Amenities Committee Minutes 8th November 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 | Apologies | |
| Councillor Mrs S A Diver | Apologies | |
| Councillor M J Fincken | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs K Little | ||
| Councillor Mrs J Pell | Present |
Also in attendance: Councillor Mrs L Hilton
Mr M Murkin, Town Clerk
Nina Morgan, Halstead Gazette
Mrs S Goodwin, Minute Clerk
41. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs H Catley and Councillor Mrs S Diver.
42. 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 Planning Applications as a Braintree District Councillor.
Councillor Mrs J Pell declared a personal interest in item 5 Planning Applications as a Braintree District Councillor and item 9 - Peter Garlick Award - she is Chairman of the Crime Prevention Panel.
43. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
None. There were no members of the public present.
44. MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 4th October 2007, in open session, having been previously circulated, were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman after amendment to Minute 34. The Resolution should read: That the Town Council agrees to this lease, subject to its being checked by the Town Clerk.
45. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
The Chairman of the Planning Committee, Councillor T Middleton, took the chair for the planning items:
07/02163/FUL - 49 Head Street, Halstead, Essex, CO9 2AU - Demolition of kitchen and erection of single storey kitchen extension. Members had no comments to make.
07/02155/FUL - 20 Ashlong Grove - Erection of single storey rear extension.
Members had no comments to make.
07/02109/FUL - 44 Nether Court - Erection of single storey front extension.
Members had no comments to make.
Members noted the decisions made on the following applications at a Sub-Committee meeting held on 25th October, attended by Councillor T Middleton, Councillor D Hume, Councillor Mrs S Diver, Councillor G Howlett and Councillor H Messenger
There was one member of the public present.
Apologies for absence
Apologies were received from Councillor Mrs H Catley, Councillor M Fincken, Councillor Mrs K Little and Councillor Mrs L Hilton
Declaration of Interest
Councillor T Middleton declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Planning application Nos. 07/02018/FUL and 07/02019/CON as he lives close to The Bayer Site.
Councillor D Hume declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Planning application Nos. 07/02018/FUL and 07/02019/CON as he lives close to The Bayer Site.
Councillor T Middleton and Councillor D Hume left the room
07/02018/FUL - The Bayer Site, Colchester Road, Halstead, Essex, CO9 2DX - Mixed residential development comprising 43 units. Members felt the development appears to be in keeping with the area. However, parking is below the recommended minimum at 1.4 per dwelling which includes 3 no. visitor spaces (recommended 1.5 excluding visitors). Additional provision should be provided for visitors in order to avoid parking in the adjacent highways increasing congestion and hazards. All access via Parsonage Street will further increase congestion on a very narrow junction. Consideration should be given to split access via Parsonage Street and direct to Colchester Road.
07/02019/CON - The Bayer Site, Colchester Road, Halstead, Essex, CO9 2DX - Mixed residential development comprising 43 units. Members felt the development appears to be in keeping with the area. However, parking is below the recommended minimum at 1.4 per dwelling which includes 3 no. visitor spaces (recommended 1.5 excluding visitors). Additional provision should be provided for visitors in order to avoid parking in the adjacent highways increasing congestion and hazards. All access via Parsonage Street will further increase congestion on a very narrow junction. Consideration should be given to split access via Parsonage Street and direct to Colchester Road.
Councillor T Middleton and Councillor D Hume returned to the meeting
07/02040/ADV - Billson Optician. 82 High Street, Halstead, Essex, CO9 2JG - Display of non illuminated signage. Members had no comments to make.
07/02032/LBC - 9 Bridge Street, Halstead, Essex, CO9 1HU - Installation of air conditioning. Members had no comments to make
07/02065/FUL - 39 Beridge Road, Halstead, Essex, CO9 1LB - Erection of three bedroomed two storey dwelling. Members were concerned there were insufficient private amenities and no extra parking with obvious overcrowding of available site. It is also out of keeping with existing developments.
46. SENIOR CITIZENS' OUTINGS
Members considered the proposed destinations and dates for the Senior Citizens' Outings 2008 and after discussion it was
Proposed by: Councillor Mrs J Pell
Seconded by Councillor M Fincken
RESOLVED:
(a) That the Senior Citizens' Outings 2008 will take place as follows:
(b) That the collection time is changed to 9.00am and the departure time to 9.15am.
| Rochester | Friday 9th May | ||
| Brighton | Friday 6th June | ||
| Great Yarmouth | Friday 11th July | ||
| Herne Bay | Friday 12th September | ||
| Peterborough | Friday 10th October |
(c) All coaches to have toilet facilities.
47. NEIGHBOURHOOD ACTION PANEL
A request has been made by CPSO 71859 Edwards from Halstead Police Station to use the conference room at Mill House approximately once every six weeks for a one hour evening meeting of the Neighbourhood Action Panel. A request has also been made for the fee for the hire to be waived. Members noted that Councillors are not invited to attend meetings of the Neighbourhood Action Panel and that the normal hire charge for the room would be £12 per hour.
Proposed by Councillor M Fincken
Seconded by Councillor Mrs J Pell
RESOLVED:
That the Neighbourhood Action Panel is allowed use of the conference room at the normal hire charge of £12 per hour and this to be reviewed after six months.
48. CYCLE PARKING FACILITIES AT HALSTEAD LIBRARY
In August the Town Council was consulted regarding the siting of a cycle rack at the Library and raised no objections to siting the rack to the rear of the Library. Braintree District Council has now selected an alternative site at the front of the Library which they feel will be safer for elderly residents and the visually impaired. Discussion took place and members agreed that it would be more appropriate to site the cycle racks in the original position behind the Library. Councillor Mrs Gage advised that two new flower containers have been purchased for this area.
RESOLVED:
That members do not agree to the revised location at the front of the Library for siting the cycle rack.
49. PETER GARLICK AWARD
The Halstead Area Crime Prevention Panel is seeking nominations for the Peter Garlick Award. This award is presented annually to a member of the local community who has made a significant contribution to crime prevention. Members were asked for nominations and the Halstead Gazette has been asked to print an article requesting any member of the public with a nomination to contact the Town Council.
50. ADDITIONAL ITEM - QUEENS HALL 18th AND 21st BIRTHDAY BOOKINGS
Members noted that at the last two party bookings, Police were called and at the latest there were injuries and an arrest. There is one further party booking for 23rd December 2007. Consideration was given to the following four options:
1. A total ban on this type of party
2. A ban on alcohol sales (but partygoers may bring their own)
3. A much higher damage deposit
4. Stricter adult supervision
Councillor Fincken felt a total ban to be inappropriate, as the facility is a community hall for all, provided there is proper supervision. After discussion it was
RECOMMENDED:
(a) That advice is sought from Braintree District Council Licensing Officer.
(b) That the deposit is raised to £500.
(c) That there is stricter adult supervision - registered doorstaff employed by the hirer
(d) That the Police are informed of party bookings
(e) That the Town Clerk discusses and makes the hirer of the hall on 23rd December 2007 aware of the previous problems experienced and negotiates with them the employment of registered doorstaff.
51. 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 8pm