Halstead Town Council

Membership:

 Also in attendance:   Councillor Mrs B Gage

                                   Councillor T Middleton

                                   Mike Murkin, Town Clerk

                                   Sue Goodwin, Minute Clerk

The meeting was declared inquorate and it was agreed that notes of the meeting be taken to be ratified at the meeting of Full Council on 22^nd November 2007

1.         Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs H Catley, Councillor Mrs J Pell, Councillor Mrs L Hilton and Councillor G Howlett.

2.         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 D Hume declared a personal interest in item 11 - partner is a CAB volunteer.

Councillor Mrs B Gage declared a personal interest in item 5 Planning Applications as a Braintree District Councillor.

3.         Public Question Time

There were no members of the public present.

4.         Minutes

The meeting being inquorate, the minutes of the meeting of 13^th September 2007 could not be approved.

5.         PLANNING APPLICATIONS

07/02179/FUL - 17 Butler Road - Change of use from ground floor shop with two bedroom flat above to ground floor two bedroom flat and two no. 1 bedroom flats on first floor.  Members had no comments to make.

6.         REFERRALS FROM AMENITIES COMMITTEE

            None.

7.         FINANCIAL MONITORING

8.         MONTHLY PERFORMANCE

9.         CAR PARK MONTHLY ANALYSIS

Members noted the reports. The Clerk asked whether members wished to continue with items 7, 8, and 9 on each Finance & General Purposes agenda.  Members agreed that it is useful to have this information in the minutes for future reference.

10.       SENIOR CITIZENS' PARTIES

A grant of £500 for the parties has already been budgeted for.  The Clerk to check.      

TOWN CLERK

11.       REQUEST FOR GRANT - CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU

Members discussed the request for grant and recommend that a baseline figure of £400 grant should be made.

12.       REQUEST FOR GRANT - STOP STANSTED EXPANSION GROUP

Members discussed the request for grant and recommend that no grant should be made to assist the campaign.

13.       TREES IN CAR PARKS

Trees in Hedingham Road and Chapel Street Car Parks are in need attention.  Quotations have been received to carry out this work from:

Mortimer                               £570

E F Mayes                             £540

Colne Valley Tree Care.        £650

Members recommend the acceptance of Mortimer's quotation of £570. The description of works is more comprehensive and professional and Mortimer has carried out work satisfactorily for the Town Council in the past.

14.       RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL OF ESSEX

Members discussed renewal of the subscription and recommend that the membership subscription of £105 per annum is not renewed.  The Town Council is a member of EALC and information is received through other channels.

15.       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 7.32pm