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HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
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MINUTES OF EXTRAORDINARY TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
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Membership:
| Councillor Mrs S Diver | Chairman | Present |
| Councillor Mr Andy Munday | Vice Chairman | Present |
| Councillor Mrs J Allen | Present | |
| Councillor M Day | Apologies | |
| Councillor Mrs S Dingle | Present | |
| Councillor C Fox | Present | |
| Councillor D Gronland | Present | |
| Councillor D Hume | Apologies | |
| Councillor Mrs J A Pell | Apologies | |
| Councillor Mrs E Penn | Present | |
| Councillor M Radley | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs J Sutton | Present |
Also in attendance:
Mrs S Greatorex – Town Clerk
179. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE received from Cllr M Day, Cllr D Hume and Cllr Mrs J Pell
180. DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS: None
181. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME: There were no public questions
182. 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 an 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.
183. MILL HOUSE LEASE
The Chairman had informed the Community Trust that Mill House had been sold, and that an opportunity had arisen to explore other accommodation in the town which might be suitable for the Council. The Trust were agreed that it would be necessary for HTC to find alternative accommodation, as notice would be served and the break clause in the lease would come into operation in March 2018. The Community Trust were still seeking support for the operation to clean up the donated site, and were exploring other avenues of funding to help with the fit-out, but there is concern that more money cannot be raised. There may be a need to reconsider the cost of construction, and to then build something less ambitious.
There was considerable discussion around the possible date when the new Community Centre would be ready for occupation. The Council views this as a once in a generation opportunity for the town, but there is still the possibility that it may be too expensive for HTC to run. It is likely to be at least 5 years before the building is ready for HTC.
Cllr Radley suggested that HTC might consider buying a temporary building to place on an uncontaminated part of the donated land next to Butler Road car park.
Cllr Mrs Sutton suggested that it would be possible to convert part of the Queens Hall into offices.
It was proposed by Cllr Gronland and seconded by Cllr Radley that HTC look into the possibility of converting part of Queens Hall into offices. This was carried with 3 abstentions.
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 10.00