|
HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
|
|
|
MINUTES OF TOWN COUNCIL MEETING PUBLIC SESSION MINUTES 10 MARCH 2025: at 19:15 |
Membership:
| Councillor Andrew Munday | Chairman | Present |
| Councillor James Bond | Vice Chairman | Present |
| Councillor Janet Atkinson | Present | |
| Councillor Malcolm Fincken | Present | |
| Councillor Linda Hilton | Present | |
| Councillor Gemma MacAndrews | Apologies | |
| Councillor Grahame McCoyd | Present | |
| Councillor Paul Nunn | Present | |
| Councillor Jackie Pell | Present | |
| Councillor Felix Preston | Apologies | |
| Councillor Linda Smith | Apologies | |
| Councillor Garry Warren | Apologies |
Also in attendance: Tony Jones, Sarah Greatorex (Town Clerk)
24/177APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Cllr Smith, Cllr MacAndrews and Cllr Warren sent apologies as they were working. Cllr Preston had a prior engagement.
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, acceptance of the apologies. This was unanimously agreed.
Chairman’s statement 10 March 2025
You are all familiar with the Courtaulds Sports Ground, which was given to Halstead Town Council, but has for many years been managed by the sports ground committee. There have been fruitful discussions over the past few months in looking at a way forward for the sports ground. I am pleased to be able to let you know that those discussions have now concluded after a period of 6 months of reflection. It has been agreed between Halstead Town Council and the Sports ground committee that from 1 April 2025, HTC will take over full responsibility for the management of the grounds. It already, through the work carried out by our groundsman Jason Bedlow, and his assistant, Tim Bickmore, manages all aspects of the grounds maintenance, and the upkeep of the pavilion. The new arrangement will allow for all bookings to be managed at the town council offices, and for the accounts to be amalgamated with those of HTC, but ensuring that the funds from CSGMC are ringfenced. We must thank the committee, in particular Cllr Pell, late Cllr Hume and Tony de Frates for all the hard work they and the others on the committee have put in over many years.
The other project that I am very much involved in at present is raising awareness of Halstead as a dementia friendly town. This is closely linked to my role as a trustee at the Empire Theatre, and the dementia friendly activities they encourage. There is a meeting at the Community Shed on Friday 14 March attended by James Cleverly MP, to launch the Halstead inclusive dementia Community. I am also hoping that some kind of dementia library local to Halstead can be set up. I must also mention that Cllr Smith and I are taking part in the Maldon mud run on 4 May, to raise funds for Dementia friendly activities.
24/178 DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS:
All councillors declared an interest in item 5 25/00289/FUL, as the grounds belong to HTC.
Cllr Pell declared NPI, item 5,25/00170/LBC as a family member is on the church committee, 25/00346/FUL as a friend lives next door, 25/00380/FUL& 25/00206/LBC as the applicant is known to her, items 7b, 7b(a) and 7e, as a member of BDC, item 15 as a member of H4C, and item 16 as a member of CSGMC. Cllr Fincken declared NPI, item 5 as a member of BDC planning committee, and item 12 as he lives near Rayner Way. Cllr Munday declared NPI, item 5 as a member of BDC planning committee.
24/179 PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
a) Tony Jones made a statement about his dissatisfaction with the way HTC handled its return to management of the Courtaulds Sports Ground.
Cllr Bond stated that the group as a whole had accepted the proposals made by HTC.
24/180 MINUTES To approve the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 10 February 2025, and of the SAC for 6 March 2025. Minutes had been circulated and proposal to adopt minutes of the Full Town council meeting of 10 February 2025 was put forward by Cllr Fincken, seconded by Cllr Bond and agreed with 1 abstention.
Proposal to adopt minutes of the SAC meeting of 6 March 2025 and the policies agreed was put forward by Cllr Fincken, seconded by Cllr Bond and agreed unanimously.
24/181 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.
25/00170/LBC – Holy Trinity Church, Chapel Hill, Halstead
Installation of 6 No. Infra red chandeliers with lights.
Cllr Bond proposed, seconded by Cllr Nunn, that HTC object on the basis of the current application, and advise the applicant to seek advice from the Historic adviser . This was agreed with 4 in favour and 2 abstentions.
25/00208/ADV – ATM At, 31 High Street, Halstead
Proposed ATM to receive new ATM Surround
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr McCoyd, that HTC object to the application, on the grounds that the surround is too large and would have an impact on the street scene. This was agreed with 1 abstention.
25/00345/FUL – 41 -44 Parker Way, Halstead, Essex
Replacement of communal doors & landing windows
25/00339/FUL – 45 – 48 Parker Way, Halstead, Essex
Replacement of communal doors & landing windows
25/00355/FUL – 27 – 30 Parker Way, Halstead, Essex
Replacement of communal doors & landing windows
25/00347/FUL – 31 – 34 Parker Way, Halstead, Essex
Replacement of communal doors & landing windows
25/00346/FUL – 35 – 38 Parker Way, Halstead, Essex
Replacement of communal doors & landing windows
Cllr Pell proposed, seconded by Cllr Hilton, that HTC make no objection to these 5 applications. This was agreed with 1 abstention.
25/00380/FUL & 25/00206/LBC – Garden Apartment One, Congregation House, Parsonage Street
To brick-up the side window in utility room and installation of triple velux triple glazed window to roof.
Cllr Nunn proposed, seconded by Cllr McCoyd, no objection to this application . This was agreed with 1 abstention.
25/00289/FUL – Courtaulds Sports Club, Colchester Road, Halstead
Construction of 2 asphalt tennis courts with rigid weldmesh fencing and floodlights
As this land belongs to HTC, and the application was made on behalf of HTC, councillors were unable to comment.
Cllrs Munday and Fincken returned to the meeting.
24/182 MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS
The mayor’s appointments were noted, proposed by Cllr Munday and seconded by Cllr Hilton, and unanimously agreed.
24/183 FINANCE
All members of the Council are members of the Finance section. Cllr Atkinson is lead member for Finance
a) Income and expenditure for February 2025
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, approval of the income and expenditure report for February 2025. This was agreed unanimously.
b) To approve the List of payments and the supplementary list of payments for
March.
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, approval of the lists of payments. This was agreed unanimously.
c) To consider the 3-year renewal of Building, contents and Motor insurance
Cllr Atkinson proposed, seconded by Cllr McCoyd, that quote 1 should be selected
This was agreed unanimously.
d) To consider the repainting and modernising of the public toilets
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that the decision on the signage and painting at the public toilets be deferred to the April meeting, to allow time to check the most suitable design for those with visual impairment or difficulty with access, and to check with the BDC on requirements in the Conservation area. This was unanimously agreed.
e) To consider applying for the use of S106 monies at the Colchester Road stat allotments for fencing improvement.
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Pell, that quote 1 should be selected and that S106 funds be used for this. This was agreed unanimously.
f) To consider the cost of the big screen for the event in the park on 6 September
Cllr Pell proposed, seconded by Cllr Munday, that quote 1 be accepted. This was agreed unanimously.
g) To consider buying a new PC for the Administration Officer
Cllr Pell proposed, seconded by Cllr Atkinson, that a new PC should be purchased.
This was agreed unanimously.
24/184 DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS
Cllr Fincken said he had attended the Budget meeting, where there had been very little disagreement, as BDC had maintained funds for community assets and would maintain services. There would be an Extraordinary meeting on Devolution on 13 March.
Cllr Pell had attended Cabinet, and a skate park consultation on planned artwork at Ramsey Road with consultation with the users.
Cllr Bond had attended a Members’ evening around the use of S106 funds. He commented that Witham have a separate S106 committee, and that perhaps HTC should be in touch with them to consider having one as well.
Cllr Munday had attended the Local planning subcommittee meeting, as well as planning, the Members’ evening and the Budget meeting.
Cllr Munday proposed, seconded by Cllr Fincken, that the District councillor reports be noted. This was unanimously agreed.
24/185. To receive reports from Champions
Doctors’ surgery – Cllr Bond had been invited to attend the PPG on 24 March.
Education.-.Cllr Bond had held a very informative meeting with students from across the age range at Ramsey school, and his conclusion from their comments was that they do not feel safe when out in the street at night. The school would like HTC in some way to go into the school.
Open Spaces –.Cllr Fincken reported that a very amicable and successful meeting had been held with the Halstead River Improvement Group. They had agreed to hold quarterly meetings. Cllr Bond’s grant had been given to allow them to setup an information board by the river to explain to the public their role in managing the river.
Tourism –.Cllr Pell mentioned the Easter egg hunt and VE day.
24/186 To review the Leave from work policy
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond , that the updated Leave from work policy be approved. This was unanimously agreed.
24/187 To consider councillors attending courses at EALC
Cllr Atkinson proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond that Cllr McCoyd’s attendance at the audit course be approved. This was unanimously agreed.
24/188 To consider parking at Rayner Way
Cllr Pell proposed, seconded by Cllr Bond, that HTC request double yellow lines at both corners of the junction at Rayner Road, and to restrict parking to one side of the road. This was agreed unanimously.
24/189 Items for the next meeting
1. Parking at Mount Pleasant
2. Allocation of EMR at private session in April
3. Toilet refurbishment
24/190 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.
24/191,192 Two property issues were discussed.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 21.45