Halstead Town Council

Membership:

Also in attendance:        Mr M Murkin, Town Clerk

                                      J. Smith, Minute Clerk

109.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor M. Fincken

110.      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 J Pell declared personal interests in Agenda Item 7 as Chairman of Courtauld Sports Ground Management Committee; Councillor D. Hume declared personal interest in Agenda Item 7 as Secretary of Courtauld Sports Ground Management Committee.

111.    PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

None.

112.    MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 4^th September 2008, in open session, having been previously circulated, were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.  

113.    PLANNING APPLICATIONS

A Sub-Committee meeting was held on 8^th October, attended by Cllrs Mrs S Diver, M. Fincken Mrs L. Hilton, G. Howlett and  D Hume.

Apologies for absence from Cllr T Middleton, Cllr Mrs. H. Catley, Cllr M. Gage and Cllr Mrs. K Little

All planning applications were noted.

114.    SENIOR  CITIZENS  OUTINGS  2008

Report on outings 2008 was circulated.  Decisions were taken regarding venues for outings in 2009: 

RESOLVED: Windsor - first trip on Wednesday 6^th May; Southend last trip on Wednesday 7^th October; other trips on 3^rd June, 8^th July, 9^th September venues to be  Sherringham, Eastbourne and Lowestoft. Quotes received from Ruffles, Turners, Kings and Florida coach companies with Ruffles and Florida quoting best prices on three trips each.  Town Clerk requested to negotiate better prices with Ruffles or book where prices are lowest.

RECOMMENDED: (A) that cost to residents be increased by £1.00 to £7.00 per trip - matter to be put to Full Council. (B) Provided that no extra ‘busses are required then pensioners from outside the Town can book for trips at full cost of double Halstead resident's charge.  It was recommended that any spare seats be advertised

Budget provision for trips to be made.

It was also REQUESTED that Town Council staff and volunteer Courier's efforts be acknowledged.

Booking forms to be available by early March, with deadline for booking late April.

115.    CAR  PARKING  AT  COURTAULDS  SPORTS  GROUND

Permit parking at the Ground has been suggested.

It was felt that the Management Committee for the Sports Ground should have been consulted at a much earlier stage, and consultations should now take place and apologies made before any further work is done on this matter. There is a waiting list  for permits within the Town, and it was thought that the Chamber of Trade's views and public opinion should be sought on whether parking places at CSG should be used  - on week days only. 

It was suggested that those already on the waiting list should be contacted to ask their views.

It was pointed out that car park management may be an issue.

RESOLVED:  That CSGMC be consulted, and the matter be progressed in co-operation with this body.

As part of the car park issue it was RESOLVED: That 2 new permits be issued for Butler Road Car Park.

116.    HISTORY  SOCIETY

Councillors have arranged to meet with members of the Society to ascertain when the museum will be open, what form will the museum take and how it will be managed.  A management plan will be requested.   Town Clerk stated that locks on various doors within the building will be changed to give added security to the  building.  There will be additional lock on History Society room.   

117.    EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS

The 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 8.03pm.