Membership:

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

278.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received from Cllr Mrs J A Pell; Cllr Mrs S A Diver 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 H Catley declared personal and prejudicial interest in Financial and   General Purposes committee minute no. 243 as employee of successful tenderer

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

281.    COMMITTEE MINUTES
Minutes of the Council meetings held on 21^st January 2010 and 18^th February 2010 having been previously circulated were unanimously approved and adopted. 

282.    COMMITTEE  MINUTES
(i) The minutes of Amenities Committee of 21^st January 2010 having been previously circulated were unanimously approved and adopted.           

(ii) The minutes of Amenities Committee of 4^th March 2010 having been previously circulated were unanimously approved and adopted.

(iii) The minutes of Finance and General Purposes Committee of 11^th March 2010 having been previously circulated were unanimously approved and adopted.

283.    PLANNING  APPLICATIONS.
In the absence of Chairman and Deputy Chairman of Planning Committee Chairman of the meeting dealt with this item.
10/00310/FUL. Crowbridge Cottage, Chapel Hill, Halstead, Essex.CO9 1JS Creation of a drop kerb to provide vehicular access.
Chairman advised that Essex County Council has raised objections on safety grounds and that this is a re-submission with no information available on original application.
RESOLVED that, in view of the objection by Essex County Council, applicant should be advised that withdrawal of application is recommended with the suggestion that applicant negotiate with Braintree District Council and Essex County Council to find a way forward.

284.    AMENITIES  COMMITTEE
No referrals were made.
Cllr M Fincken asked that in future this item be removed from Council  Agenda.
Following a proposal from Cllr M Gage it was
RESOLVED that agenda item to discuss change in structure of  Committees be put forward at an early date.

285.    PROPOSED CHRISTMAS OFFICE HOURS 2010.
Chairman asked for clarification of the term ‘statutory days' and was told by Clerk that these two days were awarded Nationally many years ago and it is at the discretion of the Council when they may be taken, although commonpractice is that they are taken at Christmas.
Cllr M Gage asked whether the car parks will be still be manned during the Christmas break and was told that car parks will be manned every day except Bank Holidays.
RESOLVED that proposed programme of Christmas Office Hours be accepted.

286.    PROPOSED  CHANGES  TO  CONSULTATION  PLANS
Report was noted.  Cllr M Gage felt that there should be no opposition to plans being viewed electronically but asked that Councillors who had no access to electronic media be able to view plans electronically at Town Council Office. It was noted that maximum size of plans would be A3.  Cllr Mrs H Catley asked if plans could be printed to bring to meetings;  Cllr M Gage said that weekly list would be extremely important in advising Councillors of forthcoming planning applications.  It was felt that discussions about applications are very important and that as consultees it was vital that Council consult about each application in the Town.  Clerk to make this point to District Council when replying to letter of 22^nd February.  Letter was noted.
RESOLVED that response be made to Planning Service who will be asked to supply hard copies of plans on all significant developments within Halstead.

287.    LOCAL  HIGHWAYS  PANEL  FOR  BRAINTREE DISTRICT
Clerk stated that Cllr H Messenger was the appointed representative for Halstead on this panel, but that he had not been sent minutes and was not advised of meetings.  This has been discussed with the Braintree District Council staff who will ensure Cllr Messenger is included for future meetings.
No report therefore available.

288.    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.

Chairman closed the meeting at 8.00 pm