|
HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
|
|
|
DRAFT 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 Councillor Mrs H W Catley
|
Apologies
|
|
| Councillor Mrs S A Diver | Present | |
| Councillor M J Fincken | Apologies | |
| Councillor Mrs L J Hilton | Apologies | |
| Councillor S Kirby | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs K A Little | Apologies | |
| Councillor A Munday | Present | |
| Councillor K Paisley | Absent | |
|
|
Also in attendance: Mrs H Wolf – Public
Mrs E Penn – Public
Mr M C Murkin – Town Clerk
Mrs J Smith – Minute Clerk
272. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
There were apologies for absence from Cllr Mrs J Allen; Cllr Mrs B Carr; Cllr M Fincken; Cllr Mrs L Hilton; Cllr Mrs K Little.
273. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Cllr Mrs J Pell declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 11 as she is Chairman of the Halstead Community Centre Trust.
Cllr Mrs J Pell declared pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 6, planning item no. 13/00902/FUL as property is opposite her dwelling and owner is Chairman of Courtaulds Sports Ground Management Committee.
Cllr Mrs J Pell declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 9 as a cheque has been raised for the Halstead Community Centre Charity Trust of which she is Chairman.
Cllr Mrs J Pell declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 19 for reasons as listed in the minutes of the Staff Review Committee of 31/07/13.
Cllr Mrs S Diver declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 6, planning item no. 13/00853/FUL as she is a member of Courtaulds Sports Ground Committee
Cllr Mrs S Diver declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 15 as she is a member of Halstead Twinning Association.
Cllr S Kirby declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 6 as member of BDC Planning Committee.
Cllr A Munday declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 6, planning item no. 13/00902/FUL as member of Halstead Town Council – the applicant.
Cllr Mrs H Catley declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 6, planning item no. 13/00902/FUL as member of Halstead Town Council – the applicant.
Cllr Mrs H Catley declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 15 as she is a member of Halstead Twinning Association.
Cllr D Hume declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 6, planning item no. 13/00853/FUL as Chairman of Halstead Town Council – the applicant.
Cllr D Hume declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 13 as Chairman of meetings to plan Fun Run
Cllr D Hume declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 15 as he is a member of Halstead Twinning Association.
Cllr D Hume declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 6, planning item no. 13/00902/FUL as applicant is known to him.
274. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
There were no questions or statements.
275. PRESENTATIONS
- a) Police There was no Police presence
Chairman suggested that in future years meetings during August may need to be reviewed as many members/people are on holiday at this time. It was agreed that this should be added to a future Agenda for discussion.
276. MINUTES. To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 11th July 2013 and 25th July 2013. Minutes were unanimously approved
277. PLANNING APPLICATIONS.
Cllr S Kirby left the meeting
Cllr A Munday took the chair for this part of the meeting
13/00847/FUL. 13 Sudbury Road, Halstead, Essex. CO9 2BA – Demolition of existing two storey rear extension to existing dwelling and replace with a two storey extension comprising kitchen, utility and family room and bedroom to first floor (amendment to previously approved application 13/00289/FUL).
Chairman noted that a previous application at this property had been granted. Members raised no objections.
13/00836/FUL. Parkfields Baptist Church, White Horse Avenue, Halstead, CO9 1AJ – Demolition of Church hall and erection of 3no. detached chalet-style houses on part vacant land.
Members raised no objections. Cllr Mrs J Pell asked that any Section 106 money obtained should be put towards the new Community Hall as this application would mean the loss of a public hall in Halstead.
13/00853/FUL. Courts Sports Ground, Colchester Road, Halstead, Essex. – Siting of a 40’ metal storage container and relocation of an existing 20’ metal storage container
Members could not comment on this application as Halstead Town Council is applicant.
Cllr Mrs J Pell left the meeting
13/00902/FUL 4 Highfields, Halstead, Essex, CO9 1NH – demolition of existing carport, erection of new carport, porch and utility room.
Members raised no objections.
Cllr Mrs J Pell and Cllr S Kirby returned to the meeting
Cllr D Hume resumed Chair of the meeting
278. MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
Chairman noted a letter received from Halstead in Bloom thanking Town Council for support, and asked that thanks be passed to Jason Bedlow and Tim Bickmore for their assistance with various tasks. Chairman noted dates of Awards Events for Anglia in Bloom and RHS Britain in Bloom.
The report was noted.
279. FINANCE –
Financial Monitoring.
The reduced income on Car Parks was noted.
Report was noted
B) Monthly Performance (Car Parks).
Report was noted
C) Monthly Performance (Lettings/Sickness).
Report was noted
280. LIST OF PAYMENTS TO BE APPROVED
It was noted that one item on the list should be ignored as there is ongoing issues about a return of deposit.
It was noted that Long Melford Silver Band would be playing on 18th August and cheque would not be issued until after the event.
Payments were unanimously approved.
281. CHAPPEL STREET TOILETS
A detailed report from Drain Doctor was presented but no structural survey was to hand. It was agreed that no decisions could be made until all information was available and therefore this matter was deferred to next meeting.
282. COMMUNITY HALL
Report was available, and Cllr Mrs Pell noted that Company was now inaugurated and this was the first hurdle. Visits to other Community Halls were planned to get new perspectives of what might be required. It was said that the new hall must be for use by all age groups. Cllr Pell advised that Solicitors had attempted to attend the meeting on 8th July but due to traffic difficulties did not arrive.
Report was noted.
283. YOUTH.
Cllr Munday noted that the proposals from Wicksteed and Sutcliffe regarding the planned Skate Park had not included the bowl and ancilliaries as required. The cost (£50,000 to £60,000) was also more than had been envisaged. He had been told that the existing Park would be costly to revamp so investigations into a new Park would continue. It was also said that investigations would be made into providing a Multi Use Games Area in conjunction with the Skate Park.
Cllr Munday gave a report about the team-building visit to Stubbers and said that the day was successful, although he felt there was not great interaction. Cllr Munday said that the next meeting on 19th September would vote in a new committee for the new year and that the meeting would be held in the Resource Centre. Cllr D Hume asked about the Constitution of the Youth Council regarding membership and it was said that this would be reviewed.
Report was noted
284. FUN RUN 2013
Cllr D Hume said that he was unfortunately unwell on the day of the Fun Run, and thanked Cllr Mrs J Pell for stepping in to support the day, present prizes, etc. Cllr Hume said that he had some good feedback about the day and felt it was a success. He thanked all the volunteers who had managed the event and those who had helped. Cllr Mrs J Pell queried the cost of the slide, and it was said that this had been free to use, but an invoice had been received and paid on the day.
Report was noted.
285. EVENTS COMMITTEE
It was agreed that there should be an Events Committee formed to oversee events in 2014 and 2015, although the constitution of the committee would possibly change after the May 2015 elections. Cllr S Kirby asked if more events could be located in the centre of the town rather than in Weavers’ Court and it was said that there are Health and Safety and also Insurance issues with events in public places.
Most of those present who served on the previous Jubilee Task and Finish Group were willing to stand, although Cllr Mrs H Catley said that she would not be able to serve a further term, but it was agreed that those not in attendance should be given a chance to join this committee and Clerk was asked to e-mail/write to those Councillors not present and give a finite date for their reply. It was agreed that arrangements must be made for each planned event to be fully staffed.
Matter will be further discussed at next meeting.
286. TOWN COUNCIL GIFT FOR ‘TWINNING 30 YEARS’
Gifts given in previous years were reviewed. Cllr D Hume said that he would be unable to attend the twinning meeting in October, in Haubourdin, as he had a prior engagement but it was unanimously agreed that Vice Chairman Cllr Mrs J Pell should attend in his place.
Suitable gifts were discussed and it was agreed that the art club be contacted with a view to providing a sculpture – possible of two clasped hands – or a painting of a view of Halstead. It was agreed that Cllr Hume with Cllr Mrs S Diver and Cllr Mrs H Catley and the Town Clerk should make a decision on the gift for 30 years of Twinning.
Report was noted.
287. CAR PARK MONITORING
It was said that varying views on the ‘Free After 3’ trial had been expressed. Chairman of the Halstead Chamber of Trade had said that after canvassing members it had been said that 1 hr free was not sufficient and should be extended to free from 2p.m. It is not clear what the Chamber mean by this statement as currently the Town Council is giving 3 free hours (3pm-6pm). Another suggestion was that the first hour of parking should be free and the cost thereafter should be 30p. Costs in various other locations around the area had been reported – in all cases the costs at nearby towns were higher than Halstead. Cllr S Kirby said that signage about location and costs of Town car parks is not clear; speaking from a personal point of view he said that retail footfall after 3p.m.was variable. Cllr Mrs J Pell noted that car parks are subject to Council tax so these costs have to be covered either by parking charges or from the Council taxpayers. It was agreed that this matter should be referred back to the Car Park Working Group for discussion, but the Chamber of Trade and the Town Team should be kept informed of decisions as soon as possible. Matter will be discussed again at next meeting and a decision on whether to change car park costs will be made.
Report was noted
288. QUEEN’S HALL – REPLACEMENT FIRE EXIT DOORS
It was said that the current wooden doors are in poor condition and the Fire Prevention Officer at Braintree Fire Service has advised that UPVC exit doors are acceptable as long as they are unlocked during a hiring and the ‘panic bar’ openings are fitted to the inside of the doors. It was requested that this information be obtained in writing. Various quotations were viewed. It was agreed that new Fire Doors should be purchased up to a cost of £2000; Clerk to try and purchase from a Halstead company.
289. 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.”
Mrs J Smith left the meeting at this point
290. STAFF REVIEW GROUP MEETING ON 31ST JULY
It was unanimously agreed to suspend Standing Order 22 (s) to allow the meeting to go beyond 9.15p.m.
Minutes of the staff review Group meeting were reviewed and it was agreed:
a) on a proposition by Cllr Ms Pell, seconded by Cllr Munday, that all staff be awarded an increase of 1% wef 1st April 2012 with a further 1% wef 1st April 2013 with this assimilated into the new NJC rates when available;
b) on a proposition by Cllr Kirby, seconded by Cllr Mrs Diver, that the groundsman’s allowance be continued at its current ‘flat’ rate (i.e. not increased with pay awards or inflation) and renamed a ‘responsibility’ allowance;
c) on a proposition by Cllr Mrs Pell, seconded by Cllr Catley, that the Finance Office, Administration Officer and Receptionist all be awarded one extra increment (under the NJC scales) to recognize the extra workload passing through the office. It was further agreed to consider any further requests on their merits; and
d) on a proposition by Cllr Mrs Diver, seconded by Cllr Catley, that the Town Clerk also be awarded one extra increment to recognize additional workload and to maintain differentials.
Chairman closed the meeting at 9.45 p.m.