|
HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
|
|
|
MINUTES OF TOWN COUNCIL MEETING PUBLIC SESSION MINUTES 10 July 2023: at 19:15 |
Membership:
| Councillor Jackie Pell | Chairman | Present |
| Councillor Andy Munday | Vice Chairman | Present |
| Councillor Janet Atkinson | Present | |
| Councillor James Bond | Present | |
| Councillor Malcolm Fincken | Present | |
| Councillor Linda Hilton | Present | |
| Councillor Gemma MacAndrews | Present | |
| Councillor Grahame McCoyd | Present | |
| Councillor Paul Nunn | Present | |
| Councillor Felix Preston | Present | |
| Councillor Linda Smith | Apologies | |
| Councillor Garry Warren | Apologies |
Also in attendance: Cllr Chris Siddall, Lennard Gurney, Bernadette Worthington, Frances Claydon, Sarah Greatorex (Town Clerk)
056. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies were received from Cllr Smith as she was working, and from Cllr Warren due to family commitments. Cllr Munday proposed acceptance of these apologies, seconded by Cllr Atkinson and agreed unanimously.
057. DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS:
Cllr Munday declared NPI item 5, as a member of BDC planning committee, and 7b and 7b(a) as a member of BDC, and his daughter works at Holmes & Hills, and the electrician is well known to him, also 7f and 7g as a trustee of the Empire Theatre. Cllr Pell declared PI item 5, 23/01389/FUL as there is a monetary connection, NPI 23/01436/HH as applicant is known to her, 23/01559/HH as agent is known to her, 7b and 7b(a) 7h as a member of BDC and CSGMC and item 11 as a trustee of the Day Centre. Cllr Fincken declared NPI item 5, as a member of BDC planning committee, and 7b and 7b(a) as a member of BDC. Cllr Atkinson declared NPI item 5, 23/01374/HH as the owner is known to her.
058. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
a) Lennard Gurney spoke about the noise in the town, particularly from modified vehicles. Since he had been the subject of some harassment on social media, he decided to report the situation to the council. The noise was way above the acceptable 72 decibels. He requested that HTC take some action on this. The group tend to gather in 4th Avenue at Bluebridge.
Cllr Pell said that the police and Cllr Warren, HTC Police Champion, would be informed of this, and asked the Clerk to get in touch with Environmental Health at BDC.
b) A second member of the public who asked to remain anonymous confirmed that she also found the excessive noise was bad for her mental health and interrupted her toddler’s sleeping.
c) Cllr Siddall reported that there would be an LHP meeting on 12 July, that Ride London would continue until 2026, and that ECC have a new volunteering campaign starting in July.
059. MINUTES To approve the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 12 June 2023. Minutes had been circulated and proposal to adopt minutes of the Full Town council meeting of 12 June 2023, was put forward by Cllr Munday and seconded by Cllr Fincken, and unanimously agreed.
060. PLANNING APPLICATIONS – Cllr Pell Lead for planning
The following Planning Applications, which were received and circulated electronically, were considered at the Council meeting.
Cllrs, Munday and Fincken left the meeting.
23/01366/ELD – Hornbeam House, Brook Farm Close, Halstead, CO9 2ST – Changes to driveway material and erection of fencing
Cllr Atkinson proposed objection to this application on the grounds of it not being in keeping with the area, the drive being planned in unsuitable material, the type of trees and fencing chosen being inappropriate. This was seconded by Cllr Bond, with 6 in favour and 1 abstention.
23/01279/FUL – The Griffin, Parsonage Street, Halstead – The restoration and conversion of the Griffin Public House to create a single residential dwelling, including the demolition of the single storey later addition to the front and side of the property and the erection of 3 bedroomed dwelling with associated operational development and landscaping works.
Cllr Bond proposed that no comment be made on this application, other than that the planners should await the report from the archaeological survey. This was seconded by Cllr Atkinson, with 5 in favour and 2 abstentions.
Cllr Atkinson left the meeting.
23/01374/HH – 21 Highbury terrace, Halstead, Essex – Single storey rear extension
Cllr Pell proposed no objection, seconded by Cllr McCoyd, and agreed unanimously.
Cllr Atkinson returned to the meeting.
23/01332/HH – 5 Ashlong Grove, Halstead, Essex – Proposed front porch and dropped kerb
Cllr Bond proposed no objection, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, and unanimously agreed.
23/01436/HH – 6 Portway Court, Halstead, Essex – Single storey front and rear extension. Formation of pitched roof over existing garage
Cllr Atkinson proposed no objection to this application, seconded by Cllr Bond and unanimously agreed.
23/01401/FUL & 23/01402/LBC – Vape And Smoke , 8 – 10 High Street, Halstead – Installation of internal security shutters and the installation of a door grille on the inside of the door.
Cllr Bond proposed no objection to this application, subject to a positive report from the historic buildings expert, seconded by Cllr Atkinson and unanimously agreed.
23/01559/HH – 54 Colne Road, Halstead, Essex – First floor side extension
Cllr Nunn proposed no objection to this application, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, and unanimously agreed.
Cllr Pell left the meeting.
23/01389/FUL – Wade International Ltd, Third Avenue, Bluebridge Industrial Estate, Halstead, Essex – Erection of storage warehouse and provision of a new car park area.
Cllr Atkinson proposed no objection to this application, seconded by Cllr Bond, and unanimously agreed.
Cllrs Fincken, Pell and Munday returned to the meeting.
061. MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS
The date of the memorial for Brian Firman was corrected to 26 July. Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, that the Mayor’s appointments be noted. This was unanimously agreed.
062. FINANCE
Finance –Lead, Cllr Atkinson, led this part of the meeting.
All members of the Council are members of the Finance section
a) Income and expenditure for June 2023
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that the income and expenditure report be approved. This was unanimously agreed.
b) To approve the lists of payments.
Cllr Fincken proposed approval of the lists of payments, seconded by Cllr Munday and unanimously agreed.
c) Bank Reconciliation April – June 2023
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that HTC approve the reconciliation. This was unanimously agreed.
d) To approve completion of electrical work in Queens Hall
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that the additional electrical work be approved. This was unanimously agreed.
e) To reconsider antisocial behaviour at Rosemary Lane carpark
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that barriers should be erected at Rosemary Lane carpark, accepting quote 1. This was unanimously agreed.
f) To consider the repainting of the Empire steps
Cllr Bond proposed that the quote should be accepted for the repainting of the steps. This was seconded by Cllr Hilton, with 9 in favour and 1 abstention.
g) To consider assisting the Empire with costs
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that HTC should assist the Empire Trust with the infrastructure costs. This was agreed, with 9 in favour and 1 abstention.
063. To receive reports from District councillors
Cllr Fincken reported that the green bin charge was being introduced, and this had not been well received by the community. In view of the widespread opposition, he said that HTC should declare its opposition to the charges, in line with the anger from residents. BDC Cabinet will decide. He also stated that the ECC campaign to increase the recycling of food waste had begun.
Cllr Munday proposed suspending Standing orders to allow Cllr Siddall to speak. This was seconded by Cllr Fincken and unanimously agreed.
Cllr Siddall stated that the increased transportation of green waste would result in greater use of petrol run vehicles and greater air pollution.
Cllr Fincken proposed reinstating Standing orders, seconded by Cllr Munday and unanimously agreed.
Cllr Fincken finished by stating that Cllr Butland had agreed to hold a meeting where any BDC councillor could ask a question relating to their own ward.
Cllr Bond reported that he had attended the Policy Scrutiny committee, where there was discussion of what should be scrutinised. He talked of greater support to smaller communities, and engagement with youth throughout the Colne Valley.
Cllr Munday reported that he had attended 2 planning training meetings and one full planning meeting.
Cllr Pell reported that she had also attended the planning training meetings, and a session on chairing skills. The Leaders’ meeting would be looking at the conduct of the recent elections. She would be giving some of her grant to the HTC football ladies’ team. A meeting was being planned in August between HTC and BDC, and thereafter every quarter.
The reports were noted.
064. To receive reports from Champions
a) Doctors’ surgery – Cllr Bond reported that he is already a member of the PPG. Cllr McCoyd will become one. Dr Kreis had given a very prompt and positive response to the Clerk about being able to use Halstead Hospital.
b) Education – Cllrs Bond and Preston reported that they and the Clerk had been in touch with all schools, but have a positive response so far only from Ramsey school.
c) Police – No report
d) Open Spaces –councillors are waiting for BDC to respond, but there is concern that some S106 funding could be withdrawn.
e) Tourism – the Summer Fayre will take place on 5 August, and Route 66 will play in the public gardens on 13 August.
065. To approve the allocation of grants
Cllr Munday proposed
- That Council agrees to grant an additional £500 to Hope for tomorrow
- That the Council agrees to distribute funding as per the decisions taken by the working group. Those receiving grants should be asked to report either in person or in writing to the next Annual Town meeting how the funds have been spent
- That the total amount given in grants each year should be reviewed at the time of setting the budget in autumn 2023
This was seconded by Cllr Atkinson and was unanimously agreed.
066. To note the Essex County Council EV strategy
Cllr Atkinson proposed, seconded by Cllr Hilton, that the ECC EV strategy be noted. This was unanimously agreed.
067. To consider parking in Butler Road
Cllr Atkinson proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken
- That the situation in Butler Road be brought to the attention of NEPP
- That the Empire theatre and car wash be asked to request that their customers, wherever possible, use the Butler Road car park
- That the residents be informed that any request for residents only parking will have to come from them, supported by the councillors responsible
This was unanimously agreed.
068. To note Essex County Council’s Food waste recycling project
Cllr Fincken proposed that the ECC Food waste recycling project be noted. This was seconded by Cllr Bond, and unanimously agreed.
069. 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”.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 21.10