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HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
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MINUTES OF TOWN COUNCIL MEETING PUBLIC SESSION MINUTES 18 May 2026: at 19:45 |
Membership:
| Councillor James Bond | Chairman | Present |
| Councillor Paul Nunn | Vice Chairman | Present |
| Councillor Janet Atkinson | Present | |
| Councillor Malcolm Fincken | Present | |
| Councillor Linda Hilton | Present | |
| Councillor Gemma MacAndrews | Present | |
| Councillor Grahame McCoyd | Present | |
| Councillor Andrew Munday | Present | |
| Councillor Jackie Pell | Present | |
| Councillor Felix Preston | Present | |
| Councillor Linda Smith | Present | |
| Councillor Garry Warren | Present |
Also in attendance: Emily Hume, Abi Mapes, Anne Banister, ECC Cllr Isa da Rocha, Sarah Greatorex (Town Clerk)
010/26 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
There were no apologies
011/26 DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS:
Cllr Warren declared an NPI on the land at Mount Hill, as his house backs onto the property. Cllrs Fincken and Munday declared an NPI item 5 as members of BDC planning committee, and also items 7a, 7b, 7c as members of BDC. Cllr Pell declared NPI item 5 Mount Hill application, as a member of her family is working on the site, items 7a, 7b and 7c, as a member of BDC, and a PI item 10, as a member of H4C and there is a conflict of interests. Cllr Bond declared NPI items 7a, 7b and 7c as a member of BDC.
012/26 PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
- ECC Cllr Isa da Rocha introduced herself, and declared that she intends to be active, accessible and collaborative as a councillor, and said that she had already spent time with the Clerk, and had been invited by Cllr Fincken to go on a walkabout around the town with councillors.
Cllr Bond mentioned:
- The tree on the pavement outside Şark Meze
- The proposed crossing at the top of the hill
- The neglected area of the Centre which needs safety interventions and decoration
013/26 MINUTES
To approve the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 13 April 2026. Minutes had been circulated. A proposal to adopt minutes, of the Full Town council meeting of 13 April 2026, was put forward by Cllr Fincken, seconded by Cllr Preston, and agreed with 1 abstention.
014/26 PLANNING APPLICATIONS – Lead for planning Cllr Pell, deputy lead for planning, Cllr Nunn
Cllrs Fincken and Munday left the meeting.
26/00873/VAR – 61 Kings Road, Halstead, Essex
Variation of condition 7 (windows) of approved application 20/00743/FUL granted 27/04/2022 for Conversion of Brands Direct Head Office (B1) into an 8 unit Apart-hotel (C1) and associated works. Variation would allow: amended glazing to windows on the north west elevation.
Cllr Pell proposed that HTC object to the amendment since it allowed opening windows which were not obscured to overlook other properties and invade privacy. This was seconded by Cllr Nunn, and agreed with 5 in favour and 4 against.
26/00927/FUL & 26/00928/LBC – 75D High Street, Halstead, Essex
Relocation of existing Air Conditioner Condensing Unit from external side wall to external rear wall.
Cllr Pell proposed, seconded by Cllr McCoyd, no objection. This was agreed with one abstention.
25/02230/REM – Land at Mount Hill
Revised Description Additional Information: Revised plans and documents
Cllr Pell proposed, seconded by Cllr Nunn, that, if all conditions set had been met, there should be no objection. This was agreed with 5 in favour.
26/01009/FUL – Unit C, 2 – 8 Weavers Court, Halstead
Creation of a new window at first floor on the front elevation.
Cllr Pell proposed, seconded by Cllr McCoyd, no objection. This was agreed with 1 abstention.
26/00485/4 Greenstead Hall
Cllr Bond proposed that HTC should write to BDC to complain that HTC was not consulted over details of works related to this application. This will entail 100 tipper lorries per day through the town over several months, and many adverse effects in the form of dust, noise, vibration and climate impacts. He also suggested that individual councillors should write separately to register their complaint. This was seconded by Cllr Pell and unanimously agreed.
Cllrs Fincken and Munday returned to the meeting.
015/26 MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS
Cllr Bond proposed that the previous Mayor’s appointments be noted, seconded by Cllr Fincken and unanimously noted.
16/26 FINANCE – Cllr Munday Lead for Finance, led this part of the meeting.
All members of the Council are members of the Finance section.
a) To consider income and expenditure for April, EMR and balance sheet
Cllr McCoyd proposed, seconded by Cllr Munday, that comments on the year end accounts, income and expenditure, EMR and balance sheet be deferred until the June meeting. This was agreed unanimously.
Cllr McCoyd proposed that the Apprentice’s salary be identified separately, seconded by Cllr MacAndrews and agreed, with 4 in favour, 3 against and 3 abstentions.
b) To approve the lists of payments to be made in May
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Pell, that the lists of payments be approved. This was agreed unanimously.
c) To approve Direct debits for the year
It was suggested that in subsequent years, the previous figures should also be shown for comparison.
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that the Direct debits for the year be approved. This was agreed unanimously.
d) To reconsider the use of the Franking machine
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Munday, that council should wait for a further update to see if the Town Clerk could manage to exit from the contract. This was agreed unanimously.
e) To consider repairs to St Andrews church wall
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, that the church should be asked whether its insurance covers the damage to the wall, and also BDC should be asked to provide any CCTV evidence. This was unanimously agreed.
f) To consider remarking bays at Courtaulds Sports ground
Cllr Pell proposed, seconded by Cllr Nunn, that Quote 1 should be accepted, and that this should be paid out of the maintenance budget. This was unanimously agreed.
g) To note the Internal auditor’s report
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that the internal auditor’s report be noted.
h) To consider action following the Internal control review
Cllr MacAndrews proposed that outstanding items be brought back to council in 3 or 4 months’ time. These include a review of Rialtas and questions around IT. This was seconded by Cllr Munday and unanimously agreed.
17/26 DISTRICT COUNCILLORS gave their reports
Cllr Pell said that there had been fewer meetings due to the elections, but she had attended a Renters’ rights meeting and a waste management meeting. There had been discussions around the re-siting of the mammogram vehicle, which may be relocated at Halstead Hospital.
Cllr Munday reported that he had attended a Planning members’ forum, Waste management meeting and the Renters’ rights meeting.
Cllr Fincken and Cllr Bond had nothing to add.
Cllr Bond proposed that the BDC reports be noted. This was seconded by Cllr Fincken and unanimously agreed.
18/26 To reconsider the system of Champions
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, that the Champions system be discontinued, but be replaced by a specific item on every agenda entitled Councillors Reports. This arrangement should be reviewed after 6 months. The system for 2 councillors to work with the Clerk on the POSI once a year should continue. BALC should become a separate item on the Agenda. This was unanimously agreed.
19/26 To note the update on the proposed Community Arts Centre project
Cllr Bond reported that CAC had met on 12 May. They discussed 3 significant matters, firstly the drawing up of a VAT agreement between the CAC CIO, HTC and the Empire theatre CIO. Secondly they are in talks with a company which will make the application for funds to the Arts Council, on a no-win no-fee basis. The CIO is likely to be registered in late July. A social media campaign is being started. There is a second meeting with the architect to show his ideas on design in Queens Hall on 1 June at 16.00. All are welcome. The trustees are also working on a response concerning the S106 funds held at BDC.
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, that the report be noted. This was unanimously agreed.
20/26 To consider an update to the IT policy
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Munday, that IT security be looked into further and then the policy should be brought back in 2 or 3 months. This was unanimously agreed.
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Warren, that Standing orders be extended until close of business. This was agreed unanimously.
21/26 To consider the HTC Action Plan, which should include surrounding villages and the wider community
The presentation that was made at the Annual Town meeting by the CEO of Community 360 asked us to think about the following re-organisations:
- The eventual establishment of a Mayoral Authority for Essex
- The creation of the new, larger Unitary authority for North Essex
- The launch by the NHS of local commissioning of health services with more community engagement.
Each model will involve some form of local engagement with communities and, as such, with robust information, the Town Council would be best placed to represent the views of our residents. Current good practice suggests that to evidence our objectives for the Town we need to show how we have consulted with, listened to, and implanted to the best of our ability the wishes and feelings of our residents.
To achieve this, it is suggested that the Council engages in a “Big Conversation” that engages a small working group of community minded individuals to manage a consultation with residents through face to face and survey methods.
The project would be time limited to enable the Council to update and re-distribute the Action Plan by December 2026.
It may be possible to obtain grant aid to cover the costs of such an exercise. If not, a sum could be set aside in earmarked reserves for this purpose.
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Warren:
1. That HTC review the Action Plan and consider what support may be required to move outstanding actions from Red.
2. That the Action Plan be reviewed by Full council every two months
3. That HTC explore the possibility of organising a “Big Conversation”: led by a group of interested residents to complete a report by December 2026 and that a report be provided to full Council at the July meeting as to the recommended structure and membership of the working group along with terms of reference
This was agreed, with 1 abstention
22/26 Items to be considered at the next meeting
- Update on the ATC from Cllr Warren
- To approve the end of year Accounts
23/26 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 proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, that the public and press be excluded from the meeting. This was unanimously agreed.
24/26 To consider an aspect of car parks
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, that
- HTC explores alternative ways of communicating with DVLA
- HTC looks at Witham’s policies on parking
- The Clerk should carry out a review of the system of charges and permits in all 4 car parks owned by the council to report to Council
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 21.34