Halstead Town Council

Membership:

Also in attendance:   Mr M C Murkin, Town Clerk, 
                                 Mrs J Smith, Minute Clerk
                                 Sgt Ken Midwinter - Halstead police
                                 Jayne Laken and Peter Darlington. Village Agents- RCCE.  

384.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllr Mrs B Gage sent apologies for absence
Cllr M Gage sent apologies for absence

385.    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 J Pell declared personal interest in presentation by Village Agents as Jayne Laken known to her.  Cllr Mrs Pell declared personal interest in Agenda Item 11 as member of Braintree District Council.  Cllr Mrs Pell also declared personal interest in Agenda Item no. 14 as Chairman of Friends of Halstead Public Gardens
Cllr D Hume declared personal interest in Agenda Item no. 11 as member of Braintree District Council.
Cllr Mrs S Diver declared personal interest in Agenda Item no. 14 as member of Friends of Halstead Public Gardens.
Cllr Mrs L Hilton declared personal interest in Agenda Item no. 14 as Secretary of Friends of Halstead Public Gardens.

386.    PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Chairman asked for agreement that this item could be used for Sgt Midwinter and members of RCCE to give presentations and this was unanimously given.
Sgt. Midwinter said that he was pleased to attend the meeting, and gave a report on incidents occurring in Halstead since 1^st February, these reports are now public knowledge but Sgt Midwinter did speak about the incident on Broton Industrial Estate when the Fire Brigade attended a gas leak.
The Halstead Speed Watch incentive was mentioned with, it was said, several names being put forward for training.  It was said that equipment was on order and when this arrived a rota for duties will be drawn up.
Cllr Mrs J Pell said that this initiative had been mentioned at a recent N.A.P. meeting and suggested that perhaps this initiative could be expanded with some equipment being purchased by the Town Council.  It was agreed that this would have to be discussed by the new Council after elections in May.
Sgt Midwinter said that it was good to have this input as at present Police speed checks are usually put in sites where accidents and incidents have happened, but these are not always the places where residents perceive there to be problems.  It would be useful to have feedback from residents to enable informed decisions to be made.  It was said that often incidents           occurred near to schools with parents causing accidents and it schools may be asked to distribute leaflets, etc. 
Cllr D Hume asked who co-ordinates the Community Speedwatch and was told that PCSO Brian ‘Eddy' Edwards manages the scheme and links with Traffic Police.
Cllr Mrs L Hilton raised the subject of Policing in Halstead on Friday evenings when, it was said, there are large groups of young people, often drunk and no Police presence to protect them.    Sgt. Midwinter said that it is a Home Office directive that forces must prioritise and use resources   where there are reported incidents - patrols depend on demands made in other places and officers could be dealing with assaults, damage, etc. elsewhere.  He made the point that if there are concerns then shift patterns could be altered to give a presence in Halstead High Street, Bridge St., and the centre of the town.  He said he would research incidents in this area and          see if there is a perceived need for patrols on Friday evenings.
Cllr M Fincken felt that this was a totally inadequate answer as there could be no reports as older people felt intimidated to be in the area, but would not report this as an incident.    Sgt Midwinter said that PCSOs do patrol on Friday evenings, but there would not be extra Police patrols if there was no perceived need.  Councillors made the point that there are many large groups of, possibly, drunk young people on the street that made this virtually a no-go area for older people on Friday evenings from about 6p.m. to midnight.  Sgt. Winter said he would speak to PCSOs and get their feedback and perceptions and he would then report back to Council.
It was agreed that Sgt Midwinter should attend the next Council meeting, which will be after the Annual Town Meeting at Queen's Hall on Thursday 21^st April.  Cllr Mrs L Hilton said that her concerns were for the young people who were vulnerable and asked that the Police speak to leaders at the Resource Centre who regularly patrol the centre of the Town on Friday evenings.
Cllr K Paisley raised the issue of arson attacks in the Town, particularly three in one small area within a week - two of which the Fire Brigade attended.  Sgt Midwinter said he would look at the incidents and get full information.

Sgt. Midwinter  left the meeting at this point.

Chairman then invited Jayne Laken and Peter Darlington, Village Agents for RCCE to speak to Council.
Jayne Laken explained that Village Agents is an 18months pilot scheme in this area funded by Essex County Council and the Mid-Essex P.C.T. with 6 Agents being based in the Braintree District. 
Village Agents are ‘signposts' to other agencies to assist in crises of health, needs, etc.  They are there to help those that might ‘fall through the gap' and primarily to keep people in their own homes rather than being taken into care.  Jayne explained that they can arrange home security checks, fire checks, handyman help and with health issues such as weight loss and stopping smoking.   They are a confidential service and use their own unmarked cars and have nothing other than small identity badges.  Training has been given by social services, and they are there for a variety of services including liaising with the ECC benefits service.  Jayne asked that Councillors pass on the message that confidential help is available for all.
Cllr M Fincken said that he felt more publicity for the service is needed as he had never heard of this scheme, and was told that there is a limited budget for the scheme.  Information is being spread through Parish Councils, Churches, Clubs, etc. and word of mouth.  The scheme now has funding for another year, and other Counties are looking at the scheme (which started in Gloucestershire) to carry best practice further.  It was said that the scheme is open to all ages from 18 to the elderly and Councillors agreed to spread the word where possible. 
Cllr D Hume asked if there was conflict with the Citizens Advice Bureau but was told that CAB often refer cases to Village Agents as they will visit in the enquirer's own home rather than them having to go to CAB office.
It was agreed that a link could be put on the Council web site and leaflets will be held in the Town Council Office.

Jayne Laken and Peter Darlington left the meeting at this point.

387.    Presentation by Mr M Jackson was postponed.           

388.    COUNCIL MINUTES
Minutes of the Council meeting held on 20^th January 2011, having been previously circulated, were unanimously approved and adopted. 

389.    COMMITTEE  MINUTES
(i) The minutes of Amenities Committee, minutes 270-278 of 3^rd March 2011, having been previously circulated, were unanimously approved and adopted.    

There were no recommendations from that Committee..

 (ii) The minutes of Finance and General Purposes Committee, minutes 317-330 of 10^th March 2011, having been previously circulated, were unanimously approved and adopted.

There were no recommendations from that Committee. 

390.    PLANNING  APPLICATIONS.
There were no new applications to discuss          

391.    MAYOR'S APPOINTMENT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
The report was noted. 
Cllr Hume noted that neither he nor the Vice Chairman could attend the Civic Service in Sudbury on 13^th March.
Cllr Mrs J Pell noted the Mayor's music event on 19^th March and said that tickets were still available with all proceeds going to the Mayor's Charity Fund.
Cllr Hume asked for responses from all that had not yet responded to invitation to the Halstead Civic Service.

392.    CHRISTMAS  OFFICE  HOURS 2011
Clerk had prepared a report showing that the office would close on Thursday 22^nd December and re-open on Tuesday 3^rd January.  Discussion took place about the length of time of this closure of  public office.  Clerk offered to attend on Friday 23^rd December to at least answer the telephone, and to seek a volunteer from the office to join him as it was a requirement that for health and safety reasons there must be two people in attendance. The Clerk's offer was noted, but Cllr M Fincken moved acceptance of the report and Cllr Mrs H Catley seconded the motion.
Report was accepted                      

393.    LIBRARY  OPENING  HOURS
A report had been received from Essex County Council showing that opening hours for Halstead Library would be cut from 54.5 to 42.  It was  explained that for the population in catchment area of this library hours should be 34, but had been extended to 42 because of partner involvement by B.D.C.  Discussion took place about preferred hours of opening, and it was agreed that Council should make representation to Essex County Council that Saturday opening be protected and that some late night opening should be available to allow attendance by all of the population.
Councillors are free to make individual comments when the opening hours/days are known.           

394.    TOWN  CENTRE  MANAGER
Report from Mr C Trim, Town Centre Development Manager was noted.
Cllr Mrs J Pell asked members to take some of the leaflets advertising events in Halstead and make them available various places.

395.    REPLACEMENT OF  VW VAN
Clerk explained that the current van was leased almost two years ago at a cost of  £176 per month but that now prices were much higher. 
Investigations had been made about further leases and a report was available.  Prices had also been gathered for purchase of new vans including estimations of trade in value. 
Discussions took place about estimated mileage of vans and Clerk was asked to look at purchase of second hand van.  Clerk agreed to obtain information but advised that he was not qualified to make recommendations for purchase of second-hand vehicles and that any vehicle considered would have to be inspected by a professional.
Clerk to obtain further information to present to the meeting on 21^st April.

396.    FLOOD  GRANTS
Clerk had sent memorandum to each Councillor regarding money available from Essex County Council for flood defence measures - flood barriers, etc.
There was now only about three weeks for grant requests to be made and Clerk suggested that a Public Meeting be called to appraise residents of this.
It was agreed that a public meeting be called to those in the flood plain area.

397.    BANDS IN THE PUBLIC GARDENS
Report noting cost for three band events in the Public Gardens for summer 2011 was viewed. 
Cllr Mrs L Hilton noted that the Beat-a-Fest event on 25^th June had not been listed but that this was a Town Council event.  Chairman asked for a proposal that this event should be adopted by Town Council and motion to Make Beat-a-Fest 2011 a Town Council event was proposed by Cllr Mrs L Hilton and seconded by Cllr Mrs J Pell.
Motion was carried unanimously

398.    SUMMER  FUN
Clerk said there had been some misunderstanding about who was researching events, and asked if a sub group could be set up to authorise the arrangement of 4/6 events with a budget of up to £2300.
It was agreed that a sub-committee of Town Clerk, Cllr Mrs L Hilton and Cllr Mrs K Little with an Officer be set up for this purpose.

399     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 9.22 pm

After the meeting closed Chairman thanked all members for their hard work during their term in office, and noted that there would be one more meeting after the Annual Town Meeting at Queen's Hall on 21^st April.

Chairman was thanked for his efforts during his term of office.