Annual General Meeting Minutes 10th May 2007
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HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
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MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING |
Membership:
| Councillor Mrs H Catley | Chairman | Present |
| Councillor Mrs S A Diver | Present | |
| Councillor M J Fincken | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs B A Gage | Present | |
| Councillor M G Gage | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs L Hilton | Present | |
| Councillor G Howlett | Present | |
| Councillor D Hume | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs K A Little | Present | |
| Councillor H Messenger | Present | |
| Councillor T C Middleton | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs J A Pell | Present |
Also in attendance: P Tetley, Town Clerk
S Goodwin Minute Clerk
7 Members of the Public
1 Member of the Press
The Chairman, Councillor Mrs H Catley, welcomed all new Councillors and those returning after the election and hopes that everyone will be able to work together in harmony for the good of Halstead.
Before the meeting commenced, Councillor Mrs Helen Catley, presented three cheques, to her chosen charities. The funds had been raised through a Barn Dance, a Quiz Night, the Torchlight Procession, Carols in the Park and the Civic Service totalling £2370.32. The money had been split three ways with the excess going to TAPS.
1. A cheque for £830.32 was presented to Mrs J Pell on behalf of TAPS. Mrs Pell thanked everyone in the town for contributing to this charity that helps parents of sick children with travel expenses.
2. A cheque for £770.00 was presented to Mr Tony Shelton on behalf of the League of Friends of Halstead Hospital. Mr Shelton thanked all for their kind donation.
3. A cheque for £770.00 was presented to Dr Tim Heath on behalf of Halstead Day Centre. Dr Heath thanked everyone for the much appreciated donation and added that it shows how warmly the town feels about the Day Centre.
Councillor Mrs Helen Catley then presented certificates to the following in recognition of their service on the Town Council and wished them all well for the future.
Celia Burne for 19 years of service. Mrs Burne now lives out of the town.
John Pilgrim who has served for the last four years and is emigrating.
Tracey Shelton who has stood down due to family commitments.
Jacqueline Wilson who has served for the last four years.
Glenda McCoyd for 12 years continuous service.
The Clerk then presented Councillor Mrs Helen Catley with a cutting book of all newspaper articles.
Councillor Mrs Helen Catley thanked all members and staff for their encouragement throughout the year.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None.
2. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN/MAYOR
The Clerk asked for nominations for the office of Chairman and Mayor for the year 2007/2008.
The following nomination was received:
Councillor Mrs H Catley - Proposed by Councillor Mrs J Pell
- Seconded by Councillor M Gage
There were no other nominations.
RESOLVED: That Councillor Mrs H Catley is appointed as Chairman and Mayor for the year 2007/2008.
Councillor Mrs Helen Catley signed the Declaration of Office.
The Mayor and Chairman, Mrs Helen Catley, thanked members for their vote of confidence and hoped there would be a smooth change over with the new Town Clerk. Before continuing with the agenda, Councillor Mrs Catley gave details of the aims for the next four years.
Increase long-term town centre parking.
Reduce traffic congestion by improving and introducing public transport by way of community mini-buses and endeavour to secure subsidies in conjunction with the District and County Councils.
Push for an improved new Senior Citizens centre which can become a community use building for all age groups.
Crime prevention - peoples' perception is that the town needs CCTV monitoring to aid the community wardens and police and the Town Council will continue efforts to ensure Halstead gets what it deserves.
Work to protect Halstead Hospital.
Work to revitalise the Town Centre in line with the planning brief developed by Braintree District Council.
Invest more in Planters and Street Furniture to enhance the town.
Closer communication with the public by way of consultation.
More investment in street entertainment encouraging people to visit the town and further investment in lighting at Christmas.
Work in closer partnership with Braintree District Council and Essex County Council under the new localism agenda.
Look forward to the proposals that the new District Council will set out in their new vision for revitalising the three Town Centres in the District.
Continue efforts towards the completion of the River Walk between Parsonage Street and Bluebridge.
3. ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN
The following nomination was received for the office of Vice Chairman:
Councillor Mrs J Pell - Proposed by Councillor M Gage
- Seconded by Councillor Mrs B Gage
There were no other nominations.
RESOLVED: That Councillor Mrs J Pell is appointed as Vice Chairman for the year 2007/2008.
Councillor Mrs J Pell signed The Declaration of Office.
4. DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE
It was noted that all remaining Councillors had signed a Declaration of Acceptance of Office and acceptance of the Code of Conduct.
5. ELECTION OF COMMITTEES
The Chairman and Vice-Chairman are ex-officio members of all committees.
- (a) FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE
It was proposed and seconded that the following are appointed to the Finance and General Purposes Committee.
Councillors M Gage
Mrs L Hilton
G Howlett
D Hume
H Messenger
RESOLVED: That the following members are appointed to the Finance and General Purposes Committee.
Councillors M Gage
Mrs L Hilton
G Howlett
D Hume
H Messenger
Mrs H Catley
Mrs J Pell
(b) AMENITIES COMMITTEE
It was proposed and seconded that the following are appointed to the Amenities Committee.
Councillors Mrs S Diver
M Fincken
Mrs B Gage
Mrs K Little
T Middleton
RESOLVED: That the following members are appointed to the Amenities Committee.
Councillors Mrs S Diver
M Fincken
Mrs B Gage
Mrs K Little
T Middleton
Mrs H Catley
Mrs J Pell
(c) PLANNING COMMITTEE
It was proposed and seconded that all Councillors are members of the Planning Committee.
(d) STAFF REVIEW GROUP
It was proposed and seconded that the following members are appointed to the Staff Review Group.
Councillors M Fincken
Mrs B Gage
D Hume
H Messenger
T Middleton
RESOLVED: That the following members are appointed to the Staff Review Group.
Councillors M Fincken
Mrs B Gage
D Hume
H Messenger
T Middleton
Mrs H Catley
Mrs J Pell
(e) BUDGET WORKING GROUP
It was proposed and seconded that the following members are appointed to the Budget Working Group.
Councillors M Gage
D Hume
Mrs J Pell
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned to enable committees to meet and make appointments.
The meeting was re-adjourned.
6. ADDITIONAL APPOINTMENTS
(a) HALSTEAD TOWN CENTRE STRATEGY PANEL
It was proposed and seconded that the following members are appointed as representatives on the Halstead Town Centre Strategy Panel
Councillors Mrs S Diver
Mrs B Gage
D Hume
T Middleton
(b) BRAINTREE ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS
It was proposed and seconded that Councillor M Fincken is appointed as representative on Braintree Association of Local Councils
(c) TAPS
Members noted that Councillor Mrs J Pell and Councillor Mrs B Gage will continue as Trustees.
(d) CRIME PREVENTION PANEL
It was proposed and seconded that Councillor G Howlett is appointed as representative to the Crime Prevention Panel.
(h) HALSTEAD NEEDY SICK FUND/EDITH RACHEL SUDBURY FUND
Members noted that Councillor Mrs J Pell and Councillor Mrs B Gage will continue as Trustees and it was proposed and seconded that Councillor Mrs K Little is third Trustee.
(i) FRIENDS OF HALSTEAD PUBLIC GARDENS
It was proposed and seconded that Councillors Mrs S Diver and Mrs L Hilton are appointed as representatives to Friends of Halstead Public Gardens.
(j) POLICE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE
It was proposed and seconded that Councillor D Hume is appointed representative on the Police Consultative Committee
(k) COURTAULD SPORTS GROUND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
It was proposed and seconded that Councillors Mrs S Diver, Mrs B Gage,
G Howlett and Mrs J Pell are appointed as representatives on Courtauld Sports Ground Management Committee.
(l) TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT LIAISON COMMITTEE
It was proposed and seconded that Councillors Mrs L Hilton and G Howlett
are appointed as representatives on the Traffic Management Liaison Committee.
(m) EMERGENCY PLANNING CONTACT
It was proposed and seconded that Councillor Mrs J Pell is appointed as
Emergency Planning Contact.
(n) HALSTEAD HISTORY SOCIETY
It was proposed and seconded that Councillors Mrs B Gage and T Middleton are appointed as representatives to Halstead History Society.
(o) PUBLIC TRANSPORT REPRESENTATIVE
It was proposed and seconded that Councillor Mrs J Pell is appointed as
Public Transport Representative.
7. OTHER BUSINESS CONSIDERED URGENT BY THE CHAIRMAN.
(a) REGISTER OF MEMBERS' INTERESTS
The Clerk handed out forms for completion by members.
8. 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 item to be conducted, the press and public be excluded from the meeting.
9. APPOINTMEMNT OF TOWN CLERK
Interviews had been held and, subject to references and a six month probation period, the position of Town Clerk had been offered to Mr Michael Murkin. Members confirmed agreement of the Staff Review Group's decision.
The meeting closed at 7.55pm