|
HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
|
|
|
MINUTES OF ANNUAL TOWN MEETING HALSTEAD, Essex. CO9 2BY
|
Membership:
| Councillor D Hume | Chairman |
Present |
| Councillor Mrs J A Pell | Vice Chairman | Present |
| Councillor Mrs J Allen Councillor Mrs B Carr Councillor Mrs H W Catley |
Apologies Present Present |
|
| Councillor Mrs S A Diver | Present | |
| Councillor M J Fincken | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs L J Hilton | Apologies | |
| Councillor S Kirby | Apologies | |
| Councillor Mrs K A Little | Absent | |
| Councillor A Munday | Absent | |
| Councillor K Paisley | Apologies | |
|
|
Also in attendance: Cllr Joe Pike, Essex County Councillor
Mr M C Murkin, Town Clerk, Halstead Town Council
Mrs J Smith, Minute Clerk
Members of the Public – Mr Paul Hook; Jane Giffould; Eileen Penn;
Helen Wolf; Alison Shea; Susie Tinton;
Vicky Botwright; Sally Botwright;
Garry Botwright
PSCO B Edwards
The Chairman, Councillor D Hume, welcomed the public and Councillors to the meeting.
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Mrs J Allen; Cllr Mrs L Hilton; Cllr S Kirby; Cllr K Paisley and District Cllr Mrs J Sutton - MINUTES
The Minutes of the Annual Town Meeting held on 19th April 2012, having been previously circulated, were approved. - MAYOR’S REPORT
Cllr D Hume gave a report on the civic year 2012/2013 (copy of report attached to
Minutes). He noted that a by-election had taken place during the year, and welcomed Cllr Mrs B Carr to the Council. He also thanked former Councillor Mr D Sharp for his contribution during his time as a Council member. Cllr Hume noted significant events during the year and concluded by saying that it has always been a privilege to represent Halstead at events in Essex and further afield and that it was a delight to visit so many groups, clubs and societies within the Town. He thanked the staff at Town Council for their work.
4. DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
Cllr M Fincken gave a report on his work as District Councillor (copy of report attached to Minutes). He noted the Committees and groups where he represents Halstead and noted the consultations between Braintree District Council and Halstead Town Council on many issues. He spoke about the recent changes to Council Tax Relief and said that this and other changes to benefits and said they had a significant impact on many residents of Halstead. He noted that so far annual reductions in District Council budgets had been absorbed by efficiency savings but that this cannot go on indefinitely and in future services may be cut.
Cllr Mrs J Pell gave a report on her work as District Councillor (copy of report attached to Minutes). Cllr Pell noted that she had been presented with a certificate on completion of 25 consecutive years as a District Councillor and that she had achieved 100% attendance at full Council meetings. Cllr Pell went on to detail her work on various groups and committees and said that she continued to enjoy her work with constituents who approached her on many varied matters.
Town Clerk read reports from Cllr Mrs J Allen and Cllr S Kirby who were not present at the meeting. (copies of reports are attached to Minutes).
No report had been received from Cllr Mrs J Sutton
5. COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Cllr J Pike gave a report on his work as County Councillor for Halstead (copy of report attached to Minutes). He first of all thanked the Mayor, Town Clerk and Staff of the Town Council for their courteous manner in treatment of him over the past year.
He went to on speak about budget cuts that had been made, and how the County Council are handling reductions in funding from Government. Cllr Pike noted difficulties with Highway repairs but said that the programme is ongoing. He spoke about his work with youth and said he remained on the Governing Body of Ramsey College. He also has played a part in steering children’s services and is proud of this work. Cllr Pike noted that Essex has just received ‘excellent’ marks in their programme of Diversity and Equality and has worked with the Gypsy Council to establish good relations with the travelling population.
Mayor Cllr D Hume thanked Cllr Joe Pike for 4 years of hard work on the town’s behalf.
6. POLICE REPORT
PCSO B Edwards reported on policing in Halstead and said that at present crime rates are low with some good results on detection in recent weeks. He said that each month he presented statistics on crime at Town Council meetings and that these are published on the Council web site as part of the minutes. He urged everyone to look after their own belongings both in their house and on their premises – including motor vehicles. He noted that most crime is committed during daylight hours 8am to 6pm and asked that any sighting of suspicious behaviour is reported to the Police. PCSO Edwards has a Beat Surgery in Halstead Library on regular occasions and also holds a surgery on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at Halstead Town Council. He said there is no need to make an appointment at these surgeries, just walk in to discuss any policing matters.
Mayor Cllr D Hume thanked PCSO Edwards for his contribution, and said it was valuable to have reported at each monthly Town Council meeting.
There being no questions, PCSO Edwards left the meeting.
7. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Helen Wolf, Eileen Penn and Jane Giffould spoke about Land East of High
Halstead and asked the Council’s views on proposals. It was explained that Halstead
Town Council is a consultative body only with planning issues being decided by
Braintree D.C. it was said that any future planning application(s) would be sent to Town
Council for comment, and Public are always welcome to attend Town Council Meetings
and District Council Planning meetings. It was noted that this parcel of land is held in
private ownership. Local Development Plans for Weavers’ Court were also mentioned,
but it was thought that this land is now fully developed and is in the ownership of East of
England Co-operative Society.
Vicky Botwright asked about zebra crossings in the Town, and said that the one
in Bridge Street is dangerous. Cllr Joe Pike said he would ask for an immediate review
of this crossing and would report back to Ms Botwright. It was asked if another crossing
could be made at the top of High Street, but it was said that this had been mooted on
several previous occasions and had not been thought feasible.
Discussion took place about the viability of a by-pass for Halstead.
Mayor Cllr D Hume thanked all for attending
Draw of entrants for the recent Easter Egg Hunt took place, winners to be notified.
The meeting closed at 8.30p.m.