Halstead Town Council

Membership:

Also in attendance                           Councillor Mrs. S Diver
                                                Mr M Murkin, Town Clerk
                                                        Mrs. J. Smith, Minute Clerk
                                                        3 members of the Public; Mark Jackson, 
                                                        Mrs Hennessey; Ms L Hatcher

213     APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
          Apologies received from Cllr D Hume, Cllr M Fincken and Cllr H Messenger

214     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. B. Gage declared personal interest in all planning issues as member of BDC Planning Committee.

215     PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
           Mr Mark Jackson asked permission to make a presentation about a proposed development at the Blamsters Farm site, off Mount Hill, Halstead.  He explained that the site is at present occupied by TLC Care Homes which in part is catering for people with learning disabilities and dementia from the ages of 18-64.  The site covers some 16 acres and has potential for development.  The proposal would be to provide housing for 61 residents with learning disabilities and dementia and also to provide some rehabilitation and social facilities.
Blamsters farm care home, it was explained, was established in 1997 and has achieved 3-star excellency rating.  A recent inspection has given the facility a very good report.  This is a safe and secure environment and at present employs 71 staff. 
Research has shown that there is a need for accommodation for people in the category proposed with some 691 identified places being required by 2014.
Key stakeholders have been consulted about the development, and it is noted that there is a housing requirement in the Braintree area towards which this development would count, and Planning Officers have been consulted.  The development would be classed by BDC as a ‘minor extension within countryside' and not as housing allocation.  It has been suggested by Planning Officers that a public consultation should now be undertaken although the development is not planned to begin until 2016/17, although this may be brought forward in view of the identified requirement for this accommodation.
Plans were shown of the site, and explanations given of how buildings would be partly sunk into the ground to preserve views of the countryside, the existing listed building and the Holy Trinity Church spire.  It was said that a new entrance to the site would be made and the existing entrance would be closed.
It was explained that some 67 members of staff would be on site at any one time, and 138-140 new jobs would be created by this development.
Bound copies of statements and plans were handed to members of the Amenities Committee, and further copies were requested so that all Members can view the proposals.
Members raised questions about the entrance to the site on a very busy A-road and also about changes to the view on entrance to the Town.
Members were assured that these matters will be of great concern to planners and that all questions would be answered in full at consultations.
Chairman thanked Mr Jackson, Mrs Hennessey and Ms Hatcher for this comprehensive insight into proposal and suggested that a further presentation be made to Full Council meeting at a later date.

3 members of the public left the meeting.

216     MINUTES
          The Minutes of the meeting held on 4^th March 2010 and Annual Town Council Meeting of 6^th May 2010, in open session, having been previously circulated, were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman. 

217     PLANNING APPLICATIONS    
           To report Planning Applications dealt with since last Council Meeting.

            Comments were noted.

218.    YOUTH
           A verbal update was given by Cllr Mrs L Hilton.

A HYPE event took place at Queen's Hall on 23^rd April and was attended by over 200 young people.  It was said that about 60 tickets were sold in advance.  A barbeque was held in conjunction with the DJ/music event and this too proved successful.  It was reported that £450 was now in hand, and that a Bank Account is being set up for the venture.
The next event was planned for the Public Gardens on 26^th June and would begin at 12 noon.  All young people would be encouraged to take part with an open-mic session on the band stand and other interactive events on the dancing green. 
Cllr Hilton referred to small amount of damage at Queen's Hall following the recent event and agreed to pay the invoice of £20.08 although queried whether remedial work should be charged to HYPE and what exactly is the Councils role in HYPE
It was suggested that if HYPE was independent of the Town Council then they should be treated as every other hirer of the facility.
It was agreed that at Full Council ground rules need to be laid down to enable Officers of the Council to treat each case in the same way. 
It was agreed that an invoice to cover the cost of reparation should be sent to HYPE.
Councillors stated that they were keen to support the Young Peoples Venture for the future.
                  

219.    STREET  ENTERTAINMENT.
          Costing to provide street entertainment as in previous years during the school Summer holiday had been prepared; balloon modeling, face painting and ceramic painting, one entertainment for each Saturday during the holiday has been quoted at £1927.60.  It was said that there had been positive feedback for this entertainment over the past two years, children liked to have something to take away and keep and parents were pleased to have some free events for children.  It was said that the events should be well advertised.  Maybe an A chalk board near the entertainment.
RESOLVED that this entertainment be recommended to Council and that this entertainment should be booked.
           

220.    BUTLER  ROAD  CAR  PARK
          Town Clerk stated that damaged railings had been repaired at a cost of £101 for materials.  Work had been done by HTC Groundsman and Handyman.  Councillors felt that this was a great improvement, and asked that staff be thanked for their efforts.

221.    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.

Meeting closed at 8.10p.m.