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HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
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MINUTES OF FULL COUNCIL MEETING HALSTEAD, Essex. CO9 1ET
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Membership:
| Councillor D Hume | Chairman |
Present |
| Councillor Mrs J A Pell | Vice Chairman | Present |
| Councillor Mrs J Allen | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs B Carr | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs H W Catley | Apologies | |
| Councillor Mrs S A Diver | Present | |
| Councillor M J Fincken | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs L J Hilton | Present | |
| Councillor S Kirby | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs K A Little | Present | |
| Councillor A Munday | Present | |
| Councillor K Paisley | Apologies | |
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Also in attendance: Emma Hobley – Halstead Gazette
Mr M C Murkin – Town Clerk
Mrs L Dover – Minute Clerk
20. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
There were apologies for absence from Cllr Mrs H Catley and Cllr Mr K Paisley
21. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Cllr Mrs J Allen declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 6 14/00451/FUL, as she is a Braintree District Councillor.
Cllr D Hume declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 6 14/00736/FUL, 14/00737/FUL, 14/00738/FUL, and 14/00739/FUL as he lives in close proximity to the site.
Cllr S Kirby declared a non-pecuniary interest in all planning as he is a member of Braintree District Council Planning Committee
Cllr Mrs K Little declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no.6 14/00787/FUL, as her son is an employee and 14/00778/FUL as the applicant is known to her
Cllr A Munday declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no.6 14/00778/FUL, as he lives in close proximity to the site
Cllr Mrs J Pell declared a non pecuniary interest in Agenda item no.6 1400451/FUL, as she is a Braintree District Councillor, Agenda item no.6 14/00725/FUL, as her son-in-law’s factory abuts 54 Bronton Drive, Agenda item no.6 14/00736/FUL, as her son-in-law works for the Co-op Head Office
Agenda item no.9, payment in respect of Halstead Community Centre Charitable Company and Agenda item no.11, Community Hall, and Agenda item no. 14, as she is Chairman of the Halstead Community Centre Charitable Company, Agenda item no.15 Request for a Grant, as she is a Trustee of Halstead Day Centre
22. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
There were no public present
23. PRESENTATIONS
(a) Lisa Hinman, Enforcement Area Manager, North Essex Parking Partnership introduced herself to the members as the point of contact if there are any issues with on street parking in Halstead. She will be able to help personally or if not, to pass to the relevant department to deal with. She confirmed that the police were responsible if there are obstructions in the road and advised that they are now using the Essex Act regarding ornamental grass verges and explained that it can be classed as one if it is mowed more than twice a year.
(b) Robert Light, of ADA Architects gave a presentation on the future development of 28-30 Trinity Street, which is to convert the building in to six flats and one commercial unit. Mr Light answered members questions regarding fire exits and expected prices of the flats.
24. MINUTES
To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 15th May 2014
Minutes were approved
25. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Cllr A Munday took the chair for this part of the meeting
Cllr S Kirby left the meeting
14/00647/FUL – Land rear of 44 Abels Road, Halstead, CO9 1EN – Erection of 2 no. 1 bed retirement bungalows. Members raised concerns that it was overdevelopment of the site and out of keeping with the surrounding buildings
14/00451/FUL – Flats, Trinity Court, Halstead, Essex – Replacement of windows, fascia, soffit, rainwater good and cladding to blocks 1-28 and 29-58 Trinity Court. Members raised no objection
Cllr Mrs J Pell left the meeting
14/00725/FUL – 54 Broton Drive, Halstead, CO9 1HB – Erection of extension. Members raised no objection
Cllr D Hume left the meeting
14/00736/FUL – The Woodman Inn, Colchester Road, Halstead, CO9 2DY – Erection of double storey side and single storey rear extension to former public house with elevational alterations of ATM. Members had no objection in principle but recommend Highways carry out a study of safety and traffic movement
14/00737/FUL – The Woodman Inn, Colchester Road, Halstead, CO9 2DY – Conversion of existing first floor living accommodation into 2 no. apartments with side extension to create a new access. Members raised no objection
14/00738/FUL – The Woodman Inn, Colchester Road, Halstead, CO9 2DY – Installation of a satellite dish. Members raised no objection
14/00739/FUL – The Woodman Inn, Colchester Road, Halstead, CO9 2DY – Installation of external refrigeration equipment in service yard. Members raised no objection
Cllr D Hume returned to the meeting
Cllr Mrs J Pell returned to the meeting
14/00707/FUL – Eat Natural, 4 Fourth Avenue, Bluebridge Industrial Estate, Halstead, CO9 2SY – Erection of extensions, external fire escapes and external alterations. Members raised no objection
14/00791/ADV – Bird in Hand PH, 54 Chapel Hill, Halstead, CO9 1JP – Display of signage, 1 x externally illuminated hanging sign, 3 x externally illuminate fascia sign, 3 x non- illuminated chalkboard display and 1 x non-illuminated freestanding post sign. Members raised no objection as long as it meets the Illumination Policy for Halstead
14/00792/LBC – Bird in Hand PH, 54 Chapel Hill, Halstead, CO9 1JP – Display of illuminated and non-illuminated signs to the exterior of the building and 7 lights. Members raised no objection as long as it meets the Illumination Policy for Halstead
14/00787/FUL – Bolt Building Supplied Ltd, Fifth Avenue, Bluebridge Industrial Estate, Halstead – Erection of steel framed extension for storage Members raised no objection
14/00778/FUL – The Howe, Howe Chase, Hedingham Road, Halstead, CO9 2QJ – Creation of new private driveway from Howe Chase to the Howe Members raised no objection providing they take account of the ecology report
Cllr D Hume resumed Chair of the meeting
26. MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Report was noted
27. FINANCE –
A) Financial Monitoring. No issues were raised
Report was noted
B) Monthly Performance (Car Parks). On Target
Report was noted
C) Monthly Performance (Lettings/Sickness)
Report was noted
28. LIST OF PAYMENTS TO BE APPROVED
Payments were unanimously approved.
29. FINANCIAL REGULATIONS
Town Clerk produced draft regulations based upon recent NALC suggestions, as there is a need to tighten up on the regulations.
Members agreed to adopt the draft regulations and copies will be given to each councillor
30. COMMUNITY HALL
Cllr Mrs J Pell Chairman of the Trust confirmed that the design brief will be going to the Architects to draw up plans that will then come back to council and to the public. A sign will be going up imminently at Butler Road to say it is the site for the new Community Hall. Cllr Mrs Pell was very pleased with the progress so far.
Report was noted
31. YOUTH
Cllr A Munday and Cllr Mrs L Hilton confirmed that the members of the Youth Council will be marshalling at the bike run. There is also a visit to Southend on 30th July planned as a team building outing. They are also entering a chair in the Halstead in Bloom competition
Report was noted
32. TOWN TEAM
It was pointed out that the report needs to have a key to the initials so it is clear who the members are. Cllr M Finkin attended the Town Team meeting and commented that there has been little progress made and there was no clear idea what they want. The Town Team have agreed that all meetings will be open forum meetings. There was a suggestion of a pilot scheme for annual car parking passes for residents and also the need for a business plan.
Report was noted
33. Community Hall Funding
Town Clerk produced a report detailing some decisions to be made in respect of the Town Council’s contribution towards the Community Centre currently planned by the Trust. It was accepted that the Town Council’s funding will have to be provided before the Queens Hall and the Library building could be sold and a PWLB loan will be required to bridge the time gap.
Members agreed:
- to engage a qualified surveyor/valuer to give a current indication of the sale value of the Queens Hall and the Library building;
- in principle to raise a PWLB loan on a 10 year basis and repay this early from the proceeds of the sale of the Queens Hall and the Library building. The amount of the loan to be agreed by the Town Council. The timing of the loan in consultation with the Trust.
- in principle (subject to valuation) to sell the Queens Hall and use the funds raised to repay the outstanding PWLB loan;
- in principle (subject to valuation) to sell the Library building and use the funds raised to repay the outstanding PWLB loan;
Cllr Mrs J Pell left the meeting
34. Request for a Grant – Halstead Day Centre
Members agreed to give a grant to the Day Centre of £396.00 for new floor covering
Cllr Mrs Pell returned to the meeting
35. Request for a Grant – Halstead & Colne Valley Scouts
Members discussed and agreed it was the Council’s policy to provide equipment or tangible assets. Members agreed to follow earlier precedent and Halstead Town Council policy, and not give a grant but to advise that in the future the council may be able to help with buying tangible items
36. EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS
To give consideration to adopting the following resolution: – “That pursuant to the provisions of section 1 (2) – of the Admission to Meetings Act 1960, in view of the next item to be conducted, the press and public to be excluded from the meeting.”
There were no items to be discussed in private session.
Chairman closed the meeting at 9.24 p.m.