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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 S A Diver | Vice Chairman | Apologies |
| Councillor Mrs J Allen | Present | |
| Councillor M Day | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs S Dingle | Present | |
| Councillor C Fox | Apologies | |
| Councillor D Gronland | Present | |
| Councillor A Munday | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs J A Pell | Apologies | |
| Councillor Mrs E Penn | Present | |
| Councillor M Radley | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs J Sutton | Present |
Also in attendance: Public – Mr M Fincken, Mr R Richmond, Mr I Tinton
Mr M C Murkin – Town Clerk
Mrs L Dover – Minute Clerk
168. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Were received from Cllr Mrs S Diver, Cllr C Fox and Cllr Mrs J Pell
169. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
All councillors declared a non pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 5 Planning 16/00332/FUL, as the applicant is a trustee of Halstead Community Centre Charitable Company
Cllr D Hume declared a non pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 5 Planning 16/00332/FUL, as the applicant is well known to him
Cllr Mrs J Allen declared a non pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 5 Planning 16/00361/FUL, as the application is close to her property, a non pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 7a Finance Committee, as she is a member of Braintree District Council Mi Community, and a non pecuniary interest in Agenda item no.12 Committee Dates, as she is a member of Braintree District Council
Cllr Mrs E Penn declared a non pecuniary interest in Agenda item 5 Planning 16/00361/FUL, as she lives in close proximity to the application
169. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
a) Mr M Fincken said he had attended the consultation on Essex Children’s Centre and was pleased to see that two councillors had attended. He asked if the Town Council would be willing to submit a representation as the consultation has not yet ended. It was agreed that an email consultation would be sent.
Mr I Tinton commented on BDC’s local plan and asked that they give serious consideration to surface water runoff as it could impact on persons living in the lower end of town.
Mr R Richmond thanked the town council for the work that has been carried out in St Andrews churchyard and commented that he hoped it would continue to be maintained. Mr Richmond then presented the Chairman with a copy of The Churchyard Maintenance 4th addition book.
b) Mr K Brownlie of Citizen’s Advice Bureau was unable to attend and will attend the next meeting in April to give an update on future services in Halstead.
170. MINUTES
To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 15th February 2016
It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Allen and seconded by Cllr Mrs Sutton that the minutes be approved – carried
171. a) PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Cllr A Munday took the chair for this part of the meeting
16/00213/ADV – Scenarios, 2A Trinity Street, Halstead, CO9 1JQ
Application for non-illuminated fascia signs. It was proposed by Cllr Munday and seconded by Cllr Mrs Dingle, that no objection is raised providing the views of the Essex CC Historic Buildings officer are taken into account – carried
16/00150/FUL – Scenarios, 2A Trinity Street, Halstead, CO9 1JQ – Change of use of part of first floor to 5 hotel rooms in connection with ground floor bar-café and replacement of first floor windows. It was proposed by Cllr Munday and seconded by Cllr Hume, that no objection is raised to the change of use, but in considering the windows, the comments of the Essex CC Historic Buildings officer must be followed – carried
16/00304/ADV – Priory Hall, Dame Mary Walk, Halstead, CO9 2ES – Installation of 1 no. non-illuminated sided post sign. It was proposed by Cllr Munday and seconded by Cllr Radley, that no objection is raised – carried
Cllr Mrs Allen Left the room
16/00361/FUL – Land Adjacent The Griffin PH, Parsonage Street, Halstead, Essex – Erection of one-and-a-half storey dwelling associated garage (amendments to previously approved design under 15/00755/FUL). It was proposed by Cllr Munday and seconded by Cllr Mrs Dingle that no objection to the amendments but reiterates comments from the previous application, those being:
the Essex CC recommended Architectural survey be carried out; the garage must be ancillary to the property and should not be developed into a separate dwelling in the future; members have concerns about on-street parking near a busy junction, and opposite a junior school; and members have concerns that the development is not in keeping with the neighbouring listed building – carried with two abstentions
Cllr Mrs Allen returned to the room
Cllr Hume left the room
16/00332/FUL – 5 Sudbury Road, Halstead, CO9 2BA – Proposed widening of existing vehicular access. It was proposed by Cllr Munday and seconded by Cllr Gronland, that no objection is raised – carried
Cllr Hume returned to the room
16/00324/LBC – Windmill House, Mill Chase, Halstead, CO9 2DQ – Proposed internal restoration of property and development of granary into new bedroom. It was proposed by Cllr Munday and seconded by Cllr Mrs Sutton, that no objection is raised – carried
16/00413/FUL – 84 Dame Mary Walk, Halstead, CO9 2FF – Erection of rear conservatory. It was proposed by Cllr Munday and seconded by Cllr Day, that no objection is raised – carried
Cllr D Hume resumed Chair of the meeting
b) Meetings with developers
the Clerk has taken advice from Essex Association of Local Council’s (EALC) and was advised to refuse the requests from developers. It was pointed out that developers could hold public consultations that councillors could attend if they wished.
It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Allen and seconded by Cllr Munday, that the council refuse requests from developers to make presentations – carried
172. MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Report was noted
173. a) FINANCE –
Cllr M Radley took the chair for this part of the meeting
1. 2015/2016 Finance Reports
- Financial monitoring
- Reserves
- Monthly Performance (Car parks)
- Monthly Performance (lettings/sickness)
It was proposed by Cllr Radley and seconded by Cllr Gronland, that the reports be noted – carried
b) List of Payments to be approved
It was proposed by Cllr Radley and seconded by Cllr Gronland, that the payments be made – carried
2. BDC Council Tax resolution
Overall increase in Council Tax for Halstead residents is 3.9%. Halstead Town Business rates increase will be set by Central Government at a slightly lower figure.
3. Local Government Association Pay Officer update
It was proposed by Cllr Radley and seconded by Cllr Munday that provision must be made for any increase – carried
c) Request for a Grant – Halstead Day Centre
It was proposed by Cllr Hume and seconded by Cllr Mrs Sutton to grant £449.00 to Hallstead Day Centre – 5 councillors voted for, 1 councillor voted against and one councillor abstained – carried
Cllr D Hume resumed Chair of the meeting
173. COMMUNITY HALL
No report this month
174. YOUTH
Cllr Munday expressed his concerns with the unsuccessful HYPE Night. It was felt that the event was not advertised enough and as a result, the Youth Council members have designed a flyer that will be distributed in town in Easter week to try to get new members. Cllr Munday and Cllr Mrs Penn will be visiting Ramsey Academy in April to meet with James Staff as an introduction to get more members. When the Local Plan survey is returned, the Youth Council members will help to collate the youth part of the questionnaire.
Report was noted
175. TOWN TEAM
Discussion took place regarding several members of the town team that are leaving and how to encourage new people to get involved. It was suggested that the Town Team could work with neighbouring Sudbury, but need to have a solid base in Halstead before looking to work with others.
Report was noted
176. AMENDMENT TO STANDING ORDERS
It was proposed by Cllr Gronland and seconded by Cllr Mrs Penn that members adopt the new Standing Orders with immediate effect – carried
177. COMMITTEE DATES 2016/2017
Report was noted
178. CHRISTMAS OFFICE HOURS
Report was noted
179. TRAFFIC CALMING PROPOSALS
It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Sutton and seconded by Cllr Mrs Penn that the council agree to support the proposal for traffic calming in Beridge Road- carried
180. 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”.
181. INSURANCE
It was proposed by Cllr Munday and seconded by Cllr Mrs Dingle that the council accept the quote from Zurich Insurance – carried with one abstension.
There being no further business, the Vice Chairman closed the meeting at 9.02pm