Halstead Town Council

Membership:

Also in attendance         Councillor Mrs S Diver, Chairman of Planning
                                      Councillor Mrs Helen Catley
                                      Mr M Murkin, Town Clerk
                                      Mrs J Smith, Minute Clerk
                                                 

260     APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received from Cllr Mrs B Gage

261     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.

No interests were declared

262     PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
There were no members of the public present

263     MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 4^th November 2010 having been previously circulated, were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman. 

264     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:

10/01689/FUL - .RPC Containers, 8-10 Fourth Avenue, Bluebridge Industrial Estate, Halstead, Essex. CO9 2SY. Erection of two aluminium silos on a hard standing area on east side of site.
Members raised no objections.

CC/BTE/121/10, CC/BTE/122/10, CC/BTE/123/10 -  Richard de Clare Primary School, Parsonage Street, Halstead CO9 2JT.  The continued use of temporary class bases for a temporary period until 31^st August 2015 without compliance with conditions 2(time limit) attached to planning permission CC/BTE/167/05, CC/BTE/168/05, CC/BTE/169/05.  Members noted that the temporary class rooms are in good condition.   Members raised no objections.

Cllr Mrs Linda Hilton resumed Chair of the meeting.

265.    YOUTH INITIATIVE (Youth Council and HYPE)
A verbal report was given by Cllr Mrs L Hilton.  It was said that the HYPE Christmas Event arranged prior to Christmas has been a free event at the Halstead Resource Centre using monies raised at previous HYPE events. Food, soft drink and a disco had been provided for the 40 or so young people who attended and who said they were grateful for the opportunity to enjoy this party.

Ann and Ian from the Resource Centre are acting as ‘walkers' on alternate Friday evenings talking to young people and gauging their reactions to what is provided for young people in Halstead.  At the inaugural Youth Council meeting, held prior to this Amenities meeting, it became apparent that the Resource Centre was not popular with young people but it was thought that it might be opened on Friday evenings as well as Thursday evenings on a short term basis during winter months.

Cllr Malcolm Fincken gave a brief report on the inaugural meeting of the Youth Council and said that it had been an informative meeting with young representatives from Halstead Guides, Ramsey College and adult representation from Halstead ATC and Halstead St. Johns Ambulance.  A draft Constitution had been prepared and was discussed and a future meeting had been set for 3^rd March 2011.  At this meeting a Chairman and other officers will be appointed and the Constitution will be ratified.  It had been agreed that there would be support from Halstead Town Council and teacher Mr. Paul Taylor had said that the young people must look at what they can do for Halstead as well as what can be done for them.
                 

266.    SENIOR  CITIZENS OUTINGS 2011
Report on dates for outings and destinations for trips was noted.

Cllr Hume said that at the Christmas parties 2010 these dates and venues were announced and had been well received.  There had been no comments at the increased cost for each trip.

Cllr Pell said that there had been many positive comments about the Christmas parties and that, considering the appalling weather, numbers attending had been as expected.

267.    LOVE YOUR HIGH STREET AWARDS
Report from Jackie Brown of the Marketing Team at Braintree District Council regarding the Awards to be made in Braintree, Witham and Halstead was noted.  No other information regarding these awards had been received by Halstead Town Council

Cllr Jackie Pell asked if there was any information about the cost of this promotion as there had been much local advertising.  Cllr Hume said that he did not recall any discussions about the event at District level, and Cllr Malcolm Fincken said that he felt the promotion was rather gimmicky.
Report was noted.
         

268.    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   7.32 p.m.