Draft Minutes of Town Council Meeting 12 October 2026

c) Mr RG Richmond made a statement;
I submitted a written statement to the August meeting of the Council about my Objection to the Audit. For the minutes you reworked what I had said; it was completely different and wrong. Later you instructed the Clerk to apologise on your behalf. It was therefore a sort of second-hand, by-proxy apology.
At the September meeting I wrote again this time about my Objection not falling within the scope of the reduced Audit standards. Once again, my statement was not recorded. Instead, you or the Clerk wrote something else which was very different. At the same meeting other statements were very fully and faithfully recorded.
I am not being treated fairly by this Council. My words are arbitrarily altered and reduced. I am given no notice of your snide statements, no right of reply and I am denied a true record.
This is petty and unworthy of a local authority.

d) Steve Knight made a statement, asking that contractors upload their roadworks onto a central database in order for residents to know when roads are to be closed.

e) Ken Paisley requested that a message be passed to Essex Highways asking that they remove all signage and equipment when they finish roadworks. Many metal signs have been left for weeks in The Centre.

f) Cllr Preston made a statement, relating to the presence of police and fire officers at our events. A decision was made by HTC to remove naked flames from the procession this year, a decision based on safety advice given by the emergency services. Members of the public continue to mock and ridicule safety advice. We should value the contribution made by the emergency services.

g) Cllr Fincken made a statement concerning the proliferation of email exchanges. He advised councillors that discussions should be in committee meetings, and not by email. There had recently been 70 exchanges relating to the hire of a roundabout. This is not being transparent to the public. Exchanging emails at weekends is a burden to officers and some councillors. He looked to the Chair and the Clerk for guidance on this and also on the use of AI. Councillors should compose their own emails.

h) Cllr Isi da Rocha’s statement was read by Cllr Bond:
When it comes to Road Safety, I’m working on a speed reduction initiative at the top of Sloe Hill and at White Ash Green. Both are priorities for residents and I’ve asked residents to send me information on specific examples and evidence to support this campaign. Apparently, one of the metrics is 5 deaths to trigger that review. That is one death too many.

We have launched a new initiative today where Essex Highways crews began a clean-up of the areas around memorials across the county. They’re sweeping footways and highways, removing leaves and cutting back foliage before Remembrance Sunday on 8th November. This initiative will also include memorials in the Halstead Division and Halstead.

Talking about Highways, Head Street/Sudbury Road has now been repaired but am still pushing for the remaining priority roads to be fixed which includes PennyPots and Station Road (Colne Engaine) which was not re-surfaced on the date it was supposed to. Aside from that, the massive pothole outside the memorial in Gosfield has been repaired and I am continuing to follow up with Highways with the road deficiencies but still request that residents continue to report them. I will also be meeting with Ringway Jacobs to see the works progressing at StoneBridge Works later on in October.

I managed to get temporary works around the base of the tree in Halstead although I’m just awaiting a date that BDC, ECC and an arboriculturist can attend to discuss best next steps. One of the issues is that the roots of the tree now weave in and out before the services and lines under the pavement so is more complicated than it appears. I’m still trying to understand what’s happened with the Halstead Regeneration Funding so I think I may need a meeting with Cllr Wrench.

Aside from the above, residents’ concerns around rising school bus fares are being discussed at cabinet level and full council tomorrow to explore all options. Residents still continue to copy me into complaints about #bingate and services as well as their concerns re the local plan Reg 19 process. I will continue to follow up on these on their behalf.

Finally, I want to state that I do support all our local town and parish councils, including Halstead Town Council, and I will continue to work constructively with you all. This does mean that I will also continue to raise issues on behalf of residents as that is both part of my role as a county councillor and as a member of the general public. I’d ask that everyone involved, including councillors and residents alike, engages with each other respectfully and on equal terms.

Co-option statements
a) Emily Hume
Emily said that lots of people in Halstead already know her, and she feels passionately about Halstead. Her children have been brought up in Halstead, and her business is in Halstead. She originally thought about being a councillor two years ago, and has regularly attended Full Council meetings. She is standing for the community and not for politics.
b) Vanessa Wright
Vanessa came to Halstead from Bishops Stortford 16 years ago and brought up her 2 children here. She finds the community amazing and the town friendly and safe. People moan a lot on social media. She joined the PPG at the doctors’ surgery to try to make a difference, and thinks HiB is wonderful. She volunteers for Health First as an unpaid carer. Her aim in becoming a councillor is to give back to the community.
c) Steve Knight
Steve was a councillor previously from 1993 – 2000. He left because of the amount of foreign travel in his job, but he has now sold his business and retired. He can offer managerial experience and is very excited by the Community Arts centre project. He is a governor at several local schools and has a lot to offer.
d) Paul Turner
Paul comes originally from Braintree. He is retired from the transport industry, where he finished as a regional compliance manager. He loves the town and would like to do something for the community.
e) Leon Collins
Leon has lived in Halstead for 2 years and works here. He suggested we need CCTV to stop people turning into a one-way street.

Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Nunn, that the candidates should be discussed in private session, and the vote carried out in public session. This was unanimously agreed.

116/26 MINUTES

To approve the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 14 September 2026, and of the Staff Advisory Committee meeting of 18 September 2026. To note the Minutes of the CSG user group meeting on 28 September 2026. Minutes had been circulated. A proposal to adopt minutes, of the Town council meeting of 14 September 2026, and to include Robert Richmond’s complaint in the Minutes, was put forward by Cllr Fincken, seconded by Cllr Hilton, and agreed with 1 abstention.

Cllr Hilton proposed, seconded by Cllr McCoyd, approving the Minutes of the Staff Advisory Committee meeting of 18 September 2026. This was agreed, with 6 in favour and 3 abstentions.

Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Hilton, that the Minutes of the CSG user group meeting of 28 September be noted. Cllr Munday sought clarification on the payment for the container, as the CSG is not a decision-making committee of the Council. Cllr Bond explained that the purchase of the container was agreed at the CSG meeting of 27 June 2026, using funds passed to the CSG user group from the former management committee. The funds are the property of the user group which HTC holds on their behalf as agreed previously.
The proposal was then agreed with 6 in favour, and 3 abstentions.

117/26 PLANNING APPLICATIONS – Lead for planning Cllr Pell, deputy lead for planning, Cllr Nunn

Cllrs Fincken and Munday left the meeting.

26/02005/FUL – Stone Lakes , Sloe Hill, Halstead
Erection of a single, small-scale vertical axis wind turbine.
Cllr Pell proposed, seconded by Cllr Nunn, no objection. This was unanimously agreed.

26/02112/FUL & 26/90075/HRA – 5 The Centre , High Street, Halstead
Conversion of existing roof space to create 2 no. two-bedroom flats with new stair access and external emergency egress.
Cllr Pell proposed, seconded by Cllr Warren, no objection. This was unanimously agreed.

26/02015/FUL & 26/02016/LBC & 26/90074/HRA – 74 High Street, Halstead, Essex
Change of use of part of ground floor and first floor to 1 No. dwelling. Retention of part of ground floor as commercial.
Cllr Pell proposed, seconded by Cllr Preston, no objection. This was agreed with 1 against.

26/01905/HH – 63 Butler Road, Halstead, Essex
Retention of part single storey side extension and part single storey rear extension, new porch on front elevation, proposed detached garage and new brick wall.
Cllr Pell proposed, seconded by Cllr McCoyd, no objection. This was unanimously agreed.

26/02193/LBC – Slough House, 24 Slough Farm Road, Halstead
Replacement external Boiler Flue
Cllr Pell proposed, seconded by Cllr Warren, no objection. This was unanimously agreed.

Cllrs Fincken and Munday returned to the meeting.

Cast metal railings located to the frontage of the application site granted planning permission for 4no. houses (25/01451/FUL) at New Street Halstead.
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that HTC agrees in principle to taking responsibility for the preservation of the railings subject to exploring the legal implications and maintenance costs. This was unanimously agreed.

118/26 MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS
The Mayor’s appointments were noted, proposed by Cllr Bond, and seconded by Cllr Warren. This was unanimously agreed.

119/26 FINANCE – Cllr Munday Lead for Finance, led this part of the meeting.
All members of the Council are members of the Finance section.

a) Income and expenditure , balance sheet and earmarked reserves for September
Cllr Munday said that council finances were in a strong position after 6 months.
He asked that Tim Bickmore’s dedication and service be noted, and said he should be thanked.

Cllr McCoyd proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, approval of the income and expenditure for September. This was agreed unanimously.
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr McCoyd, that the EMR for September be approved. This was unanimously agreed.
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Nunn, approval of the balance sheet for September. This was unanimously agreed.

b) To approve the lists of payments for October
Cllr Preston proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that the lists of payments be approved. This was agreed with 3 abstentions.

c) Bank reconciliation
Cllr McCoyd proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that the bank reconciliation be agreed. This was agreed unanimously.

d) To consider outings for 2027
It was confirmed that £2 of the cost of every outing for a Halstead resident would go towards the Christmas parties for those taking part in the outings.
Cllr Pell proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that the outings report for 2027 be approved. This was agreed unanimously.
The Clerk was asked to investigate the law on reselling non-refundable tickets which are cancelled by the purchaser.

e) To consider the grant towards festive celebrations offered by BDC.
Cllr Munday mentioned the fact that when the grant was first talked of, it was stated that if the grant was not all used in the first year, it could be spread over several years. The second letter had stated that anything unused should be returned by 31 January 2027.
The Clerk was asked to request clarification from Cllr Cunningham.

Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Nunn, that the grant be spent as indicated in the report. This was agreed.
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that if the grant could be spent over 2 years, HTC would reserve the right to spend some of it in the second year. This was agreed unanimously.

f) To consider costs of sound systems for the switch-on and procession.
Cllr Hilton proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that the costs of sound systems for the switch-on and the light procession be approved. This was agreed with 1 against and 2 abstentions.

g) To appoint councillors to carry out the internal review
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Munday, that selection of councillors for the internal review be postponed to the November meeting. This was agreed unanimously.

120/26 DISTRICT COUNCILLORS gave their reports
Cllr Fincken said he had attended 1 meeting, which was for the endorsement of the Local Plan. The meeting had been very difficult and had been disrupted by some visiting County councillors.
Cllr Bond had attended the same meeting and agreed that the behaviour was very poor.
Cllr Pell agreed that the meeting had been greatly disrupted. She had attended the opening of the ATC, a Licensing meeting, a Code of Conduct member meeting and Full Council.

Cllr Munday had attended Full Council, Code of conduct training, and a planning meeting.

121/26 TOWN COUNCILLORS gave their reports
Cllr Warren expressed his thanks to Cllr Bond and Cllr Pell for their donations to the ATC. They now have 14 cadets, 4 instructors, and 3 new applicants to become instructors.
Cllr Fincken said that bus services are becoming unreliable particularly for school students, causing them to arrive late at school. The public have also complained.
The Clerk was asked to request an investigation from Cllr Rocha.
Cllr Nunn had attended the HCC meeting, and was encouraged by the enthusiasm of those who attended. They seemed a little unsure about the Christmas celebrations but had been informed.
He said that the AI training provided by Councilwise which he had attended with the Clerk was excellent.
Cllr Munday said that he thought it was time to repaint the Chapel Street bridge, and asked the Clerk to look into it.
Cllr Hilton said that business breakfasts had been organised, an allotment meeting was planned, she had attended the CSG meeting, events for 2027 were being planned, guys in the park was on 1 November, and the TAPS party had raised £600.

Cllr Bond proposed extending Standing Orders until close of business. This was seconded by Cllr Warren and unanimously agreed.

122/26 To review events planned
Cllr Hilton proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that the planned events be noted. This was agreed with 1 abstention.

123/26 To note the update on the proposed Community Arts Centre project

Cllr Pell left the meeting.

Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that the update on the Community Arts Centre be noted. This was unanimously agreed.

Cllr Pell returned to the meeting

124/26 To consider an update to the Health and Safety policy
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that the updated Health & Safety policy be approved. This was agreed unanimously.

125/26 To consider the naming of streets in the Mount Hill development
Cllr Bond proposed , seconded by Cllr Nunn, that one of the 4 possible names, Gilbert Scott, David Hume, Michael Gage or Kathleen Jones, be suggested to the developers. Council noted that the development lies outside the Town boundary and the Council preference should be communicated to Greenstead Green and Halstead Rural Parish Council. This was agreed unanimously.

126/26 BALC report
There was no BALC report as there had not been a meeting

127/26 Items for the next meeting
1, Cost of a Halstead Town Council banner for the bandstand.
2. The cost of repainting the Chapel Street bridge.

128/26 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”.

Cllr Bond, seconded by Cllr Hilton, proposed the exclusion of the public and the press from the meeting. This was unanimously agreed.

129/26 The co-option was discussed, and the meeting then returned to the public session.

After voting by elimination, Steve Knight received the largest number of votes.
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken that Steve Knight become the co-opted councillor. This was agreed unanimously.

Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Munday, the exclusion of public and press. This was unanimously agreed.

130/26 To consider a rethink of car parking
Cllr Nunn proposed, seconded by Cllr Pell, that, as it affects the wider community, this item should be brought back in public session at the November meeting. This was agreed unanimously.

131/26 To consider decisions taken at the Staff Advisory committee meeting
It was proposed by Cllr Pell, and seconded by Cllr Fincken, that the vacancy in the office be advertised. This was agreed unanimously.
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Hilton, that work related to the civic role of the Mayor be in the job description for the new employee. This was agreed unanimously.

All other decisions taken at the Staff Advisory committee meeting were agreed, proposed by Cllr Fincken and seconded by Cllr Hilton, and unanimously agreed.

132/26 To consider a lease
Cllr Bond proposed that HTC agrees to serve relevant legal notice when a start date for the project is agreed, while continuing to seek alternative sites. This was seconded by Cllr Warren, and unanimously agreed.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 22.17