Halstead Town Council

Membership:

Also in attendance         Councillor S Diver
                                       Councillor K Paisley
                                       Mr M Murkin, Town Clerk
                                       Mrs. J. Smith, Minute Clerk
                                      

174.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
          Cllr D. Hume
          Cllr M. Fincken

175.   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; personal interest in planning item at Sloe Hill as applicant known; Personal and Prejudicial interest in planning item at Tidings Hill as near neighbour; Personal in Item 7 as complainant is known to her.
Cllr. Mrs. B. Gage declared personal interest in all planning issues as member of BDC Planning Committee.
Cllr Mrs S Diver declared personal interest in item 11 as member of Courtaulds Management Committee.

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

177.  MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd September 2009, in open session, having  been previously circulated, were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman. 

178.  REPORT ON MUSEUM ACTIVITY 
Chairman welcomed Jim Davis and Jane Winch from the History Society who gave a report on museum activities since opening at Easter.  It was reported that the museum is manned for opening twice a week, on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons.  There have been 264 visitors during these openings, with about another 20 or so visiting during other times.  43 of these visitors were ‘users' who required information - on family history, etc. most of whom had a positive result, only in 3 cases could no information be found.  There have been 14 remote enquiries         and some overseas visitors have been to the museum, some have been directed by the Library  On most Monday evenings volunteers have been cataloging items, making displays etc., although time and volunteers are usually in short supply.
It is planned that the museum will be closed in December and January for a revamp.
Web site is popular with about 890 users and some 32500 hits since March looking for      information on about 618 difference families - family history is the most popular reason for contacting the History Society.
On Tuesday 10^th November there is to be a joint venture with Essex Record Office and the Library about family history and it may be that some visitors will be directed to the Museum from this event.  It will take place from 10a.m. to 2p.m.and all are welcome. If successful the event may be repeated.
Future displays will include Guiding and Hairdressing in Halstead and possibly an item about the Cricket Club as it will be celebrating 125 years in 2010.
Some textile time-line displays are planned, and a leaflet is being produced. A display of Morton Mathews' artwork is also planned.
It was said that more room would be ideal, especially for temporary exhibitions.  Discussions took place about possibility of using the corridor for some static displays in notice boards, and also about use of the Conference Room especially for visits of youth groups, schools, etc.
It is also planned to take items on outreach visits, and also to collate an oral history of residents. (It was said that there had been a programme on television with some residents giving interviews - History Society would be interested in having a copy if one can be found.)
It was hoped that perhaps a sign could be placed under the Halstead Town Council sign on the front of Mill House saying ‘and Heritage Museum' - as the building is listed this will have to be investigated and planning permission sought.
Two A-boards would be useful to advertise the museum when it is open. 
Some help with insurance would also be appreciated - the History Society is finding it difficult to insure items at present as they are not lease holders or owners of the property. (It was thought that it may be possible for Town Council to cover this under existing insurance.)
History Society requested that Council investigate adding to signage; purchase 2 A-boards; cost some notice boards for static displays; investigate insurance and purchase 3 small fold up tables for use by school parties, etc.
It was RESOLVED that these matters be investigated and costed.

179.   PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Councillor Mrs. S. Diver took the Chair for this item.

09/01315/FUL  -  Meadow Croft, Tidings Hill, Halstead, Essex. CO9 1BJ - Erection of double garage and single storey extension.
Members raised no objections.
09/01311/FUL & 09/01312/LBC - 1 Wash Farm House, Hedingham Road, Halstead,           Essex, CO9 2DW - Demolition of existing building and erection of cart lodge style building with front to back pitched roof.  Providing that this building is not for residential use or for letting
Members raised no further objections
09/01397/FUL - Police Station, Trinity Street, Halstead, Essex, CO9 1JG - Remove existing entrance steps and step lift and replace with new DDA compliant entrance steps and ramp, including associated works.
Members raised no objections
09/01371/LBC - 6 Head Street, Halstead, Essex. CO9 2BX - internal alterations.
Members will be guided by District Planning authority regarding listed and building regulations but have no objections.

180.   VEHICLE SPEED IN SLOE HILL. 
A letter of complaint had been received requesting the Town Council's support for a vehicle activated sign to be installed in Sloe Hill.  It was said that the sign already assigned for Halstead would be installed in December 2009 or January 2010, and would be shared between Sudbury Road and Hedingham Road.  It was  said that C.I.F. funding may be sought for purchase of another sign and extra posts   which could then be used in various parts of the Town.  It was also suggested that residents be  encouraged to start a Speed Watch Campaign, in conjunction with Police.  A Police    speed check in the area also to be requested.   A response will be sent to the complainant stating that signage will be investigated.  Matter will be referred to next Finance and General Purposes Committee.
Councillors also requested that Police be contacted regarding parking on the corner of Beridge Road and Sloe Hill that causes difficulties for drivers turning into Beridge Road from Sloe Hill.

181. SENIOR CITIZENS OUTINGS 2009
A summary of outings/costs was shown and also list of suggested destinations for 2010 outings.  Two quotes had been received so far, but others had been requested. In view of increasing costs it was proposed that the cost for 2010 be increased to £7.50 per outing.  This will be referred to the next Finance and General Purposes Committee.      

182.  QUEEN'S  HALL - Request for Charity Rate.
A letter had been received from Vikki V's Dance Show requesting hire of Queen's Hall at charity rate for their Dance Show on Friday 13^th November.  This is not a Registered Charity hence the request being brought to Committee. 
It was RESOLVED that on this occasion hire at reduce rate would be allowed.

183.    BRAINTREE D.C. CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY
Letter had been received from Mark Wilson, Climate change Manager at Braintree DC asking for comments on their strategy.  The full strategy can be viewed at:
http://www.braintree.gov.uk/Braintree/environment/Climate+Change/default.htm
It was agreed that Officers can view and comment.

184.  COURTAULDS SPORTS  GROUND - STORAGE
Clerk explained that there are currently 4 containers used as storage at the Ground, one of the 20' containers is leaking - this area is used for storage of various tools and mowers.
Proposal is to replace this with another 40' container and quotations have been sought.  No planning permissions are required for this replacement. 
After discussions it was RESOLVED that 40' container be purchased from Boxtainer Co.

185.    MILL HOUSE - STORAGE
In view of recent theft of mower and toolkit from storage shed at Mill House a review of storage had taken place and had shown that there is no secure external storage at Mill House.  Landlord has no objections to placement of a small container beside existing shed and quotations were available.
In view of the additional storage proposed at Courtaulds Sports Ground it was agreed that no additional external storage be purchased for Mill House at present.

186.    BUS SHELTERS UPDATE
Essex CC has advised that there is a programme to install 4 bus shelters in Halstead  At:  Conies Road (near to Tweed Close); Conies Road (near White Horse Avenue); Sudbury Road (near Bois Hall Gardens); Colchester Road (opposite Courtaulds SG) Completion for all is planned by Christmas 2009. Clerk has arranged a meeting with Essex CC Officers to discuss further the types of shelters and suitability of locations as presented by Cllr Mrs. J. Pell at May Amenities Committee.   Update was noted, Clerk was requested to continue with discussions and to            ascertain whether Colchester Road shelter is being funded by Developer.  Clerk to state Council's view that a shelter is not required at Sudbury Road, but there is a need for shelter in Hedingham Road, opposite to Hospital.  Clerk was requested to speak to local Police regarding proposal for a shelter in the Butler Road Car Park to ascertain their view on such a proposal.
It was requested that process of consultation with residents be put in hand.

187.    EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS
The following resolution was carried:
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 8.42pm.