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 T. Middleton 

121.                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. J. Pell declared personal interest in all planning issues as member of BDC Planning Committee.

Cllr. Mrs. B. Gage declared personal interest in all planning issues as member of BDC  Planning Committee and personal and prejudicial interest in planning application no. 08/02213/OUT  as conflict of interest.

Cllr Mrs. S. Diver declared personal and prejudicial interest in planning application no. 08/02213/OUT as applicant known to family and Cllr H. Messenger is Planning Agent.

122.    PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
No members of the public present

123.    MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 6^th November 2008, in open session, having been previously circulated, were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman. 

124.                PLANNING APPLICATIONS

            Councillor Mrs. S. Diver took the Chair for this item.

A Sub-Committee meeting was held on 16^th December, attended by Cllrs Mrs S Diver, Mrs. H. Catley, M. Fincken M. Gage, Mrs L. Hilton, Mrs. K. Little, and T. Middleton
No apologies for absence were received.

All planning applications were noted.

New Planning Applications had been received:
08/02281/FUL 3 Morton Way, Halstead, Essex. CO9 2BH. Erection of single story front extension. Members raised no objections

08/02211/FUL Land adjacent to 170 Colchester Road, Halstead, Essex. CO9 2EU. Erection of single dwelling.  Members raised concerns that building was architecturally not in keeping with the area.

08/02265/FUL. 38 High Street, Halstead, Essex. CO9 2AP. Installation of automated teller machine. 
Members raised no objections

08/02266/FUL. 45 Bois Hall Gardens, Halstead, Essex. CO9 2HY. Erection of rear conservatory. 
Members raised no objections.

08/02213/OUT 41 Chapel Hill, Halstead, Essex. CO9 1JP. Demolition of existing workshop buildings and erection of 4no. flats and associated parking. Cllr Mrs. S. Diver, Cllr Mrs. B. Gage and Cllr H Messenger left the room.   Members were concerned that residents at nos. 1 & 3 Dooley Road must have their privacy protected.  Members raised concerns about the number of parking places to be provided.
Members raised concerns that a turning area for cars had been identified, but this land is not in the ownership of the developers.

Councillors re-joined the meeting.

Councillor Mrs. S. Diver left the meeting.

125.    ACTIVITY  DAY  AT  QUEENS  HALL.
 Letter received from Braintree District Council's Leisure Development Officer asking if they can have free use of the Queen's Hall for an activity day during the 2009 school summer holiday.  Members welcomed this facility for children of the Town.
RESOLVED that Braintree District Council should have free use of this facility for one day during the 2009 school summer holiday.

126.    QUEENS  HALL -  Redecoration
Proposed by the Budget Working Group to ensure that the Hall is attractive for Hirers.  £2000 is allocated in budget for this year, and provision of £2000 is made for next year.  Colours agreed; frieze to be chosen by HTC staff, and agreed by Councillors.  Tenders received, and agreed that lowest tender, KD & Z Waller be accepted for this work.
RECOMMENDED that Queens Hall be redecorated.  

127.    QUEENS  HALL  -  Legionella   Inspection
Town Clerk explained that work was needed following a risk assessment carried out by Braintree District Council.  Hot water system needs attention.  Tenders received.  
RECOMMENDED quote from McWilliams be accepted and work put in hand.
          

128.    CHRISTMAS  LIGHTS
Budget Working Group at a meeting, on 15^th December 2008, requested that Amenities Committee discuss giving a higher profile to Christmas Lights for 2009, including a display on the riverside at Weavers' Court and making more of an event of the switching on of Christmas lights.
Members discussed various options for the switching on ceremony; ideas to be re-visited at a later date.
It was agreed that HTC will need to act quickly if display items are to be purchased for riverside at Weavers Court 2009.  Town Clerk to investigate, and will present costs at next Budget Working Group Meeting (02/02/09).

It was said that there had been good feedback from lighting display and  Town Clerk was requested to speak informally to Chamber of Trade regarding a contribution to display 2008

129.    MUSIC  WEEKEND
Budget Working Group, at a meeting on 15^th December 2008, requested that Amenities Committee explore the possibilities of a Halstead Music Weekend.

Town Clerk has investigated and this is a feasible option; costs will probably be met by admission charges and/or collections; any tickets could be held at Town Council Office.
Boxted Band would be available; Martyn Prince is keen to be involved with a Battle of the Bands event; Halstead Choral Society has also indicated that they would be interested; Long Melford Band will be available and the Vikki V troupe would also be willing to be involved.
Town Clerk to provide some costings, and information on licensing, etc. to the next Full Council Meeting.

130.    ALLOTMENTS - Ravens Avenue
No information has yet been received; Town Clerk to speak again to Essex County Council and also to speak to Joe Pike, Essex County Councillor.

131.    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 8.40pm.