Membership:

Also in attendance:   Mr M C Murkin, Town Clerk, Mrs J Smith, Minute Clerk
                              

278.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received from Cllr Mrs L J Hilton and Cllr K Paisley

279.    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 personal interest in all planning items as a member of BDC Planning Committee
Cllr Mrs. S Diver declared personal interest in planning item, Mount Hill Garage as personal friend of applicant
Cllr H Messenger declared personal interest in planning item Mount Hill Garage as personal friend of applicant.

280.    TREES  &  CONTAINERS  FOR  THE  TOWN  CENTRE
Cllr M Gage reported that quotations had been received for Magnolia Grandiflora trees and for fabrication of suitable containers.  Suitable sites had been identified in conjunction with an Offiicer from ECC Higways; 3 trees to be placed outside the premises of Premaberg Ltd. in High Street and  a further 3 trees to be placed on the forecourt of the former Post Office in High Street.
A letter had been received from Premaberg Ltd. agreeing to siting of trees but asking for compliance on four points.
1) that trees be watered regularly throughout the year
2) that trees are pruned annually to maintain shape and size
3) that any littering of the pavement is removed as soon as possible
4) that trees are removed immediately if any instance of nuisance is reported regarding these trees.
Councillor M Gage said that the trees are prime specimens of approx 2 ½ metres in height and would be purchased through a local garden centre from a nursery in London.  The local garden centre, Mill Race Garden Centre in Aldham, is prepared to offer advice on soil required, pruning,etc.
The size of the planters has been discussed with the Garden Centre and it is agreed that they should be of substantial weight (200Kg each) to reduce the risk of vandalism.  Hand made lettering reading ‘Halstead Town Council' will be fixed to one side of each container.
Locations of the planting was discussed, and it was said that there would be no difficulties if scaffolding was required at the Premaberg building at any time - there is a current planning permission for change of use for the building.  It was also said that the trees at the Post Office would not obscure the town map.  It was said that the trees would be restricted in height by planting in a container, and some pruning would be required.
Cllr H Messenger said that although he supported the plan in principle he wondered if best value for money had been obtained.
Cllr M Gage said that there is a shortage of this variety of tree, hence the single quote for trees; there was a need to place the order very soon in order to secure a supply.  Cllr Gage said that he had been working on this project for two years, and a quote had been obtained from Braintree District Council to place two trees in the High Street and this quote had been considerably higher than those at present on the table which were for six trees and containers.
It was agreed that buying from a local supplier would have advantages as far as advice was concerned.
Cllr M Fincken asked if the trees would be insured, and Clerk stated that they would be covered under the Council's existing insurance.
Cllr Mrs J Pell said that the local forge who had quoted for supply of containers is well respected.
Cllr H Messenger again pressed the point about demonstrating to the public of Halstead that best value for money had been obtained, and it was agreed that Councillors working on the project believed that they had obtained best value, although this was not necessarily the cheapest quote.
The Clerk confirmed that the requirements of Standing Orders and Financial Regulations had been met in this case.
Cllr M Gage proposed that the quotations before the Council for supply of trees and containers should be accepted, and that Council should write to Premaberg Ltd. to state compliance with their requests.

Motion was seconded by Cllr Mrs J Pell, and a vote was taken.

Eight votes were for the motion, with one abstension.

RESOLVED that the quotes obtained for supply of trees and containers be accepted, and that a letter be written to Premaberg Ltd. to state that Council will comply with all their requests.

281.    CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENT
This item was off Agenda, but Chairman made the Council aware that Halstead has been invited to submit plans and estimates for a show garden at RHS Tatton Flower Show in July.

It was agreed that this is a great honour for the Town, but it has been reluctantly decided that as the Show takes place at the end of July, in the middle of the judging period for Anglia in Bloom and Britain in Bloom, it would not be      feasible to enter a garden this year.  It was felt that the Town's interest in the In Bloom competitions should not be compromised.

Cllr M Gage asked that Halstead Town Council write to Halstead in Bloom to commend their work and say that the Council is proud that Halstead has been afforded this recognition.

282.    PLANNING  APPLICATIONS.
Cllr Mrs S Diver Chairman of Planning Committee took the Chair for this part of the meeting:
10/00094/LBC. Candy Corner, 14 Head Street, Halstead, Essex. CO9 2BX 
Renew existing rotten front door, like for like.
Members raised no objections.

10/00121/FUL. 22 Box Mill Lane, Halstead, Essex, CO9 2DR. Erection of Front Porch.
Members raised no objections

10/00081FUL. 22 Box Mill Lane, Halstead, Essex. CO9 2DR. Proposed extension to rear of existing garage with a change of use from garage to granny annexe.
Provided that this extension is always in association with this house members raised no objections.

10/00166/LBC. 11 Hedingham Road, Halstead, Essex. CO9 2DA.  
Installation of 6 solar photovoltaic panels on roof at the rear of the property.
Members raised no objections.

10/00205/FUL. 39 Colne Road, Halstead, Essex. CO9 2HT. Demolition of lean-to-garage to side of 39 Colne Road, providing shared access to proposed site for erection of one four bedroomed detached house with integral garage and one detached garage to serve 39 Colne Road.
Discussions took place regarding size of plot and proposed building and also the possibilities of a new build overlooking other properties.
Members raised concerns about over intensification of the site; extra traffic being generated in this area near to a school. Members felt that this proposal is impractical for the area.

Cllr Mrs S Diver and Cllr H Messenger left the meeting at this point.

Chairman Cllr D Hume  took the chair for this part of the meeting. 

10/00194/FUL.  Mount Hill Garage, Mount Hill, Halstead, Essex CO9 1AA.
Refurbishment/replacement of existing workshop and provision of office accommodation above existing retail unit attached to existing filling station forecourt.  Proposed office to relate to existing site use.
Two previous applications had been made for this site, the first of which was withdrawn and the second was granted.
This is a revised plan showing a different site for office.
Members raised no objections.

Cllr Mrs S Diver and Cllr H Messenger rejoined the meeting.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 6.35 pm