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HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
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DRAFT 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 |
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Councillor Mrs J Allen Councillor Mrs H W Catley
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Present
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| 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: Mr B Slade – Halstead (Colne Valley) A.T.C.
Mr M Tolson – Lloyds Bank (arrived at Agenda item 4b)
Mr M C Murkin – Town Clerk
Mrs J Smith – Minute Clerk
218. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apology received from Cllr K Paisley
219. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Cllr Mrs J Pell declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 12 as Chairman of Trustees (not yet registered, but applied for) of Community Hall
Cllr Mrs Pell declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 15 as is Chairman of Courtaulds Sports Ground Management Committee at which A.T.C. has voting right as tenant – ATC also well known to her.
Cllr Mrs Pell declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item 6, planning application 13/00464/FUL as applicant is Trustee of Community Hall
Cllr Mrs Pell declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item 4b as Lloyds is Bank for Halstead Residents Association; Lloyds has also given money to Halstead Day Centre where Cllr Pell is a Trustee.
Cllr Mrs H Catley declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item 4b as is Member of Lloyds TSB
Cllr Mrs S Diver declared pecuniary interest in Agenda item 15 as is a Committee member of Courtaulds Sports Ground Management committee.
Cllr Mrs Diver declared pecuniary interest in Agenda item 15 as is a member of Lloyds TSB
Cllr Mrs L Hilton declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item 15 as is a member of Courtaulds Sports Ground Management committee.
Cllr Mrs Hilton declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item 4b as is a member of Halstead Residents Association.
Cllr Mrs Hilton declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item 6, planning application no. 13/00418/PLD as owner is known to her.
Cllr S Kirby declared non-pecuniary interest in all planning matters as he is member of Braintree District Council Planning Committee.
Cllr Mrs J Allen declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item 6, planning application no. CC/BTE/13/13 as is Governor at Ramsey College.
Cllr Mrs Allen declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item 4b as is a Lloyds TSB customer.
Cllr Mrs B Carr declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 4b as is a customer of Lloyds TSB
Cllr M Fincken declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 4b as is a customer of Lloyds TSB
Cllr A Munday declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 4b as is a member of Lloyds TSB
Cllr D Hume declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 15 as is a member of the civilian committee of ATC and is a Trustee of ATC and has been a referee in other grant applications
Cllr D Hume declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 6, planning item no. 13/00464/FUL as applicant is known to him
220. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
There were no public questions
221. PRESENTATIONS
- a) Police No member of the Police was present
- b) Mark Tolson – Lloyds Bank Community Fund Mr Tolson circulated information about the Lloyds Banking Group Community Fund and urged all present to consider making an application as there were Awards available of £3000 for 800 local good causes, chosen by public vote, and 800 smaller awards of £300. Nomination period ends on Thursday 16th May at 5p.m. Mr Tolson said that money had been given in the past to local charities; e.g. the Halstead Day Centre. Mr Tolson said that Lloyds employees are also able to have 8 hrs paid leave to work on charitable projects and that Lloyds will be holding fund raising events in Halstead. Mr Tolson said that awards would be open in future years also.
Chairman thanked Mr Tolson for attending
Mr Tolson left the meeting.
222. MINUTES. To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 11th April 2013. Cllr Mrs L Hilton said that the amount of grant received by Youth Council should be £1054.00 and not £1084 as minuted.
With this amendment. Minutes were unanimously approved
Cllr Mrs J Allen noted that on Minutes of Halstead Annual Town Council Meeting PCSO B Edwards was not on the attendance list, although he did give a presentation. Cllr Mrs Allen also asked for a copy of all reports given at the meeting.
223. PLANNING APPLICATIONS.
Cllr S Kirby left the meeting
Cllr A Munday took the chair for this part of the meeting
13/00360/FUL – 25 Sudbury Road, Halstead, CO9 2BB – Removal of Condition 4 of planning approval 81/00912/P to convert garage into living accommodation.
Members raised no objections
13/00389/FUL – 7 Weavers Court, Halstead, CO9 2JN – Change of use from A1 retail to A2 professional use i.e. Chartered Surveyors with Estate Agency
Members raised no objections
Cllr Mrs J Pell and Cllr D Hume left the meeting
13/00464/FUL – 83 Chapel Hill, Halstead, Essex, CO9 1JP – Erection of two storey extension, alterations, refurbishment and landscaping.
Members noted that previous application had been withdrawn and this was a re-application showing scaled down plans. It was noted that no objections were raised on the previous occasion.
Members raised no objections.
Cllr Mrs J Pell and Cllr D Hume returned to the meeting
CC/BTE/13/13 – Ramsey College, Colne Road, Halstead, CO9 2HR – Replace existing windows and doors, cladding and roof coverings to part main block, Bois Hall, Fenn Hall and New Hall
Members raised no objections
13/00418/PLD – 2 Sloe Hill, Halstead, CO9 1JT – Application for a Proposed Lawful Development Certificate – Erection of a single storey rear extension.
Members were unable to access the planning database at the meeting and
Delegated authority was given to Cllr A Munday and Cllr Mrs S Diver to view and make a decision on Council’s behalf.
13/00491/FUL – Shed at Rear of 3 Market Hill, Halstead, Essex – Erection of a detached dwelling.
It was noted that similar plans for this area had been submitted on previous occasions and that Council had objected.
Members raised objections on grounds of back-land development, over-development and poor access.
Cllr S Kirby returned to the meeting
Cllr D Hume resumed Chair of the meeting.
224. MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
Cllr Mrs K Little asked the venue for Service to mark the Diamond Anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation and was told that this was Chelmsford Cathedral.
The report was noted.
225. FINANCE –
A) No Income and Expenditure report was available at this meeting as a) previous year had to be closed and new year opened b) the Sage Accounting System failed and it took Sage software engineers 5 days to fix so data has not been input.
Report was noted
B) Monthly Performance (Car Parks): It was observed that no income had yet been posted into accounting system. It was queried whether the ‘Free after 3’ initiative had increased car park use. Clerk reported that some users were still paying; no monitoring is taking place. Suggestions were made as to how the usage after 3pm may be monitored.
Report was noted
C) Monthly Performance (Lettings/Sickness): It was noted that Job Seekers are not now attending at Mill House; Clerk noted that it had been difficult to obtain payment for hire since Christmas. It was agreed that this was an amenity for Halstead.
Report was noted
226. LIST OF PAYMENTS TO BE APPROVED Cllr Mrs J Pell asked if a letter had been sent with payment to Citizens Advice Bureau regarding Council’s wish that the grant be spent on benefits for Halstead residents. Clerk has this in hand.
Cllr Mrs H Catley asked that it be noted that payment to E Doe was for purchase of Tractor and not for alterations to container.
Payments were unanimously approved.
227. LEASE OF CAR WASH SITE AT EMPIRE THEATRE. Clerk explained that Mr Lushi has asked for a 5 year licence rather than the 3 years that Chairman and Town Clerk were authorised to negotiate. Cllr Mrs J Pell asked if break clauses could be added to the lease and Clerk explained that there would be a break clause for both parties each year.
Members agreed that Chairman and Clerk should conclude a new five year licence with Mr Lushi
228. LEASE OF THE LIBRARY. Details of the proposed new lease were presented to Council with consideration given to the possible early termination of the lease if the Library moves to the proposed new Community Hall.
It was agreed that Chairman sign a new lease at the annual rental of £13000.00 and with the recommended terms.
229. COMMUNITY HALL Cllr Mrs J Pell advised that she had written the report presented to Council but in future this would be tasked to the Trust Secretary, Anne Cartwright. Cllr Mrs Pell advised that the Trust had difficulties with cash flow at present because the land had not been transferred as the Trust was not yet agreed. Some money would be available from Braintree District Council, but an invoice for Solicitors’ fees had been received amounting to £2584.00 and insurance had to be arranged. Cllr Mrs Pell asked if Town Council could meet these costs until cash is released.
After discussion Cllr S Kirby proposed that Town Council release funds of up to £10000.00 to meet invoices, but that Council should be kept fully informed of expenditure and of all matters concerning the proposed new Community Hall.
A vote was taken and 10 members agreed to this proposal – Councillor Mrs J Pell abstained from the vote.
230. YOUTH
Cllr Mrs L Hilton noted that plans are in place for the HYPE evening in aid of Rays of Sunshine charity taking place at Queen’s Hall on 21st June. Youth Council is hoping to liaise with the Ramsey College Council when it is formed. Ros Stafford from Essex Youth Service has liaised with Youth Council and Resource Centre about activities for young people in the Town. A team building exercise is planned for 24th July. Meeting has taken place with Alvin Mann (BDC) re. update of skate park; it is hoped that this project can be moved forward.
Chairman asked if in the future a member of the Youth Council could attend to give a report – this was noted.
Report was noted
231. FINAL ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR TO 31st MARCH 2013 AND EXTERNAL AUDIT REPORT.
It was noted that the final balance showed income had been reduced and expenditure had gone up but that Council accounts were in a healthy state. Internal Auditor had no comments to make on the accounts.
Annual Governance Statement was reviewed and Cllr M Fincken proposed acceptance of Accounts and Statement, this was seconded by Cllr H Catley and unanimously adopted.
Cllr D Hume left the meeting and Cllr Mrs J Pell took the Chair
232. GRANT REQUEST
Request received from 1163 (Colne Valley) Squadron Air Training Corps for a grant towards the cost of a trailer for use with ATC minibus. Accounts for the Corps were supplied. Discussion took place, and it was noted that the A.T.C. are very active within the Town and are always prepared to help other charities and groups.
Cllr Mrs J Pell proposed that a grant of £1500.00 be made to Halstead (Colne Valley) A.T.C. towards purchase of a trailer. This was seconded by Cllr A Munday and unanimously agreed.
Cllr D Hume returned to the meeting and took the Chair
233. 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 other matters to discuss
Chairman closed the meeting at 8.34 p.m.