – attempted passing of fake £20 notes. There have been no instances of anti-social behaviour and 3 reports of ‘nuisance’; 2 drunks who were not arrested and 1 person causing trouble in a retail outlet.
On a positive note PCSO Edwards reported that the Community Speedwatch Team is going from strength to strength and is being supported by PCSO and Police presence where possible. Regarding Tidings Hill PCSO Edwards said that parking on a path is not an offence although consideration should be given to other road users and pedestrians; PCSO will speak to ECC Highways and they will assess the difficulties.
Cllr Mrs B Carr asked if there had been any instances of dog theft in this area and was told that there had been no dog thefts reported.
Cllr M Fincken reported that he had seen youths who may have been trespassing in Maycast Nokes premises; he was urged to report any suspicious behaviour seen; Council was told that there is CCTV coverage at Maycast Nokes premises.
PCSO Edwards left the meeting
- b) Amanda Storie gave account of the work done at the Acorn Childrens Centre and said that there were close links with schools and partnership working with other agencies. She explained that the Centre is there to support families with varying kinds of difficulties and because of the wide lines of support can give assistance with a wide range of problems. Various courses are run at the centre and are well used. The Centre is now a voucher holder for the Halstead Food Bank and Amanda said that the Centre is looking for volunteers and all Councillors are invited to visit and view for themselves the vast range of services available.
Cllr Mrs J Pell advised Amanda that there are two local funds that may be of assistance to clients of The Centre; the TAPS fund to assist with travel expenses for sick children and the Halstead Sick and Needy fund that can assist people in Halstead and Greenstead Green; Amanda was invited to leave her forwarding address for details and invited to keep in touch with Council to share information.
- c) Craig Smith. Craig explained that he was attending on behalf of Martyn Prince and a letter was circulated from Martyn explaining the Empire Theatre Trust’s desire to bring cinema back to Halstead.
Craig explained the reasoning behind this decision and noted that in a recent consultation over 1000 people agreed and another 300 had joined the Facebook campaign to bring back cinema to the Empire.
Cllr Mrs J Pell said that the Empire is a stand alone Trust and can show films if this is feasible; like Councillors the Theatre Trust members are volunteers and Halstead Town Council has always supported the Theatre holding Martyn and Sue Prince in high esteem for their hard work at the Empire Theatre Trust. Cllr Pell wondered if equipment could be hired for, say, six months to gauge support.
Craig Smith said that it was possible to hire equipment, and that there had been exploration of grants available. It was suggested that the Trust contact other local Film Clubs to investigate how they are run and the possibility of moving cinema equipment to a new Community Hall was discussed but not thought feasible. Various avenues for grant applications were discussed, and it was said that in the future it had been hoped that the Butler Road area would become an Arts Centre for the Town. Craig was thanked for his attendance and was asked to keep Council informed of progress.
Amanda Storie left the meeting
201. MINUTES. To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 14th March 2013.
Minutes were unanimously approved
202. PLANNING APPLICATIONS.
Cllr S Kirby left the meeting
In the absence of Chair and Vice Chair of Planning Chairman Cllr D Hume remained as Chair for this part of the meeting.
13/00289/FUL – 13 Sudbury Road, Halstead. CO9 2BA – Demolition of existing two storey rear extension to existing dwelling and replace with a two storey extension comprising kitchen, utility and family room and bedroom to first floor
Councillors raised no objections
Cllr Mrs H Catley left the meeting
13/00354/FUL – Land South of Nether Priors, Colchester Road, Halstead, Essex – Erection of two bungalows with associated driveway.
Councillors raised no objections
13/00368/FUL – Millbanks, 91 Colchester Road, Halstead, CO9 2EN – Erection of detached garage at rear of existing building.
Councillors raised no objections
13/00384/FUL – 5 Mill Chase, Halstead, CO9 2DQ – Erection of oak framed conservatory.
Councillors raised no objections
Cllr D Hume left the meeting
Town Clerk Chaired this item
13/00381/FUL – 4 Elm Drive, Halstead, Essex, CO9 1NU – Demolition of existing rear extension and erection of replacement extension.
Councillors raised no objections
Cllr Mrs H Catley returned to the meeting
Cllr S Kirby returned to the meeting
Cllr D Hume resumed Chair of the meeting.
203. MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
The report was noted.
205. FINANCE –
a) Financial Monitoring.
Clerk noted that the item for ‘environment income’ was cash received from Essex CC for maintenance of Parish Paths. He was asked if the amount paid covered cost, this was not thought to be the case. It was asked if path from Pippins to Chapel Hill was maintained by HTC. Councillors asked to have a list of paths for which this Council provides maintenance.
Cllr M Fincken noted the favourable balance, and asked that Council’s thanks to Officers for their work on maintaining this balance be minuted.
Report was noted.
b) Monthly Performance.
Cllr Mrs H Catley asked the reason why income for Chapel St. Car Park had fallen in March; it was thought that trading generally was much lower due to adverse weather condtions.
Report was noted
206. LIST OF PAYMENTS TO BE APPROVED
Payments were unanimously approved.
207. GRANT REQUEST – Citizens’ Advice Bureau
A request had been made on a previous occasion when funds were not available. Cllr Mrs J Pell made the point that C.A.B. was supported by Braintree DC through Council Tax so that any grant from Halstead would mean that the town was paying twice. Cllr Mrs Pell was not convinced that the full request for £5000 should be made from this year’s budget.
Discussion took place and a motion was proposed by Cllr M Fincken that for 2013 a Section 137 grant of £2500 should be made to C.A.B. and a further amount of £2500 should be paid from reserves with the proviso that
*money should be spent on Halstead people
*this grant is for 2013/14 only and further applications will be considered on their merits; and
*CAB should be asked to apply for grants to other parish councils in the Halstead area
Motion seconded by Cllr Mrs J Pell and unanimously agreed.
208. COMMUNITY HALL Cllr Mrs Pell noted that the first Trustee meeting was positive and it had been suggested that an expert on VAT should be engaged to avoid any possible pitfalls. To fund this a request had been made to Braintree DC for release of £13000 the promised money. This had not been possible, but a grant of £6500 had been given with a request for more information to aid budgeting. A business plan would be drawn up and matters will now proceed.
209. YOUTH
Cllr Mrs L Hilton reported that application had been made for grant and £1084 had been received for a team building exercise that will take place in July. 10 members of the Youth Council and 10 youths from the Resource Centre will attend.
A HYPE event will take place on 21st June and this will raise money for charity. Fact finding visits to skate parks had taken place.
210. ECC STREET LIGHTING
Report was noted.
211. ELECTORAL REVIEW OF BRAINTREE
It was noted that all groups represented on Braintree DC had already made their representations, but it was felt important that the views of Halstead Town Council should be make clear to the Boundary Commission. After discussion Cllr M Fincken put forward a motion that a sub-group be formed from 2 members of Halstead Residents Association, 1 conservative member and 1 labour member of Halstead Town Council. Motion was seconded by Cllr Mrs J Pell, and a vote was taken with 8 votes for; 0 votes against and 1 abstention. Motion was carried; membership to be made known to Town Clerk by Monday 15th April.
212. TOWN HANGING BASKETS
It was noted that Halstead Town Council are pleased with baskets/flowers supplied by Halstead in Bloom, and after discussion it was agreed that this supply be retained for 2013 with tenders being sought for following years.
213. CHAPEL STREET TOILETS
Clerk reported figures obtained so far for refurbishment, but noted that some refurbishment of pipe work would also be required. Clerk had spoken to Subury Town Council that has 2 toilets; one manned the other not and was told that the unmanned toilet was prone to vandalism and mis-use. Clerk suggested a Task and Finish group be set up to complete investigations.
Cllr Mrs L Hilton asked that 3 proper quotes be obtained, and also if possible information be sought from Sainsburys about their future plans. It was agreed that the matter be further discussed at next meeting and then possibly a Task and Finish Group be agreed.
214. TELECOMS MAST AT COURTAULDS SPORTS GROUND
Report was noted.
215. LEASE OF CAR WASH SITE AT EMPIRE THEATRE
It was unanimously agreed that Chairman and Town Clerk negotiate a new three year licence with Mr Lushi for this site.
216. TOWN DIRECTION SIGNS
Cllr S Kirby had noted the incorrect and misleading finger post signage in High Street and noted that there is no signage to shops at The Centre. Cllr Mrs L Hilton agreed and noted that all notice boards need to be replaced and car park signs also need to be updated. Chairman noted that Town Council can make recommendations to Braintree DC regarding signage and it was thought that Alison Jennings, Town Centre Regeneration Manager may have funds to take this forward.
Cllr Kirby asked that this matter be put in writing; Town Clerk to investigate.
217. Exclusion of Public and Press
To give consideration to adopting the following resolution:- “That pursuant to the provisions of section 1 (2) – of the Admission to Meetings Act 1960, in view of the next item to be conducted, the press and public to be excluded from the meeting.”
Chairman closed the meeting at 9.03 p.m.