Membership:

Also in attendance:        Councillor S Diver
                                       Councillor G Howlett
                                       Councillor K Paisley
                                       Mr M Murkin, Town Clerk
                                       Mrs. J. Smith, Minute Clerk
                                       4 members of the Public

147.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Received from Cllr Mrs B Gage and Cllr M Fincken

148.   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.

None declared

149.    PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Mr and Mrs Gunn from 7 Butler Road and Mr and Mrs Nisbett of 11 Butler Road  raised concerns about information received at a meeting with Police about proposals to site a shelter in the Butler Road Car Park.  Cllr Jackie Pell told the meeting that, despite what had been said, Halstead Town   Council had not been invited to attend the meeting with Police and residents,  neither had Ward Members nor members of the Crime Prevention Panel.
Residents stated that the Police have been very successful in moving nuisance from young people in cars and on motorbikes away from Butler Road and they felt that a shelter might be a point of congregation that would cause further nuisance. 
          

150.    MINUTES 
Of the meeting held on 14^th May 2009, in open session, having been previously circulated, were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
Cllr J Pell moved that Item no. 8 on the Agenda be taken at this point, and motion was seconded by Cllr D Hume and carried.

151.    BUTLER  ROAD  CAR  PARK
Letter written by Mr and Mrs Gunn, and signed by several residents of Butler Road was available to members.  Letter raised concerns about a proposed ‘bus shelter in the Butler Road Car Park/Bus Park and the possible anti-social behaviour this might bring. Residents present were assured that Halstead Town Council has a policy of consultation with interested parties and at present five sites in the town had been identified as possible sites for new bus shelters.  Essex County Council        Highways Department has no objections to any of these 5 sites, but funding is available for only three sites and no decisions have yet been taken on where these will  be located.  Consultations will take place, and recommendations will be made to the next meeting of the Amenities Committee in September.  
Chairman asked that statistics on usage of ‘bus stops be taken into consideration when recommendations are being made.
Four members of the Public left the meeting.

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

A sub-committee meeting was held on 22nd June 2009 attended by Cllr Mrs S Diver, Cllr Mrs H Catley and Cllr H Messenger.  As the meeting was not quorate, Cllr D Hume looked over the plans in the Halstead Town Council Office on Tuesday 23^rd June 2009.

All planning applications were noted.

New Planning Applications had been received:

1) 09/00742/FUL - 69 Beech Avenue, Halstead, Essex. CO9 1EW -
Erection of a single storey rear extension and erection of a new garden wall.
Members raised concerns about position of wall relevant to public footpath.  No other concerns were raised.

2) 09/00671/FUL - Co-operative Shop, Abels Road, Halstead, Essex. CO9 1EW
Erection of a heavy duty external notice board.
Members raised no objections.

3) 09/00747/FUL & 09/748/ADV - 48A High Street, Halstead, Essex CO9 2JB -
Re-surface and white line the existing car park together with new directional signage, replacement of existing trolley bays with new covered bays, installation of new safety bollards.
Members noted one letter of objection received.
Members raised concerns about signage in the car park.
No other concerns were raised.

153.    PROPOSED DATE OF ALLOTMENT AGM
Noted as Wednesday 11^th November 2009

154.    YOUTH  INITIATIVE
Minutes of a Youth Initiative Meeting held at 48 Mount Pleasant, Halstead on 17^th June 2009 at 7p.m.  Present Cllr Mrs L Hilton;  Cllr M Fincken and Cllr G Howlett.
It was agreed that information about what is already provided in the Town, what plans are already in place and  what future plans have been made should be ascertained.
It was established that there is already provision on Thursday evening at the resource centre for those aged 13-17 and this is quite well attended.
Suggestions were put forward for a Bar-B-Q on a Friday evening in August at the King George VI Playing Field, Kings Road.  Some help and equipment has already been organised, but it was thought that this event should be free, so funding would need to be put in place. 
It was also suggested that a Youth Council be formed.  It was said that all schools now had Youth Councils in place and Citizenship classes are held.
Cllr Mrs J Pell congratulated the sub-committee on their work, and advised that Town Centre Strategy Panel had decided to purchase a free-standing gazebo that could be used for the Bar-B-Q  Cllr Pell advised that the event should be well advertised.
It was recommended that firm proposals with a request for funding up to £200 be taken to next Full Council Meeting.

155.    ADDITONAL  ITEM
Music Weekend. A general discussion took place about the event held over the weekend of 26^th- 28^th June.  It was agreed that a sub-committee (Cllr Mrs J Pell; Cllr Mrs L Hilton; Cllr D Hume and Town Clerk) meet to collate information and report back to Finance and General Purposes Committee with recommendations on planning for next year's event.
Cllr G Howlett asked that a letter of thanks be written to St. Andrew's School for their participation, and also that some money to cover expenses be offered.  This was AGREED.

156.    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 8.40pm.