Halstead Town Council

Membership:

Also in attendance:   Cllr Mrs. Beryl Gage
                                  Cllr M. Fincken
                                  M C Murkin, Town Clerk
                                  Mrs. J. Smith, Minute Clerk

123.    APOLOGIES  FOR  ABSENCE  Cllr. M. Gage; Cllr G. Howlett; Cllr Mrs. S. Diver

124.    ELECTION  OF  CHAIRMAN In the absence of both Chairman and Vice  Chairman of he Finance  
           and General Purposes Committee Cllr David Hume was elected to take the Chair for this meeting.

125.    DECLARATION OF  INTERESTS

         To declare any ‘personal' or ‘personal and prejudicial' interests relating to items on 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.
        Cllr Mrs J Pell declared a personal interest in item 5, all planning applications, as Member of BDC Planning
       Committee.

126.   PUBLIC  QUESTION  TIME
          There were no members of the public present.

127.    MINUTES
           The Minutes of the meeting held on 13^th November 2008 were approved.

128.    PLANNING APPLICATIONS
           In the absence of Chairman of the Planning Committee Town Clerk M.Murkin took the Chair for this item.
           09/00015/FUL. 7 Hedingham Road, Halstead. CO9 2DA - Proposed alterations including replacement
           roof structure.
           Members raised no objections.          

           09/00007/FUL. Refinishing House, 17 Fourth Avenue, Bluebridge Industrial Estate, Halstead.
           CO9 2SY. -   Erection of first floor extension to create office, meeting room and W.C.'s
           Members raised no objections.          

           09/00019/FUL & 09/00020/LBC. - 13-15 Hedingham Road, Halstead
           CO9 2DA - Conversion of existing property to form two dwellings, associated internal alterations,  
           erection of rear dormer window and removal of roof cover to rear yard.
           No front elevation plan was provided (this is part listed building).
           Members raised no objections on principal, but were concerned that the appearance of the   
           building should be in keeping with conservation area.          

          09/00024/FUL & 09/00025/LBC - Blamsters Farm, Mount Hill,Halstead,
          CO9 1LR - Replacement of two outbuildings with C2 use residential building to accommodate four
          residents within Care Home site.
          Members raised no objections.

129.    REFERRALS FROM AMENITIES COMMITTEE
           There were no referrals from the Amenities Committee

130.    FINANCIAL MONITORING
           Report was viewed.  Town Clerk explained that December wage figure was PAYE only as other items
           could not be posted when figures were prepared.  
           Members commented that accompanying notes were of great assistance, and urged that all
           outstanding income should be collected as soon as possible.  

131.    MONTHLY PERFORMANCE
           The report was noted.  
           Car park revenue has increased; Town Clerk stated that usage is being monitored, and further
           analysis will take place.
           Sickness absence has increased due to one long term illness.  
                                                                 

132.    BUDGET  WORKING  GROUP
           Action items were reviewed.
           a) Allotments.  No information available regarding proposal for site at Ravens Avenue.  Town Clerk will 
           progress.
           b) Proposal for use of land adjacent to Courtaulds Sports Ground for additional sports facilities - no
           information available.  Town Clerk will progress.
          c) Mill House.   Boiler is now working and will be monitored. 
          d) Chapel Street Car Park poor surface in places.  No answer has been received as yet.  Town Clerk  to
         check agreement regarding any liability for accidents due to poor surface.  Town Clerk to write to Head
         Office of Somerfield/Co-operative Society on this matter.
         e) Bus Shelters.  Town Clerk has applied for grant(s) and will check information on sites of stops within
         the Town.
         f)  Churchyards. (i) Contractor has carried out some remedial work which has been viewed.  Contractor
         has now been paid.
        (ii) Insurance company dealing with claim from member of the public.
        (iii) Town Clerk can find no written schedule of maintenance work in Churchyards - an inflation linked cost
        of work was agreed. Town Clerk pursuing the matter.
        (iv) Consultant has surveyed Holy Trinity Wall and it will be monitored with datum pegs and measured 
        regularly.  Dates to be diarised.
        g) Resurfacing of area at rear of Day Centre. Two quotes received.  Phone call from Manger of Riverside
        Court complaining that residents are finding difficulties with getting access to footbridge from Bridge
        Street to Chapel Street Car Park.  Ideally a space would be marked as ‘no parking' to ease these
        difficulties.
        h) Trees in Containers. Information being collated.
        i) Christmas Lights. Compliments on 2008 display received.  Information for display at Weavers'Court
        2009 being collated.

133.    REQUEST FOR GRANT - Stop Stansted Expansion Group.
           RESOLVED that no action will be taken on this request.

134.    REQUEST FOR GRANT - Halstead and Essex Marathon
           RESOLVED that £500 grant be made to Halstead and Essex Marathon 2009

135.    REQUEST FOR GRANT - Vikki V's Theatre Group
           This group has provided entertainment at the Senior Citizens Christmas  Parties in past years with no
           fee being claimed.  A donation of £300 towards expenses was been made in 2008.  It was commented
           that this group supports young people and gives good training to many residents of Halstead.
           RESOLVED that grant of £500 be made to Vikki V's Theatre Group

136.    INTERNAL AUDITOR'S INTERIM REPORT
           Report was noted

137.    REQUEST  FOR GRANT - Halstead and Colne Valley District Scout Council.
           Grant is required to help to fund travel to International Jamboree.
           RESOLVED that grant of £500 be made to Halstead and Colne Valley District
           Scout Council and request to be made that Scouts report to the Council on 
           their visit to  Bla Sommer Danish International Jamboree, July 15^th-29^th 2009.

138.    MILL HOUSE.  Rear Office-Damp walls.
           Town Clerk reported that Landlord has viewed report.  He will arrange to get 2
           quotes for the necessary work and then arrange a meeting to discuss.  Town 
           Clerk was asked to also discuss car parking at this meeting.

139.    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 be excluded from the meeting.

 The meeting closed at 8.32 pm