Amenitites Committee Minutes 4th October 2007
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HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
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MINUTES OF TOWN COUNCIL MEETING |
Membership:
| Councillor Mrs B A Gage | Chairman | Present |
| Councillor T Middleton | Vice Chairman | Present |
| Councillor Mrs H W Catley | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs S A Diver | Present | |
| Councillor M J Fincken | Apologies | |
| Councillor Mrs K Little | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs J Pell | Present |
Also in attendance: Councillor M Gage
Councillor Mrs L Hilton
Councillor G Howlett
Councillor H Messenger
Mr M Murkin, Town Clerk
Mrs S Goodwin, Minute Clerk
29. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
An apology for absence was received from Councillor M J Fincken.
30. 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 or Part 2 of the Code of Conduct for Members and having taken appropriate advice (where necessary) before the meeting.
Councillor Mrs B Gage declared a personal interest in item 5 all planning applications as a Braintree District Councillor and a personal interest in planning applications 07/01891/FUL and 07/01892/LBC - Red House - HTC own adjoining land.
Councillor Mrs J Pell declared a personal interest in item 5, all planning applications as a Braintree District Councillor and a personal interest in planning applications 07/01891/FUL and 07/01892/LBC - Red House - HTC own adjoining land.
Councillor Mrs H Catley declared a personal interest in planning applications 07/01891/FUL and 07/01892/LBC - Red House - HTC own adjoining land.
Councillor T Middleton declared a personal interest in planning applications 07/01891/FUL and 07/01892/LBC - Red House - HTC own adjoining land
Councillor H Messenger declared a personal interest in planning applications 07/01891/FUL and 07/01892/LBC - Red House - HTC own adjoining land, and a personal and prejudicial interest in planning application 07/01933/FUL - 15 Ashlong Grove - neighbour.
Councillor G Howlett declared a personal interest in planning applications 07/01891/FUL and 07/01892/LBC - Red House - HTC own adjoining land
and a personal and prejudicial interest in planning application 07/01903/ADV - RPC Containers Ltd - works nearby.
Councillor Mrs S Diver declared a personal interest in planning applications 07/01891/FUL and 07/01892/LBC - Red House - HTC own adjoining land
Councillor Mrs L Hilton declared a personal interest in planning applications 07/01891/FUL and 07/01892/LBC - Red House - HTC own adjoining land
Councillor Mrs K Little declared a personal interest in planning applications 07/01891/FUL and 07/01892/LBC - Red House - HTC own adjoining land
31. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
None.
32. MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 5th July 2007, in open session, having been previously circulated, were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
33. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
The Chairman of the Planning Committee, Councillor T Middleton, took the chair for the planning items:
Members noted the decisions made on the following applications at a Sub-Committee held on 9th August 2007, attended by Councillor T Middleton, Councillor G Howlett, Councillor Mrs H Catley and Councillor D Hume.
Councillor Mrs H Catley declared a personal and prejudicial interest in planning application 07/01457/FUL as she lives opposite.
Members agreed the following:-
Councillor Mrs H Catley left the meeting whilst this plan was discussed.
07/01457/FUL - 44 Nether Court, Halstead. Essex CO9 2HE - Erection of two storey side extension. Members had no comments to make.
07/01470/FUL - 150 Beridge Road, Halstead. Essex CO9 1JU - Erection of first floor extension. Members had no comments to make.
07/01496/FUL - 67 Cherry Tree Close, Halstead. Essex CO9 2UA - Erection of single storey rear extension and new pitched roof to existing bay window. Members had no comments to make.
07/01509/FUL - 8 Abels Road, Halstead. Essex CO9 1EN - Erection of single dwelling hours and alterations to existing property. Members had no comments to make.
97/01590/FUL - 11 Kestrel Rise, Halstead. Essex CO9 2TU - Replacement of existing boundary fence and relocation adjacent kerbside and construction of one parking space to rear of garden. Members are concerned that removing the shrubbery and repositioning the boundary fence spoils the aesthetic appearance of the road.
A Sub-Committee meeting was held on 16th August 2007. Councillor Mrs H Catley, Councillor H Messenger and Councillor M Gage made the following comments.
07/01561/FUL - 31 Sudbury Road, Halstead. Essex CO9 2BB - Erection of two storey rear extension. Members had no comments to make.
A Sub-Committee meeting was held on 6th September 2007 attended by Councillor Mrs S Diver, Councillor D Hume, and Councillor T Middleton.
Members agreed the following:-
07/01610/ADV - The Italian Emporium/The Original Factory Shop, 36-38 Bridge Street, Halstead. Essex CO9 1HT - Display of advertisement signage.
Members had no comments to make.
07/01656/FUL - 11 White Horse Avenue, Halstead. Essex CO9 1AH - Erection of two storey side and rear extension. Members had no comments to make.
07/01689/FUL - 3 The Centre, Halstead. Essex CO9 2AJ - Proposed first floor extension to create a flat over existing shop. Members expressed concern about the proposed flat roof on the building.
All members declared a personal interest in the following two applications - Halstead Town Council own adjacent property.
07/01891/FUL - Red House, Colchester Road, Halstead CO9 2DZ - Provision of 3 no. additional dormer windows in the front elevation. Amendment to permission 06/02586/FUL - Members had no comments to make.
0701892/LBC - Red House, Colchester Road, Halstead CO9 2DZ - Provision of 3 no. additional dormer windows in the front elevation. Amendment to permission 06/02586/FUL - Members had no comments to make.
Councillor G Howlett declared an interest in the following application:
07/01903/ADV - RPC Containers Ltd 8-10 Fourth Avenue, Halstead - Erection of company logo sign. - Members had no comments to make
Councillor H Messenger left the room for discussion of the following planning application:
07/01933/FUL - 15 Ashlong Grove, Halstead - Erection of garage and bedroom extension. Members had no comments to make
07/01950/FUL - 160 Colchester Road, Halstead - Erection of conservatory.
Members had no comment to make. Members had no comments to make
34. ALLOTMENTS LEASE
Currently allotments are administered by Halstead Town Council but owned by Braintree District Council. Previous attempts to have the ownership transferred have failed, but Braintree District Council has now offered a 20 year lease for all land used as allotments at a peppercorn rent.
Proposed by Councillor Mrs J Pell
Seconded by Councillor Mrs H Catley
RESOLVED:
That the Town Council agrees to this lease, subject to its being checked by Halstead Town Council's solicitor.
35. ALLOTMENT RENTAL CHARGE
The current rent of £1 per rod was set in September 1997. There is a 50% discount for Senior Citizens and approximately 40 tenants claim this discount.
All 128 allotment plots are let and there is a waiting list of approximately 40 applicants.
Proposed by Councillor Mrs J Pell
Seconded by Councillor Mrs H Catley
RESOLVED:
That the allotment rents are increased to £1.50 per rod subject to re-evaluation of plot sizes and rents to be reviewed every two years.
36. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Councillors Mrs B Gage, Mrs H Catley, Mrs S Diver and Mrs K Little met informally to co-ordinate the Town Council's requirement for Christmas Lights. Councillor Mrs B Gage gave a verbal report on her meeting with Mr Peter Robinson and the Town Council staff and outlined the areas covered.
(i) High Street - as last year with extra Christmas trees
(ii) Weavers Court - would like extra trees but at present the Co-op. has not agreed.
(iii) Gazebo and Restaurant in the Causeway - small lights
(iv) Trinity Street opposite Park - shops to have string lights
(v) Trinity Churchyard - possible tree depending on cost.
(vi) Park - no strip lighting as last year, but lighting around the outside of the park, large tree and bandstand.
(vii) Dancing Green - problems experienced with vandalism last year
Proposed by Councillor Mrs J Pell
Seconded by Councillor Mrs H Catley
RESOLVED:
(i) That a Christmas Lights Group is established consisting of Councillors Mrs B Gage, Mrs H Catley, Mrs S Diver and Mrs K Little.
(ii) That the membership is reviewed at each Annual General Meeting of the Town Council.
37. MILL HOUSE, HIRE OF CONFERENCE ROOM
The Photographic Society wishes to hire the conference room to stage an exhibition to celebrate their 50th anniversary on the weekend of 26th April and 27th April 2008 for 7 hours each day. It was agreed to show commitment to supporting local groups by giving a concessionary rate.
Proposed by Councillor Mrs J Pell
Seconded by Councillor Mrs H Catley
RESOLVED:
That the Photographic Society is charged £50 for hire of the conference room for the weekend of 26th and 27th April 2008 for 7 hours each day..
38. OTHER BUSINESS
Queens Hall - Disturbance to Residents
A letter has been received from a resident complaining of an increase in noise disturbance since the introduction of the smoking ban in public places earlier this year. Members discussed the options open to them and it was
Proposed by Councillor Mrs J Pell
Seconded by Councillor Mrs H Catley
RESOLVED:
(i) That a 12 feet "exclusion" zone is painted and signs installed advising smokers to go beyond the zone
(ii) That the cost of creating a smokers zone with a suitable cover and access sited in the car park as far away from residential properties as possible is investigated.
39. 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 be excluded from the meeting.
The meeting closed at 7.45pm.