Full Council Minutes 20th November 2008
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HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL |
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MINUTES OF TOWN COUNCIL MEETING |
Membership:
| Councillor Mr D Hume | Chairman | Present |
| Councillor Mrs J A Pell | Vice Chairman | Present |
| Councillor Mrs. H W Catley | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs. S A Diver | Present | |
| Councillor M J Fincken | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs. B A Gage | Present | |
| Councillor M G Gage | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs. L J Hilton | Present | |
| Councillor G Howlett | Arrived during item 164 | |
| Councillor Mrs K A Little | Present | |
| Councillor H Messenger | Arrived during item 170 | |
| Councillor T C Middleton | Present |
Also in attendance: Mr M C Murkin, Town Clerk, Mrs. J. Smith, Minute Clerk
157. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE There were no apologies for absence, 2 apologies for late attendance.
158. 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.
Personal interests were declared as follows:
Councillor Mrs J. Pell and Councillor Mrs. B.A.Gage in planning application no.08/02120FUL/082121LBC and 08/02137FUL (BDC Planning Committee Members)
159. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME None.
160. MINUTES The minutes of the Council meeting held on 18th September 2008 were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
161. COMMITTEE MINUTES The minutes of the Amenities Committee held on 6th November 2008, previously circulated, were discussed.
Item 114 - Senior Citizens Outings 2009:
Recommended that cost to Halstead residents be increased to £7.00 per trip and that provided no extra buses are required then pensioners from outside the Town can book for trips at double Halstead residents cost i.e. £14.00 per trip. Also recommended that any spare seats be advertised.
REQUESTED. that this recommendation be implemented.
The minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on 13th November 2008 were approved. Resolutions were noted and approved.
162. PLANNING APPLICATIONS Councillor Mrs S Diver took the chair for the planning applications.
08/02137/FUL - 29 Head Street. Proposed change of use from osteopath's clinic to residential use. Proposal for 2 bedroom, three storey house with no external changes. Members raised no objections.
08/02120/FUL and 08/02121/LBC. Bluebridge Cottage, Colchester Road.
Proposed addition of singe storey garden room. Property is Grade II listed. Garden room proposed at rear of house which has a large rear garden. Members raised no objections.
Cllr David Hume said that it had been, and remained, a privilege to represent the Town Council at his many and varied appointments.
He then commented on some events he had attended. Following his comments regarding the Halstead Day Centre's 30th Anniversary celebrations Cllr. Mrs. Jackie Pell reminded members that the Day Centre had made a bid for funding from the Greenfields Grab a Grant scheme, and Cllr Malcolm Fincken stated that Halstead Home Start had also made a bid for funding from this scheme. Members were urged to cast their votes for Halstead schemes in this round of bidding.
163. REFERRALS FROM AMENITIES COMMITTEE
Members voted on the request at item 114 of the minutes of 6th November (see above)
RESOLVED that this recommendation be implemented.
Item 116 on the minutes - History Society. It was reported that a meeting had taken place between Councillors and members of the Society and an opening date of the museum at Easter 2009 had been agreed.
164. TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT LIAISON PANEL Report circulated.
Cllr Jackie Pell nominated Cllr Mrs. Linda Hilton to sit on this panel, and Cllr Hilton accepted nomination which was seconded by Cllr Helen Catley.
165. OBSOLTE FURNITURE List of furniture stored in upstairs small office was circulated. Proposal to dispose of this furniture discussed. This will free up room for more efficient use.
RESOLVED. To enquire whether any of these items can be used elsewhere in Council property, and then offered for renovation and re-use to recycling centres. Any remaining furniture to be offered to Antiques business at Mill
166. COMMITTEE DATES 2009
List circulated. Cllr J. Pell pointed out that dates for BDC meetings are not yet published. Cllr M. Fincken moved that dates be noted but regarded as provisional and subject to possible change at next meeting of Full Council in January 2009.
Proposal unanimously adopted.
167. ADDITIONAL ITEM
Chairman appraised meeting of letter received from Halstead in Bloom asking whether the Town Council would require them to order hanging baskets and half round baskets for the Town, and also supply summer and winter bedding for all areas of the Town. A payment of £2500.00 had been made to Halstead in Bloom for 2008 provision. It was questioned whether this was a tender, or request for grant. It was agreed that a uniformity of plants within the Town gave a better impact.
RESOLVED. That a grant for £2500.00 be made to Halstead in Bloom for 2009 floral displays.
168. 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 Chairman closed the meeting at 8.35 pm
Following the meeting a group photograph of all Councillors was taken.