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HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
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MINUTES OF TOWN COUNCIL MEETING PUBLIC SESSION MINUTES 10 FEBRUARY 2025: at 19:15 |
Membership:
| Councillor Andrew Munday | Chairman | Present |
| Councillor James Bond | Vice Chairman | Present |
| Councillor Janet Atkinson | Apologies | |
| Councillor Malcolm Fincken | Present | |
| Councillor Linda Hilton | Present | |
| Councillor Gemma MacAndrews | Present | |
| Councillor Grahame McCoyd | Present | |
| Councillor Paul Nunn | Apologies | |
| Councillor Jackie Pell | Present | |
| Councillor Felix Preston | Present | |
| Councillor Linda Smith | Apologies | |
| Councillor Garry Warren | Apologies |
Also in attendance: Dave Gronland, Kevin Pryke, Heather Pryke, Janet Caton, Chief Inspector Martin Richards, PC James Draper, Sarah Greatorex (Town Clerk)
24/156 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Cllrs Smith and Nunn sent apologies as they were working. Cllr Atkinson had been unwell and Cllr Warren had a prior engagement.
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, acceptance of the apologies. This was unanimously agreed.
Chairman’s statement 10 February 2025
Halstead Town Council should mark at this meeting the 25th anniversary of Halstead in Bloom, which they celebrated in January. The achievements of Halstead in Bloom, with a steady flow of volunteers over 25 years are remarkable. Not only have they won numerous Anglia in Bloom and Britain in Bloom awards, but they have made Halstead a destination because of the beautiful flowers visitors can see in the streets.
We have also witnessed the licensing of the new Rector of St Andrews church, Mark Payne, who is already well known to the council and is likely to get involved with community events.
I can also report that the Roller Shutter for the Empire will soon be fitted to increase security for the building, following the break-in.
24/157 DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS:
Cllr Pell declared NPI, item 5 25/00055/FUL, and 25/00054/FUL as a member of BDC who have an interest in Eastlight, 25/00066/HH as she knows someone mentioned on the application form, item 7b and 7b(a) as a member of BDC and CSGMC, item 7d as a member of BDC and CSGMC, item 12 as a member of BDC, item 17 as a member of the Greenway committee, items 20 and 21 as an interested party. Cllr Hilton declared NPI Item 7b and 7b (a) as a member of CSGMC. Cllr Fincken declared NPI, item 5 as a member of BDC planning committee, 7d and 12 as a member of BDC, and item 17 as a member of Greenway committee. Cllr Munday declared NPI, item 5 as a member of BDC planning committee, 7d and 12 as a member of BDC. Cllr Bond declared NPI, items 7d and 12 as a member of BDC
24/158 PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
a) Kevin Pryke made a statement on the Community shed:
It has been a little over a year since Halstead Community Shed acquired the former St John Ambulance station, and we would like to share our progress with the Town Council, as well as update on project which has grown and developed beyond our wildest imagination.
The purchase of the building provided us with the chance to launch the “Wellbeing at the Shed” initiative, which focuses on enhancing life outcomes through self-help strategies. By life outcomes, we refer to improvements in both physical and mental health, as well as life expectance.
Before we could embark on the project, the building required thorough renovation to meet of the project’s needs. What ensued was nine months of unwavering dedication and selfless commitment from our Shedders.
Halstead Community Shed was official opening in September 2024 by Mary Jones, the widow of the late Steve Jones. Many of you might remember as an active member of our local community, and the inspiration behind the Halstead community shed.
I mention hard work because the Shedder have put in a lot of effort by installing new concrete fencing, pouring over 6 tons of concrete, setting up a new 10,000-litre water tank, and adding new front, ceilings, walls, and flooring. They’ve also replaced the guttering and fascia, and that was just the beginning, I could go on and on
Halstead Community Shed is now six days a week, from 10 AM to 10 PM during the week, offering a wide range of activities focused on health and wellbeing, to all genders and caters for ages 3 to 83. Our activities include:
– Yoga
– Pilates
– Keep Fit
– Meditation
– Dance
To assist the ladies in our community, we also have a Menopause Support Group and a Ladies Craft Group, which aims to combat loneliness and isolation.
We have a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities dance group on a Saturday morning or SEND Group as it is more commonly known.
We support Hearing Help Essex and Essex Sight which offer their support to some of the most vulnerable in our community and I am pleased to announce we have agreed to continuing this support through to 2026.
Then there is the Men’s Shed.
Officially the Men’s Shad has only been open since September, whoever the group has been meeting and growing in size since January 2024. I have already mentioned their hard work and commitment to the project, but what more important is the help and support they offer to each other as well as the wider community.
The Men’s shed supports those affect by loneliness and isolation, which may be due to cancer or other physical illnesses, Physical injury, or they may have lost loved ones.
There is an enormous sense of community within the shed with shedder making and repair items for other local groups and charities. We are involved with Halstead Hospital league of friends, Halstead in bloom and bocking windmill trust, as well repairing items for the local community.
The Shed has been so successful that we are extending our opening from two full days to three and plans are being made to open four days.
The shed plays host to meetings of both Halstead Rotary and Essex Shed Networking. Since its partial opening in March 2024 the shed has received 7000 visit and can welcome up to 200 visitors some weeks.
All of this would not have been possible without the help and support of my fellow trustees and the founding member of the men’s shed. I am extremely proud of what they have achieved.
b) Chief Inspector Martin Richards gave his report:
He reported that, although there had been fears that funding for PCSOs would be withdrawn, this has not in fact happened and a further £100m has been promised for community policing to continue. He also hoped that there will eventually be a police Town Team in Halstead, as there is in other towns.
He intends to visit the Town Council in winter and summer, as has become his practice over the last few years. In general crime has decreased since lockdown. He revealed that domestic abuse behind closed doors is the biggest crime in Halstead. This is, for obvious reasons, receiving more attention than matters such as shoplifting.
He said that it is his hope that the Streetwarden in Halstead will continue, as he has definitely had a role in reducing crime.
PC James Draper said that the police are aiming to have a meeting with Council on the first Monday of each month, to help residents feel part of the solution rather than a victim of crime.
c) Cllr Pell made a statement on behalf of Dorothy Lodge:
24/159 MINUTES To approve the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 13 January 2025, and of the SAC for 20 November 2024, 4 December 2024 and 23 December 2024. Minutes had been circulated and proposal to adopt minutes of the Full Town council meeting of 13 January 2025 was put forward by Cllr Fincken, seconded by Cllr Bond and agreed unanimously.
Proposal to adopt minutes of the SAC meetings of 20 November 2024, 4 December 2024 and 23 December 2024 was put forward by Cllr Fincken, seconded by Cllr Bond and carried with one abstention. .
24/160 PLANNING APPLICATIONS – Cllr Pell, Lead for planning
Cllrs Munday and Fincken left the meeting.
The following Planning Applications, which were received and circulated electronically, were considered at the Council meeting.
25/00066/HH – 50A Head Street, Halstead, Essex
Removal of existing screen wall to create improved parking area serving residential
flat, provision of 900mm screen enclosure at entrance, cutting back monopitch
single storey garage and providing new timber entrance gates to remodelled store
and associated works
Cllr Pell proposed no objection, seconded by Cllr Bond, and unanimously agreed.
25/00055/FUL – 45 – 48 Parker Way, Halstead, Essex
Provision of parking spaces & dropped kerb.
Cllr Pell proposed no objection, subject to the statutory notice being displayed, seconded by Cllr MacAndrews, and unanimously agreed
25/00054/FUL – 31-34 Parker Way, Halstead, Essex
Provision of parking spaces & two dropped kerbs.
Cllr MacAndrews proposed no objection, subject to the statutory notice being
Displayed, seconded by Cllr Pell, and unanimously agreed.
25/00108/HH – 47 White Horse Avenue, Halstead, Essex
Proposed Single Storey Rear Extension
Cllr Pell commented that planning should know that there was no owner’s name on the
form.
Cllr Pell proposed no objection, seconded by Cllr Hilton, and unanimously agreed.
Cllrs Munday and Fincken returned to the meeting.
24/161 MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS
The mayor’s appointments were noted, proposed by Cllr Munday and seconded by Cllr Bond, and unanimously agreed.
24/162 FINANCE
All members of the Council are members of the Finance section
a) Income and expenditure for January 2025
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, approval of the income and expenditure report for January 2025. This was agreed unanimously.
b) To approve the List of payments and the supplementary list of payments for
February.
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, approval of the lists of payments. This was agreed unanimously.
c) To consider the Internal audit report
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Munday, that a timeframe be agreed for any adaptations needed for the record of assets. This was unanimously agreed.
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken that the internal auditor’s report be noted. This was agreed unanimously.
d) To consider buying an Allotment gate with S106 funds
Cllr Pell proposed that HTC approve the purchase of an Allotment gate using S106 funds. This was seconded by Cllr Fincken and unanimously agreed.
e) To consider the cost of the big screen for the event in the park on 6 September
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr MacAndrews, that 2 more quotes be obtained. This was agreed with one against.
24/163 DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS
Cllr Fincken said that he had attended meetings on Local Government reorganisation, waste, the Local Plan consultation, and the Planning Members’ forum.
Cllr Pell had attended the Public Gardens AGM, licensing, a Fit for the future meeting, a Budget meeting and Cabinet and a leaders’ meeting.
Cllr Bond had attended meetings on Local Government reorganisation, waste, the local Plan consultation, and the Scrutiny Committee.
Cllr Munday had attended the Planning meetings.
24/164. To receive reports from Champions
Doctors’ surgery – no report
Education.- Cllr Bond had had a very useful meeting with the Head of Ramsey school, and will meet children from across the age range.
Open Spaces –.no report
Tourism – Events are underway.
24/165 To review the Risk Management Policy
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that the updated Risk Management policy be approved. This was unanimously agreed.
24/166 To review Standing Orders
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Hilton that the update to the Standing Orders be approved. This was unanimously agreed.
24/167 To consider BDC’s waste management strategy
Cllr MacAndrews proposed, seconded by Cllr Hilton, that HTC should support the changes to Waste management, but emphasised that BDC should address all the concerns raised by residents. This was agreed, with 4 abstentions.
24/168 To consider a meeting with the River Improvement Group
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Preston, that Cllrs Fincken and Bond attend the meeting with the River Improvement Group. This was unanimously agreed.
24/169 To consider the application to renew the Local Council award scheme
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that the application to renew the Local Council award be approved, including the Co-option policy and the Action Plan.
This was unanimously agreed.
Cllr Munday proposed the extension of Standing Orders until close of business. This was seconded by Cllr Preston and unanimously agreed.
24/170 To consider minor amendments to the Financial Regulations
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr MacAndrews, that amendments be made to paragraphs 10.6 and 18.
This was unanimously agreed.
24/171 To consider reallocation of S106 funds
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Hilton, that the work at Coggeshall pieces should be finished first, and that further funding should be sought to enable the construction of the ramp at Mill Chase. This was agreed with 1 abstention.
24/172 To consider the LCWIP for Halstead
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that the LCWIP be approved. This was unanimously agreed.
24/173 Items for the next meeting
1. The next Annual Town meeting
2. To approve a councillor going on the EALC training in internal/external audits
3. To consider appropriate training for councillors
4. To establish a standard recruitment policy for HTC/ training for councillors in recruitment
24/174 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 and 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”.
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that the public and press be excluded from the meeting. This was unanimously agreed.
24/175,176 Two property issues were discussed.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 21.54