Halstead Town Council

Membership:
  

  Also in attendance:
 
  Mr P Tetley, Town Clerk
  Miss M Howard, Finance Officer
  Mrs S Goodwin, Minute Clerk

48. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor Mrs C Burne and
Councillor Mrs T Shelton.

Members noted that an additional item, Queens Hall, would be taken as item 14, private session and a letter received from Mr M Portway regarding car park charges would be taken at item 8.

49. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

To declare any ‘personal’ or ‘personal and prejudicial’ interests relating to items on the agenda having regard to paragraphs 7 to 11 inclusive of Part 2 of the Code of Conduct for  Members and having taken appropriate advice (where necessary) before the meeting.

Councillor Mrs J Pell declared a personal interest in item 6 Planning Applications as a Braintree District Councillor and a personal interest in planning application 06/022230/COU – 42 High Street as a member of the licensing committee.

Councillor M Gage declared a personal interest in item 6 Planning Applications as a Braintree District Councillor and a personal and prejudicial interest in item 13, Mill House, family member is agent for the landlord.

Councillor Mrs B Gage declared a personal interest in item 6 Planning Applications as a Braintree District Councillor and a personal and prejudicial interest in item 13, Mill House, family member is agent for the landlord

Councillor Mrs H Catley declared a personal interest in item 6 Planning Applications as a Braintree District Councillor.

Councillor J Pilgrim declared a personal interest in item 6 Planning Applications as a Braintree District Councillor.

50. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
No members of the public were in attendance.

51. MINUTES
The minutes of the Council Meeting held on 19th September 2006, having been previously circulated, were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman

52. COMMITTEE MINUTES
(i)The minutes of the Amenities Committee held on 8th November 2006, having been previously circulated, were accepted.

(ii)  The Minutes of the Finance & General Purposes Committee held on 14th November 2006, previously circulated, were accepted.  It was agreed that the recommendation under Minute 43 would be discussed under Agenda item 8.

53.      PLANNING APPLICATIONS
The Chairman of the Planning Committee, Councillor Mrs G McCoyd took the chair for the planning items:

06/02220/COU - 42 High Street - Change of use from existing health and fitness club to bar and restaurant.  Members request that the hours of opening conform with other licensed premises in the vicinity.

06/02210/COU - 1 Broton Drive - Change of use to B2 General Industry, car repair workshop and MOT station.  No comment.

54 MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS
Noted.
Councillor Mrs H Catley read a letter received from Lauren Kent of 5th Halstead Guides thanking for the grant of £100 towards her attending the Jamboree in 2007.

55. BUDGET AND PRECEPT 2007/8
Members noted the recommendations from the Finance & General Purposes Committee of 13th November 2006.

Discussion then took place regarding car park charges and evidence is shown by ticket sales that the car parks are being used effectively and income is increasing.  No car parking is free.  The Town Council has to pay rates on car parks.

The Chairman read a letter from Mr M Portway suggesting that a charge of 80/85p for 2 hours instead of 1 hour for 50p would be more satisfactory.

Councillor T Middleton agreed with the increase in charges but would prefer the charge to be 50p for 2 hours.

 Proposed by Councillor J Pilgrim
 Seconded by Councillor M Gage

That the Recommendation of the Finance & General Purposes Committee 13th November 2006 is accepted.

The following Amendment regarding car park charges was tabled by Councillor T Middleton and seconded by Councillor Mrs J Wilson.

That the 50p charge for I hour reverts to 50p for 2 hours.

Voting then took place as follows:

For – 3 votes
Councillor T Middleton
Councillor Mrs J Wilson
Councillor Mrs K Little

Against - 6 votes
Councillor Mrs J Pell
Councillor Mrs G McCoyd
Councillor J Pilgrim
Councillor D Hume
Councillor Mrs B Gage
Councillor M Gage.

A vote was then taken on the Recommendation of the Finance & General Purposes Committee 13th November 2006.
 
For 6 votes –
Councillor Mrs J Pell
Councillor Mrs G McCoyd
Councillor J Pilgrim
Councillor D Hume
Councillor Mrs B Gage
Councillor M Gage.

Against 3 votes –
Councillor T Middleton
Councillor Mrs J Wilson
Councillor Mrs K Little

RESOLVED:
That
(i)   The baseline budget of £262,005 is accepted.
(ii)   Expenditure is increased by £43,038 to be used for asset improvement of the Allotments, Car parks, Queens Hall, Closed Churchyards, Courtauld Sports Ground and Mill House to be managed on a project basis by the Town Clerk, Finance Officer and members of the Budget Working Group.
 (iii)   The level of Precept is retained at £170,394.
 (iv) That car park charges remain unchanged.

56. EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS

The following resolution was proposed and seconded:

RESOLVED:  That pursuant to the provisions of section 1(2) of the Admission to Meetings Act 1960, in view of the next items to be conducted, the press and public to be excluded from the meeting.

The meeting closed at 8.50pm