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HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
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MINUTES OF TOWN COUNCIL MEETING PUBLIC SESSION MINUTES 14 July 2025: 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 | Absent | |
| Councillor Paul Nunn | Present | |
| Councillor Jackie Pell | Present | |
| Councillor Felix Preston | Present | |
| Councillor Linda Smith | Apologies | |
| Councillor Garry Warren | Present |
Also in attendance: Cllr Chris Siddall, Sarah Greatorex (Town Clerk)
Cllr Munday opened the meeting with a special motion to confirm HTC’s method of accepting apologies. He proposed that, to satisfy Section 85 of the local Government Act of 1972, HTC’s current process of accepting apologies for a specific reason is sufficient reason. This was seconded by Cllr Fincken and agreed, with 6 in favour and 1 abstention.
Cllr Warren joined the councillors.
043/25 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Cllr Smith sent apologies due to work commitments, and Cllr Atkinson for personal reasons.
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, acceptance of the apologies. This was unanimously agreed.
Chairman’s statement 14/7/25
The first item I must mention this month is the fact that we have a member of staff who has been with Halstead Town Council all his working life, and has just reached 40 years as a groundsman, and is not even at retirement age yet. We are all most grateful for the commitment made by Jason Bedlow to the town, to the Town Council, and most of all to Courtaulds Sports ground, which has become his pride and joy. His attention to detail and constant commitment have meant that the pitches, the bowls green and all other areas have been kept in the best possible condition.
Secondly I would like to mention the Halstead Community Connections evening which took place on Monday 7 July in Queens Hall. This is the group of voluntary and charitable organisations which has grown from the last 2 Annual Town meetings. Last Monday there was a speaker from the Essex Community Foundation, explaining the best ways to obtain grants for charities. The meeting was well attended by the members of the group, and another meeting is planned for November. The Town Council has developed a database of information on all these organisations which is available on the Halstead Town Council website, and we are happy to add any groups which have not yet found their way there.
Cllr Munday thanked Cllr Bond for all his hard work for Halstead Community Connections.
044/25 DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS:
Cllr Fincken declared NPI item 5, as a member of BDC planning committee. Cllr Munday declared NPI item 5, as a member of BDC planning committee and item 11 as a trustee at the Empire Theatre.. Cllr Pell declared NPI, item 11, as she is involved with several of the organisations applying for grants, and item 10 and OPI, for which she would leave the meeting. Cllr MacAndrews declared an NPI item 11, as she has a dependant who is a beaver.
045/25 PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
a) Cllr Chris Siddall ECC made a statement, touching on the Local Government reorganisation, suggesting that the north of Essex might form 1 of 3 unitary authorities for Essex. He said that Essex County Council had to produce a full business case by September. He also said that the pothole scheme is still going ahead, and also the members’ grants scheme. He said that no new schemes would be taken on by the LHP before the reorganisation.
b) Bob Richmond had sent in a written question:
“COMMUNITY ARTS CENTRE
The current survey will be of no value in revealing whether Council Tax payers in Halstead would welcome paying for this building. The present survey is open to anyone from anywhere and they may vote as many times as they like.
There must be a Town Poll – a referendum. It will cost a few thousand pounds but that’s very little compared to the £750,000 estimated for this project. The electors and taxpayers of Halstead are, surely, entitled to have this issue dealt with properly in a way that is provided by statute.
My question is: Will the Town Council include an item on the next agenda to debate and take action as necessary on holding a Town Poll to establish the level of demand for a Community Arts Centre. The Town Council to be bound by the will of the electorate.”
This question was addressed in item 10, where the proposed Community Arts Centre was discussed.
c) Jackie Pell read a statement from the Courtaulds Sports Ground management committee, and handed over a cheque to the council for the funds which had previously been held by the Sports grounds committee. She stated that the new user advisory group will be formed of 3 councillors and 1 representative of each user group.
046/25 MINUTES To approve the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 16 June 2025, Minutes had been circulated and proposal to adopt minutes of the Full Town council meeting of 16 June 2025, was put forward by Cllr Fincken, seconded by Cllr Bond and agreed with 1 abstention.
Cllr Munday proposed the adoption of the Minutes of SAC on 26 June 2025, seconded by Cllr Fincken, and agreed with 1 abstention.
047/25 PLANNING APPLICATIONS – Cllr Pell, Lead for planning
The following Planning Applications, which were received and circulated electronically, were considered at the Council meeting.
Cllr Fincken and Cllr Munday left the meeting.
25/01343/FUL – Land At, East Mill, Halstead
Proposed change of use for the conversion of existing garages and storage facility to a 3 bedroom dwelling with off street parking and private amenity.
Cllr Bond proposed no objection, seconded by Cllr Preston and unanimously agreed.
Attention was drawn to the fact that this development was on the route some children would take to school, and would also not allow for emergency vehicles to turn.
01323/FUL – Land At, East Mill, Halstead
Proposed change of use for the conversion of an existing storage facility and garages (B8) to a commercial office space Class E(g) with private courtyard and off-street parking.
Cllr Bond proposed no objection, seconded by Cllr Preston and unanimously agreed.
Attention was drawn to the fact that this development was on the route some children would take to school, and would also not allow for emergency vehicles to turn.
25/01318/HH – 9 Harper Lane, Halstead, Essex
Proposed single-storey rear extension with 2No. rooflights
Cllr Pell proposed no objection, seconded by Cllr Preston, and unanimously agreed.
25/01375/HH – 75 Hawthorn Close, Halstead, Essex
Proposed conversion of garage to habitable accommodation, single storey rear extension and alterations to fenestration
Cllr Pell proposed no objection, seconded by Cllr Nunn, and agreed with 1 abstention.
Possible disruption from noise was noted, but this was an environmental health issue rather than a planning matter.
Cllr Fincken and Cllr Munday returned to the meeting.
048/25 MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS
Cllr Munday said that the Halstead Choral concert he had attended had been particularly good.
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that the appointments be noted. This was unanimously agreed.
049/25 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 June
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond that income and expenditure for June be approved. This was unanimously agreed.
b) To approve the lists of payments
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Preston, that the lists of payments be approved. This was unanimously agreed.
c) To approve the bank reconciliation and balance sheet
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that the bank reconciliation and balance sheet be approved. This was unanimously agreed.
d) To consider the repainting of the Riverside bridge
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Nunn, that quote 3 be approved. This was agreed with 1 abstention.
050/25 DISTRICT COUNCILLORS gave their reports
Cllr Fincken said he had attended several meetings of the Local Plan subcommittee. He felt that large developments planned for Halstead are likely to be pushed through. He also said that the council is going to try to involve backbenchers more in discussions at council.
Cllr Munday had attended a members’ evening on devolution, a meeting on cyber security, a planning meeting, a Local plan subcommittee meeting and a Governance and audit committee meeting.
Cllr Bond had asked whether BDC was a fostering-friendly employer, but had so far had no answer.
Cllr Pell had attended the members’ meeting on devolution, and HiB partnership meeting, had had a meeting with Kim Mayo and attended a public gardens meeting.
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that District councillor reports be noted. This was unanimously agreed.
051/25 To receive reports from Champions
Surgery – No report
Education – No report
Police – No report
Open Spaces – No report
Tourism – Route 66 had successfully performed in the public gardens.
Halstead Community connections –
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Hilton that Cllr Bond and Cllr Fincken become the Champions for Halstead Community Connections
Cllr Pell left the meeting
Cllr Bond reported that a meeting had been held with the Empire Theatre trustees, and that they had been enthusiastic.
052/25 To approve the method of funding for the proposed Community Arts Centre project
Cllr MacAndrews proposed, seconded by Cllr Warren, that a Charitable Incorporated Organisation be set up, a foundation CIO, using S106 funds, grant funding and Earmarked Reserves. This was unanimously agreed.
053/25 To approve the draft Timeline for the proposed Community Arts centre project.
Cllr Preston proposed, seconded by Cllr Munday, that the proposed draft Timeline be approved. This was unanimously agreed.
054/25 To approve the Vision statement for the Community Arts Centre
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Warren, that the update to the Vision statement be approved. It was also agreed that this should be communicated to the Empire theatre trust. This was unanimously agreed.
055/25 To advertise for Trustees
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Nunn, that HTC advertise the need for trustees to run the project for a restricted time. This was unanimously agreed.
Cllr Munday stated that it was important to have 2 Trustees representing the Empire Trust on the Community Arts Centre trust.
Bob Richmond had asked a public question:
“COMMUNITY ARTS CENTRE
The current survey will be of no value in revealing whether Council Tax payers in Halstead would welcome paying for this building. The present survey is open to anyone from anywhere and they may vote as many times as they like.
There must be a Town Poll – a referendum. It will cost a few thousand pounds but that’s very little compared to the £750,000 estimated for this project. The electors and taxpayers of Halstead are, surely, entitled to have this issue dealt with properly in a way that is provided by statute.
My question is: Will the Town Council include an item on the next agenda to debate and take action as necessary on holding a Town Poll to establish the level of demand for a Community Arts Centre. The Town Council to be bound by the will of the electorate.”
The Clerk was asked to write to Mr Richmond, stating that the proposed Community Arts Centre would not be funded from public funds in the form of the precept using tax payers’ money. The plan is to use S106 funds and apply for grants. It is also the general opinion that a referendum would not give any more reliable results than the current survey. The Council has a long standing commitment to a Community Centre for which a small reserve has been held to cover professional fees required to achieve the completion of the project
Cllr Pell returned to the meeting
056/25 To consider grant applications
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that HTC should approve grants to the suggested groups. This was unanimously agreed.
057/25 To consider removing the cash option in the carparks
Cllr Nunn proposed, seconded by Cllr Pell, that HTC agree to keep the cash option in the car parks. There was a recorded vote . Cllrs Pell, Nunn, Preston, Warren and MacAndrews voted to keep the cash option, and Cllrs Hilton, Munday, Bond and Fincken voted against keeping the cash option. The cash option would continue.
058/25 To consider an update to the Financial Regulations
Cllr Warren proposed, seconded by Cllr MacAndrews, that the update to the Financial regulations be approved. This was unanimously agreed. It was stated that the Trustee section should be brought back in view of the Community Arts Centre plan.
059/25 To consider an update to the Press and Media policy
Cllr Preston proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond that the Press and media policy be updated. This was unanimously agreed.
Cllr Munday proposed extending Standing Orders until the close of business, seconded by Cllr Preston, and unanimously agreed.
060/25 To consider marketing Queens Hall
Cllr Preston proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that the suggested ways of marketing Queens Hall be approved.
061/25 Items for next Council meeting
- Rates charged at Queens Hall
- Redecoration of the library
- Working with local parishes on the Local Plan Strategic sites
- Reconsider the request to take over the public gardens (for a later meeting)
062/25 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”.
063/25 A property issue was discussed.
064/25 A staff matter was discussed.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 21.26