|
HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
|
|
|
MINUTES OF FULL COUNCIL MEETING HALSTEAD, Essex. CO9 1ET
|
Membership:
| Councillor D Hume | Chairman | Present |
| Councillor Mrs J A Pell | Vice Chairman | Present |
| Councillor Mrs J Allen | Apologies | |
| Councillor Mrs B Carr | Presents | |
| Councillor Mrs H W Catley | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs S A Diver | Present | |
| Councillor M J Fincken | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs L J Hilton | Apologies | |
| Councillor S Kirby | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs K A Little | Present | |
| Councillor A Munday | Present | |
| Councillor K Paisley | Apologies | |
|
|
Also in attendance: Public – Mr P & E Mrs Penn, Mr C Fox
Mr M C Murkin – Town Clerk
132. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
There were apologies for absence from Cllr Mrs J Allen, Mrs J Hilton and Cllr K Paisley
133. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
All Councillors declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 5 Planning, 14/01456/FUL, as the applicant is a member of Halstead Town Council (HTC)
14/01561/FUL, as the applicant is known to members
14/01317/FUL, as the applicant is the landlord of HTC
Cllr S Kirby declared a non-pecuniary interest in all planning as he is a member of Braintree District Council (BDC) Planning Committee, declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda no.9, Request for a grant from Citizens Advice Bureau, as Councillor Mrs J Sutton is a BDC councillor
Cllr Mrs J Pell declared a pecuniary interest in Agenda no. 5, Planning, 14/01465/FUL, as she is the owner of the property, a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no.5 14/01574/OUT, as a friend owns the property next to the applicant, a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no.5, 14/01553/FUL, as the applicant is a near neighbour and a non pecuniary interest in Agenda item no.10 Community Hall, as she is Chairman of the Halstead Community Centre Charitable Company
Cllr Mrs S Diver declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda no. 5, Planning, 14/01548/LBC, as she lives very close to the property
134. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Mrs E Penn enquired if the Heritage Street lights in the high street are going to be reinstated. The Town Clerk reported that Essex County Council confirmed they are currently being refurbished and would be put back.
135. MINUTES
To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 13th November 2014
Minutes were approved
136. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Cllr S Kirby left the meeting
Cllr Mrs J Pell left the meeting
Cllr A Munday took the chair for this part of the meeting
14/01465/FUL – 7 Highfields, Halstead, CO9 1NH – Erection of single storey front extension. Members made no comment
14/01574/OUT – Land Adjacent 24 White Horse Avenue, Halstead, Essex – Erection of 3 bedroom attached dwelling. Members objected, as it is not in keeping with the aesthetics of the surrounding properties and they do not want to set a precedent for other developments in the area
Cllr Mrs J Pell returned to the meeting
14/01553/FUL – 28 South Close, Halstead, CO9 1NJ – Proposed partial rebuilding extension, removal of flat roof and provision of pitched roof. Members have no objection but commented on the size of the building in proportion to the dwelling
1401561/FUL – Mallows House, Mallows Field, Halstead, CO9 2LN – Installation of 2 no. 9kw heat pumps to run domestic central heating. Members had no objection provided there is no noise pollution to neighbouring properties
14/01548/LBC – 13 Chapel Hill, Halstead, CO9 1JJ – Replacement of render and repaint, installation of replacement timber windows and metal gutters and down pipes. Members had no objection providing Essex County Historic advisor does not object to the content of the application
14/01567/FUL – Land Adjacent 4 Blue Bridge Cottages, Colchester Road, Halstead, Essex – Erection of 1 no. single storey dwelling and improvements to existing vehicular access. Members object as it is not in keeping with the aesthetics of the surrounding houses, the flat roof is inappropriate to the street scene and not in keeping with the properties in the surrounding area in an historic part of town, car parking is inadequate for two houses and the road is a busy main road in to town. Cllr Mrs K Little abstained from voting
14/01516/LBC – 49 High Street, Halstead, CO9 2JD – Display of shop sign to the front elevation of the building. Members support the objection of Essex County Council Historic advisor
14/01317/FUL – Land North of Fifth Avenue, Bluebridge Industrial Estate, Halstead, Essex – Permanent retention of spoil from the industrial estate development on land to the west of the industrial area designated for landscaping including amendments to the ground contours and landscaping. Members made no comment
Cllr S Kirby returned to the meeting
Cllr D Hume resumed Chair of the meeting
136. MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Cllr D Hume gave thanks to all staff and volunteers who helped with the events in the last month, despite some challenging circumstances, such as traffic control on the night of the Torchlight Procession. There were comments made about the large turnout this year. It was pointed out that some children were seen with torches, but it was confirmed that no torches are given to children and all torches were given out with a safety notice.
Report was noted
137. FINANCE –
A) Financial Monitoring.
Report was noted, with the comment that income was down on the anticipated figure
B) Monthly Performance (Car Parks).
Report was noted
C) Monthly Performance (Lettings/Sickness)
Lettings at the Queen’s Hall were down due to the re-surfacing of Broom Hill / Chipping Hill
Report was noted
138. LIST OF PAYMENTS TO BE APPROVED
Payments were unanimously approved
139. REQUEST FOR A GRANT – CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
There was concern that the request for a grant had not come directly from The Citizens Advice Bureau. Members agreed to defer the decision until the next meeting and request the application to come directly from the Citizens Advice Bureau, along with appropriate accounts
140. COMMUNITY HALL
Cllr Mrs J Pell Chairman of the Trust said the public consultation has been delayed until plans are available. The Trustees have met regularly, giving up a lot of their time for the benefit of the town.
Report was noted
141. YOUTH
Cllr Munday gave a verbal report, he said the Youth Council are currently applying for grants but have been turned down for a Mi Community Grant. They are going to hold a fundraising day, the date of which will be confirmed at the next meeting
142. TOWN TEAM
There was no report
143. STAFF PAY AWARD
Members agreed to adopt the National Joint Council’s revised award for all town council staff
144. EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS
To give consideration to adopting the following resolution: – “That pursuant to the provisions of section 1 (2) – of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 as amended, in view of the next item to be conducted, the press and public to be excluded from the meeting.”
145. AWARD OF PAY SCALE INCREMENT
It was agreed to award the increment to Mrs L Dover on satisfactory performance in her first year
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.30pm