Halstead Town Council

Membership:

Also in attendance:   Mr M C Murkin, Town Clerk, 
                                 Mrs J Smith, Minute Clerk
                               1 member of the press - Megan French, Halstead Gazette

Councillor Mrs Jackie Pell took the Chair for this meeting.

367.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
           Cllr David Hume sent apologies as he was unwell.
           Vice Chairman, Cllr Mrs J Pell and Council Members agreed that a letter be sent to Cllr Hume
           wishing him well.           
           Cllr G. Howlett sent apologies as he is away on business

368.    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.

Cllr Mrs S Diver declared personal interest in Agenda item no. 6, planning item 11/00009/FUL as lives nearby.
Cllr Mrs K Little declared personal interest in Agenda item no. 6, planning item  11/00009/FUL as lives nearby.
Cllr Mrs H Catley declared personal interest in Agenda item no. 6, planning item 11/00020/FUL as lives nearby

369.    PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
There were no members of public present

370.    COUNCIL MINUTES
Minutes of the Council meeting held on 18^th November 2010, having been previously circulated, were unanimously approved and adopted.

371.    COMMITTEE  MINUTES
(i) The minutes of Amenities Committee, minutes 260-267 of 6^th January 2011, having been previously circulated, were unanimously approved and adopted.   
There were no recommendations from that Committee.

Cllr M Fincken said that at the inaugural meeting of the Halstead Youth Council that had taken place prior to the Amenities Committee on 6^th January matters concerning Halstead Town Council's commitment to the Youth Council had been discussed.  He realised that this commitment had not been discussed and approved by Town Council, and asked that they be discussed as an Agenda item at Amenities Committee on 3^rd March 2011.  The Constitution for the Youth Council would be discussed and approved in draft at the next Youth Council meeting on 3^rd March, prior to next Amenities meeting.
Cllr Mrs K Little apologised for missing the Amenities Committee meeting on 6^th January and not sending apologies for absence.
Cllr M Fincken asked if costs for the ‘Love your Town' campaign had been ascertained and it was said that as yet this information had not been given.
Clerk to press for this information.
Cllr Mrs J Pell said that the matter of Citizens Advice Bureau having to move to other premises had been raised at the Halstead Local Area Committee the previous evening, and it was stated that all who use the building in New Street, in whatever capacity, should write to Cllr G Butland, Leader of Braintree District Council to voice their concerns.
Town Clerk told members that there would be a ‘Love your Town' roadshow at Sainsbury's store on Friday 21^st January.

 (ii) The minutes of Finance and General Purposes Committee, minutes 304-314 of 11^th January 2011, having been previously circulated, were unanimously approved and adopted.
There were no recommendations from that Committee.

372.    PLANNING  APPLICATIONS.

Cllr Mrs S Diver, Chair of Planning, took the Chair for this part of the meeting.

11/00029/FUL. 86 Nether Court, Halstead, Essex. CO9 2HF. Erection of two-storey side extension and single storey rear extension.

Cllr Helen Catley left the meeting for this discussion.

Cllr Diver said that she had received 4 comments from Councillors on the plans sent electronically to all members and thanked those who responded.
It was said that many other properties on this site had similar extensions.
Members raised no objections.

Cllr Helen Catley returned to the meeting.

CC/BTE/04/11. Halstead Highways Depot. Fenn Road, Halstead, Essex.
Erection of a salt barn building measuring 13m in length, 13m in width and 6.85m in height at its highest point.Hard copies of this plan had been received, and members reviewed documents.  It was said that this building would be used to house salt supplies for Halstead area.
Members raised no objections.

11/0009/FUL. Pitchards Coach House, Trinity Street, Halstead, Essex. CO9 1JH.
Change of use of domestic outbuilding to residential development separate from main dwelling and cottage and the erection of a boundary fence and gate.
Cllr Diver said that a previous application on this property had been withdrawn, but she was unable to advise members of differences in this application as electronic plans were too difficult to read.  Cllr Diver had             asked Council staff to print and enlarge the plans that appeared on screen but details were still lost.
It was said that this building is separate from cottage, and appears not to be listed, although the other buildings on the site are Grade II listed.
Cllr Diver said that the proposed alterations were sympathetic to the rest of the site but concerns were raised about traffic access that is close to the footway access to Holy Trinity School.  
Members were concerned that this building could be used as a separate property for instance for holiday let.
Members asked that ECC Highways be contacted regarding access to this building.   Members asked that any permission given be conditional upon this building being tied to the existing dwelling and not sold/let separately.  Members also asked that investigations be made on any existing Listing for the building that is in a conservation area.
Members requested that Clerk enquire whether planning applicants could be asked to supply a further set of plans to BDC so that can be local parishes for comment.           

373.    MAYOR'S APPOINTMENT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
The report was noted. 

Cllr Pell reported that she had attended the X-Factor event at Essex University on 11^th December as Mayor David Hume had a previous engagement.  Cllr Pell thoroughly enjoyed the evening and was pleased to represent Halstead at this event.

374.    HEDINGHAM  ROAD  PARKING
Clerk  reported that he had attended a site meeting at the request of residents of Hedingham Road together with representatives from ECC and the Police.  Residents are requesting double yellow lines to prevent parking on a section of Hedingham Road.
In a letter to residents ECC outlined the alternatives and expressed concerns about possible speeding on this road if there were no parked cars.
Clerk felt that residents would still be pressing for the parking restrictions and would ask for Council support for the additional double yellow lines.
Clerk felt that most of the complainants had driveways and found it difficult to reverse out into this main road as vision was difficult when vehicles were parked.
Cllr M Fincken said that he had sympathy with residents and felt that Council should support them.  He thought that residents might themselves undertake some measures to monitor speed in the area and reports instances of speeding to the Police.
Cllr Mrs H Catley said that she felt residents should have Council support, but suggested that consideration should be given to the distance covered by any new yellow lines.  Cllr Catley felt that parking on the straighter section of the  road was not such an issue but raised concerns about the amount of parking on the pavement that totally blocks the footway in this area on some occasions.  Cllr Catley suggested that perhaps the existing double yellow lines from the bus cage to the entrance of Homes of Rest could be removed giving more parking places in this road.  Cllr Catley asked if, in the future, it might be possible to provide a parking bay in place of the existing greensward opposite the Homes of Rest. 
Other members made the point that ECC does not provide parking places, although parking had been provided as a ‘one off' opposite the Hospital.  It was agreed that parking issues in this area must be kept open for discussion.
Cllr K Paisley asked how many residents of Hedingham Rd were affected, and he was told that approximately 12 households had signed the original petition letter.  It was said that there is some parking to the rear of houses, but that access was difficult and there is danger when entering from this area to the main road.
A vote was taken on motion to support residents with their request for double yellow lines in Hedingham Road and 7 members voted in favour with one abstension.  Motion carried.
Cllr Catley noted that the Vehicle Activated Speed Sign in Hedingham Rd. had not been working for some time, and it was also reported that the sign in Sudbury Rd. was not working.  It was agreed that this matter should be discussed at imminent Highways meeting.                       

375.    PROPOSALS FOR CELEBRATING THE MARRIAGE OF WILLIAM WALES AND   
                                                           CATHERINE  MIDDLETON
Clerk had prepared a report following a request by Cllr J Pell on some form of communal viewing of the forthcoming royal wedding on 29^th April 2011.
Four options had been explored - a large screen in Halstead Public Gardens, a large screen in Chapel Street Car Park, a large screen at Queen's Hall and the offer of a screening, free of charge, at The Empire             Theatre.  Clerk had noted that there is no specific budget provision for such an event.
Discussion took place, and it was decided that the offer of free screening at The Empire Theatre, with refreshments being on offer, should be taken up. 
It was thought that perhaps in conjunction with this screening an event could be arranged for the Public Gardens such as a family picnic or something similar.
A vote was taken on a motion to accept offer of free screening of Royal Wedding at Empire Theatre, with refreshments being provided, and a concurrent event for Halstead Public Gardens to  be arranged.
7 members voted for motion and 1 member voted against.   Motion was carried.
Cllr J Pell said that at the Millennium Celebrations children of Halstead were given a small memento of the occasion and Clerk was asked to explore the availability of something that could be given to primary school children of  Halstead on the occasion of this marriage.

376.    REVIEW OF THE STRUCTURE FOR COUNCIL BUSINESS
Clerk noted that there had previously been a proposal and some discussion about changing Council meeting structure to have  one Full Council meeting each month rather than the current bi-monthly meetings of Amenities Committee, Finance and General Purposes Meeting and Full Council Meeting.  It was felt that the current system can lead to duplication of business and that change would mean that all members could have equal voice on each proposal.  There had been broad agreement for this proposal and it was suggested that a trial of this new system should begin with new Council in May 2011 and proceed for one year with a review after six months.  
It was said that the current system did act as a training ground for members to gain experience in acting as Chairman, but it was felt that if necessary some external training could be given. 
Cllr M Fincken said that it would probably be necessary to have some ‘task and finish' groups for particular projects and this would give experience in procedure where necessary.  It was acknowledge that there may be some initial problems in bringing in this new way of working, but that it would be more efficient, more democratic and cost effective in the long run.
 A vote was taken on the proposal to revise structure of Council Business and motion was carried unanimously.

377.    PROPOSED  COMMITTEE DATES  2011/2012.
In view of previous agenda point the report produced was redundant.   A revised schedule of committee dates will be issued.

378.    LOCAL  TRANSPORT  PLAN
A comprehensive plan has been produced, and part of it was available for Members to view; the complete report is available online at www.essex.gov.uk/LTP.
Clerk explained that the first part of the agenda report is a copy of slides used for a presentation to the Mid Essex Area Forum on 11^th January, the second part being the Essex Local Transport Plan questionnaire.
Cllr Mrs J Pell referred to Page 9 of the first part of the report and said that the line of the proposed by-pass for Halstead must remain on the map. All were in agreement on this point.
On page 14 of the second part of the report it was noted that the A120 road does give difficulties for road users in and around Halstead and it was generally agreed that expansion of the Haven Gateway and Thames Gateway would increase traffic flow in Halstead.
Members were concerned that there were few mentions of Halstead in the report and that it seems that Chelmsford's traffic difficulties are given a high profile.
A motion was proposed that This Council does not feel that the needs of the Braintree District have been addressed and that Halstead has concerns about bus and road links in this local area and requires that transport links be improved.  This proposal was moved Report was noted.

379.    ROYAL BRITISH LELGION POPPY PARTY WEEKEND
Report produced stating that the Royal British Legion is inviting everyone to join the nationwide celebrations of the 90^th anniversary of Legion by hosting a Poppy Party on the weekend of 10-12 June 2011 with family and friends, with neighbours or work colleagues.
Discussion took place on whether personal parties or Town Council events should be  arranged.  Cllr M Fincken suggested that perhaps this could be linked with a Band event in Halstead Public Gardens, and Cllr J Pell said that she had communication from Harwich British Legion Band asking if they could play at an event in Halstead.   Cllr Pell said that the Friends of Halstead Public Gardens would be keen to arrange such an event, but that they had no funds in hand.  It was proposed that Council should agree an amount of up to £300 for payment of a Band to play in Halstead Public Gardens on Sunday 12^th June 2011 (subject to the Public Gardens being available)  Motion unanimously adopted.
It was agreed that other groups should be encouraged to have a presence in the Public Gardens on this day and that the event be publicised. 

380     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.

Chairman closed the meeting at 8.38p.m.