Halstead Town Council

Membership: 

Also in attendance:   Mr P Tetley, Town Clerk
                                  Miss Kerry Cooper, Finance Officer
                                  Ben Attenborough, Halstead Gazette
                                  Mrs S Goodwin, Minute Clerk                                               

The Chairman advised that standing orders would be suspended to include two additional agenda items. 

Item 17. Parking - Firwoods Road

Item 23. Staffing

82.       APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

An apology for absence was received from Councillor J Pilgrim.

83.       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.

Councillor Mrs G McCoyd declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 10 - Library Manager, a personal and prejudicial interest in item 13 - speed activated signs - lives in Sudbury Road.

Councillor Mrs J Pell declared a personal interest in item 5 Planning Applications as a Braintree District Councillor, a personal interest in  planning application 07/00306/FUL - knows applicant, a personal and prejudicial interest in planning applications 07/00305/FUL and 07/00408/FUL  - lives in close proximity, a personal interest in item 8 - Environmental Improvements - Member of Working Group, a personal and prejudicial interest in item 20, Queens Hall floor - her tenant, a personal interest in item 22 - member of CSGMC and a personal interest in item 9 - Museum - Trustee of District Museum.

Councillor M Gage declared a personal interest in item 5 Planning Applications as a Braintree District Councillor and a personal and prejudicial interest in item 9, Museum - landlord's agent is related.

Councillor Mrs B Gage declared a personal interest in item 5 Planning Applications as a Braintree District Councillor and a personal and prejudicial interest in item 9, Museum - landlord's agent is related

Councillor Mrs H Catley declared a personal interest in item 5 Planning Applications as a Braintree District Councillor and a personal and prejudicial interest in item 20 - Queens Hall floor - client.

Councillor David Hume declared a personal interest in item 22 - Purchase of trailer- Secretary to Courtauld Sports Ground Management Committee.

84.       PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

The Town Clerk read a statement from Mr G J McCoyd:

"It is with some regret that I feel I have to ask this council once again if it is any nearer to debating the number of councillors per ward in the St Andrews ward.  I am led to believe that the delay lies with Braintree District Council.  I am seeking reassurance that the question, first raised over three years ago, will not be forgotten following the forthcoming elections.  I would furthermore ask any member of this council who are also district councillors if they could possibly assist in bringing a resolution to the situation before the elections in 2011.  I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Paul Tetley for his efforts regarding this issue".

85.       MINUTES

The minutes of the Council Meeting held on 25^TH January 2007, having been previously circulated, were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

86.       PLANNING APPLICATIONS

The Chairman of the Planning Committee, Councillor Mrs G McCoyd took the chair for the planning items.

At a Sub-Committee meeting on 12^th February, attended by Cllr Mrs G McCoyd, Cllr Mr C Burne and Cllr T Middleton, Members agreed the following:-

07/00098/FUL - Land in the Ground of Pitchards, Trinity Street, Halstead, Essex - Construction of paved area behind Block A house; amendment of proposed floor levels and ridge level to Block A houses.  Members had no comments to make.

07/00149/FUL - 6 Bentall Close, Halstead, Essex, CO9 1RA - Erection of two storey rear extension.  Members had no comments to make.

2006/2571/FUL - The Bull Hotel, Bridge Street, Halstead, Essex, CO9 1HU - Timber framed pitched roofed shelter, with integral lighting and heating.  Members had no comments to make.

2006/2572/FUL - The Bull Hotel, Bridge Street, Halstead, Essex, CO9 1HU - Timber framed pitched roofed shelter, with integral lighting and heating.  Members had no comments to make.

07/00195/ADV - 68 High Street, Halstead, Essex, CO9 2JG - Display of internally illuminated signage.   Members object to illumination in a conservation area.
                                                                                             
07/00202/FUL - 34 Stanstead Road, Halstead, Essex, CO9 1YB - Demolition of existing conservatory and erection of rear extension, insertion of a new window.  Members had no comments to make.

07/00232/FUL - 154 Colchester Road, Halstead, Essex, CO9 2EU - Erection of double garage at rear of property.  Members had no comments to make.

07/00041/FUL - 114 Beech Avenue, Halstead, Essex, CO9 2TR - Erection of single storey side extension and rear conservatory.  Members had no comments to make.

07/00024/REM - Former Greenwood School, Mill Chase, Halstead, Essex, CO9 2DQ - Erection of 11 no. residential units comprising 2 no. two bedroom flats, 1 no two bedroom house, 6 no three bedroom houses and 2 no four bedroom houses.  Members stated that extra lighting is required along Bois Field Terrace (Section 106 Agreement) and the lighting survey which has already been carried out must be looked at.  Bushes should be removed from the site and replaced by trees to screen Bois Field Terrace.  Road access to the site should be angled to make it easier to access from Hedingham Road and not from Head Street.

At a Sub-Committee meeting on 6^th March, attended by Cllr Mrs G McCoyd, Cllr Mrs C Burne, Cllr D Hume and Cllr Mrs T Shelton,  Members agreed the following:-

07/00245/FUL - 150 Beridge Road - Erection of first floor extension.  Members had no comments to make.

07/00305/FUL - 71 Highfields  Erection of ground floor rear extension.  Members had no comments to make.

07/00306/FUL - Barrack House, 5 Trinity Terrace - Erection of new front porch and windows and part pitched roof to road frontage over existing flat roof.  Members had no comments to make.

07/00318/FUL - Penny Pot House, Penny Pot Corner - Proposed cart lodge and extension of existing gravel drive.  Members had no comments to make.

07/00372/FUL - White Horse Lodge, Oak Road - Conversion of loft to living space, insertion of dormers, roof lights and gable windows.  Members had no comments to make.

07/00376/COU - Lyncombe Hall, 30 Head Street - Change of use from storage to private dwelling house.   Members had no comments to make.

07/00403/FUL - 103 Windmill Road - Erection of single storey erection to provide new lounge, study and utility room.  Members had no comments to make.

07/00408/FUL - Wych Elm, Tidings Hill - Erection of single storey rear extension.  Members had no comments to make.

It was noted that the application 07/00318/FUL - Penny Pot House, Penny Pot Corner is not within Halstead.

07/00532/ful - 1 Bullfinch Drive - Erection of two storey extension and single storey side extension.  Members had no comments to make.

Members confirmed the decision of the sub committee.

87.       MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Noted.  Councillor Mrs Catley reminded Councillors that the Civic Service will be held on 25^th March.

88.       PERFORMANCE REPORTS

            (a)  Budget

Noted. Members were pleased to note that the PWLB for Butler Road Car Park has now been fully repaid.

(b) Management - Ticket Sales

Slightly down in February due to a short month, but still up  in comparison to previous years.

(c)  Monthly Performance

Trend for car park usage is still up.

89.       ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS - CHAPEL STREET CAR PARK

Members were informed at the last meeting that the bid to the Community Initiatives Fund had been successful and Essex County Council has offered a grant of £14,800 towards the cost of the works.  The scheme consists of providing new, quality railings along the river frontage, a paved seating area, refurbishment of the picnic tables, improved landscaping and new quality bollards. This has been promoted by a Partnership consisting of Halstead Town Council, Braintree District Council and Essex County Council.

Braintree District Council has organized the proposed work in two phases and sought quotations.  The sum of the two lowest tenders totalled £30,000 and this was the bid put forward to the Essex County Council Community Initiatives Fund.

Proposed by Councillor Mrs J Pell

Seconded by Councillor D Hume

RESOLVED:

(i)  The Town Council provides funding of £5,000 towards the cost of the project.  The £5,000 to be taken from the new "Asset Improvement" budget of £43,000.

(ii) That a further £2,500 is earmarked from the Essex County Council "Market Towns Initiative".

(iii) That authority is delegated to the Town Clerk in consultation with the Chairman of the Council and Chairman of Finance & General Purposes Committee to accept quotations for improvements to the riverside at Chapel Street Car Park only, with the sums allocated for this project (grant of £14,800 plus £5,000 contribution plus £2,500 from Market Towns Initiative).

The surface of the car park has deteriorated in places and pot holes have appeared. The Clerk to contact Somerfields, who under the terms of the right of way, are responsible for maintaining the surface.             

Councillor Mrs B Gage and Councillor M Gage left the meeting for discussion of the next item.

90.       LOCAL MUSEUM

The landlord of Mill House has now agreed to the History Society providing a small museum subject to his solicitor's agreement to the final terms of the contract between the Town Council and the History Society.  The landlord will require his legal costs to be met by the Town Council.  The History Society has taken out insurance cover in order to indemnify the Town Council against loss or damage effective from 1 April 2007 and the opening of the Museum is imminent.

The Town Clerk has now had discussion with the History Society, Essex County Council, Braintree District Council and the Churches Conservation Trust about the possibility of establishing a museum/heritage centre at Holy Trinity Church.  As a first step the representative of the Churches Conservation Trust advised that a "Conservation Statement" should be produced by an independent assessor.  The Statement identifies the historical importance of the building and its features and provides guidance about what can and cannot be altered or changed and helps in subsequent discussion with the planners, Historical Buildings Adviser and grant giving bodies.  The Statement will cost about £3,000 and will be commissioned by the Churches Conservation Trust, subject to funding.  The representative of the Trust will make a bid for funding the Statement from the 2007/8 Churches Conservation Trust budget.

Proposed by Councillor David Hume

Seconded by Councillor Mrs J Pell

RESOLVED: 

(i)  That members noted that it will be necessary to meet the landlord's reasonable legal costs associated with accepting the agreement between the Town Council and the History Society.

(ii) That a grant of £500 is provided from the 2007/8 budget to the Churches Conservation Trust for the purposes of commissioning a "Conservation Statement" for Holy Trinity Church.

Councillor Mrs B Gage and Councillor M Gage rejoined the meeting.

Councillor Mrs G McCoyd left the meeting for discussion of the next item.

91.       HALSTEAD LIBRARY

At the meeting on 25 January 2007 (minute 81) it was agreed that the Town Clerk should hold talks with the Library Service about the conversion and possible joint use of the Library.

Talks have now taken place with the Manager of the Library Service, Essex County Council, the local County Councillor and the Chief Executive of Braintree District Council.  The main technical and practical difficulty may be in providing a new first floor and in satisfying the requirements of the Historic Buildings Adviser.

Members had agreed the principle of such a move should be considered by the new Council after the elections in May. 

Proposed by Councillor M Gage

Seconded by Councillor Mrs J Pell

RESOLVED:

(i)  That the Town Clerk is authorized to seek quotations from architects for a study into the technical feasibility of providing a first floor and lift to Halstead Library, the study to include discussion with the Historic Buildings Adviser, in order to take full account of her requirements.

(ii)  That the Town Clerk, in consultation with the Members of the Budget Working Group, is authorized to accept the quotation which represents best value for the Council.

(iii)  That the cost of such fees is charged to the "Asset Improvement" budget.

Councillor Mrs McCoyd rejoined the meeting.

92.       BUNG CHAPEL

The Town Clerk advised that the sale of the Bung Chapel for £112,000 (less fees) was completed last week. 

93.       GRANT FOR MARKET TOWNS

Essex County Council allocated a grant to five market towns in Essex to encourage schemes which made the market towns attractive places to visit.  The grant for Halstead was £50,000.  The County Council allocated £25,000 of the grant towards the High Street improvements and a further £2,500 may be used towards the cost of riverside improvements adjacent to Chapel Street car park.

Essex County Council has now indicated that the remaining grant can be transferred to Halstead Town Council to be spent on high profile, visible schemes which benefit the town.  An invoice for £25,000 has been sent to Essex County Council and members were asked to put forward ideas for small, high visibility improvements.  Some suggestions were: CCTV, Day Centre frontage, Trinity Court frontage, signs at entrance to town.

            RESOLVED:

(i) That members noted that the grant will be transferred to Halstead Town Council.

            (ii) That members put forward schemes for consideration by the new Council.

            (iii) That the new Budget Working Group is authorized to prioritise the schemes.

Councillor Mrs G McCoyd left the meeting for discussion of the next item.

94.       SPEED ACTIVATED SIGNS

Essex County Council has notified the Town Council that a Vehicle Activated Sign will be located in Sudbury Road for three months a year.  A permanent post with solar power will be installed and will remain insitu to allow fixing of the sign.

Proposed by Councillor Mrs J Pell

Seconded by Councillor Mrs B Gage

RESOLVED:

That a decision is deferred until further costings have been obtained.

Councillor Mrs G McCoyd rejoined the meeting.

Noted.  It was agreed to change the date for 20^th September 2007 meeting

as this was the date of a Senior Citizens Outing.              

96.       QUEENS HALL CAR PARK

Since the licence with Birkett Long was terminated, the Queens Hall car park has been locked. This has resulted in a complaint from a local business whose customers previously parked there.  Members considered the possibility and implications of introducing a temporary permit parking scheme for review in 12 months time.

Proposed by Councillor T Middleton

Seconded by Councillor M Gage

RESOLVED:

That no temporary permit parking scheme is introduced for the Queens Hall Car Park.

97.       BUTLER ROAD CAR PARK

A request has been received from Braintree District Council, who has organized a series of walks in order to encourage a healthier lifestyle, for Butler Road Car Park to be made available at a free or reduced rate for walkers to park for an all day anniversary walk on Tuesday 26^th June.

Proposed by Councillor M Gage

Seconded by Councillor Mrs B Gage

RESOLVED:

(i) That Butler Road Car Park is not made available at a free or reduced rate for those taking part in the walk on Tuesday 26^th June.

(ii) That it is suggested that use could possibly be made of Trinity Court car park which is in Braintree District Council ownership.

It was agreed to suspend Standing Orders to take an additional item.

98.       PARKING - FIRWOODS ROAD

Representations have been made by the occupier of 79 Tidings Hill with regard to vehicles parking and causing problems to the vehicular entrance to his property in Firwoods Road.

Proposed by Councillor M Gage

Seconded by Councillor Mrs J Pell

RESOLVED:

That a letter is sent to Essex County Council requesting junction protection markings in order to alleviate the problems caused to Mr Hall of 79 Tidings Hill.

99.       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 meeting closed at 8.45pm