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HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
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MINUTES OF FULL COUNCIL MEETING |
Membership:
| Councillor A Munday | Chairman | Present |
| Councillor M Radley | Vice Chairman | Apologies |
| Councillor Mrs J Allen | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs S Dingle | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs S Diver | Present | |
| Councillor C Fox | Apologies | |
| Councillor D Gronland | Present | |
| Councillor D Hume | Apologies | |
| Councillor Mrs J Pell | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs E Penn | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs J Sutton | Present | |
| Councillor G Warren | Apologies |
Also in attendance: Public – Ms H Wolf, Mr D Pleasance, Mr R Fairbrass, Mr J Little,
Mr C Di Paola, Mr S Din, Ms W Heath, Mr M Root,
Mr J Miners, Ms R Skingsley, Alex Giddens (Press)
Cllr Jo Beavis (ECC).
Sarah Greatorex (Town Clerk)
Julia Smith (Minute Clerk)
014. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. There were apologies from Cllr Hume, Cllr Fox, Cllr Radley and Cllr Warren..
Cllr Munday proposed approval of apologies and this was adopted by unanimous vote.
015. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS: Cllr Mrs Pell declared NP! in Agenda item 5.Planning – 18/00867/FUL as application supporter lives nearby. NPI Agenda item 7b as member of Courtaulds Sports Ground Management Committee. Agenda item 8 as Chairman of H4C. Cllr Mrs Allen declared NPI in Agenda item 5-Planning. 18/00454/FUL as used to live in Gardeners Road. Cllr Mrs Diver declared NIP Agenda item 5-Planning. 18/00774/OUT as lives near the application site. PI Agenda Item 7b as recipient of expenses payment and also as member of Courtaulds Sports Ground Management Committee. NPI Agenda item 12 as husband works for Essex Police. Cllr Munday declared NPI in Agenda item 7b as member of Courtaulds Sports Ground Management Committee.
016. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME: Mr Dave Pleasance spoke as Chairman and on behalf of the Greenbanks Housing Management and Residents Association regarding the outline planning application at Mount Hill. He had passed a written statement regarding soil erosion and building settlement to Cllr Munday before the meeting, to be read out and discussed when the planning item was being discussed by members. Mr Pleasance said that residents objected to this application on several grounds; 1) as this area was not on the Local Development Plan 2) as there is heavy traffic already on the A131 and this will only increase when the new development at Oak Road becomes occupied 3) that the site is a haven for wild life and has been untouched for decades 4) concerns with surface water runoff which could cause flooding at Greenbanks and indeed other areas of the town – particularly when the Oak Road development comes on-stream 5) plans are not correct in showing the two pipelines for surface water and sewage positioned on the site in such a way that they contravene regulations, and lastly because plans show an attenuation point near to a children’s play area
Chairman thanked Mr Pleasance for raising these points and noted that the application will be discussed later at the meeting.
Mrs Julia Smith spoke on behalf of Halstead in Bloom concerning a stretch of greensward in Parsonage Street that is being used as a parking space. It was said that concrete bollards had been erected in this area but they have been knocked down and removed. Halstead in Bloom asked the Town Council to apply to ECC Highways for an extension of the Town’s License to Plant to allow for two large plant containers to be placed in this area that HiB will plant and maintain. Chairman noted this request and asked members to agree that Council should apply for License to Plant in this area. Request was agreed by unanimous vote
Ms Helen Wolf asked why the Agenda for the meeting did not appear on Council website. after discussion it was thought that perhaps the former web site had been viewed, and it was noted that the correct website is www.halsteadtowncouncil.org.uk
Cllr Mrs Penn read a statement prepared by Mrs Martin a resident of Head Street regarding traffic, and in particular heavy lorries, passing through Head Street that are mounting pavements, causing damage to them and possibly causing damage to historic houses in the area. Mrs Martin is also concerned about danger to pedestrians, and in particular young children. It was noted that lorries have become stuck while trying to pass each other thereby causing traffic problems in the Town. Mrs Martin suggested that perhaps bollards could be placed on the pavement/roadway to prevent lorries using the pavements. It was noted that several of the lorries carry foreign registrations and it was thought that SatNav shows the A131 as the shortest route to industrial areas further north.
Ms Skingsley said that she too is a resident in Head Street and concurs with the statement by Mrs Martin. She has witnessed lorries becoming stuck and is now unwilling to use her front door for fear of being knocked down. Ms Skingsley noted that a bollard had been placed in front of one house some years ago, but said that this had not stopped lorries from trying to use pavements. Ms Skingsley noted that rumble strips had been proposed but felt that residents would be disturbed by the resultant noise. Cllr Sutton said that she had recently visited a property in Head Street and had to take evasive action when leaving the house to avoid being in collision with a wing mirror on a lorry.
Cllr Jo Beavis (ECC) said that recently she and members of ECC Highways had walked around Halstead and had looked at the pinch point that is Head Street. Cllr Beavis said that she is Chair of the Highways Panel at Braintree DC and that this group is working on schemes for Halstead. It was thought that more, better signage would help as would, perhaps, more bollards but assured members and the public that Halstead traffic problems are still very much under discussion, but that Halstead needs to raise strong concerns to Braintree DC and ECC Highways about the problems. Chairman noted that there is an Agenda Item on lorry traffic through Halstead to be discussed later in the meeting.
017. MINUTES. To approve the minutes of the Annual Town Council Meeting on 21st May 2018. Minutes had been circulated and Proposal to adopt was put forward by Cllr Mrs Pell and seconded by Cllr Mrs Allen. Minutes adopted by unanimous vote. To approve the minutes of the Full Council Meeting held on 21st May 2018. Minutes had been circulated and Proposal to accept was put forward by Cllr Mrs Penn and seconded by Cllr Mrs Diver. Minutes adopted by unanimous vote.
018. FINANCE. Cllr Gronland, Vice Chair of Finance took the Chair for this part of the meeting.
7A. Reports were before Council and showed income of £2843 above budget due to rebate of Collection Fund from BDC. it was noted that the Localism Grant had been received but that this was the last time this money would be allocated to Town Council so savings would have to be factored in to other areas to cover this shortfall. Expenditure was noted as being well controlled. Cllr Mrs Pell proposed adoption of this report. Proposal seconded by Cllr Munday and carried unanimously.
7B. Payments to be approved were noted and it was explained that a new lawnmower had to be purchased for Courtaulds Sports Ground as existing machine had failed. The payment for hanging baskets, etc. to Halstead in Bloom was also noted. Cllr Gronland noted that Chair of Finance, Town Clerk and Finance Officer had prepared excellent reports. Proposal to accept reports 7A and 7B was proposed by Cllr Mrs Pell and seconded by Cllr Mrs Diver. Proposal carried by unanimous Vote.
Cllr Munday resumed Chair of the meeting
Cllr Gronland left the meeting at this point
019. PLANNING APPLICATIONS. Cllr Hume was absent from the meeting but had provided advice and notes for Cllr Mrs Pell, Vice Chair of Planning who took the Chair for this agenda item.
18/00774/OUT – Land West of Mount Hill, Halstead, Essex. Application for Outline Planning Permission with Some Matters Reserved except Access, Layout and Scale. Erection of 71 dwellings with associated garages, garden curtilages and Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS), public open space, hard and soft landscaping.
Cllr Mrs Pell read the statement from Mr Pleasance, and this was factored into the discussion. She noted that all documents had been viewed and that the area was not included in the Local Development Plan so this was a ground for objection. The large badger sett in the area was noted as was the variety and abundance of wild life. Concerns were raised about proposed drainage for the site, and it was said that stated provision of money for the local health service was not adequate. It was noted that Anglian Water had made some conditions, if permissions were given, as had the Police. With regard to listed accidents on Mount Hill it was said that some of the many accidents in the area had not caused injury and therefore were not recorded. It was noted that there are proposals for other developments in the area and it was said that this would cause increase in traffic with resulting potential for accidents to happen. Cllr Munday noted that Halstead TC had asked ECC Highways to look at the area as a whole, when a previous application near to this site had come before Council the previous month. Cllr Mrs Pell noted that ECC Highways had not commented on this current application although Braintree DC had alerted them to possible dangers and problems associated with this application. It was said that Braintree DC need to look at objections to this site and that mentions of the difficulties on the A131 through Halstead should be raised at any possible occasion. Cllr Mrs Pell said Council should raise objection to this application for several reasons and because of listed buildings adjacent to the site, including Attwoods Farm. Cllr Pell also noted that concerns had been raised about the historic fountain on Mount Hill that drains water from the proposed site. Cllr Mrs Pell proposed objection to this application for the following reasons: 1) there is an issue regarding Highways with congestion on the A131. 2) the area is not identified for development in the Local Development Plan. 3) Disturbance of historic buildings and landscape. 4) disturbance to wild life and in particular the large badger sett. 5) Concerns regarding conditions raised by Police and Anglian Water Authority. 6) Inadequate money set aside for provision of NHS cover. 7) the site would overlook properties in Greenbanks and also Acorn Avenue. Proposal was seconded by Cllr Mrs Sutton and carried unanimously.
It was noted that this application may not go to Committee but may be dealt with by Planning Officers, but if there was an opportunity Town Councillors would attend to raise objections (it was noted that anyone asking to speak would have to notify of their intentions to speak).
18/00808/LBC – The White House, 32 High Street, Halstead. External repairs. Cllr Mrs Pell moved no objection to this application. Proposed seconded by Cllr Mrs Sutton and carried by unanimous vote.
18/00867/FUL – 8 First Avenue, Bluebridge Industrial Estate, Halstead. Proposed change of use from Light Industrial (Use Class B1) to Commercial Gym and Fitness facility (Use Class D2) only. This will include the dismantling of the mezzanine floor internally. It was felt that this would be a very welcome amenity for the Town. Cllr Mrs Pell moved no objection to this application. Proposal seconded by Cllr Munday and carried by unanimous vote.
18/00454/FUL – Walnut Tree House, 9 Gardeners Road, Halstead, Essex. Erection of 1no. two-bedroom dwelling with associated parking and landscaping. It was noted that a similar application had been made previously to which Halstead TC raised objections. Some objections to the application were noted and it was said that nearby residents had a right to light. It was noted that ECC Highways had made conditions regarding surfacing to access. It was noted that one objection was of a legal nature and that the resident concerned would have to take legal advice on this matter.
Cllr Mrs Pell proposed objection to this application on grounds of overdevelopment of the site and asked that if application is approved the conditions laid down by ECC Highways be stipulated. Proposal was seconded by Cllr Mrs Diver and carried by unanimous vote.
Cllr Munday resumed Chair of the meeting.
020. MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
Cllr Munday spoke about his recent visit to Haubourdin to celebrate 35 years of twinning with the town. Halstead TC took a gift for the town, a wooden sculpture, and the Haubourdin council gave the Mayor a gift of books and a crystal paperweight with a depiction of Haubourdin Mairie. Cllr Munday will give the books to the Halstead History Society and asked for his crystal to be put in the display cabinet. Cllr Munday requested that a letter be written to both French and English Twinning Committees to say thank you for hosting and organising the trip, and for the hospitality shown during the visit. Cllr Munday added that he will be attending a Halstead Choral Society event on Saturday 16 June. Other events to be attended were noted. Report was noted.
021. COMMUNITY HALL REPORT. Cllr Mrs Pell gave a verbal report saying that trustees had recently met with Braintree DC Environmental Health regarding contamination of the site and said that no progress can be made until contamination has been cleared. Another meeting will be arranged and it was said that Braintree DC are supportive.
Cllr Munday stated that a meeting of trustees with the Chair, and Deputy chair will be requested, no sooner than August, in order that there is time to allow necessary standing order changes to be made beforehand. Report was noted
022. YOUTH REPORT. Cllr Mrs Penn reported meeting informally with the enthusiastic youth team who asked that meetings be kept on an informal basis. Ann Thrussell also attended the meeting and she asked that the Tuesday group meet with the Youth Club members to get a coherent youth effort in the town. Hannah, who was made leader of the youth team will try to arrange. The team are keen to get involved with community events such as Halstead in Bloom and the Armed Forces weekend and have said that they will attend the service of commemoration on Sunday 1st July. The team note that involvement will reflect well in their CVs and help with their Duke of Edinburgh Awards. They intend to ask for some grant funding to assist with formulating plans and programmes. A further meeting has been arranged for 6th July. Chairman said he was pleased to hear of progress. Report was noted
023. DISTRICT COUNCILLORS. Cllr Mrs Allen reported attendance at several meetings including the recent Volunteer Awards evening. The evening was opened by Halstead Choir and there were some nominations from Halstead. Jim Davis from Halstead History Society was given an Award – Chairman asked Clerk to investigate so that Jim can be congratulated. Cllr Allen attended a full Braintree DC meeting recently and voted on a proposal regarding regeneration of Braintree Town Centre. It was noted that this is a large scheme being developed by Braintree DC rather than by a development company. Cllr Allen had attended a member development evening on health which had been very intensive but interesting. Dr. Davey (from Halstead) is to be Chair of a Health Committee. Cllr Allen is to be part of a task and finish group on reduce, reuse, recycle which will aim to educate on this ethos particularly with children from a young age. Cllr Mrs Allen said that money for regeneration of Halstead is available and money intended for the Halstead Community Centre is ring fenced. Report was noted
Cllr Mrs Pell reported attendance at Full Council and spoke about the plans for Halstead regeneration. It was said that nothing had been heard from Essex Highways on this matter so there will be no commitment for action at this time. Cabinet had a long meeting discussing local plans and Cllr Mrs Pell wanted to assure all that Braintree is not ‘having everything.’ Cllr Pell attends a task and finish group on social isolation and also attends the housing committee. On Friday Cllr Pell was invited to attend the meeting to launch plans for the A12/A120 link and felt that the best option for the route had been chosen; details can be found on the Essex CC web site and a leaflet will be held at Halstead TC Office. At the meeting Cllr Pell spoke with ECC Highways cabinet member regarding a by-pass for Halstead. It was said that difficulties are recognised and further discussions will take place. Cllr Pell reported a future meeting about community governance and boundaries review particularly regarding the Oak Road development in Halstead and the Sudbury Road plans. Report was noted
024. UPDATE ON THE FOOTBRIDGE BETWEEN RIVERSIDE COURT AND CHAPEL STREET CAR PARK. Chairman reported that a meeting had taken place and minutes had been provided. Garfield Weston have said they cannot support this scheme. Ringway Jacobs (ECC Contractor) and Greenfields gave an update on the knotweed infestation near to the bridge and a response has been received from landscape services. It was noted that the footbridge is part of the Colne Valley Walk so should be part of the Open Space scheme and Braintree DC need to be persuaded to include the bridge in the open space action plan. ECC have been asked if they could provide a report on how to repair the bridge from a building regulation viewpoint in order that project progress can be made. A local company is interested in doing the repairs, but will need this report for guidance. Richard Woods who lives at Riverside Court and who has considerable qualifications and experience on such programmes has joined the group. Work will continue. Report was noted
025. POLICING IN HALSTEAD. Report was before Council and it was noted that ‘specials’ could carry CS Gas which is classed as a weapon and therefore has to be kept in secure stores – namely a Police Station. This means that specials would have to travel to and from Braintree to collect/return their weapons which will increase the expenditure on travel. Cllr Munday said that he is still of the opinion that inviting volunteer specials is a good thing which residents of Halstead are keen to explore and which, it is hoped, will discourage anti social behaviour in the town. It was recognised that volunteer specials may not come forward, but any that do would need to commit to a minimum of 16 hours per week for the work. Town Council cannot control when hours are done in Halstead and it was said that officers will not necessarily patrol in pairs. Cllr Munday agreed that this is not a solution to problems in Halstead but may help make the town safer. Cllr Allen agreed with this and said that the crime rate in the town had risen since the Police Station closed which had impacted on the community. Cllr Allen felt that young people need communication which a local officer could give. Cllr Mrs Penn agreed and pledged support for the proposal. Cllr Mrs Diver cautioned that 16 hours minimum in Halstead may be desirable but that if action was required elsewhere officers could be called away to other locations. It was said that if this happens then Halstead would not bear the cost for those hours. Cllr Munday said that this would be a new programme, and would need to be monitored. Cllr Mrs Pell said that the Council can’t sit back and do nothing, but felt that a one year trial with review would be the best way forward. Cllr Munday proposed that Halstead Town Council agrees to take on 3 special constables and review the effectiveness after 12 months. Proposal was seconded by Cllr Mrs Penn and carried with one abstention.
026. FOOTPATH IN ST. ANDREWS CHURCHYARD. Some repairs in the Churchyard had been allowed for in the budget. A report was before Council about potholes in the paths with quotes for repairs being given. After discussion it was agreed that work must be carried out in the near future and Cllr Mrs Pell moved that Colne Contracts be awarded contract for the work and that Clerk should investigate any grants that may be available. Proposal was seconded by Cllr Mrs Allen and carried by unanimous vote.
027. UPDATED STANDING ORDERS FOLLOWING THE NALC 2018 MODEL INCLUDING GDPR. Report was before Council and it was noted that only one change had been made to include current legislation on GDPR. It was noted that Councils do have responsibilities under GDPR but that Halstead TC had done everything necessary to comply. Town Clerk asked that members of the public who had been asked about retention of data by Halstead TC must respond or they may risk losing their allotment or parking permit – Chairman asked that this be publicised. Cllr Munday moved acceptance of updated standing orders and this proposal was seconded by Cllr Mrs Diver and unanimously accepted.
028. AONB. Report was before Council and it was noted that there would be a necessity for Halstead Town Council to form a management plan within 3 years if the Secretary of State agreed that the Colne Valley should be an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It was noted that the project could take 20 years to be completed. Cllr Munday proposed that Council agree to be part of the project to declare the Colne Valley an AONB. Proposal was seconded by Cllr Mrs Penn and unanimously agreed.
029. STRATEGIC LORRY ROUTES. Cllr Mrs Penn read a report regarding lorries and other large vehicles using Head Street and concerns about damage caused and potential hazard to pedestrians. There was a proposal to form a small working group to liaise with ECC Highways to explore the validity of changing the Strategic Lorry Routes that pass through Halstead. Photos of difficulties and damage caused by lorries were shown. Cllr Mrs Pell said that at the recent meeting she attended regarding the A12/A120 route she had spoken about a by-pass for Halstead but she felt that strategic lorry routes cannot be changed. She said that she would attend a meeting on 23rd July at Braintree regarding many roads in Essex and the Suffolk border including a Halstead by-pass and suggested that Halstead Town Council attend this meeting. Cllr Pell noted that there are new proposals to work on plans for a Sudbury by-pass that will have implications for Halstead. Other works on the A130/A131 in Chelmsford and Braintree will also impact on Halstead’s road and Cllr Mrs Pell stated, in strong terms, that a letter be written from Halstead Town Council immediately to ask for a short term fix before longer plans are carried through. Cllr Munday said that perhaps signage for lorries taking them away from Halstead would be effective but Cllr Mrs Pell said that with a major port and airport within the County re-routing traffic would be difficult. Cllr Munday appreciated that lorries would take the shortest route for timing and for fuel conservation but said that Halstead TC had obligations to try and find a solution to this difficult problem. Cllr Mrs Pell said that County Officers should be alerted to the problems and should be pressed to find solutions. Cllr Mrs Sutton said that a law was passed in 1835 which, she understood, has never been repealed stating that it is an offence to drive over or park on a public highway and she asked if this could be brought to bear. Cllr Munday felt that fixing bollards into pavements would impede traffic flow, but Cllr Mrs Penn said she would rather wait in traffic than have a pedestrian death on her conscience. Cllr Mrs Penn said that signs from Chelmsford directing traffic to the A131 could be changed so that lorries find another route to industrial areas but Cllr Mrs Pell said that she felt it imperative that a letter giving details of all the problems and including the photos as shown to Council should be written and sent as soon as possible. Cllr Munday felt it important to get it clear what was required and that content of a letter should be correct. Cllr Mrs Sutton stated that the whole road had been video recorded for two days some time ago and that this video should still be available at ECC Highways. Cllr Munday proposed that a strongly worded letter together with photos, referencing the video, be sent to ECC Highways asking that traffic be re-routed from the A12 and noting that at present the possibility of accidents in Halstead and Head Street in particular are a strong possibility. Proposal was seconded by Cllr Mrs Sutton and adopted by unanimous vote.
030. NAMING OF STREETS – WILSON DEVELOPMENTS AT OAK ROAD. Possible road names had been put forward by developer, none of which were pleasing to Council. Names put forward by Councillors were Richardson, Osborne, Pike, Rawlinson, McDowell and Michael. Names as listed were proposed by Cllr Munday and seconded by Cllr Mrs Diver. Proposal carried by unanimous vote.
031. GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS. After discussion it was suggested that Clerk write to all members to agree a working party and the members thereof to discuss grant applications for the current round. Proposal made by Cllr Munday and seconded by Cllr Mrs Sutton. Proposal carried by unanimous vote.
032. 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 were no further matters to discuss.
There being no other business meeting was closed at 9.21 pm.