Halstead Town Council

Membership:

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

177.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.  Cllr. D. Hume

178.    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.
None declared

179.    PUBLIC  QUESTION  TIME
There were none.      .

180.    MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 21^st May 2009 were unanimously adopted.

181.    PLANNING APPLICATIONS
There were no planning applications to discuss
        

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

183.    FINANCIAL  MONITORING
Spread sheet and notes to the spread sheet were viewed and some questions 
were asked of Clerk.  The increased income in Chapel Street car park was noted.
Amortisation of wages figures was noted, and it was agreed that this will give a 
true picture of expenditure at each location and will make for easier budget setting
in next year.
Members noted figures presented.

184.    MONTHLY  PERFORMANCE.
Queens Hall figures are running at a consistent level, income was increased due 
to some full-day commercial bookings.  It was requested that future bookings be 
noted on spread sheet to give indications if further advertising was required.  
Amenities Committee to be asked to look at details of advertising for Queens Hall 
and also for Mill House.  It was suggested that some analysis of present bookings
is made in order to target advertising market.
It was requested that costs for installation of air conditioning in Queens Hall
are requested and that Amenities Committee prepares a report.
Information regarding permits available at Hedingham Road was requested; it was
stated that there is a waiting list of about 15.
It was agreed that investigations should be made about making more parking
places available in the town for the future.
Sickness and absence figures were noted.  
Members noted figures presented

185.     SECTION 137 GRANT - Miss L Kent
Miss Lauren Kent had been awarded a grant of £200 at the meeting of 9^th March towards a Ranger Guide visit to India.  Miss Kent has now been advised that this year's trip has been overbooked and that she has been offered a half-price trip
next year.  Miss Kent asked if she should cash the cheque to use as a deposit
for next year's trip or if she should return the cheque and make application next year.
It was RESOLVED that a letter be written to Miss Kent advising that the cheque
should be returned and that she should re-apply in 2010.  The letter should advise
that the re-application will be favourably received.  
          

186.    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 7.40 pm

Mike Murkin

Town Clerk.