Membership:

Also in attendance:   Mr M.C. Murkin, Town Clerk, Mrs. J.M.Smith, Minute Clerk.

187.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
There were no apologies for absence.

188.    WELCOME.
Chairman welcomed Cllr Ken Paisley who was elected to represent St. Andrews (South Ward) in the recent election.  Cllr Paisley was temporarily appointed to sit on the Amenities Committee.

189.    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.

Personal interests were declared as follows:

Councillor Mrs J. Pell in all planning applications as a member of Braintree DC Planning Committee.

Councillor Mrs B Gage in all planning applications as a member of Braintree DC Planning Committee.

190.    PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
There were no members of the public present

191.    MINUTES
Minutes of the Council meeting held on 25^th February 2009 were approved signed.

          MINUTES
The minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on 9^th March 2009 were reviewed.  Chairman of the Finance and General Purposes Committee Cllr M. Gage asked that it be made clear that the reference to Bridge Street Car Park (minute 153) be clarified.  Repairs will be made to a small area of the car park to the rear of the Day Centre in Bridge Street close to the foot bridge from Bridge Street to the Chapel Street Car Park.  These repairs will be made as a courtesy to users of the Day Centre and to those using wheel chairs/mobility vehicles/pushchairs to enable better access to the footbridge.
Cllr Fincken noted that a request for a grant from the local branch of National Childbirth Trust (minute 150) had been refused as this is a National charity, and he asked if the policy for awarding grants is consistent.  He pointed out that, as an example, Scouting and Guiding are National organisations, and grants have been awarded to these bodies in the past.  Cllr M. Gage gave a background to the refusal of the grant: The Charity Commission provided accounts figures for the last financial year of the National Childbirth Trust showing an income of £9.65m and expenditure of £9.8m.  The local branch had provided their accounts details showing that a profit was made locally, but fees payable to the National body meant a shortfall in local funds.  This was the reason that the local branch was given details of Braintree District Volunteer Support Agency as it was felt there might be grants available to help with local funding.
Minutes were then approved and signed.

At this point the meeting was joined by Doreen Middleton, widow of Terry Middleton, former Councillor of Halstead and members of his family.

192.    PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATE AND PHOTOGRAPH IN RECOGNITION OF TERRY MIDDLETON'S SERVICE TO THE TOWN COUNCIL.
Chairman recalled that Terry Middleton had been a Town Councillor for nearly 10 years and in that time had given dedicated and considerate representation to his constituents.  He had been a Deputy Chairman on two occasions, and had great pride in serving Halstead.  Chairman recalled that at times Terry had shown some frustration with protocol and procedures, but had always been dedicated in his attention to civic matters.  Terry had retired in January 2009 on health grounds, and sadly had passed away in early March.  Chairman said that Terry will be greatly missed.

Members stood for one minute of silence in respect of Terry Middleton.

Chairman then presented a Certificate of Service and a photograph of Councillors serving in 2008/09 including Terry Middleton to his widow.

The family were pleased to receive these gifts, and his widow said that Terry would have been very proud and honoured to receive this honour.

The family of the late Terry Middleton left the meeting.

193.    PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Councillor Mrs S Diver took the chair for the planning applications.

09/00336/FUL. 7 Mill Green, Halstead.CO9 2GF. Addition of two roof lights and relocation of garden wall.
1 objection has been received by BDC regarding overlooking of adjacent property. 
Members raised no objections.

09/00325/FUL. 22 Ozier Field, Halstead. CO9 1UX. Erection of single story rear extension.
Members raised no objections.

09/00287/FUL. 89 Windmill Road, Halstead. CO9 1LN. Erection of single storey rear extension. 
Members raised no objections.

09/00300/FUL. Fire Station, Parsonage St. Halstead. CO9 1EZ. Proposed replacement windows, renew door frame and doors and infill rear canopy area to match existing brickwork including door frame and door.  Chair of planning understands that also some internal renovations will be made.
Members raised no objections.

09/0288/FUL. 67 Colchester Road, Halstead. CO9 2EN. Construction of vehicular access and parking bay in front garden.
Members raised no objections.

Cllr David Hume outlined his engagements for February, March and also the Official Opening of Halstead History Society Museum on 26^th April.  Cllr B. Gage gave some information about the Museum; planned opening hours will be Wednesday and Sunday afternoons.  It is hoped that the Museum will be open during Council Office opening hours for viewing as there will be CCTV cover of the exhibits.  It was said that Halstead Town Council will provide refreshments at the official opening, and that use of the Conference Room will be required for opening at 2p.m.

195.    REFERRALS FROM AMENITIES COMMITTEE
There were none

196.    REFERRALS FROM FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE
There were none.

Cllr Fincken asked why the last two items appeared on the Agenda.  Chairman said that this question had been asked previously, and the subject will be discussed with Town Clerk at a later date.

197.    TREE  WARDEN. 
Report was shown and Town Clerk noted that the voluntary post of Tree Warden had become vacant.  Melvyn Crow (BDC) is trying to fill the post, and has asked Geoff Willis (Coggeshall Pieces Group) to consider who 
might be suitable.  It was suggested that Roger Smith (Gosfield Conservation) might be interested in the post.
Members noted the report.

198.    OFFICE CLOSURE OVER CHRISTMAS.

Report presented.  Members asked that car parks be serviced over the Christmas period, Town Clerk assured that this will be covered.  Members also asked that a ‘phone number for emergency use over the             holiday period be posted with closing hours.
Members noted the report.

199.    MILL HOUSE FLAGPOLE

Report shown and discussion took place.  Cllr Paisley asked if a Halstead flag would be flown on occasions, but was told that no Halstead flag is available. Two quotes had been sought, and it was 
RESOLVED that fibreglass flagpole with internal halyard be purchased at best possible price from Piggotts Co. Ltd.  A 2 metre Union Flag also to be purchased.

200.    COMMITTEE DATES 2009.
Members noted the report

201.    FINANCE.
Report was shown giving an overview of financial position at end of year. A very small variance against budget was reported but it was felt that with aid of new software recently installed better planning and forecasting could be made.

Chairman of Finance and General Purposes Committee, Cllr M. Gage stated that the Budget Working Group looked at actions and progression and asked members to note the minutes of these meetings to keep budget proposals moving.  Cllr M. Fincken expressed concerns about amounts of reserves, and although he felt it prudent to keep reserves he asked that specific plans be made for these reserves so that they do not become depleted.  Cllr M. Gage said that this will be looked at during next Budget Working Group Meeting, and report sent to Full Council.

Members noted the report.

202.    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.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.15 pm