|
HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
|
|
|
DRAFT MINUTES OF FULL COUNCIL MEETING HALSTEAD, Essex. CO9 1ET
|
Membership:
| Councillor D Hume | Chairman |
Apologies |
| Councillor Mrs J A Pell | Vice Chairman | Present |
|
Councillor Mrs J Allen Councillor Mrs H W Catley
|
Present
|
|
| Councillor Mrs S A Diver | Apologies | |
| Councillor M J Fincken | Presentarrived at Agenda item no. 6 | |
| Councillor Mrs L J Hilton | Present | |
| Councillor S Kirby | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs K A Little | Present | |
| Councillor A Munday | Present | |
| Councillor K Paisley | Present | |
|
|
Also in attendance: PCSO B Edwards
Mrs Eileen Penn
Mr M C Murkin – Town Clerk
Mrs J Smith – Minute Clerk
234. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
There were apologies for absence from Cllr Mrs S Diver and Cllr Hume
235. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Cllr S Kirby declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 6 as member of BDC Planning Committee.
Cllr Mrs J Pell declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda items no. 10 and 11 as Chairman of Courtaulds Management Committee
Cllr Mrs J Pell declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no 12 as Chairman of Trustees
Cllr Mrs J Pell declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 6, planning item no. 13/00610/ADV as Halstead Residents Association uses this bank.
Cllr Mrs L Hilton declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 10 as member of Courtaulds Management Committee
Cllr Mrs L Hilton declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 6, planning item no. 13/00610/ADV as member of Lloyds TSB
Cllr Mrs H Catley declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 6, planning item no. 13/00610/ADV as member of Lloyds TSB
Cllr Mrs K Little declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 6, planning item no. 13/00610/ADV as member of Lloyds TSB
Cllr Mrs K Little declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 6, planning item no. 13/00513/FUL as regularly visits a resident of this property.
Cllr A Munday declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 6, planning item no. 13/00610/ADV as account holder at Lloyds TSB
236. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Mrs Eileen Penn arrived during Agenda item no. 4, but was allowed to speak Chairman taking this item out of order.
Mrs E Penn asked about the recent publicity concerning a by-pass road for Halstead and what the Council’s views were on this subject. Chairman explained that the matter was being discussed that evening at Braintree DC Local Development Framework meeting and that Cllr M Fincken was representing Halstead Town Council at the meeting; Essex CC Cllr Joe Pike was also going to speak putting forward the Council’s view that the By-Pass should be kept in the local plan for the time being. It was said that the proposed route for the by-pass did not affect any present housing, only farm land that was in the LDF as designated farm land.
237. PRESENTATIONS
- a) Police PCSO B Edwards told Council that during the past 4 weeks there had been an escalation of Burglaries/Other; mainly these were power tools from sheds and outhouses; PCSO Edwards urged all to keep power tools in secure areas, he said that most of these burglaries were committed between the hours of 11pm and 3am where windows were broken or doors forced. Two burglaries from dwellings had been reported. PCSO Edwards reported that there had been 2 thefts; one from a house and one from a shop. There had been 5 thefts from vehicles; three of these from an insecure vehicle. There was one instance of criminal damage. One instance of Nuisance, youths, was reported and this was when a ball was kicked from the Courts in Parsonage Street and hit the wall of The Griffin public house. It would seem that ownership of these Courts is not clear, although Essex CC paid for the fence and the courts; Cllr Mrs J Allen said that she would speak to Cllr Joe Pike about this matter. PCSO Edwards reported that alcohol abuse in the Town has greatly reduced recently. He said that the Community Speedwatch initiative over the district is going well. PCSO asked for any questions.
Cllr Mrs J Allen spoke about parking near to schools and on yellow no-parking lines; PCSO Edwards said that he has raised the matter on several occasions and advised that BDC car park Enforcement Officers can give penalty notices for such parking offences.
Cllr Mrs H Catley asked if the recent incident where a vehicle smashed into a house in Nether Court was a stolen vehicle, and was told that it was not.
Cllr Mrs L Hilton advised PCSO Edwards that there will be a Music Night for young people at Queen’s Hall on Friday 21st June; this is a fancy dress event.
There were no more questions and PCSO Edwards left the meeting.
238. MINUTES. To approve the minutes of the Annual Town Council meeting held on 9th May 2013. Minutes were unanimously approved
Minutes of the Council meeting of 9th May 2013 were also unanimously approved.
239. PLANNING APPLICATIONS.
Cllr S Kirby left the meeting
Cllr A Munday took the chair for this part of the meeting
13/00610/ADV – Lloyds TSB Bank, 68 High Street, Halstead, CO9 2JG – Display of non-illuminated and other various signs.
Members raised no objections.
13/00513/FUL – Symonds Court, St. Andrews Road, Halstead, Essex – Renovation and refurbishment of existing sheltered accommodation to provide 16no. sheltered flats.
Members raised no objections
13/00546/FUL – 6 Rayner Way, Halstead, CO9 1BU – Erection of single storey rear conservatory extension. One letter of concern was noted.
Members raised no objections
13/00580/FUL – Milbanks, 91 Colchester Road, Halstead, CO9 2EN – Creation of a dropped kerb. One letter of objection from Essex County Highways was noted.
Members raised no objections subject to approval by ECC Highways
13/00568/LBC & 13/00567/LBC – 5 High Street, Halstead, CO9 2AA – Internal and external alterations to the building to enable the conversion of the rear of the first floor to a residential flat and conversion of the rear ground floor to a residential flat to be used in conjunction with the shop.
Members raised no objections in principle, but were concerned about lack of car parking facilities.
13/00568/LBC & 13/00567/FUL – 5 High Street, Halstead, CO9 2AA – Internal and external alterations to the building to enable the conversion of the rear of the first floor to a residential flat and conversion of the rear ground floor to a residential flat to be used in conjunction with the shop.
Members raised no objections in principle, but were concerned about lack of car parking facilities.
13/00588/FUL – Mellons DIY and Wallcovering Centre, 61 Kings Road, Halstead, CO9 1HA – Partial demolition of existing retail facility and associated building remodelling to form refurbished premises for Brands Direct Barbados Limited (Class D1). Proposed erection of three no. two bedroom cottages associated landscaping and parking.
Members raised no objections in principle, but were concerned about lack of car parking facilities for the offices and business, and also lack of parking during the development stages of the premises. Members also requested that hours of working and deliveries be restricted during the development stage. It was suggested that cycle racks be a stipulation to planning agreement
13/00663/FUL – Blamsters Farm, Mount Hill, Halstead, CO9 1LR – Erection of 4no. residential units as extension to existing care home and creation of 4no. additional car parking spaces.
Discussion took place about previous concerns of development at this location and it was noted that there were objections from residents in Acorn Avenue. It was noted that there are no provisions for development at this location in the Local Development Framework. It was believed that the applicant had not consulted with residents of Acorn Avenue nor Blamsters Crescent over this application.
As the Planning Website could not be viewed it was decided that delegated powers should be given to Cllr Munday, Cllr Mrs Diver, Cllr Fincken, Cllr Mrs J Pell and Cllr Mrs B Carr to view the plans and give the Council’s views. A vote was taken and was decided on a majority – Cllr Mrs J Allen abstained from the vote. Town Clerk suggested that a deferral of decision be requested to allow the decisions of this group to be discussed at next Council Meeting and this was voted unanimously.
Cllr S Kirby returned to the meeting
Cllr Mrs J Pell resumed Chair of the meeting.
Chairman asked Cllr M Fincken, who had joined the meeting during this Agenda item to report on his attendance at the Local Development Framework meeting earlier that evening.
Cllr Fincken reported that decisions about the Halstead By-Pass and whether is should stay on the Agenda had been deferred pending discussions with the Essex County Councillor Cabinet Member responsible – Cllr Rodney Bass – and a letter will be written asking for his view on this matter.
Chairman noted that it is important that Halstead Town Council is represented at this Committee and thanked Cllr Fincken for attending.
240. MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
The report was noted.
Chairman also announced that Anglia in Bloom judges will be touring Halstead on Monday 15th July, starting at 9.30a.m. and that all Councillors are invited to attend the lunch given for the Judges at the Bowls Club from about 12.30p.m.
Judging in the Champion of Champions category of RHS Britain in Bloom will take place on Thursday 1st August, in the morning. No times are yet known but all Councillors are invited to the reception at the Bowls Club after judging.
241. FINANCE –
- Financial Monitoring
Report was noted
B. Monthly Performance (Car Parks) Town Clerkk noted amended figures that now exclude VAT and also noted that Car Park income was reduced in April, although increased in May. Chairman noted that the ‘Free after Three’ campaign is a trial but that there is no monitoring of results. Clerk was asked to set up a monitoring system.
Report was noted
C) Monthly Performance (Lettings/Sickness). Drop in bookings at Mill House was noted; this is because the Job Seekers no longer hold sessions in Halstead. Cllr M Fincken was disappointed at the lack of support for unemployed in Halstead and Clerk was asked to write to D.W.P. to put Council’s views. It was suggested that the matter also be raised with Halstead MP
Report was noted
242. LIST OF PAYMENTS TO BE APPROVED
Payments were unanimously approved.
243. COURTAULDS CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNTS.
It was noted that Finance Officer was keen that Accounts be brought in-house.
Members raised no objections.
It was noted that there should be no compromise of the rate relief on Courtaulds Sports Ground by this action.
244. COURTAULDS CAR PARK
Care UK had approached Town Council asking for permission to use the car park at Courtaulds Sports Ground during an Open Day at the Care Home on 21st June.
Members unanimously agreed to this request
Care UK had also asked for permission to use the car park on a regular basis as there is insufficient parking on the Colne View site. Town Clerk had met with a representative of Care UK and informed them that there is a covenant restricting usage, and that therefore this request was likely to be refused.
Members unanimously agreed to deny this permission.
Clerk was asked to write to BDC Planning Department regarding parking issues in this area.
245. COMMUNITY HALL Cllr Mrs J Pell, Chairman of the Trust reported that Burr and Neave had been interviewed by the Trustees and they had been asked to provide references that the Trust will take up. Articles of Association for the Trust had now been agreed by the Donor and the Trustees and the proposed Incorporated Company was now in the process of being inaugurated; it was hoped that this would enable the Charity to be registered. A further meeting of Trustees is planned shortly and Mayor and Town Clerk have been invited to attend in an advisory capacity and to keep the channels of communication open.
Cllr M Fincken asked if Council will be given the opportunity to see Agenda and Minutes of meetings; Cllr Pell will take this forward.
Report was noted.
246. YOUTH. Minutes of the recent Halstead Youth Council Meeting were circulated. Music event on 21st June was noted, Councillors are invited to attend.
Report was noted
247. HTC COUNCILLORS REPORTS FOR ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
Cllr Mrs J Allen had asked that Town Councillors could give individual reports at Annual Town Meetings as she felt that residents are not getting a full view of activities of individual members. After lengthy discussions it was decided that each member should write a report that can be incorporated into the Mayor’s Annual Report. It was said that Annual Town Meetings should be better advertised, and attendance should be encouraged. Council should better engage with the public and not get bogged down with reports that could be similar in nature. It was thought that perhaps members’ individual duties could be listed.
It was thought important that the Council put on a united front for the public. It was decided that District Members should also work together to produce on report to be tabled.
248. STORAGE OF CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
It was noted that better storage is now required and that the current contract for provision of lights is due to expire after one more year. Town Clerk is awaiting a planning decision regarding location of container on the ‘new’ sports field.
It was unanimously agreed that a 40’ container be purchased from Adaptainer Ltd. for storage of Christmas lights and the existing 20’ container be relocated on the new sports field if possible.
248. HIGH STREET BUNTING
A price for hanging and taking down the proposed bunting in High Street had been quoted at £500, no consent for this would be required from ECC Highways.
Discussion took place and it was decided that bunting should be hung in the Public Gardens only, subject to approval by B.D.C. Cllr Mrs K Little abstained from vote.
250. FUN RUN UPDATE
It was agreed that a debt of gratitude is owed to those volunteers who are working to make this event a success; it is entertainment for Halstead and an excellent Town event. Marshalling duties will be undertaken by Army Cadets, Councillors are asked to volunteer for other duties. Cllr J Allen noted that there was an increase in runners last year and it is hoped that this trend will continue for 2013.
Volunteers are required to log runners at the finish line. It is hoped that there will be stalls in the field. Halstead Youth Council will be entering a team.
Cllrs Pell, Munday, Little, Hilton, Carr, Catley and possibly Kirby volunteered to assist.
251. 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 8.55 p.m.