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HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
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MINUTES OF TOWN COUNCIL MEETING PUBLIC SESSION MINUTES 12 January 2026: at 19:15 |
Membership:
| Councillor Andrew Munday | Chairman | Present |
| Councillor James Bond | Vice Chairman | Present |
| Councillor Janet Atkinson | Apologies | |
| Councillor Malcolm Fincken | Present | |
| Councillor Linda Hilton | Present | |
| Councillor Gemma MacAndrews | Present | |
| Councillor Grahame McCoyd | Present | |
| Councillor Paul Nunn | Present | |
| Councillor Jackie Pell | Apologies | |
| Councillor Felix Preston | Apologies | |
| Councillor Linda Smith | Apologies | |
| Councillor Garry Warren | Apologies |
Also in attendance: Angela Nolan, Jan Mellon, Glen Lagdon, Mary Atkinson, Cllr Chris Siddall and Sarah Greatorex (Town Clerk)
148/25 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Cllrs Smith and Preston sent apologies due to work commitments, and Cllrs Pell, Warren and Atkinson sent apologies for personal reasons.
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, acceptance of the apologies. This was unanimously agreed.
Chairman’s statement
Once again, events over the past month have been mainly related to Christmas. I attended several events put on through the Dementia friendly awareness projects, both at the Empire Theatre, and Colne view care home, and a Halstead Community choir performance.
I have also been invited to be present at the relaunch of Cedars care home.
In addition, we received the sad news of the death of Beryl Gage who was a Halstead Town Council and District Councillor for many years.
The Chairman asked the Clerk to send condolences to the family of Beryl Gage, and to send good wishes from HTC to Cllr Pell who was unwell.
149/25 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. Cllr Munday made a declaration for all councillors relating to payments to staff in item 7b.
150/25 PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
- Cllr Chris Siddall mentioned the rapid progress with Local Government reorganisation. He noted that Essex had been highly rated for the way it has dealt with potholes, and that he is continuing with his campaign to deal with potholes around Halstead. The next section will be from the Public Gardens to Oak Road, and Sudbury Road. A consultation on health and wellbeing is being carried out until 3 February. There is a new Head of Highways, and there is a big expansion going on at Stansted airport.
151/25 MINUTES To approve the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 10 December 2025, the Extraordinary meeting of 7 January 2026, and Events group meeting of 9 January 2026 Minutes had been circulated. A proposal to adopt minutes of the Full Town council meeting of 10 December 2025, was put forward by Cllr Bond, seconded by Cllr Fincken, and was agreed unanimously.
Cllr Fincken proposed approval of the Minutes of the Extraordinary meeting of 7 January 2026, seconded by Cllr Bond, and agreed with 2 abstentions. Cllr Hilton proposed approval of the Minutes of the Events group meeting of 9 January 2026, seconded by Cllr MacAndrews and agreed with 2 abstentions.
152/25 PLANNING APPLICATIONS – Cllr Nunn, Deputy Lead for planning
Cllrs Munday and Fincken left the meeting.
25/02699/HH – 2 Blue Bridge Cottages , Colchester Road, Halstead
Proposed two-storey side and single-storey rear & front extensions
Cllr McCoyd proposed, seconded by Cllr Hilton, no objection. This was unanimously agreed.
25/02755/FUL – Post Office, 76 – 78 High Street, Halstead
Change of use from retail unit (Class E) to restaurant (Class E(b)), including the installation of a kitchen extraction system and the replacement of three bi-folding doors to the front and side elevations.
It was noted that the concerns raised in the previous refusal about the impact on the dwelling above had been addressed. Cllr McCoyd proposed, seconded by Cllr Hilton, no objection. This was unanimously agreed.
25/02757/HH & 25/02758/LBC – 5 Chapel Hill, Halstead, Essex
Retrospective application for roofing and re-fenestration of the former rear single-storey room, and a minor rear extension to accommodate a side door to the garden room.
Cllr Hilton proposed no objection, seconded by Cllr Nunn, and unanimously agreed.
25/02606/HH – 22 Pretoria Road, Halstead, Essex
Proposed single storey rear extension.
Cllr Nunn proposed no objection, seconded by Cllr McCoyd and unanimously agreed.
25/02741/FUL – Land East Of, High Street, Halstead
Erection of 27no. residential dwellings with associated car parking, amenity areas, landscaping and associated works; the removal of 5No. and retention of 10 No. WWII Air Raid Shelters and retention of 1No. Wardens Hut; the use of 2 No. of the retained WWII Air Raid Shelters as a WWII experience; and the use of the retained 1No. Wardens Hut as a visitor centre/retail area/cafe.
Cllr Bond proposed suspending Standing Orders, seconded by Cllr McCoyd, to allow the members of Halstead 21st Century group who were attending the meeting to offer more detailed information on what was planned. This was unanimously agreed.
They explained that it is planned to return 2 shelters to their original state, 8 others being repaired with lighting and security, and to be available for hire. A visitors’ centre is planned, and 2 shelters, it is hoped, will be saved for bats. St Andrews Road is a private road, and this will be bought by the developer. It is felt that the design has improved, and that this may be the last chance to save the shelters, to make the area usable and open it up as an attraction.
Cllr Bond proposed reinstating Standing orders, seconded by Cllr McCoyd, and unanimously agreed.
Cllr Nunn proposed no objection, seconded by Cllr Hilton, and agreed with 1 abstention.
Cllrs Munday and Fincken returned to the meeting
152/25 MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that the appointments be noted. This was unanimously agreed.
153/25 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 December
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr McCoyd, that income and expenditure for December be approved. This was unanimously agreed.
b) To approve the lists of payments
It was suggested that a line be added to the payments list to state the overtime payments for the month.
Cllr Nunn proposed, seconded by Cllr McCoyd, that the lists of payments be approved, This was agreed, with 1 abstention.
c) To approve the reconciliation, balance sheet, and EMR report
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr McCoyd, that the reconciliation, balance sheet and EMR report be approved. This was agreed.
d) To approve the Precept application 26/27
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Nunn, approval of the Precept request for 26/27. This was unanimously agreed.
e) To reconsider the cost of outings
Cllr Hilton proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that due to rising costs the cost of outings for Halstead residents should be £20.50 in 2026 This was agreed, with 2 against.
f) To consider items to be purchased using surplus accumulated in the 25/26 financial year
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken that the proposed items, a leafblower and grid paving, be purchased.
g) To consider a Bluetooth system for Queens Hall – this item was deferred to February, due to lack of information.
h) to consider quotes for crab apple tree reduction
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that quote 1 be accepted to reduce the height of the tree.
i) To consider the purchase of a new linemarker
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that a new linemarker be purchased. This was unanimously agreed.
j) To consider purchasing a sum-up machine
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Nunn, that HTC should buy a Sum-up solo machine in order to be able to take charitable donations by card.
k) To consider the internal control report
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that the internal control report be approved. This was unanimously agreed.
154/25 DISTRICT COUNCILLORS gave their reports
Cllr Bond had nothing to report.
Cllr Fincken stated that he had attended one planning meeting, and said that it was considered a waste of money and resources to hold elections when not necessary.
Cllr Munday had attended one planning meeting.
156/25 To receive reports from Champions
There were no reports from Champions.
157/25 To note the update on the proposed Community Arts Centre project
Cllr Bond reported that very useful meetings had recently been held with the Theatre Royal, Bury and the Mercury Theatre in Colchester. The Mercury had talked about its agreement with Colchester City Council which has enabled it to save VAT. It may be necessary to carry out a Utility survey and a feasibility study.
1. Cllr Fincken proposed that the Architects’ quote 1 of £9000 be accepted and that they be requested to provide services up to and including Stage 3. This was seconded by Cllr Nunn and agreed unanimously.
2. Cllr Bond proposed that contamination survey quote 1 of £10,050 be accepted. This was seconded by Cllr MacAndrews, and unanimously agreed.
3. Cllr Bond proposed that the topographical quote 3 of £995 be accepted. This was seconded by Cllr Fincken and unanimously agreed.
158/25 To consider the emergence of a new training organisation
Cllr McCoyd proposed, seconded by Cllr Munday, that the emergence of the new training organisation be noted. This was unanimously agreed.
159/25 To consider the events planned for 2026 following the Events group meeting on 9 January. This item was deferred to a future meeting as research has to be carried out to decide dates and events.
160/25 To consider the update to the Safeguarding policy
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that the updated Safeguarding policy be approved. This was unanimously agreed.
161/25 To consider committee dates
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr McCoyd, that the September 2026 meeting be moved to 21 September, which was unanimously agreed. Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Hilton that the new dates, to include meetings of the Events group, be approved. This was unanimously agreed.
Cllr Munday proposed extension of Standing Orders until the close of business, seconded by Cllr Bond, and unanimously agreed.
162/25 To approve the Culture, Sport and Recreation strategy
Cllr Bond explained that this strategy was needed as part of the work around receiving S106 funds and applying for grants. A consultation should be carried out with HTC and the public.
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that Cllrs Bond, Hilton and MacAndrews work with the Clerk on the Culture, Recreation and Sport Strategy with contributions from other councillors. This should be brought back to HTC in February, and then the public should be consulted by May. This was unanimously agreed.
163/25 To consider decisions made remotely
Cllr McCoyd reported that decisions cannot be made by email, but that the Clerk can be given added responsibility through Standing Orders and Financial Regulations. It might be necessary to add to the Financial Regulations for extreme situations.
Cllr McCoyd recommended that both Standing Orders and Financial Regulations be reviewed in February. This was seconded by Cllr Fincken and unanimously agreed.
164/25 Items for the next Council meeting
- Review time at which financial information comes to meetings
- Consider the nature of the Events group, and whether it should be a committee with 6 members
- Clarify what aspects of Standing Orders (non-statutory) can be suspended
- Bring a solution to the hearing difficulties in the hall to the February meeting
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 21.43