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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 Arrived at Agenda item no. 18
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| Councillor Mrs S A Diver | Present | |
| Councillor M J Fincken | Pesent | |
| Councillor Mrs L J Hilton | Present | |
| Councillor S Kirby | Apologies | |
| Councillor Mrs K A Little | Present | |
| Councillor A Munday | Apologies | |
| Councillor K Paisley | Absent | |
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Also in attendance: Mr and Mrs J Brown – Public
Mr Paul Hook – Public
Mr M C Murkin – Town Clerk
Mrs J Smith – Minute Clerk
309. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
There were apologies for absence from Cllr Mrs B Carr, Cllr S Kirby and Cllr A Munday
310. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Cllr Mrs S Diver declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 6; planning application no. 13/01075/FUL as lives near to this property.
Cllr Mrs J Pell declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 9 as cheque has been raised in favour of Community Centre Charity Trust of which she is Chairman; Cllr Pell also declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 11 as Chairman of Community Centre Charity Trust. Cllr Pell declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 16 as is Halstead Town Council’s representative on the Public Transport Committee of Braintree DC. Cllr Pell declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 6 as is a member of Braintree DC that owns the property.
Cllr Mrs J Allen declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 16A as is Governor of Ramsey College. Cllr Mrs Allen declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 6; planning application no. 13/01075/FUL as is a member of Braintree DC that owns the property.
Cllr D Hume declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 6; planning application no. 13/01084/LBC as one of those who commented is known to him.
Cllr Hume declared non-pecuniary interest in Agenda item no. 16A as is Governor of St. Andrew’s School.
311. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Mr J Brown, resident of Frosts Mill, raised concerns about the proposals for a Rehabilitation Unit at the former Care Home close to Halstead Hospital. He said that elderly residents in the area were worried about possible increase of crime in the area related to the proposed Unit and concerned that children use the playing field close to the property. Several questions were raised about planning and the proposed lease.
Councillors explained that this Council could only comment on plans and could not make decisions but thought there was a lack of communication between the applicant and residents and offered to try and instigate a meeting with all parties to discuss the way forward. It was suggested that the Crime Reduction Officer for Braintree DC should be asked to attend. Mr Brown left his contact details and Clerk will try to set up the meeting in the very near future.
312. PRESENTATIONS
- a) Police. There was no police presence at the meeting
313. MINUTES. To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 5th September 2013
Minutes were unanimously approved
314. PLANNING APPLICATIONS.
Cllr Mrs S Diver took the chair for this part of the meeting
13/01030/ADV 5-7 Market Hill, Halstead, Essex. CO9 2AR – Installation of 1no. externally illuminated fascia sign.
Members raised no objections to this application
13/01050/FUL – The White House, 32 High Street, Halstead, CO9 2AP – Creation of a rear entrance by removing a section of the existing brick wall and construction of a return wall on either side of the driveway. It was noted that 4 objections had been raised to this application. Discussions took place about the 18th Century wall that it is proposed to alter in the plans. Members noted the historic wall included in the plans and asked that this should be protected. Members raised no other objections.
13/01075/FUL – Trinity House, Trinity Street, Halstead, Essex – Change of use to residential. Members raised no objections to this application
13/01076/PLD – 38 Highfields, Halstead, Essex, CO9 1NH – Application for a Proposed Lawful Development Certificate – Erection of a single storey rear extension. Application withdrawn.
13/01084/LBC – 35 Head Street, Halstead, CO9 2AU – Construction of dwarf wall and railings. Members raised no objections to this application.
Cllr D Hume resumed Chair of the meeting
315. MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
Cllr Mrs J Pell noted that she did not attend the International Photographic Competition as she was unwell. It was also noted that Cllr Mrs Pell cannot now attend the Twinning visit to Haubourdin but Cllrs Mrs S Diver and Mrs H Catley will represent the Town Council and will present the composite photograph and the commemorative plaque that will be given in recognition of 35 years of Twinning.
Council asked that thanks be extended to Roy Swinnell & Sons t/as A R Clarke Funerals of Halstead for donating the plaque and to Karen Hasler and Joan Gibson for making the framed photos and supplying the pictures.
The report was noted.
316. FINANCE –
Report was noted
B) Monthly Performance (Car Parks). It was noted that the Free after 3 initiative has impacted on car park receipts, but not above expected levels. Another monitoring exercise is planned.
Report was noted
C) Monthly Performance (Lettings/Sickness).
Report was noted
317. LIST OF PAYMENTS TO BE APPROVED
Payments were unanimously approved.
318. ROAD NAME – Bluebridge Industrial Estate
Members raised no objection to proposed road name and noted the art work.
319. COMMUNITY HALL
Cllr Mrs J Pell, Chairman of the Trust thanked all Councillors who attended the recent meeting and it was agreed that this was informative and uplifting. Cllr Pell noted that the Trust now needs to produce a Business Plan in order to gain further funding and grants and said that it is proposed to engage professional help to write this plan. This will be financed from the money already set aside by Halstead Town Council. Members will be kept fully informed of progress.
Clerk said that he could supply information on lettings, etc. if required.
Report was noted.
320. YOUTH.
It was noted that a new Youth Council is now in place. Concern was raised about the proposal from Essex CC to cut funding to the Youth Service and it is not known if this will impact on the Resource Centre in Halstead. It was agreed that Stephen Canning (Braintree DC) should be contacted as he is Forum Member for Youth Services at Braintree and he will work with Cllr Joe Pike (Essex CC) to lobby for this vital service in Halstead to be retained. It was agreed that Clerk should write to Cabinet Member at Essex CC, copied to Leader of Essex CC and to Cllr Joe Pike asking for a meeting to discuss the future of Youth Services in Halstead.
Report was noted
321. TOWN TEAM
It had been agreed at recent Town Team meeting that minutes of meetings would not be sent to Halstead TC but Cllr Mrs L Hilton (representative of Town Council on the Team) would produce a report. Points in the report were noted.
Cllr Mrs Hilton asked about the new notice board at the former Post Office and the contents therein. It was agreed that Clerk should be responsible for the content and appearance of this notice board.
Report was noted
322. INTERNAL AUDIT INTERIM REPORT
Report was noted
323. EXTERNAL AUDIT REPORT FOR THE YEAR TO 31st MARCH 2013
Report was noted
324. ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL CONSULTATIONS:
A) Home to School Transport
Proposals were discussed. Cllr M Fincken said that the level of funds for School Transport is disproportionate to that spent on materials for school work and it is obvious action must be taken. It was agreed that these proposals need in-depth consideration and it was agreed that each member should review and feed back comments to Clerk by 23rd October and a composite response will be sent by the deadline of 25th October; Councillors to be sent a copy.
B) Local Bus Services
Discussions took place about proposals which seem unclear. It was thought that the attached questionnaire was not suitable for completion by the Town Council but that the Council should respond. Councillors were asked to consider the proposals and feed back response to Clerk by mid-November and a composite response will be sent by the deadline of early December.
325. 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.”
326. STAFF REVIEW GROUP – Meeting on 16th September.
Clerk reported that about 320 application packs had been sent out for the forthcoming vacant position of Receptionist/Administrator and about 130 completed forms had been received back. Clerk is filtering applications and compiling a short list for interview on 17th November. Discussion took pace about the skills required for this position and it was decided that Cllrs Mrs J Pell, Mrs S Diver. M Fincken and D Hume should comprise the interview panel. Clerk to be in attendance.
Chairman closed the meeting at 8.37 p.m.