Membership:

Also in attendance:   Mrs. J.M.Smith, Minute Clerk 

124.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs H Catley.

125.    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.

Councillor Mrs B Gage declared a personal interest in item 6 Planning Applications as a Braintree District Councillor.

Councillor Mrs J Pell declared a personal interest in item 6 Planning Applications as a Braintree District Councillor, a personal interest in item 12 Christmas lights, contractor known to her.

126.    PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

None. 

127.    MINUTES

The minutes of the Council meeting held on 29^th May 2008 were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

128.    COMMITTEE MINUTES

The minutes of the Amenities Committee held on 3^rd July 2008, previously circulated, were approved.  Recommendation regarding referral of proposal to make part of Mill Chase a one way street to Essex County Council Highways Dept. was moved. 

The minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on 10^th July were noted.  Recommendation regarding work on entry beds at Town Signs was moved.

No minutes were available for the Budget Working Group held on 26th June.

129.    PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Councillor Mrs S Diver took the chair for the planning applications.

08/01212/FUL.- Land between Bois Field Terrace and Track, Mill Chase, Halstead CO9 2DF. Erection of one and a half storey dwelling with carport and associated parking.  Members raised objections regarding height of building in area of special interest.

08/01218/FUL & 08/01219/LBC - 18 Weavers Row, Halstead Essex, CO9 2JX - Erection of extension.   Members raised no objections.

08/01238/FUL - 24 Bridge Street, Halstead, Essex, CO9 1HT - Change of use from A1 to veterinary surgery.  Members raised no objections

08/1257/FUL - Land Adjacent to 1 Sudbury Road, Halstead, Essex CO9 1BA - Erection of single dwelling with attached garaging and associated landscaping works - revised application following withdrawal of application no. 08/00326/FUL.  Members noted that access had been changed.  Members raised no objections, but commented on possible difficulties that may be caused by construction traffic

08/01321/FUL - 17 Butler Road, Halstead, Essex, CO9 1LL - Variation to scheme approved under 08/0003/FUL due to discovery of public sewer below ground floor extension - original footprint retained, ground floor altered and first floor rear extension constructed to provide 2 no. 1 bed first floor flats, 1no. 1 bed ground floor flat and 1no. 1 bed maisonette to rear.  Members raised objections on grounds of overdevelopment of the site.

08/01329/FUL - 38 High Street, Halstead, Essex, CO9 2AP - Installation of automated teller machine.  Members raised no objections, but commented that light levels be considered in this conservation area.

Noted.  Councillor D Hume reported on his tour with the Anglia in Bloom judges, and noted the obvious community spirit in the Town.

131.    REFERRALS FROM AMENITIES COMMITTEE

            None.

132.    YOUTH  INITIATIVE

Report produced by Cllr Mrs. Linda Hilton was circulated and discussed.

RESOLVED that a focus group be formed to take this matter forward.  Group to meet at Mill House; Cllr Linda Hilton, Cllr Greg Howlett, Cllr Howard Messenger and Cllr Kate Little to be nucleus of group, with other member co-opted as required.

133.    FUN  RUN

Report circulated. Cllr J Pell, Cllr S Diver, Cllr M Gage offered assistance as Marshalls at the event. 

            Members agreed to take two additional agenda items

134.    TWINNING 25^th ANNIVERSARY

It had previously agreed that gifts of medals and engraved glass be presented.   Engraving is in hand; it is probably not possible for Nokes to make medals,  although a cast has now come to light that may be used.

Town Clerk is investigating venues for a Civic Reception. 

RESOLVED that venue should be decorated with flowers - Flower Club to be asked to arrange some flowers. Catering to be arranged.

Cllr D Hume with Chair of Finance and Chair of Amenities to oversee arrangements for this significant anniversary.

It was queried whether Braintree District Council should be involved, suggested that Lady Newton be invited to attend

135.    CHRISTMAS  LIGHTS

Cllr B A Gage has arranged meeting with contractor to arrange a schedule for ordering lights and erecting displays.  It had been decided on 14^th October 2007 that a focus group be formed to discuss lights for 2008.

RESOLVED that Cllr K Little, Cllr B A Gage, Cllr H Messenger and Cllr S Diver form a focus group, meeting dates to be arranged, Cllr B A Gage to Chair.

RESOLVED that budget for the Christmas Lights at Weavers'Court 2008 be £5000.00

136.    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 to be excluded from the meeting.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.50 pm