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Annual Town Meeting 22nd April 2010
HALSTEAD TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
22nd April 2010
At
The Queens Hall
Halstead
Councillor Mr D Hume Chairman Present
Councillor Mrs J Pell Vice Chairman Present
Councillor Mrs H Catley Present
Councillor Mrs S A Diver Present
Councillor Mr M J Fincken Present
Councillor Mrs B A Gage Present
Councillor Mr M G Gage Present
Councillor Mrs L Hilton Present
Councillor Mr G Howlett Present
Councillor Mrs K A Little Present
Councillor Mr H Messenger Present
Councillor Mr K Paisley Present
Also in attendance: Inspector N Murray, Halstead Police
CPSO Edwards, Halstead Police
CPSO Harris, Halstead Police
Mr M C Murkin, Town Clerk, Halstead Town Council
Mr S Gilbert, Member of the Public
The Vice-Chairman, Councillor Mrs J Pell, welcomed the public and Councillors to the meeting.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Mr D Hume and Mr J Pike.
2. MINUTES
The Minutes of the Annual Town Meeting held on 23rd April 2009, having been previously circulated, were approved.
3. MAYOR'S REPORT
In the absence of the Chairman, Councillor D Hume, Mrs Pell read a report on the Civic Year 2009/2010, copy attached.
4. DISTRICT COUNCILLORS' REPORTS
Reports were presented by Councillors Mrs B A Gage, Mrs J Pell, Mr M Gage, Mr D Hume and Mr H Messenger. Copies of these reports are appended to the minutes.
5. COUNTY COUNCILLOR'S REPORT
Councillor Mr J Pike was unable to attend and his report was circulated. A copy is appended to the minutes.
6. POLICE
Inspector Neil Murray reported an enjoyable start to his time in Halstead which had seen a reduction of 7% in recorded crime. The biggest challenge, however, was thefts from sheds and garages in the largely rural community and he felt that a few individuals were committing the majority of crimes. The police were establishing good working relationships with local groups and the local licensees have agreed a scheme to ban persistent alcohol abusers from their premises.
He was continuing to target serious crime, which has gone down by 20%, and urged the public to report all crime. They will continue to bring offenders to court whenever possible.
In reply to a question from Councillor Mrs Hilton, Inspector Murray said that the crime reduction had been achieved by having beat officers acting to prevent crime, pushing for evictions from social housing and by patrolling known trouble spots.
CPSO Edwards advised the meeting that there were three newly-appointed CPSO's in Halstead and left ‘business cards' with contact details and urged that anyone seeing a crime being committed call immediately rather than wait until the incident is over.
7. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Mr Gilbert asked what action is being taken about cars parking in the High Street on market days. Mrs Pell outlined the initiative sponsored by County Councillor Mr Pike to promote the market and improve the signage. Mr Gilbert thought the current parking of cars would deter market traders from coming to the town.
Mr Gilbert asked about progress on the new community hall in Butler Road. Mrs Pell replied that the Town Council were working, principally, with Braintree District Council but stressed that no specific site had been decided upon. Mr Gage said there was commercial sensitivity which could cause land prices to rise if site were identified too early. He gave an assurance that the public would be consulted at the appropriate stage.
The meeting closed at 8.15pm
Copies of reports from Chairman, District Councillors, member of the Halstead Area Committee and Local Development Framework Committee and an Annual Parish Update are available on request.