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HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
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MINUTES OF TOWN COUNCIL MEETING PUBLIC SESSION MINUTES 10 December 2025: at 19:15 |
Membership:
| Councillor Andrew Munday | Chairman | Present |
| Councillor James Bond | Vice Chairman | Present |
| Councillor Janet Atkinson | Present | |
| Councillor Malcolm Fincken | Present | |
| Councillor Linda Hilton | Present | |
| Councillor Gemma MacAndrews | Present | |
| Councillor Grahame McCoyd | Present | |
| Councillor Paul Nunn | Apologies | |
| Councillor Jackie Pell | Apologies | |
| Councillor Felix Preston | Present | |
| Councillor Linda Smith | Apologies | |
| Councillor Garry Warren | Present |
Also in attendance: Steve Card, Ed Merry, Sarah Greatorex (Town Clerk)
126/25 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Cllrs Smith and Nunn sent apologies due to work commitments, Cllr Pell sent apologies for family reasons. Cllr Siddall sent apologies as he had commitments elsewhere.
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, acceptance of the apologies. This was unanimously agreed.
Chairman’s statement
This month has been a time of preparation for Christmas, with on 22 November the Christmas Fair put on by Halstead Events, including the Christmas tree festival in St Andrews church, followed by the lights switch on in the public gardens. This was followed by the Licensing of the new Vicar at St Andrews, Sue Goldsmith, a concert by the Community choir, the torchlight procession and a dementia friendly Christmas event at the Empire.
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that the Chairman’s statement be noted. This was unanimously agreed.
127/25 DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS:
Cllr Fincken declared an NPI item 5 as a member of BDC planning committee. Cllr Munday declared an NPI item 5 as a member of BDC planning committee.
128/25 PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Steve Card spoke about the planning application relating to heating at Holy Trinity church, to be discussed in the planning section. He explained that heating the church had been a problem for some time, and two previous attempts to improve it had failed and not been allowed by planning. On this occasion the Churches Conservation Trust had come up with a better solution, to install unobtrusive underpew heaters. UK power networks had agreed to increase the power supply to 100 watts without charge. The heating would only be used when events were on.
129/25 MINUTES To approve the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 10 November 2025. Minutes had been circulated. A proposal to adopt minutes of the Full Town council meeting of 10 November 2025, was put forward by Cllr Fincken, seconded by Cllr Bond, and was agreed, with one abstention.
130/25 PLANNING APPLICATIONS – Cllr Bond Vicechair
Cllrs Munday and Fincken left the meeting.
25/02445/FUL – Little Stubleys Farm, Sudbury Road, Halstead
Replacement building to provide storage, office space and maintenance facilities and additional provision of 3 No. maintenance bays and coach washing facilities.
Cllr Bond proposed no objection, seconded by Cllr Preston, and agreed with 1 abstention.
25/02618/LBC – Holy Trinity Church, Chapel Hill, Halstead
Addition of electric under pew heating in the nave and associated electrical installation Cllr Atkinson proposed, seconded by Cllr Warren, that the application be supported, in line with the advice given by the Historic buildings consultant. This was unanimously agreed.
25/02601/VAR – Stone Lakes , Sloe Hill, Halstead
Variation of Condition 2 (Approved plans) of approved application 22/02702/HH granted 19.12.22 for: Detached outbuilding to create pool and leisure facility.
Variation would allow:-Alteration to roof ridge to allow the same overall height – alterations to fenestration.
Cllr Bond proposed no objection, seconded by Cllr Preston, and agreed with 1 abstention.
Cllrs Munday and Fincken returned to the meeting
131/25 MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that the appointments be noted. This was unanimously agreed.
132/25 FINANCE
Finance – Cllr Munday Lead for Finance, led this part of the meeting.
All members of the Council are members of the Finance section
a)To consider income and expenditure for November
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that income and expenditure for November be approved. This was unanimously agreed. The Clerk was asked to check the EMR with the bookkeeper.
b) To approve the lists of payments
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that the lists of payments be approved, except for the unexpected invoice from Chipside, relating to a standing charge for DVLA This was unanimously agreed. The Clerk will investigate further the unexpected invoice.
c) To approve the balance sheet, and EMR report
Cllr McCoyd said that he could not reconcile the EMR with the income and expenditure report, but would consult with the bookkeeper.
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that the balance sheet and EMR report be approved. This was agreed with 1 abstention.
d) The matter of the cost of the outings was postponed until January, as 6 councillors need to request that the matter be brought back to council within 6 months.
e) To consider a retainer service for HR advice
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that HTC buys a bundle of advice when needed rather than the more expensive option of paying an annual retainer for advice. This was unanimously agreed, but should be reviewed annually.
f) To approve the budget 26/27
Cllr Warren proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that HTC agrees to increase Band D council tax by £4.63 to £58.92. This would bring the total precept for 26/27 to £269,262, resulting in a very small surplus of £4717. This was agreed with 2 abstentions.
133/25 DISTRICT COUNCILLORS gave their reports
Cllr Bond had attended Full Council and the Scrutiny committee, where it became clear that NEPP had not considered the economic impact of changes to High Street parking in various locations. The outcome of consultations will be made available in the new financial year.
Cllr Fincken stated that he had participated in a debate on the referral of developments of over 150 houses to the Secretary of State, and possibly resulting in more homes being built. He had also been present at discussions on an update to the antisocial behaviour policy.
Cllr Munday had attended Full Council, and 2 Planning Committee meetings, Planning forum and a Local Plan subcommittee meeting.
It was agreed that it would be necessary to hold a meeting with the public in February on the Local Plan proposals to build an extra 2770 houses in Halstead.
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that the reports be noted.
134/25 To receive reports from Champions
Surgery – Cllr McCoyd reported that there was still no formal PPG at the surgery, as no chairperson could be found.
Education – Cllr Bond reported that he had had a very successful meeting with the new headteacher at Ramsey school, who had expressed his interest in the school becoming more involved with the community.
Open Spaces – Cllr Atkinson reported that HRIG had done a good job on cleaning up the river, and that an official thank you should go to them from HTC.
135/25 To note the update on the proposed Community Arts Centre project
Cllr Bond reported that quotes had now been received from 3 architects, but that these might need to be revisited to be certain precisely what is covered. Reserves may need to be used for this stage of the project, and BDC may also release S106 funds.
He also said that a survey is being carried as to how people get to the Empire, and a study of parking spaces available around 19.00 each evening. He also said that a conversation should be had with the museum to ensure that they understood that they might actually have more space if they moved to the proposed Arts Centre, and they might also be able to retain their archive at Queens Hall, while having a display area at the Arts Centre.
He said he was also exploring funding possibilities.
Cllr Munday proposed that HTC notes the ongoing business case being prepared for the Community Arts Centre at the Empire Theatre. This was seconded by Cllr Fincken and unanimously agreed.
Cllr Munday, seconded by Cllr Fincken, proposed that HTC approves the setting up of a CIO. This was unanimously agreed.
Cllr Munday, seconded by Cllr Fincken, proposed that HTC notes the progress on the Community Arts Centre project. This was unanimously agreed.
136/25 To consider amendments to the Potential Open Spaces improvement plan.
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that the POSI amendments be approved, subject to the replacement of words in Item 11c to read ” This is land on a 985 year lease to Halstead Community Centre Charitable trust. Halstead Town Council supports the Halstead Community Centre Charitable Trust in its continued effort to develop this land for community use.”
This proposal is also subject to the wording in Item 11j being changed to an update stating “General improvement of the area.”
This was unanimously agreed
137/25 To consider an update to the Community Engagement strategy
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr McCoyd, that the updated Community Engagement strategy be approved. This was unanimously agreed.
Cllr Bond also suggested that councillors should report on community engagement activities at the Annual Town Council meeting.
138/25 To consider taking on assets currently owned and managed by BDC
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Munday, that when BDC has established its policy for asset transfer in the new financial year, HTC makes an offer with a robust business case, requesting funding for the first 2 years. This was unanimously agreed.
139/25 To confirm dates of Events working group meetings
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Warren, that this item be deferred to the January Full Council meeting on 12/1/26, to allow dates to be discussed at the working group meeting on 9/1/26 at 9.15. This was unanimously agreed.
140/25 To note communications from Leader of BDC Cllr Graham Butland
Cllr Butland had written offering £30,000 to HTC to enhance Christmas celebrations in Halstead, and secondly to clarify which Community centre project was going ahead so that S106 funds could be correctly allocated.
Cllr Munday proposed that his replies, thanking Cllr Butland for the gift for Christmas celebrations, which would be used in the more neglected areas of the town and stating that the Community Arts Centre project would be going ahead, be noted. This was seconded by Cllr Fincken and unanimously agreed.
141/25 To consider the public consultation on the four proposals for Unitary councils
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that an Extraordinary meeting be held before the closing date of 11/1/26, to discuss the proposals for Unitary councils. A BDC officer could be invited to explain concisely the 4 options. This was unanimously agreed.
Cllr Munday proposed that Standing Orders be extended until close of business. This was seconded by Cllr Fincken and unanimously agreed.
142/25 Items for the next Council meeting
1.Decisions by email – Cllr McCoyd is collecting information on this
2.Events group meeting Minutes from 9/1/26
3. Solutions to the hearing difficulties experienced in the hall
143/25 EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS
Cllr Munday proposed that 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”. This was seconded by Cllr Fincken and unanimously agreed.
144/25 Staff matters were discussed.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 21.31