Membership:

Also in attendance:   Mr M C Murkin, Town Clerk and 5 members of the public.

140.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs J A Pell and Mrs B A Gage.

141.    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.

Personal and prejudicial interests were declared as follows:

• Councillor Mrs S Diver in planning application nos. 08/01628 and 08/01665
• Councillor G Howlett in planning application no. 08/01638

Personal interests were declared as follows:

• Councillor Mrs S Diver in planning application nos. 08/01622, 08/01644 and 08/01524
• Councillor Mrs K Little in planning application no. 08/01622
• Councillor Mrs L Hilton in planning application nos. 08/01714

142.    PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

 Mr S Kirby of the Chamber of Trade expressed his desire to work with the Town Council to improve all aspects of the town.  He hoped that a town councillor would attend future meetings of the Chamber.  Councillor M Gage suggested the Town Council should nominate a councillor and a reserve.

Mr R Page spoke in opposition to the proposed development at Greenbanks.  He felt the three-storey buildings planned were too high, that there was insufficient parking spaces and that elderly residents using electric buggies to get to the town could not pass one another on the narrow pavements in that area.

143.                ADDITIONAL DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

Councillor Mrs H Catley declared a personal and prejudicial interest in planning application no. 08/01714

144.    MINUTES

The minutes of the Council meeting held on 17^th July 2008 were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

145.    COMMITTEE MINUTES

The minutes of the Amenities Committee held on 4^th September 2008, previously circulated, were approved.  Recommendation regarding a meeting between the Town Council and the History Society was moved. 

The minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee held on 11^th September 2008 were approved.  Recommendations at minutes 94-103 were moved.  It was recorded that Councillor Mrs K Little attended this meeting.

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

146.    PLANNING APPLICATIONS

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

08/08/01638/FUL - Wade International (UK) Ltd - proposed car parking and access road.  Councillor G Howlett left the room during this item.  Members raised no objection, but suggested that advice is taken on the suitability of screening trees and that these should be planted as soon as possible.  Councillor G Howlett returned.

Councillor Mrs S Diver left the room for the discussion of the next five items.  Councillor T Middleton took the chair.

08/01628/FUL - The Essex Arms, Trinity Street, Halstead, Essex, CO9 1JQ - Change of use to a single dwelling.  Members felt the loss of a public amenity should not be encouraged.  It would also change the townscape.  Members recommend refusal.

08/01665/FUL - Greenbanks and the Elms, Mount Hill, Halstead, Essex, CO9 1AD - Demolition of existing dwellings and construction of 39 no. category II type sheltered apartments for sale to the elderly, including house manage office accommodation, associated communal facilities, car parking and fully landscaped garden.  Members were concerned from a highways aspect, as there would be too many vehicle movements onto the main road.  They also felt it was overdevelopment of the site with significant change in street scene.  The properties are also too high.  They felt the Elms is in a very good condition and should not be demolished.

08/01622/FUL - 7 Broton Drive, Halstead, Essex, CO9 1HB - Demolition of remaining fire damaged structures and construction of new building to accommodate showroom/workshop/warehouse and ancillary offices with existing use classes B8, B1 and A1.  Councillor Mrs K Little left the room during this item.

Members raised no objections.  Councillor Mrs K Little returned.

08/01644/FUL - The Papermills, Chapel Street, Halstead, Essex - Erection of a block of 10 no. flats.  Members object - the building is too large and too high in relation to other properties, is not in keeping and too dominant in street scene.  They felt it should match Bays Drive.  Members would welcome development of this site but feel the design is unsympathetic.

27 Nether Court - extension - referred back for reconsideration.  Councillor Mrs H Catley left the room during this item.  After considering the amendments made on the revised application, members considered these insufficient to warrant changing their previous views.  Councillor Mrs H Catley returned.

Councillor Mrs S Diver returned and took the chair for the one remaining planning application.

08/01714/FUL - Priory Hall, Colchester Road, Halstead, Essex, CO9 2ES - Erection of 25 no. 2 bed houses, 54 no. 1 and 2 bed apartments, use of school house for one dwelling, conversion and extension of Priory Hall to form 6 no. apartments and ancillary clubhouse for the elderly and erection of 59 bed care home.  Members object as too many vehicles will be accessing site with only one main entrance.   It was also questioned if the 59 bed care home could be reduced in size to reduce overcrowding on this site.

Noted.  Councillor D Hume congratulated the Halstead in Bloom committee on their wonderful effort around the town to secure their fifth consecutive silver gilt award.

The Mayor also congratulated Daniel Robinson for raising £13,000 at their charity golf day and also everyone concerned in the awarding of a "Green Flag" to the public gardens.

148.    REFERRALS FROM AMENITIES COMMITTEE

            None.

149.    ST. ANDREWS (SOUTH) WARD

After considering the proposals put forward by Braintree DC it was proposed by Councillor Fincken, seconded by Councillor Mrs Catley and    

RESOLVED to choose Option 1.

150.    TWINNING RECEPTION 19^th OCTOBER

            It was agreed to

• Seek alternatives to provide a suitable buffet
• Serve English apple juice and sparkling wine to our guests
• Formally invite Lady Newton, the president of the twinning association and the town councillors
• Have floral arrangements made up

151.    YOUTH  INITIATIVE

Councillor Mrs. Linda Hilton gave an update on progress including discussions with other groups in the town and also of possible funding sources. 

152.    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 9.15 pm