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HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
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MINUTES OF TOWN COUNCIL MEETING PUBLIC SESSION MINUTES 13 February 2023: at 19:15 |
Membership:
| Councillor J Pell | Chairman | Present |
| Councillor P Caulfield | Vice Chairman | Present |
| Councillor J Atkinson | Present | |
| Councillor S Dingle | Apologies | |
| Councillor M Fincken | Present | |
| Councillor D Hume | Apologies | |
| Councillor A Munday | Present | |
| Councillor L Smith | Apologies | |
| Councillor G Warren | Present (arrived at 19:45) | |
Also in attendance: Clare Young, Carl Tubby, Gary Dakin, Lana Dakin, Patricia Rippey, Alex Rippey, Grahame McCoyd, Sarah Greatorex (Town Clerk)
177. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Cllr Dingle and Cllr Hume sent their apologies due to ill health. Cllr Smith sent her apologies due to work commitments.
Cllr Fincken proposed acceptance of apologies, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, and unanimously agreed.
178. 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 the Empire Trust. Cllr Warren declared NPI item 7b and 7b(a) as a member of CSGMC. Cllr Pell declared NPI item 5, 22/00010/VAR and 22/00017/VAR as her daughter’s neighbour owns the site, 23/0030/VAR as she received a finance grant from the owner to one of her charities, 7a, 7b as a member of BDC and CSGMC.
All councillors declared NPI item 5, 22/00215, as an objector is known to all, and 15b, as it is an HTC council matter.
179. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
a) Clare Young of the Alzheimer’s Society made a presentation
Clare Young is the coordinator of Dementia Friendly Communities for the Alzheimer’s Society. A group has been formed in Halstead (of which the Clerk is already a member) to work towards making Halstead a dementia friendly community. This involves small changes in libraries, shops and in GP surgeries, on transport and in schools. She gave examples of how places could be made less daunting for those suffering from dementia, by changing the colour of notices, of doormats, or putting coloured hazard tape on stairs.
Her aim in speaking to Council was to get support from HTC in making Halstead a more friendly place for those suffering from dementia. Councillors confirmed their support for this, and thanked her and Carl for speaking.
b) Public questions time
1. Richard de Clare school
Lana Dakin and Alex Rippey spoke about the community awards at Richard de Clare school. They also said that the town needs more police to stop youths slashing tyres, and Highways need to do more to fill potholes.
Cllr Pell thanked them for speaking.
2. Robert Richmond had submitted a question
“It is noted that the Town Council may appoint substitute members to the Staff Advisory Committee. However, I hope that it will not do so. Instead, members could make a bit more of an effort to get to the few (four or five a year) meetings the Committee has. As it is, the proceedings of this Committee are already totally opaque from agenda, through exclusion of public to the minutes. The public does not have a clue what this Committee gets up to. To appoint alternative members will add confusion to opacity.”
Cllr Caulfield responded, as chair of the Staff Advisory committee, that the committee discusses all matters relating to staff, and these matters must therefore remain confidential. It sometimes happens that councillors are unable to attend meetings due to work, health or family crises. Matters discussed at SAC are time sensitive, and it is therefore necessary to have substitutes.
3. Grahame McCoyd
Grahame said that he had thought that Standing Orders would be looked at in May. He said the statements in the Standing Orders about a quorum for a meeting are ambiguous.
The Clerk said that she would make sure that any ambiguities were removed.
180. MINUTES To approve the minutes of the Town Council Meeting held on 16 January 2023. Minutes had been circulated and proposal to adopt minutes of 16 January 2023 was put forward by Cllr Fincken and seconded by Cllr Munday. This was agreed with one abstention.
181. 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 Fincken proposed exclusion of the public and press for the private session of the meeting, seconded by Cllr Caulfield, and unanimously agreed.
Cllr Munday proposed the suspension of Standing Orders to allow consultation with 2 visitors, seconded by Cllr Caulfield and unanimously agreed.
182. Community funds were discussed.
Cllr Fincken proposed reinstating Standing Orders, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, and unanimously agreed.
183. PLANNING APPLICATIONS – Cllr Pell Deputy Lead for planning
Cllr Munday left the meeting.
The following Planning Applications, which were received and circulated electronically, are to be considered at the Council meeting.
22/03366/OUT – Halstead Hall, Braintree Road, Greenstead Green – Outline application for the rection of 34 dwellings (including 24 market units and 10 social affordable units) with permission sought for access and drainage.
Cllr Pell proposed objection to this application for the following reasons:
- The local primary schools are full,
- there is not enough childcare available for younger children
- there is not enough library capacity
- This is another example of the erosion of the boundary of the town, where the new development will be reliant on the infrastructure of Halstead, although the site is not in Halstead
- There are extensive archaeological remains which are likely to be lost
- The A131 is a strategic lorry route with no footpath
- There will be a loss of wildlife habitats, and of trees
This was seconded by Cllr Atkinson and unanimously agreed.
Cllr Pell left the meeting.
23/00010/VAR – Plc Hunwick, Kings Road, Halstead – Variation of Condition 2 (Approved Plans) of approved application 19/02304/OUT granted 23.04.21 for : Outline application for four x 2 bed houses, five x 4/5 bed houses, 12 flats and 10 commercial units for B1(a) office purposed (with all matters reserved other than means of access, layout and scale.)
23/00017/VAR – Plc Hunwick, Kings Road, Halstead – Variation of Condition 2 (Approved Plans) of approved application 21/02718/REM granted 13.04.22 for : Application for the approval of reserved matters (in respect of appearance and landscaping) pursuant to outline permission 19/02304/OU granted 23.04.21 for the erection of four 2 x bed houses. Five x 4/5 bed houses, 12 flats and 10 commercial units for class Ba(a) office purposes. Variation would allow for: Changes to the layout, including resiting of electrical substation and adjustment of associated parking, separation of Plots 13/14 and 15/16 to provide detached houses – landscaping scheme, plans & elevations and street scene have been revised accordingly.
Cllr Caulfield proposed no objection to both these applications, seconded by Cllr Fincken, and unanimously agreed.
23/00030/VAR – Wade International Ltd, Third Avenue, Bluebridge Industrial Estate, Halstead, Essex – Variation of Condition 2 (Approved Plans) of approved application 22/01952/FYL granted 09.11.22 for : Erection of storage warehouse and provision of external storage areas. Variation would allow for: – Relocation of warehouse, as original position was within 3m of public storm water drain.
Cllr Fincken proposed no objection, seconded by Cllr Caulfield and unanimously agreed.
Cllr Pell returned to the meeting.
23/00026/HH – 8 Mill Green, Mill Chase, Halstead – Replacement of existing wooden cladding with Febre Cement Weatherboard
Cllr Atkinson proposed objection to this application on the grounds of it being inappropriate in a historical area. This was seconded by Cllr Caulfield, with 4 in favour and 1 abstention.
23/00054/HH – 10 Woodpecker Close, Halstead, Essex – Conversion of part of detached garage to habitable accommodation
Cllr Atkinson proposed no objection to this application, provided that the conversion is used only as office space, and not as living accommodation. This was seconded by Cllr Caulfield and unanimously agreed.
23/00046/HH – 57b High Street, Halstead, Essex – Conversion of first floor store to habitable accommodation
Cllr Fincken proposed no objection, seconded by Cllr Atkinson and unanimously agreed.
23/00035/FUL – Mandurah, Brook Farm Close, Halstead – Erection of 1 No. 1.5 storey 2-bedroom detached dwelling
Cllr Pell proposed objection to this application as it is not in keeping with other properties, there is not enough room for the building, it is close to a drain and water courses, and will cause parking problems in the close. This was seconded by Cllr Atkinson and unanimously agreed.
ESS/09/23/BTE – Biogen Anaerobic Digestion Facility, Fifth Avenue, – Bluebridge Industrial Estate, Halstead, CO9 2SZ
Continued operation of anaerobic digestion plan without compliance with condition 2 ref. ESS/69/19/BTE to allow construction of 8 HGV parking spaces and bin storage area
Cllr Fincken proposed no objection, seconded by Cllr Caulfield and unanimously agreed.
23/00215/HH – 6 Garden Terrace, Halstead, – Single storey front and rear extensions
Cllr Caulfield proposed no objection, but drew attention to the objector’s letter. This was seconded by Cllr Fincken and unanimously agreed.
Cllr Munday returned to the meeting.
184. MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS
Cllr Pell said that the Civic Service is likely to be on 30 April 2023.
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Munday, that the Mayor’s appointments be noted. This was unanimously agreed.
185. 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 report for January 2023
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Munday, that the income and expenditure report be approved, and this was unanimously agreed.
b) To approve the lists of payments 7b and 7ba to be paid in February.
Cllr Fincken proposed approval of 7b and 7ba, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, and unanimously agreed.
c) To consider alternative accounts packages
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, that HTC agrees to change its accounting system to Rialtas, on condition that the purchase is delayed until April to ensure that there is adequate surplus. The matter should be brought back to the April meeting after the end of the financial year. This was unanimously agreed.
d) To consider closing the Community Bank account
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Munday, that the Community Account be closed, and the funds transferred to the main Barclays account, but under a separate nominal code. This was unanimously agreed.
e) To consider a new Mayoral chain
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, that in principle the mayoral chain should be refurbished. This was unanimously agreed. Costs could be agreed by email.
186. To receive reports from District councillors
Cllr Munday said that due to problems with his email account he had missed 2 meetings at BDC recently. He had attended one planning meeting.
Cllr Pell had attended several meetings on Member development, and Community development, performance management scrutiny, and Cabinet. The budget would be approved on 20 February 2023, and members had been given ample opportunity to have input into the budget.
187. To receive reports from Champions
Surgery – it is very likely that the Elizabeth Courtauld surgery will be able to use part of Halstead Hospital as an expansion of the surgery, with some S106 monies to help.
Policing – it was agreed that more publicity should be given to the police surgeries being held at HTC once a month. Specials should also be invited to attend the Annual Town Meeting. Problems are continuing at the court at Richard de Clare, with objects being thrown onto the protective netting.
188. To review the Risk Management policy
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Munday, that the Risk Management policy be approved.
189. To update the Standing Orders to include substitution
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Munday, that the principle of using substitutes for the Staff Advisory Committee be approved, and that the change be implemented after the elections. This was unanimously agreed,
190. To receive the internal audit report
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that the internal audit report be approved. This was unanimously agreed.
191. To receive a report on the BALC meeting
The BALC meeting report was noted.
192. 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 21.15