Membership:

Also in attendance                           Councillor Mrs. S Diver
                                                        Mr M Murkin, Town Clerk
                                                        Mrs. J. Smith, Minute Clerk
                                                    

202   APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
There were no apologies for absence

203   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. B. Gage declared personal interest in all planning issues as member of BDC Planning Committee.

204   PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
No members of the public were present.

205   MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 21^st January 2010, in open session, having  been previously circulated, were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman. 

206.  PLANNING  APPLICATIONS     
Cllr Mrs S Diver took the chair for this item of the meeting 

10/00193/LBC.  9 Parsonage Street, Halstead, Essex. CO9 2LD.  Removal of brick pillar at side of property.  
Members raised no objections.

Cllr H Messenger resumed the Chair    
 
207.  BUTLER  ROAD
Following previous discussions regarding provision of shelter at this location local residents were consulted and 2 letters of objection have been received.   Clerk had met with Stephen Armson-Smith,  Crime Reduction Officer for Braintree District Council who had also voiced concerns, as had the local police.  The proposal was for a covered standing area only, and discussions took place about the merits of a shelter in this location.  
It was proposed that, in view of objections raised a shelter should not be placed at Butler Road.
RESOLVED that budget for this proposed shelter is used to put shelter in another location, possibly White Horse Avenue.   
Discussion took place about provision of a notice board containing a Town Map and signage to the toilets in Butler Road for the  benefit of visitors to the Town.  Copy of map is held at Braintree District Council, but a case would need to be purchased.  Clerk to source case, it was said that there is budge provision for this purchase, and for purchase of signage to toilets
RESOLVED that Chairman of Amenities,Chairman of the Council and Town Clerk be given delegated authority to purchase a notice board case up to a value of £1500.00
                 

208.   ENTRY  SIGNS
Quotes for provision of new signs at entrances to the Town had been sought and were discussed. 
RESOLVED that quote from Concept Signs Ltd. be accepted and that signs should be in black and gold to match sponsor signs in the Town.
It was agreed that a review of signage in the Town should take place and consideration given to requesting some new Brown heritage signs to Halstead.
Clerk to arrange a review    

Cllr M Fincken joined the meeting at this point and Chairman gave a resume of the meeting so far.

Chairman took the following two items off agenda.

209.  YOUTH (Cllr Mrs L Hilton asked that this be an item on all future Amenities Committee meetings. 
It was reported that the HYPE (Halstead Young People's Event) event that took place on 5^th February was very successful with 180 young people attending.
One letter of complaint had been received, and youth leaders will meet with the complainant before the next event.  Lessons had been learned concerning entry to the event and also a greater Police presence would be requested.  Local residents will be leafleted before the next event, with a contact number for the PCSO included.  It had been decided that for the next event tickets would be sold in advance at a lesser rate than would be charged on the evening and that there would be no entry after 9.30p.m.  A meeting was arranged for 24^th March to discuss further details.   It was said that the hall had been left clean and tidy after the event.  A further HYPE event has been booked for 23^rd April, and there was cash in hand to pay for this event.  It was advised that some grants for youth events may be available from Halstead Local Committee and HYPE was urged to apply.

210.  EVENTS
Discussions took place regarding publicising events within Halstead and it was felt that Halstead Town Council web site should be the hub for such publicity.  It was agreed that events could be added to the News/Events item on the Town Council web site but must be submitted in written form and with correct details.
It was agreed that meeting should take place with the Chamber of Trade to discuss which web site should be publicising events and it may be necessary to speak to web master to decide which format would be the best to use.
Town Council staff to investigate and report on what might be feasible.
         

211.    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 8.20pm.