Membership:

Also in attendance:        Councillor  H Catley
                                      Councillor S Diver
                                      Councillor M Gage
                                      Councillor G Howlett
                                      Councillor K Paisley
                                      Mr M Murkin, Town Clerk
                                      Mrs. J. Smith, Minute Clerk
                                     1 member of the Press

134.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None were received

135.   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. J. Pell declared personal interest in all matters relating to the Public Gardens as Chairman of the Friends of Halstead Public Gardens committee
Cllr. Mrs. B. Gage declared personal interest in all planning issues as member of BDC Planning Committee.
Cllr Mrs L Hilton declared personal interest in all matters relating to the Public Gardens as Secretary of the Friends of Halstead Public Gardens committee
Cllr Mrs S Diver declared personal interest in all matters relating to the Public Gardens as member of the Friends of Halstead Public Gardens committee

136.    PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
No questions were raised

137.    MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 8^th January 2009, in open session, having been previously circulated, were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman. 

138.    PLANNING APPLICATIONS
           Councillor Mrs. S. Diver took the Chair for this item.

A Special Planning meeting was held on 23^rd April 2009 immediately after the Annual Town Meeting.  All members were present.
All planning applications were noted.

New Planning Applications had been received:
1) 09/00485/ADV - Signal House, Factory Lane West. CO9 1EX.
Display of Illuminated advertisement signage.
Members raised no objections to externally lit sign, but noted BDC policy of not allowing internally lit box signs in a conservation area.

2) 09/00520/FUL - 16 Bois Hall Gardens CO9 2HX
Erection of single storey side garage to replace existing garage.
Members asked that BDC Planning Committee consider overall appearance of the area.  No other comments raised.

3) 09/00524/FUL - Valley Yard, Halstead
Erection of a pair of semi-detached chalet type dwellings.
Members raised concerns over access to this site on a dangerous bend which has been the site of serious accidents in the past and asked that ECC Highways be made aware of this application

139.    HALSTEAD MUSEUM - Planning for future development
Councillor M Fincken reported that Halstead History Society were very grateful for the co-operation shown and were pleased that the launch of the museum went well.  It was agreed that a further meeting to discuss future plans was now required, and that more discussion was needed concerning extra space for exhibits, etc.  Mayor David Hume recognized the hard work that has been done to prepare the museum for public viewing, and proposed that members of the History Society be invited to a future Amenities Committee Meeting for further discussions.
Councillor Michael Gage suggested that perhaps the History Society could take their displays into the community, possibly with a mobile display of some sort, or utilizing an empty shop window for a display to raise the profile of the Society.

RESOLVED that Clerk invite members of the History Society to a future Amenities Committee Meeting.

140.    PARKING AT BLUEBRIDGE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.
Clerk reported receipt of a letter from Essex County Council following a letter from Mrs. Joiner of RPC Containers Ltd. on the Blubridge Estate.  Complaints had been made by inconsiderate parking on the estate.  Clerk had visited and taken photos and advised that ECC will not put in restrictions unless there is support      from Halstead Town Council.  Members noted the current situation. 

141.    MUSIC WEEKEND 
Clerk reported that the following acts have been booked:

            26^th June at Queens Hall 8.00p.m. - Hugh Rainey Jazz Band
            27^th June at Empire Theatre 2.00p.m. - The Boxted Band
            27^th June at Halstead Public Gardens 2.00p.m. - Battle of the Bands
            27^th June at Ramsey School 7.30p.m. - St. Andrews School & Halstead Choral  
                                                                                                                             Society
            28^th June at Halstead Public Gardens 2.00p.m. - Long Melford Band
                      (Empire Theatre if wet)
            28^th June at Queens Hall 7.00p.m. - Vicky V's
            Cost of hiring these acts will be £1850
            Suggested admission charges - Jazz: £6.00
            Choral and Vicky V's: £4.00
            Battle of the Bands: Free
            Brass Bands: Donations
It was agreed that all events should be free to children of primary school age and half price for children up to age 14.
It was advised that a licence to collect donations in the public gardens must be obtained.
Mayor congratulated the Town Clerk on organizing these events and it was agreed that all events should be advertised widely.  It was hoped that all Councillors will support the events.  Councillor Mrs. J. Pell and Councillor Mrs. L. Hilton agreed to help in publicity for the events, neighbouring towns to be sent posters and advertising for the jazz club to be sent to various clubs in the area including Stanway Football Club.

142.    BUS  STOPS/SHELTERS
Clerk advised that application had been made to Essex County Council for a grant of £3800 for a cantilever shelter in Conies Road, near to junction with White Horse Avenue at Tidings Hill end.  There is budget provision of £7500 for shelters which should fund another two shelters.  It was agreed that priority list for shelters is required and there must be some liason with ECC and Greenfields Community Housing regarding siting of shelters.  Raised kerbs will be required at shelter locations.  After discussion it was agreed that Butler Road should be top priority, and then Hedingham Road, opposite the Hospital, Nether Court (this should be funded by section 106 money from Priory Hall developer) Trinity House and Mount Hill.
It was said that Greenfields Community Housing had discussed purchase of some shelters, but this had not been given high priority.

143.    CHAPEL STREET  CAR  PARK
Town Clerk had met with representatives of J. Sainsbury plc regarding work on the car park and surrounding area.  Plan was shown and Clerk said that resurfacing would be done in three phases to allow use of the car park by the public at all times.  Trolley shelters and recycling bins will be re-sited.  Some work will be done at the river end of the car park and a new salt bin will be provided. Wooden fencing at Oak Yard will be re-stained and bark chippings laid down (subject to approval by Greenfields Community Housing), car park attendant's hut will be repainted as will railings and doors on the closed Public Toilets.  Subject to approval by Greenfields Community Housing the car park surface at Oak Yard will be resurfaced to match main car park. 
All vegetation around the edges of the car park will be trimmed or removed.
Contractors have asked permission to use the Public Toilets while work is taking place - they only to have access to the site and they will clean and maintain toilets and fit a small water heater.  All doors and fencing to the toilets will be repainted before store is opened.  Agreement was given for this usage.
Clerk was requested to speak to Sainsbury to ask if the speed ramp can be changed.  Sainsbury will operate a similar system to that previously used by Somerfield whereby car park charges will be refunded on minimum spend of £15.00 in store.  No home delivery of shop bought items will be in place, although on-line shopping will be delivered.
Sainsbury are aware of the requirement that delivery lorries are only allowed at the shop end of the car park. 
Clerk stated that in the original agreement for the car park, made in 1984, 20% of the spaces should be designated as long stay spaces; it was agreed that this agreement would not be enforced.  It was questioned whether contractors vehicles are paying to park, and stated that they were and that six weeks had been allowed for contactors vans in the area.  It was said that 2 new ‘pay and display' ticket machines will be required, and a new power supply to one machine will need to be laid - before car park surface is renewed.  Sainsbury to pay for machines and siting.
Provision of CCTV in the car park was discussed, and Clerk was asked to enquire whether the store would like to purchase a camera for use in this location leaving the proposed camera free for siting elsewhere in the Town.  
It was agreed that J.Sainsbury's new store would be of benefit to the Town and to Traders.  Clerk was commended for his handling of the negotiations with Sainsbury.

144.    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 9.05pm.