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HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
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MINUTES OF TOWN COUNCIL MEETING PUBLIC SESSION MINUTES 17 April 2023: at 19:15 |
Membership:
| Councillor J Pell | Chairman | Present |
| Councillor P Caulfield | Vice Chairman | Apologies |
| Councillor J Atkinson | Present (from 19:30) | |
| Councillor S Dingle | Apologies | |
| Councillor M Fincken | Present | |
| Councillor A Munday | Present | |
| Councillor L Smith | Apologies | |
| Councillor G Warren | Present | |
Also in attendance: Paul Nunn, Macaully Moffat, Sarah Greatorex (Town Clerk)
218 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Cllr Dingle sent her apologies due to ill health, Cllr Caulfield sent his apologies as he was on holiday, and Cllr Smith sent her apologies due to work commitments.
Cllr Fincken proposed acceptance of apologies, seconded by Cllr Munday, and unanimously agreed.
219 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 BDC. Cllr Warren declared NPI item 7b and 7b(a) as a member of CSGMC. Cllr Pell declared NPI item 5, 23/00425/OUT as the applicant is a member of H4C, 7b and 7b(a) and 7f as a member of BDC and CSGMC, and Item 13 as a member of H4C. Cllr Fincken declared NPI item 5, 23/00570/FUL as a school governor.
- 220. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
- a) Cllr Warren made a statement
He stated that he felt it was wrong that his report on dog fouling in the town had been excluded from the Agenda without consultation, for ill-founded reasons.
Dog fouling has been a constant problem over the years but lately instances of dog fouling have increased, with many more complaints on social media and verbally to councillors.
Dog fouling is not only unpleasant but it can also be dangerous. Whilst rare, contact with dog excrement can lead to toxocariasis, a nasty infection that can lead to dizziness, nausea, asthma even blindness or seizures.
Most dog owners are caring people that pick up after their pets, however there are a minority who leave our pavements littered with their dogs’ faeces.
Dog fouling is an offence that carries a £100 fixed penalty notice for owners. If a case goes to court that fine can rise to £1000. The law states that not being aware your dog has defecated or not having a suitable bag is not a reasonable excuse.
The District Council is responsible for clearing up dog excrement but budget restraints mean that this seldom happens. There are dog bins around the town but dog owners have reported that these are not emptied often enough.
In West Suffolk, the council have taken a much more proactive role and asked public for information leading to identification of owners who don’t pick up after their dogs.
He recommended
- That we work with the district dog warden to more effectively promote good dog ownership.
- That we put up similar signs to those used in Suffolk to highlight that Dog fouling will not be tolerated.
- That the Town Council advertise the fines that can be awarded for failing to pick up after your dog.
The chairman anticipated that this item would appear on the May Agenda.
221a) MINUTES To approve the minutes of the Town Council Meeting held on 13 March 2023. Minutes had been circulated and proposal to adopt minutes of 13 March 2023 was put forward by Cllr Fincken and seconded by Cllr Munday and unanimously agreed.
- b) The formation of the Town Team working group and its first meeting were noted. This group will be reformed at the Annual Town Council meeting.
222 PLANNING APPLICATIONS – Cllr Pell Deputy Lead for planning
Cllr Munday was present but did not participate.
The following Planning Applications, which were received and circulated electronically, are to be considered at the Council meeting.
23/00570/FUL – Richard de Clare Primary School, Parsonage Street, Halstead
Provision of single-storey building to west of main school building to provide 4No. Key Stage 1 classrooms with stores, sink area, WC areas and a covered external teaching area. Addition of covered link to provide access between the existing and new building.
Cllr Pell proposed no objection to this application, provided that note is taken of the comment from the Historic Buildings consultant on using full bricks rather than brick slips to clad the building. This was seconded by Cllr Warren and unanimously agreed.
23/00652/VAR – 58 Churchill Avenue, Halstead, Essex
Variation of Conditions 2 (Approved Plans) and 8 (Ridge Height) of approved application 22/01155/FUL granted 28.06.22 for : Erection of 1 No. two -storey dwelling and associated parking areas. Variation would allow for : – improvement of the layout of the dwelling to better comply with the Technical housing Standard and improve visibility on the corner.
Cllr Fincken proposed objection to this application, taking into account the objections from neighbours to the variation, since the variation is a much larger property than originally planned, has windows overlooking neighbouring properties, and does not provide enough parking spaces for such a large house. In addition no planning notice had been issued. Cllr Warren seconded this objection, which was unanimously agreed.
23/00763/HH – 75 New Street, Halstead, Essex
Replacement of existing timber-framed windows with new composite sash windows
and erection of front porch.
Cllr Fincken proposed no objection to this application, seconded by Cllr Warren and unanimously agreed.
23/00588/FUL – The Ramsey Academy , Colne Road, Halstead
Extension of existing dining hall.
Cllr Fincken proposed no objection to this application, seconded by Cllr Atkinson and
unanimously agreed.
23/00815/T56 – Halstead Town Football Club, Rosemary Lane, Halstead
The installation of a 25m high column with 4 No. antenna and 2 No.dishes
Installation of 6 no. equipment cabinets and associated ancillary development
thereto.
Cllr Fincken proposed no objection to this application, subject to the removal of the
original mast at the end of the works, seconded by Cllr Atkinson and
unanimously agreed.
Cllr Pell did not participate in the next application.
23/00425/OUT – Mds Civil Engineering, 19 Fourth Avenue, Bluebridge Industrial Estate
Outline planning application with all matters reserved, except access and scale,
for the erection of mixed use industrial/commercial units with flexible use for classes
E, B2 and B8, and associated operational development.
Cllr Warren proposed no objection to this application, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, and unanimously agreed.
Cllr Munday returned to full participation.
223 MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS
Cllr Pell stated that she would also be attending the Halstead Rotary fundraiser for the earthquake victims, and all the Coronation events. She would also be presenting funds collected to the Halstead Day Centre.
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, that the Mayor’s appointments be noted. This was unanimously agreed.
224 FINANCE
Finance – Deputy Lead, Cllr Munday, led this part of the meeting.
All members of the Council are members of the Finance section
- a) Income and expenditure report for March 2023
Cllr Munday commented that it had been a good year for HTC, in terms of sickness, hall bookings and car park income. It was agreed that the town was not yet ready for the option of paying by cash to be removed from the carparks.
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, that the income and expenditure report be noted, and this was unanimously agreed.
- b) To approve the lists of payments 7b and 7ba to be paid in April.
Cllr Fincken proposed approval of 7b and 7ba, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, and unanimously agreed.
- c) To approve the Reconciliation of bank and petty cash accounts to 31/03/23
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, that HTC approves the Reconciliation of bank accounts. This was unanimously agreed.
d)To consider the purchase of Rialtas accountancy software
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, that the Rialtas accountancy software be purchased. This was unanimously agreed.
- e) To consider installing barriers in Rosemary Lane car park
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, that this item should be postponed until after the elections, and that CCTV might be a better option. This was unanimously agreed.
The Clerk should inform the residents of Riverside Court of this decision.
- f) To consider the opening and closing of the Public gardens from May 2023
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Munday, that a further meeting with BDC was needed before any decisions could be made relating to the Public Gardens. The Clerk should be in contact with BDC to set up a further meeting after the elections.
g)To consider a gift for Haubourdin
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, that the purchase of a gift for Haubourdin at a value of around £200 should be postponed until after the elections and then be decided by a small working group. This was unanimously agreed.
h)To consider completing electrical work needed in Queens Hall
Cllr Munday explained that the work done in December 2022 was only part of what was needed, and proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken that Quote 1 be accepted, as a continuation of that work, now that HTC had sufficient funds. This would allow all electrical work to be certificated. This was unanimously agreed.
i)To consider buying a cover mower for the bowls green
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Warren, that the cover mower be purchased. This was unanimously agreed.
225 To receive reports from District councillors
Cllr Munday said that he had attended one planning meeting, as most of the period was regarded as election preparation time.
Cllr Pell said that she had attended the last Full Council meeting before the election.
226 To receive reports from Champions
Surgery –. The Halstead Hospital option was being taken on by the surgery, to allow them more consulting space.
Policing – The Chief Inspector had apologised for the lack of officers to run the monthly surgery and said that he expected things to improve. The lack of publicity by the police for their surgeries has resulted in poor attendance. It has been recommended that they are advertised on facebook.
227 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, seconded by Cllr Atkinson that the press and public be excluded from the meeting. This was unanimously agreed.
228 To note the appointment of a part-time caretaker.
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Warren that the appointment be noted. This was unanimously agreed,
229 To review the Empire car wash lease .
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, that the lease be renewed.
230 To consider Halstead Community Fund
The Halstead Community Fund was considered.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 20.58