Membership:

Also in attendance:   Cllr Mrs B Gage,  M C Murkin Town Clerk, 
                                   Mrs. J. Smith, Minute Clerk

200.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.  Cllrs. M Gage and D. Hume, Cllr Mrs H Catley

201.    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 D Howlett declared personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda item 10 as son will be attending the event.
Cllr Mrs J Pell declared personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda item 14 as Vice President of Halstead Cricket Club, and family members play for the Club
Cllr K Paisley declared personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda item 16 as retailer in Halstead.
Cllr Mrs. B Gage declared personal and prejudicial interest in planning item Agenda 5 as a  property owner at Well Field.

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

203.   MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 10^th September 2009 were unanimously adopted.

204.  PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Cllr Mrs. Shirley Diver took the Chair for this part of the meeting
09/012382/FUL. 22 Well Field, Halstead, Essex. CO9 1JB - Erection of utility room annexe to detached double garage.
Councillors raised no objections

205.  REFERRALS FROM AMENITIES COMMITTEE
There were no referrals from the Amenities Committee

206.    FINANCIAL  MONITORING and MONTHLY  PERFORMANCE
Spreadsheets giving this information were shown, addendum notes included.
Reports were noted.

207.     SECTION 137 GRANT - Homestart
Request for some funding to assist with mandatory CRB checks had been made.
Councillors agreed that this was a good cause, but noted that some payments had to be made to National Governing Body.
RESOLVED to make a grant of £202.95 towards expenses of CRB checks

208.    SECTION 137 GRANT - 1^st Halstead Cubs
Request for some funding towards a visit to an international scouting event in France had been received.  No grants had been made to Cubs within the past 3 years and it was felt that this would be an excellent experience for Cubs.
RESOLVED to make a grant of £300.00 towards expenses of this trip

209.    SECTION 137 GRANT - Halstead in Bloom
Mrs. J. Smith left  the meeting for this item as Secretary of Halstead in Bloom.
Clerk explained that amounts given over the past 3 years were for purchase of hanging baskets and plants and planting that used to be the responsibility of  Town Council.  Halstead has now been entered for the Britain in Bloom competition because of the consistently high standards shown to the Anglia in Bloom judges and this will mean extra financial burden for Halstead in Bloom.
RESOLVED to make a grant of £3000.00 towards additional expenses

210.  SECTION 137 GRANT - Citizen's Advice Bureau
It was stated that no charge was made for advice given to residents and that C.A.B. was available for help to all in society.
RESOLVED to make a grant of £500.00 towards expenses

211.  SECTION 137 GRANT - Stop Stansted Expansion
It was agreed that affiliation to this campaign is by personal choice.
RESOLVED that no grant be awarded

212.  SECTION 137 GRANT - Halstead Cricket Club
An e-mail had been forwarded to Clerk regarding a special project to celebrate the 125^th anniversary of the Club.  A  book will be printed giving a detailed story of the Club over the past 25 years.  Grant was requested to help with printing costs.
RESOLVED to make a grant of £250.00 to assist with printing costs and to offer assistance by having the book for sale at HTC Office.

213.  SECTION 137 GRANT - Halstead Road Runners
Request had been received for Halstead Town Council to act as sponsors for The Halstead Marathon on 9^th May 2010.
RESOLVED to make a grant of £500.00 towards race expenses.
Councillors are also asked to assist as Marshalls at the event and HTC to lend tables and allow use of parking area.

214.  TOWN  CENTRE  REGENERATION
It was suggested at a Budget Working Group that Town Council offers grants to local businesses to help with costs of repainting shop frontage.  Scheme to be limited to local businesses and offer up to £500 or 50% of the cost on a first come first served basis. Financial limit to be £3000 in the first year and grants to be available after 1^st April 2010.
It was said that this should be in the budget under ‘special items'.
AGREED in principle.  Matter to be taken to Full Council.

215. CONTINENTAL  MARKET
Following the success of the Italian market in September 2009, Chamber of Trade has suggested that there be a Continental Market in 2010.  Market would be held Friday/Saturday/Sunday and needs of existing stall holders would be  taken into consideration.  It was thought that this would be an attraction for the Town, and that places for Market Vans would need to be reserved in Butler Road Car Park - meaning a small loss of income.  Costs are estimated to be minimal.  It was said that there would need to be advertising of the event and perhaps some ‘fun' events such as face painting, etc. could be incorporated.
Proposed dates are: 19^th-21^st March; 9^th-11^th April; 23^rd-25^th April.  Preferred dates being 9^th-11^th April provided that this does not clash with any other Town events.
AGREED in principle.  £500 to be set aside towards costs.

216. 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 be excluded from the meeting.

The meeting closed at 8.00 pm