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HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
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MINUTES OF FULL COUNCIL MEETING HALSTEAD, Essex. CO9 1ET
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Membership:
| Councillor D Hume | Chairman | Present |
| Councillor Mrs S A Diver | Vice Chairman | Present |
| Councillor Mrs J Allen | Apologies | |
| Councillor M Day | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs S Dingle | Present | |
| Councillor C Fox | Present | |
| Councillor D Gronland | Present | |
| Councillor A Munday | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs J A Pell | Arrived at Agenda item no.7 | |
| Councillor Mrs E Penn | Present | |
| Councillor M Radley | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs J Sutton | Apologies |
Also in attendance: Public – Mrs Victoria Lever, Mrs Kate Little, Mrs Carol Oatham,
Mr Pat Penn, Mrs Helen Wolf
Miss Kirsty Hough – Halstead Gazette
Mr M C Murkin – Town Clerk
39. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
There were apologies for absence from Cllr Mrs Julia Allen, Cllr Mrs Jennie Sutton,
40. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Cllr D Hume declared a non pecuniary interest in Agenda item no.15, Ramsey Road Playing Field, as he is a Braintree District Council Councillor
Cllr Mrs J Pell declared a non pecuniary interest in Agenda item no.8, List of Payments and Agenda item no.10 Community Hall, as she is Chairman of the Halstead Community Centre Charitable Company and Agenda item no.15, Ramsey Road Playing Field, as she is a member of Braintree District Council
Cllr Mrs E Penn declared a non pecuniary interest in Agenda item 7 Planning, 15/00755/FUL, as she lives in close proximity
41. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Mrs Carol Oatham spoke regarding the parking issue at Morley Road, she has contacted North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP), but they have nothing to report. She is concerned that it is dragging on. Cllr D Hume advised the decision is due in August. Mrs Oatham would like a copy of the minutes of the meeting held on 8th June 2015. The Town Clerk will contact NEPP for a further update.
Mrs Victoria Lever asked if Halstead Town Council have raised their own objections. The Town Clerk confirmed that the Town Council felt the need to investigate further of the effect on neighbouring streets.
Mrs Helen Wolf from 21st Century Group asked if any councillors had any historical town plans or documents that she could have access to and asked for clarification on whether the land in agenda item no.15 was the open space or the playing field. It was confirmed that it is Ramsey Road Playing field
42. MINUTES
To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 8th June 2015
Proposed by Cllr A Munday and Seconded by Cllr C Fox that the minutes be approved. Minutes were approved
43. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Cllr A Munday took the chair for this part of the meeting
15/00730/FUL – 28 Sloe Hill, Halstead, CO9 1JT – Erection of two story side extension.
Proposed by Cllr A Munday and seconded by Cllr D Hume that members raised no objection – carried.
15/00827/ADV – Signal House Factory Lane West Halstead Essex – Display of 2 no. non illuminated fascia signs and 1 no. internally illuminated hanging sign
Proposed by Cllr A Munday and seconded by Cllr M Day that members raised no objection – carried.
15/00790/FUL – Conservative Club, 34 High Street, Halstead, CO9 2AP – Entrance alterations including disabled access and disabled toilet facilities
Proposed by Cllr A Munday and seconded by Cllr D Gronland that members have no objection to the ramp in principle but should take into account the comments from Essex County Council Historic and be in keeping with the street scene – carried.
15/00815/FUL & 15/00816/LBC – Bull Hotel Bridge Street Halstead Essex CO9 1HU – A new disabled ramp to the entrance lobby to replace an existing disabled ramp
Proposed by Cllr A Munday and seconded by Cllr C Fox that members have no objection to the ramp providing comments from Essex County Council Historic are taken into account – carried.
15/00755/FUL – Land adjacent the Griffin PH, Parsonage Street, Halstead, Essex – Erection of one-and-a-half storey dwelling and associated garage.
Proposed by Cllr A Munday and seconded by Cllr C Fox that members comment:
- the Essex CC recommended Architectural survey be carried out
- the garage must be ancillary to the property and should not be developed into a separate dwelling in the future
- members have concerns about on-street parking near a busy junction, and opposite a junior school; and
- members have concerns that the development is not in keeping with the neighbouring listed building.
-Carried.
15/00797/FUL – Land Adjacent Beridge Mews, Beridge Road, Halstead, Essex – Erection of a detached 3 bedroom dwelling
Proposed by Cllr A Munday and seconded by Cllr C Fox that members noted the changes to the design of the dwelling to lower the roofline and also noted that the survey of wildlife and trees had found nothing notable. Members did, however, have serious concerns about:
- the clear view for vehicular access in and out onto this busy road near the entrance to a junior school and a children’s centre; and
- the loss of a parking space to create a dropped kerb for the entrance
-Carried.
Cllr D Hume resumed Chair of the meeting
44. MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Cllr D Hume spoke of the two bands that played very well at the Armed Forces Day. Cllr Hume was very impressed with the Halstead Flower Club demonstration and enjoyed their 60th birthday celebrations.
Report was noted
45. FINANCE –
A) Financial Monitoring.
Cllr D Gronland asked for clarification on two items, Mill House and Car Parks
Report was noted
B) Monthly Performance (Car Parks).
Report was noted
C) Monthly Performance (Lettings/Sickness)
Report was noted
46. LIST OF PAYMENTS TO BE APPROVED
Payments were approved.
47. CHAPEL STREET TOILETS
Members discussed the additional cost of removing asbestos from the toilets and why this was not picked up on the original survey. It was felt that this cost should have been in the original quote and the builders or architect should take some responsibility for not picking it up.
Members agreed that the asbestos would need to be removed and delegated authority was given to the Chairman and Town Clerk to choose the company to carry out the work. It was further agreed that the Town Clerk should contact the architect and builder as members felt the presence of asbestos should have been identified at an earlier stage and included in the original tender.
48. COMMUNITY HALL
Cllr Mrs J Pell said the Trustees were expecting planning permission any day and that the Trustees have met with the Lottery Commission. It was pointed out the all the Trustees were voluntary and give up their time for the good of Halstead. Cllr M Radley raised concerns regarding the financial implications to the Town Council and wants the council to meet with the Trustees to discuss further, Halstead Town Council’s financial commitments to the project.
Report was noted and a meeting with the trustees to be arranged
49. YOUTH
Cllr A Munday spoke of the success of the Skate Park awareness day and Cllr Mrs Penn said she has received very positive feedback. The four members of Youth Council will be receiving Gold Level Essex Arts awards.
Report was noted
50. TOWN TEAM
Cllr D Gronland advised there is an open forum meeting on 30th July and invitations to the councillors should be received shortly. Cllr Mrs Diver queried why the Town Team had no shopkeepers from the High Street as members. Cllr Gronland confirmed that those presently involved with the Town Team are working for the promotion and development of the high street.
Report was noted
51. REPLACEMENT VAN
Discussion took place on the whether there was a need to replace the van. Cllr C Fox advised that if the van was replaced, he would be happy to help with finding a good deal and getting the best price on part exchange of the old van and also suggested looking at contract hire as an alternative to buying a new van.
It was proposed by Cllr Mrs S Diver and Seconded by Cllr M Radley not to replace the van. This was carried with six members voting in agreement, two voting against and one member abstained
52. HALSTEAD CHAMBER OF TRADE & COMMERCE
Members were asked if anyone would like to nominate themselves to be the council representative.
It was proposed by Cllr Mrs J Pell and seconded by Cllr C Fox, that Cllr Mrs S Diver would be the representative for Halstead Town Council.
53. RAMSEY ROAD PLAYING FIELD
Members discussed whether to have the terms of the transfer of the land reviewed by the solicitors and then discuss further but it was felt this could incur additional costs
Cllr A Munday proposed and seconded by Cllr D Gronland, to have the Terms reviewed and subject to any comments made by the solicitor, instruct the Town Clerk to proceed with the formal contract but have nothing signed until the contract between the solicitors has been agreed.
54. 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”.
55. MILL HOUSE EXTERNAL PAINTING
Cllr Mrs J Pell proposed and Mrs S Diver Seconded to have the painting carried out by KQ Decorators Ltd at £3,680.00 plus VAT.
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.25pm