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HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
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MINUTES OF EXTRAORDINARY TOWN COUNCIL MEETING PUBLIC SESSION MINUTES 24 April 2023: at 20:00 |
Membership:
| Councillor J Pell | Chairman | Present |
| Councillor P Caulfield | Vice Chairman | Present |
| Councillor J Atkinson | Present | |
| Councillor S Dingle | Apologies | |
| Councillor M Fincken | Present | |
| Councillor A Munday | Present | |
| Councillor L Smith | Apologies | |
| Councillor G Warren | Apologies | |
Also in attendance: , Robert Richmond, Sarah Greatorex (Town Clerk)
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240. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. Cllr Dingle as unwell, and Cllr Smith and Cllr Warren due to work commitments.
Cllr Munday proposed acceptance of these apologies. Proposal was seconded by Cllr Atkinson and accepted unanimously.
241. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS: To declare any ‘pecuniary, non-pecuniary or other pecuniary’ interests relating to items on the agenda having regard to the Code of Conduct for Members and having taken appropriate advice (where necessary) before the meeting
Cllr Pell declared NPI item 5 as a member of BDC and H4C. Cllr Munday declared NPI item 5 as a member of HTC and BDC. Cllrs Fincken, Atkinson and Caulfield declared NPI item 5 as members of HTC.
242. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Questions from Robert Richmond
What is the agenda item “Halstead Community Fund” about? It reveals next to nothing. Instead it conceals whatever the intention might be. It is not an agenda item on which a decision can lawfully be made. What is this about?
Cllr Pell responded that the matter under discussion related to the Halstead Community Fund.
I do not believe that the Council can lawfully exclude the public on the basis of this meaningless agenda item. Do you agree?
Councillors did not agree
Halstead Town Council minutes often provide no information at all to the public or posterity. Will there be a full and explicit public minute on this item? All parish council minutes must be public.
Why is the Council so secretive; should it not be bringing its public along with it?
Cllr Munday responded that the council strives to be transparent but that anything relating to staff or commercial contracts could not be discussed in public session.
Is the Council considering substantial borrowing to fund the proposed Community Centre
It was said that the discussion related only to the community fund application and had nothing to do with HTC borrowing money.
May I, please, have a copy of the report referred to in the agenda?
243 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 press be temporarily excluded from the meeting.’ This was agreed and press and public were excluded.
Cllr Fincken proposed the Exclusion of the public and press, seconded by Cllr Munday and unanimously agreed.
Private session
Cllr Caulfield took over as chair of the meeting, and then proposed the suspension of Standing Orders to allow Cllr Pell to remain. This was seconded by Cllr Munday and unanimously agreed.
244. HTC answered queries made by BDC over the application made by H4C to the Halstead Community Fund.
Cllr Caulfield proposed a return to Standing Orders, seconded by Cllr Fincken and unanimously agreed.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 21.35