Halstead Town Council

Membership:

Also Present:   Mr M Murkin, Town Clerk
                        Mrs J Smith, Minute Clerk
                        1 member of the public - Mr. P. Smith

249     APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
            Cllr David Hume

250     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 Personal interest in all planning matters as member of Braintree District Council Planning committee
Cllr Mrs. B Gage Personal and prejudicial in agenda item 5. Planning at Well Field.
Cllr Mrs J Pell Personal interest in agenda item 9 - Courtaulds Sports Ground as Chairman of Management Committee.
Cllr Mrs S Diver Personal interest in agenda item 9 as member of Management Committee.

251     PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Mr Smith, who is about to move to premises in Halstead was welcomed to the meeting, but he did not wish to speak.

252     MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd September 2010 having been previously circulated, were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman. 

253     PLANNING APPLICATIONS    
Cllr Mrs S Diver Chairman of Planning Committee, took the Chair for this part of the meeting.

The report showing planning applications dealt with since the last Council meeting was noted.
New planning applications were discussed:
10/01450/FUL - 27 Well Field, Halstead Essex. CO9 1JB.

Cllr Mrs B Gage left the meeting while this item was discussed.

Permission sought for erection of single storey front extension to first floor with car port underneath.  Similar extensions have been made to other properties in the vicinity.  Members raised no objections.

10/01467/FUL - 17 Ravens Avenue, Halstead, Essex. CO9 1NZ.  Erection of single storey front extension to kitchen.  Similar extensions have been made to other properties in the vicinity.  Members raised no objections.

Cllr Mrs Linda Hilton resumed Chair of the meeting.

254.    YOUTH INITIATIVE (Youth Council and HYPE)
A verbal report was given by Cllr Mrs L Hilton.  It was said that the HYPE event at Queen's Hall on 29^th October was well supported with younger members attending.  There was some DJing, and one girl sang three songs and was applauded by those in the Hall.  A troupe of Dancers from Sible Hedingham also entertained and was well received.  Event finished at 10.30p.m.  It was hoped to hold an event near to Christmas, probably on 10^th December.  Cllr M Fincken suggested that there must be some more energetic marketing for the event; he felt that youth leaders were perhaps not proactive enough. 

It was reported that 8-10 students will attend the Full Council meeting on Thursday 18^th November, together with some ‘cub reporters' from Ramsey College who will report on events.  It was hoped that in future the Youth Council might take responsibility for running HYPE events, but it was recognised that assistance will need to be given to set up a working Youth Council.

It was agreed that Cllr Mrs L Hilton and Cllr M Fincken should meet prior to the Full Council meeting to discuss how to handle the visit; it was hoped that Mayor Cllr D Hume would also join this meeting.  It was also reported that Brooks Newmark, Member of Parliament for Braintree would be at this meeting and it was agreed that the Agenda would need to be carefully planned in order to give those attending some quality time.    

255.    OUTINGS
Report was presented showing costs and subsidy of outings for 2010.
Discussions took place about amount of subsidy, and    Cllr H Messenger asked if the lowest tender for coach hire had been taken on each occasion.  It was confirmed that this was the case.
After discussion the report was accepted, and it was agreed that the matter will be more fully discussed at Full Council meeting later in the month.
Cllr L Hilton asked if costings for outings next year could be ascertained before the Full Council meeting.

256.    QUEEN'S HALL  BAR  FRANCHISE
Town Clerk advised that an advertisement had been placed asking for tenders  for the bar franchise at Queen's Hall and just one reply was received, from our existing franchisee offering the same terms as at present;£50.00 per bar in advance plus 15% of turnover (less monies paid in advance). 
It was agreed that this tender be accepted.    

257.    COURTAULDS  SPORTS  GROUND - replacement equipment
Town Clerk said that Groundsman had reported that the sprayer used primarily on the bowling green and cricket square was rusted beyond repair and a replacement has been requested; item is more than five years old.
Suitable machine is a Turfguard Pro Plus and two possible suppliers were identified; one at £846.00 and the other at £880.90.  Clerk said that current earmarked reserves for replacement of equipment were £1800.
It was recommended that the lowest price was accepted.
It was agreed that replacement sprayer be purchased at cost of £846.00
Cllr Mrs B Gage said that all funding for Courtaulds Sports Ground should be reviewed in the near future.            

258.    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 member of the public left the meeting.

The meeting closed at   8.05 p.m.