Membership:

Also in attendance:   Cllr Mrs. Beryl Gage
                                  M C Murkin, Town Clerk
                                  Mrs. J. Smith, Minute Clerk
                                 1 member of the Press
                                  Mr. K. Nolan, Edward Jones

160.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.  Cllr. D. Hume

161.    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.Mrs.B. Gage declared a personal interest in all planning items as member of Braintree 
           District Planning Committee
          Cllr Mrs J Pell declared a personal interest in item 12 as husband works for EDF Energy.

162.    PUBLIC  QUESTION  TIME
            There were none.      .

163.    MINUTES

          The Minutes of the meetings held on 9^th March 2009 and 14^th May 2009 were unanimously
          adopted.

164.    PRESENTATION was made by Kevin Nolan, Edward Jones & Co. regarding  
            investments and in particular possible investment by Halstead Town Council in 
           Corporate Bonds.  A presentation pack was made available to each Town 
           Councilor and questions were asked of Mr. Nolan.
           Chairman moved that Mr. Nolan be asked to make a presentation to Full Council 
           and this motion was seconded by Cllr G Howlett.
            RESOLVED that information packs be made available to all members not present, and that
            Kevin Nolan be invited to make a presentation and answer questions at Full Council
            meeting

            Mr. Nolan left the meeting.

165.    PLANNING APPLICATIONS
            Cllr Mrs. S. Diver, Chair of Planning Committee took the chair for this item
           09/00549/FUL. 1 Meadow Close, Halstead, Essex. CO9 1NA - Erection of fence.
            After viewing plans and studying photographs
            Members asked that ECC Highways be made aware of this application and
            raised doubts about erection of 2m high fence on this corner plot

            09/00588/FUL & 09/00589/LBC. Former Bakehouse R/o 63-65 High Street, 
            Halstead, Essex CO9 2JD - change of use of former Bakehouse (ClassA1) to 
            residential (Class C3) including erection of extension, insertion of roof lights, part
            new fenestration, provision of staircase and new internal partitions, renovation 
            and landscaping of courtyard.
            Chair explained that no objections had been raised by adjacent businesses, and 
            that there was no provision for parking of cars, but two spaces for cycles had been
            allocated. 
            Members raised no objections to this application

            09/00587/FUL & 09/00588/LBC. Premier Travel Agency Ltd., 63 High Street, 
            Halstead, Essex. CO9 2JD.  Change of use of upper floor from B1 office 
            accommodation to C3 residential together with internal alterations to provide
            separate rear entrances, landscaping of rear courtyard and provision of covered
            bin stores and bicycle stand.
            Members raised no objections to this application

            09/00596/ADV. 75 High Street, Halstead, Essex. CO9 2JD.  Replacement of
            existing fascia sign with new fascia sign.
            Chair explained that this was Cats Protection charity shop now leasing former
            retail shop.  Picture of proposed signage was shown; sign is not lit.
            Members raised no objections to this application.

            09/00586/FUL. 9 Pretoria Road, Halstead, Essex. CO9 2EG. Erection of rear 
            garden room extension.
            Members raised no objections to this application.

            Councillor M. Gage then resumed Chair of the meeting

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

167.    FINANCIAL  MONITORING
            Spread sheet and notes to the spread sheet were viewed and some questions 
            were asked of Clerk.  It was agreed that notes were a helpful inclusion.  
            Memorandum of analysis of staff costs was noted.
            Members noted figures presented.

168.    MONTHLY  PERFORMANCE.
          Cllr K Paisley noted the reduction in income at Butler Road car park.
          Increase in sickness/absence figures for year 2008/9 was noted.
          Members noted figures presented

169.     NOTES OF BUDGET WORKING GROUP
            Chairman explained that the meeting planned for 21^st May 2009 had been postponed  as 
            members elected to this group for 2009/10 were at work. 
            Meeting to be re-arranged as evening meeting.  ~
            Minutes of the Budget Working Group of 9^th April 2009 were reviewed.
            Members noted these minutes

170.    MILL HOUSE - Boiler Replacement
            Town Clerk explained that although boiler was working at present it had been
            suggested that it should be replaced before another heating season.
            Quotes from three plumbing services were reviewed.  It was agreed that all 
            Showed CORGI accreditation, but that this had now been superceded by Gas
            Safe accreditation.
            RESOLVED that G&D Plumbing and Heating Ltd. should be asked to provide
            Gas Safe registration number, and asked if his estimate is a firm quote.  If both are
            satisfactory then G&D Plumbing & Heating Ltd. be engaged to replace boiler at
            Mill House.   R&D Gas Services to be second choice for this work.

171.    MILL HOUSE - Flagpole.
           Councillor Mrs.  J Pell left the meeting for this item
           Clerk explained that when the flagpole was delivered it was pointed out that 
           electricity wires could potentially be fouled when flag was flying.  A shorter pole 
           was not considered suitable.  Quote to move the wires had been obtained from
           EDF energy which would more than double the cost of installation.
           Discussions on other suitable places for a flagpole to be erected took place.
           RESOLVED that Clerk be asked to liaise with Braintree District Council with
           regard to a Town Flag Pole being erected in the Public Gardens.

172.    ADDITIONAL  ITEM.  Halstead in Bloom
            It had been suggested that Town Council purchase two troughs to be placed
            on railings of Public Gardens in Trinity Street.  There was no clarity as to whether
            these troughs could be placed on the railings or would need to be adjacent to
            the railings.  No details of locations of troughs had been provided.
            RESOLVED that Clerk seek clarification from B.D.C. on where troughs should
            be located and this item to be further discussed at Full Council Meeting.

173.    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 8.54 pm

Mike Murkin

Town Clerk.