Amenities Committee Minutes 4th September 2008
|
HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
|
|
|
MINUTES OF AMENITIES COMMITTEE MEETING |
Membership:
|
Councillor Mrs B A Gage Chairman Present |
|
Councillor H Messenger Vice Chairman Present |
|
Councillor D Hume Present |
|
Councillor M J Fincken Apologies |
|
Councillor Mrs K Little Present |
|
Councillor T Middleton Present |
|
Councillor Mrs J Pell Apologies |
Also in attendance: Mr M Murkin, Town Clerk
98. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCEApologies for absence were received from Councillor H Messenger
99. DECLARATION OF INTERESTSTo 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. Councillors Mrs B Gage and Mrs J Pell declared personal interests in all Planning Applications as Braintree District Councillors and Mrs J Pell declared an interest in Agenda Item 6 as a trustee of Braintree Museum.
100. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
None.101. MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 3rd July 2008, in open session, having been previously
circulated, were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
102. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
A Sub-Committee meeting was held on 8th August, attended by Cllrs Mrs S Diver, Mrs H
Catley, D Hume and H Messenger.
Apologies for absence from Cllr T Middleton
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.
Cllr Mrs S Diver declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Planning Application Number 08/01480/FUL as the Architect is a family friend, Planning Application Number 08/01409/FUL as owner is known to her and Planning Application Number 08/01477/FUL as owner is know to her.
Cllr Mrs Helen Catley declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Planning Application Number 08/01478/FUL as the applicants are near neighbours and Planning Application Number 08/01477/FUL as applicant known to her.
Cllr D Hume declared a personal interest in Planning Application Number 08/01477/FUL, 08/01310/FUL & 08/01311/LBC as the applicants are known to him.
Cllr H Messenger declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Planning Application Number 08/01416/FUL as the applicant is a neighbour and also a business partner.
08/01416/FUL - 26 Ashlong Grove.Halstead, Essex. CO9 2QH - Erection of side extension together with insertion of dormer window to existing roof. Members raised no objections
08/01310/FUL & 08/01311/LBC - Halstead Physiotherapy Clinic, 2 Market Hill, Halstead, Essex. CO9 2AR - Proposed conversion of part first floor to extension to existing physiotherapy clinic and conversion of second floor to tailored office suites. Members raised no objections
08/01409/FUL - 5-7 Market Hill, Halstead, Essex. CO9 2AR - change of use of existing upper floors to form 6 no. Flats comprising 1no. Bed flat, 4no. Bed flats and 1x4 bed flat . Members object as there does not appear to be permit spaces for the parking spaces and there is a waiting list for permit parking in this area.
08/01478/FUL - 12 Nether Court, Halstead, Essex, CO9 2HE - Proposed new porch and roof over garage with internal alterations. Members raised no objections
08/01477/FUL - Gate House, Parsonage Street, Halstead, Essex, CO9 1EZ - Revision to approved garage roof design and provide gable end to roof over centr4al door (Planning Approval 07/01215/FUL). Members raised no objections
08/01480/FUL - Land Adjacent to 17 Sloe Hill, Halstead, Essex, CO9 1JT - Erection of one detached two storey dwelling and construction of vehicular access. Members object due to over development for size of plot. It is recommended that the dwelling is reduced in size and height.
08/01444/FUL & 08/01443/LBC - 28 Head Strreet, Halstead, Essex, CO9 2BX - Change of use of ground floor and first floor rooms from commercial to residential. Members raised no objections
A Sub-Committee meeting was held on 29th August, attended by Cllrs Mrs S Diver, D Hume,
T Middleton, M Gage and Mrs L Hilton. Apologies for absence from Cllrs G Howlett and
Mrs. H. Catley
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.
Cllr Mrs S Diver declared a personal interest in Planning Application Number 08/01524/FUL as the architect is a family friend.
08/01524/FUL - 27 Nether Court, Halstead, Essex, CO9 2HE - Erection of two storey rear extension (revised design following refusal 08/01193/FUL. Members could not see any difference in the revised plans from the original plans and therefore see no reason to change the decision already made.
08/01523/FUL - 7 Mount Hill, Halstead, Essex, CO9 1AA - Erection of two storey front extension. Members would like it noted if approval is given to this property, no access to parking at the front of this property.
103. HISTORY SOCIETY MUSEUM
Councillor Fincken asked about progress towards the History Society opening a museum. It was agreed that the Town Council had given continued support and encouragement but that there appeared to be a lack of progress. The clerk reported that the History Society have given Easter 2009 as their target date for opening and he also reported on the possible use of Holy Trinity church to display their items. The merits and difficulties of using the church were compared to the museum’s previous home in the Bung Chapel. It was felt that the church would also suffer from being too far from the town. After much debate it was
RECOMMENDED: that a small group of councilors (Councillors Fincken, Mrs Gage, Middleton and Hume) meet the History Society one Monday evening to discuss progress and location.
104. CHRISTMAS LIGHTSCouncillor Mrs Gage gave a verbal report on the meeting with the sub-committee and with our lighting contractor Mr Robertson. It was proposed by Councillor Mrs Pell, seconded by Councillor Mrs Little, that the quotation from Mr Robertson be accepted. It was noted that this did not include the possible extra lights on the land opposite the Causeway. It was agreed that the lights should be set to illuminate from 3.30pm until 11.30pm and to continue through until twelfth night.
RESOLVED: that council approved this action.
105. SENIOR CITIZENS OUTINGSConsideration was given to improving the running of the outings. It was agreed to:
· keep the basic format unchanged with local pick-up points;
· always use coaches with toilets;
· consider dates and venues as early as possible for 2009;
· to ensure that everyone was aware that non-pensioners could accompany a pensioner if the full fee was paid; and
· to open the trips to pensioners from neighbouring villages after the closing date has passed
for Halstead residents.
106. EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESSThe following resolution was carried:
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 8.25pm.