Full Council Minutes 29th January 2009
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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 | Apologies | |
| Councillor Mrs. B A Gage | Present | |
| Councillor M G Gage | Apologies | |
| Councillor Mrs. L J Hilton | Present | |
| Councillor G Howlett | Present | |
| Councillor Mrs K A Little | Arrived during item 175 | |
| Councillor H Messenger | Arrived during item 175 | |
Also in attendance: Mr M C Murkin, Town Clerk, Ms. A Brett (Halstead Gazette) and Mr. D. Osbourne
172. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
There were apologies for absence from Councillors M Fincken and M Gage.
173. 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 in all planning applications as a member of Braintree DC Planning Committee.
Councillor Mrs B Gage in all planning applications as a member of Braintree DC Planning Committee.
Councillor D Hume in application nos. 09/00013/FUL and 09/00014/LBC.
Personal and prejudicial interests were declared as follows:
Councillor Mrs S Diver in application no. 09/00082/FUL
Councillor Mrs B Gage in application no. 09/00029/FUL
Councillor Mrs B Gage in application no. 09/00082/FUL
Councillor Mr H Messenger in application no. 09/00082/FUL
174. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Mr D Osbourne outlined a project he is undertaking to identify former occupants of business properties in the High Street and asked for Councillors help with this. Councillors suggested some possible sources of information at Braintree DC.
Mr Osbourne left the meeting.
175. MINUTES
The minutes of the Council meeting held on 20th November 2008 were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
176. COMMITTEE MINUTES
The minutes of the Amenities Committee held on 8th January 2009, previously circulated, were approved.
The minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on 22nd January 2009 were approved. Resolutions were noted and approved.
177. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Councillor Mrs S Diver took the chair for the planning applications.
09/00013/FUL and 09/00014/LBC - Halstead Physiotherapy Clinic - demolition of single storey rear modern dilapidated w.c. accommodation. Members raised no objections.
09/00029/FUL - Land at Stansted Road - design amendments to planning approval 08/00470/FUL Members raised no objections.
09/00055/PLD - 160 Colchester Road - proposed certificate of lawfulness for a loft conversion. When this application previously came before the Town Council objections were raised on the following grounds:
1. dormer windows overlooked neighbouring properties; and
2. the proposal would be dominant on the skyline.
Following discussion, on a majority of four votes to one it was agreed that the same objections should be lodged.
09/00082/FUL - Mount Hill Garage - alterations to workshop, office, etc. Members raised no objections but commented that changes should not result in the workshop being overbearing on neighbouring properties.
Cllr David Hume outlined his engagements and added that the meeting on 5th January was to sign grant application forms for the Stane Street Players.
179. REFERRALS FROM AMENITIES COMMITTEE
Item 126 - Queens Hall - recommended that redecoration of the main hall be undertaken by KD & Z Waller at a cost of £1,870 plus VAT.
RESOLVED that this recommendation be implemented.
Item 127 - Queens Hall - recommended that plumbing work be undertaken by Mr J McWilliams at a cost of £1,716.86 plus VAT.
RESOLVED that this recommendation be implemented.
180. REFERRALS FROM FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE
There were none.
181 FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2005
It was RESOLVED to accept the Model Publication Scheme and set the charge for copies at 5p per A4 copy.
182. COMMITTEE DATES 2009/10
The dates for 2009/10 were agreed subject to receipt of Braintree DC dates to ensure there were no major clashes of dates.
Councillors wished Ms Anna Brett their best wishes for her forthcoming marriage, after which she left the meeting.
183. 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 8.40 pm