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HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
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MINUTES OF TOWN COUNCIL MEETING PUBLIC SESSION MINUTES DATE 15 July 2024: at 19:15 |
Membership:
| Councillor Andrew Munday | Chairman | Present |
| Councillor James Bond | Vice Chairman | Present |
| Councillor Janet Atkinson | Present | |
| Councillor Malcolm Fincken | Present | |
| Councillor Linda Hilton | Apologies | |
| Councillor Gemma MacAndrews | Apologies | |
| Councillor Grahame McCoyd | Present | |
| Councillor Paul Nunn | Apologies | |
| Councillor Jackie Pell | Present | |
| Councillor Felix Preston | Present (from 19:50) | |
| Councillor Linda Smith | Apologies | |
| Councillor Garry Warren | Present |
Also in attendance: Eileen Penn, Jan Mellon, Emily Hume, Sarah Greatorex (Town Clerk)
029. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Cllr Smith and Cllr MacAndrews sent apologies because of work commitments. Cllr Hilton sent apologies as she was on holiday, and Cllr Nunn as he was unwell.
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, acceptance of the apologies. This was unanimously agreed.
030. DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS:
Cllr Munday declared a joint interest for all councillors in items 11, and 15.
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 NPI item 7b & 7b(a), as a member of BDC. Cllr Pell declared NPI items 7b and 7b (a), as a member of BDC and CSGMC, and item 5, 24/01257/HH as she is a neighbour. Cllr Warren declared NPI item 7b and 7b(a) as a member of CSGMC. Cllr Atkinson declared an NPI item 5, 23/02494/FUL as a member of Halstead 21st century group. Cllr Preston declared NPI item 12, as a committee member of Earls Colne Twinning Association.
031. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
a) Cllr Siddall sent his apologies.
b) Eileen Penn spoke in relation to 23/02494/FUL, just to remind councillors of the interest of the 21st century group in the land east of the High Street, and of the need to protect the heritage.
032. MINUTES To approve the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 17 June 2024. Minutes had been circulated and proposal to adopt minutes of the Full Town council meeting of 7 June 2024 was put forward by Cllr Fincken, seconded by Cllr Bond, and agreed unanimously.
033. 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 and Cllr Pell left the meeting, and Cllr Warren became Acting Chairman of the meeting.
24/01257/HH – 19 Highfields, Halstead, Essex – Single storey rear extension to replace existing extension and partial garage
conversion
Cllr Warren proposed no objection, seconded by Cllr McCoyd and unanimously Agreed.
Cllr Pell returned to the meeting.
23/00929/FUL (REVISED PLANS) – Land Off Bournebridge Hill, Greenstead Green – Full planning permission for the construction of 2 no. cycle and pedestrian links
Cllr Pell proposed no objection, seconded by Cllr Warren, and unanimously agreed.
23/02494/FUL (REVISED PLANS) – Proposed 31 No. residential units with associated car parking, amenity areas, external works with the retention of 10 No. WWII Air Raid Shelters and 1No. Wardens Hut. The use of 2no. 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 Pell proposed, seconded by Cllr Warren, no objection to the development in its own right, but expressed concern about the design of the buildings proposed.
This was unanimously agreed.
Cllrs Fincken and Munday returned to the meeting.
034. MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS
Cllr Munday said that the Beavers had given a great day in the park the day before.
Cllr Munday proposed that the report be noted, seconded by Cllr Bond, and unanimously agreed.
035. FINANCE
Finance – Cllr Atkinson, Lead for Finance, led this part of the meeting.
All members of the Council are members of the Finance section
a) 2023/24 Financial accounts
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, that the report on the Financial accounts for the Financial year 2023/24 be noted and the allocations to Earmarked reserves agreed. This was unanimously agreed.
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, approval of the Income and expenditure report for June. This was unanimously agreed.
b) To approve the List of payments and the supplementary list of payments.
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, approval of the lists of payments. This was agreed unanimously.
c) To approve the Bank reconciliation for the first 3 months of the year
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Warren, approval of the Bank reconciliation for the first 3 months of the financial year. This was agreed
d) To consider the purchase of a microphone/videoconferencing system
It was agreed that a hybrid microphone/videoconference system would be of additional benefit to hirers. It was hoped that projection onto the wall could be managed using the projector, without needing to buy a TV, but funds should be reserved just in case they were needed for this.
Cllr Atkinson proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, purchase of option 2 using capital reserves, and reserving the right to buy a television later if necessary. This was agreed unanimously.
e) To consider the purchase of a new PC for the Receptionist
Cllr Pell proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, approval of the purchase of a new PC. This was agreed unanimously.
f) To consider buying an artificial Christmas Tree
Cllr Fincken proposed buying option 1, seconded by Cllr Bond, and agreed unanimously.
g) To consider repairs to the Library roof
Cllr Fincken proposed acceptance of quote 1, and agreement that money should be set aside for a full repair. This was seconded by Cllr Bond and agreed unanimously.
h) To note Summer Fun arrangements for 2024
Cllr Munday proposed noting Summer Fun arrangements for 2024,and reconsidering events for 2025. This was seconded by Cllr Atkinson and agreed, with one abstention.
i) To approve the updated Financial Regulations
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, that the updated Financial Regulations be approved, with the addition of “… unless no other means are available “ to 8.5. This was unanimously agreed.
Cllr Munday proposed that section 18 be removed. This was seconded by Cllr Bond, and agreed with one against.
036. To receive reports from District Councillors
Cllr Pell said she had had 2 sessions of 1:1 training, and had attended a Cabinet meeting and an allowances meeting.
Cllr Fincken said that he had attended a planning meeting, but that the application to build houses in New Street had been withdrawn. It had been recommended for refusal because of the inappropriate style of the houses. BDC are about to review the Local Plan.
Cllr Munday said he had attended one planning meeting.
Cllr Bond said that BDC had been very quiet because of the elections.
037. To receive reports from Champions
Doctors’ surgery – Cllr Bond stated that he had attended the AGM of the patient group. There are now 3 or 4 new GPs in training, and this will increase the capacity. Triage is working well, and training is being given to reception staff. Cllr Pell commented that the surgery will be using the Halstead Hospital for extra capacity.
Education – no report
Police – Cllr Warren reported that there appeared to be less serious crime recently.
Open Spaces – Cllr Fincken reported that the skatepark will be open on 24 August, but that the tennis court project is still waiting for planning approval for the lighting.
Tourism – The Beavers had been a great success.
038. To consider grant applications received
Cllr Pell proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that grants be allocated to 10 of the organisations which had applied, as agreed at the premeeting. This was agreed with one abstention.
039. To consider a request from the former Chairman of the Twinning Association
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that HTC:
- Send an annual letter to the Mayor of Haubourdin (in the summer)
- Send a Christmas card
- Send a wreath at Remembrance
- Send an invitation to the torchlight procession
This was unanimously agreed.
040. To consider a request for a clothing bank
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Pell, that the decision be deferred until the tennis courts have been completed. This was agreed with 2 abstentions.
041. 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”.
042. HTC property was discussed.
043. A rent review was discussed.
044. A car park issue was discussed.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 21.45