Halstead Town Council

Membership:

Also in attendance:        Mr M Murkin, Town Clerk
                                       Mrs. J. Smith, Minute Clerk
                                      

160.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Received from Cllr M Fincken and Cllr Mrs K Little

161.   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 Item 11 as Chairman of Courtaulds Management Committee
Cllr Mrs B Gage declared personal interest in Item 11 as Member of Courtaulds Management Committee
Cllr D Hume declared personal interest in Item 11 as Member of Courtaulds Management Committee

162.    PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
No members of the public were present.   
          

163     MINUTES 
Of the meeting held on 2^nd July 2009, in open session, having been previously circulated, were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
          

164.  PLANNING APPLICATIONS
There were no new planning applications. Minutes of the Special Planning Committee of 6^th August 2009 were reviewed and members raised no comments.

165.    BUS  SHELTERS
Town Clerk reported that he had received comments from only one bus operator at present and comments from two other companies were awaited. He asked that this matter be deferred to the next meeting. It was decided that one more week would be allowed for comments, and that this matter would definitely be put on Agenda for next Amenities meeting and a decision would then be made.  Residents of Butler Road will be advised of this.  It was noted that Florida Coaches had commented that Butler Road would be a preferred site for a shelter.

166.    YOUTH  INITIATIVE
A verbal report was given by Cllr L Hilton. 
It was said that about 80 young people attended the event, and that all who attended were polite, well behaved and appreciative of what was done.
A Questionnaire had been handed out and 73 responses had been received -
44 from males and 29 from females; most of these were Halstead residents and most said they felt safe in Halstead.  55 were keen to have a Youth Council in Halstead.  The question was asked ‘where do you meet in Halstead' and most said a Playing Field or the Public Gardens.  Asked for a ‘wish list' of facilities for young people in Halstead response was: Youth Club, Cinema, Café/Meeting Place and Rollerworld.
The question was raised ‘what would prevent these from being made available in Halstead the answers were ‘Cost' and ‘Bullies'
It was agreed that these responses were enlightening.
It was reported that the evening was within budget, although it had not been realised that some staff overtime would need to be paid.  Some cans of drinks were not used and these will be sold and cash returned.
It was reported that 3 letters of complaint had been received by Halstead Town Council prior to the event, but no comments had been received afterwards.
One person had written in regarding an insurance claim for damaged vehicle, but this was not by a person attending the event.  The person had been apprehended by the Police.
There were some comments about policing of the event, which was considered to be rather overbearing.
It was said that the idea of giving 10p. cash back on returned cans worked very well.
Cllr J Pell asked for a vote of thanks to Cllr Hilton and all who took part in the event, and this was seconded by Cllr David Hume who praised all the hard work prior to and at the event.  Cllr Hume was pleased with the excellent response to the evening.
Cllr Hilton said she was now keen to take the Initiative forward, and would like another event in November.  Various ideas were explored for this event such as Ice Skating, Roller Skating, Bowling, etc.
It was RESOLVED that this be taken to Full Council for information, and reports are expected from the Youth Centre and the Police attending on the evening

167.    ALLOTMENTS - Colchester Road
A report of a meeting on 20^th August 2009 between Andrew Epsom (BDC), Sarah Burder (BDC), David Thompson of Allotment Holders Association, Chris Williams of St. John Ambulance and Town Clerk had been circulated to all Councillors.  Town Clerk stated that Secretary of State had given permission to  Braintree District Council for a parcel of land adjacent to the St. John's Ambulance premises beside the Colchester Road Allotment site to be declassified as allotments provided that ‘no disposal shall take place until there are contracts in place giving Colchester Road Allotment plot holders access to mains water supply, toilets, car parking and setting out the responsibility for the related administrative issue'.
Clerk reported that from the outset it was clear that all parties were looking to HTC to be the facilitator in these matters and that if HTC failed to go along with their proposals then it would be HTC who would be blamed.  No objections had been raised by HTC to a standpipe being installed on their leased land, but BDC insist that as Managers of the allotment site it was the duty of HTC to satisfy the Allotment Holders Association by agreeing to pay charges for water used; agreeing to be party of a lease or licence with St John's Ambulance; and insuring the toilet facility.  These stipulations obviously raise a number of issues for Halstead Town Council regarding costs and responsibilities on this site as opposed to other allotment sites within the Town and the minority of holders who are members of the Allotment Association.   It was said that taking responsibility for toilets on this site would be too much of an open ended commitment, and that a standpipe could be open to abuse when there is a need for water conservation in all areas.
The matter of allotment holders from outside Halstead Town boundaries was discussed and it was agreed that Halstead Town residents must take priority.
It was RESOLVED that this matter be referred to next Full Council Meeting with a recommendation that this Council should not be party to any licence with St. John's Ambulance Association.

168.    SPEED  SIGNS
Essex County Council has agreed funding for a solar-powered speed indicator device (SID) to be sited in Halstead permanently; 6 months in Sudbury Road and 6 months in Hedingham Road.  
Members were disappointed that the device would not be in Colchester Road at any time, although it was recognised that it would be difficult to find a site here Cllr J Pell raised the matter of parking enforcement proposed by Essex County Council within the Town and asked if a meeting had been set up with Annette Thornton, District Officer of ECC.  Cllr D Hume will contact Cllr Joe Pike and also Annette Thornton to arrange a meeting for some discussion.
It was RESOLVED that Clerk write to Essex Council Council to request that siting a SID in Mount Hill be reviewed and that if possible the type of sign showing actual speed of vehicle be used.

169.    QUEENS  HALL - Provision of Hand Driers
Report was shown regarding current provision of roller towels which have proved costly and to be unsatisfactory at some times.  Some information had been gathered about supply of electric hot air driers.
Discussions took place regarding merits of roller towels, paper towels and electric hand driers and it was RESOLVED that this matter should be referred to a Full Council meeting

170.    RECYLING BINS - proposed siting at Courtaulds Sports Ground
Braintree District Council has responded to requests for siting an additional re-cycling centre to the north of the Town, and Courtaulds Sports Ground was one of two possible sites.
Cllr J Pell stated that she was disappointed that the Courtaulds Management Committee had not been consulted prior to any discussions at Halstead Town Council.  Chairman said that the matter would be discussed by this Committee in the first instance, and then referred to other interested parties.
Town Clerk had visited the site and a photograph was shown of the site being considered.  Concerns were raised about potential rubbish and litter around the bins, and also about loss of car parking space.  It was said that the other site being considered was at or adjacent to Ramsey College and that the Head teacher was keen to get students involved in re-cycling.  It was RESOLVED that Halstead Town Council applauds this commitment by Ramsey College and awaits a decision on preferred site before any further discussions on this matter.

171.    TORCHLIGHT  PROCESSION
It was said that after the 2008 event a complaint had been received that there was lack of signage warning of possible delays in Halstead Town Centre.  Clerk had investigated cost of AA signs on the four main approach roads for 1 month prior to the event and their charge is £189.00 plus VAT.  It was agreed that investigations be made about what would be allowed by Braintree District Council as such signs would be a good advertisement for the event as well as warning of
traffic delays.  It was suggested that neighbouring Parish Councils be alerted to the event taking place.  It was agreed that there would be no fly-posting, and that all signage would be neat and professional and if necessary placed on private land.

172.    EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS
To give consideration to adopting the following resolution:- ‘That pursuant to the provisions of section 1(2)- of the Admission to Meeting Act 1960, in view of the next item to be conducted, the press and public to be excluded from the meeting'.
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 8.20pm.