Membership:

Also in attendance:   Mr M C Murkin, Town Clerk, Mrs J Smith, Minute Clerk 
                                 Mr M Murray, Head of Ramsey College, Ellie Simmons, Head
                                 Girl of Ramsey College, Daniel Rhodes, Head Boy of Ramsey 
                                 College

244.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
There were apologies for absence from Cllr M Gage Cllr Mrs S Diver and Cllr H Messenger.

245.    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 J Pell declared personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda item 14 as a Trustee of The Halstead Day Centre
Cllr Mrs B Gage declared personal interest in all planning items as a member of BDC Planning Committee
Cllr M Fincken declared personal interest in Agenda item 5 (ii) of F&GP Minutes items 207-213 as a Trustee of Home-Start, Witham, Braintree & Halstead.

246.    PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
No members of the public were present

247.    EXTRA  AGENDA  ITEM. Presentation by Mike Murray, Head of Ramsey College
Mr. Murray explained about core principles at the College: Leadership, Citizenship and Relevance to the Community.  He introduced the Head Girl, Ellie Simmons and Head Boy, Daniel Rhodes of the College and talked about the system of Prefects which encouraged good conduct within the school.  Monitors are also in place to combat any instances of bullying.  The College is trying to reach out to the community by visiting junior schools, nurseries and senior citizens groups and also take part in various community events, including the Anglia in Bloom judging in 2009.  Mr Murray explained about skills days held each month and the Accreditation of Skills which is a qualification of personal effectiveness that students can work towards.
It was hoped that good liaison between Halstead Town Council and the College could be forged for the benefit of both parties.
Discussion about uniform took place and it was said that consultation with families had taken place about changes for the future.
Mr Murray said that the perception of Ramsey College had changed within the community, but he had concerns about the demographic of the area as pupil numbers were dropping meaning  less revenue for the College.  To combat this Mr Murray hopes to open a Skill Centre at the college that could be used by local businesses to increase required skills in the area.   Work Experience within the community is a part of the College programme and this will continue, perhaps organised by a special placement officer within the College.
Mr Murray said that the College was trying to promote arts as well as academic achievement  and The Town Clerk spoke about the Christmas decorations that will be supplied for placement in the Town this year.
Discussion took place about a possible Youth Council which would include representation from council as well as students and staff from the College.
Chairman said that he felt this presentation had been most useful and thanked Mr Murray, Ellie and Daniel for attending.  He hoped that this would bring a closer working relationship between the Council and College.
Mr. Murray, Ellie and Daniel left the meeting.

248.    EXTRA  AGENDA  ITEM - Report on Youth Initiative Cllr Linda Hilton reported a visit by the Youth Initiative Sub-committee to the Youth Centre recently when several young people were in attendance.    Consultations with them established a need for Friday evening events, and the proposal is to hold a ‘major' event once a month with other more informal arrangements on other Friday evenings.  Young people consulted were keen that there is something on offer in Halstead every Friday evening.
Proposal is for a Band and Disco event on Friday 22^nd January 2010 at the Queen's Hall.  (It was established that the Hall is free on that evening)  Youth  Centre to provide Band and one member has equipment to provide disco entertainment.  Event to be from 7.30 - 11.30p.m.
Discussions took place about this proposal, and security was of concern.  Concerns were also raised about any possible jeopardising of licence as there have been complaints by residents about noise, etc.   It was said that Youth Centre workers would be in attendance but more volunteers would be required.  A ‘named person' would need to be appointed.   Young people have said that they would be prepared to pay up to £5.00 for such an event.  HTC to make a charge for caretaker services only, and any damage repair charges would have to be reimbursed.    No alcohol would be served at the event.  Application forms would need to be completed.
RESOLVED that the Youth Initiative could organise a Youth Event at the Queen's Hall on 22^nd January at cost price. 
It was also said young people are also keen to have trips to other towns to take part in activities not available in Halstead such as Rollerworld, ice skating and musicals.  Members thought that Youth Centre should be responsible for arranging such outings.
Venues for some more informal meetings have been suggested: Scenarios Function Room; The Bull Function Room; Essex Arms Function Room; Kid's Play Café; An empty shop.  It was thought that some grant funding could be sought for these meetings, and perhaps some commercial ventures may be interested in assisting.  Another Town Council BBQ would also be appreciated.  Youth Initiative committee to discuss further and present a report for circulation to members before next Full Council Meeting.

249.    COMMITTEE  MINUTES
(i) The minutes of the Amenities Committee of 5^th November 2009 were approved and signed as a true record.
(ii) The minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee of 12^th November 2009 were approved and signed as a true record.
Cllr M Fincken asked for consideration to be given to some consistency in making grants.  He noted that in a recent discussion (item 207 of Finance and General Purpose minutes) it had been said that Home-Start pay money to a National governing body, but no mention had been made that Cubs also belong to a National body.  It was felt that all grant applications should be dealt with consistently. Chairman had sympathy with this point, and felt that further discussions on the matter of grant allocation should take place.  

250.    PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Cllr K Paisley, Vice Chair of Planning Committee  took the chair for this part of the meeting. 
09/01425/ELD - Kids Play House Café, 28-30 Trinity Street, Halstead, Essex.  Application for a Certificate of Lawful Development for an existing use - Continued use of building as A3,A5, D5 (Children's indoor play centre with café).  Councillors recognised that this is a potentially good facility for the Town, but concerns have been raised about safety of the premises due to internal renovations, concerns about insurance cover and also concerns about personnel having the relevant accreditation and checks to work with young people.  It was said that concerns had been raised about the colour scheme of the exterior of the building.  It was also queried whether there should be some railings or a barrier to stop youngsters running from the building directly into the roadway.
It was requested that a letter be written to the Proprietor voicing all these concerns.
Councillors raised no objections to this retrospective application, but asked that this application be taken to Committee.
09/01491/FUL - Land adjacent to 4 Blue Bridge Cottages, Colchester Road, Halstead, Essex, CO9 2HD - erection of detached dwelling and associated external works.
Councillors were reminded that a similar application had been presented on a previous occasion when parking and highway access were of concern and an objection had been raised by neighbouring property at 5 Blue Bridge Cottages.  Application had later been withdrawn.
Councillors noted small amendments to current application.
Councillors raised objections as this is too large a development for this size of plot, does not address the Highways issues raised on the earlier application and is potential back land development.

251.    MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chairman announced that he will attend an event at Ramsey College on 3^rd December as well as attending the Senior Citizens party.  On 4^th December it is proposed that there be another switch on of the extra lights         made by Ramsey College students and that will be placed at Weavers' Court opposite The Causeway and Chairman would like to attend.  This additional item was discussed and some members were opposed to having two ‘switch on' events.  A vote was taken and on a majority decision it was RESOLVED that the additional lights be switched on at an extra event on 4^th December (provided this can be arranged with various contractors).

252.    COMMITTEE STRUCTURE
Clerk stated that the paper presented is a start to discussions about some changes in Council procedures.  It was suggested that there could be a special meeting to discuss this proposal, or they could be discussed fully
at next Full Council meeting.  Discussions took place regarding speed of decision making and responsibilities of various committees.  It was AGREED that a sub-group be arranged consisting of 5 Council members (to 
include Cllr M Fincken) and that this group produce an interim report before the next round of Council meetings in January.
           

253.    PAY  AWARD
Employment Briefing from National Association of Local Councils was presented giving details of National Pay Settlements and increase in Annual Leave entitlement.
RESOLVED that this pay award be implemented Cllr M Fincken asked if there had been any staff changes and it was said that no changes had been made.

254.    PARISH  SUPPORT  GRANT
Discussions took place regarding proposed withdrawal of the Parish Support Grant presently given to Halstead and other parishes in the Braintree District.   E-mail had been sent from Halstead Town Council to Robert
Bolton, Chair of Halstead Local Committee stating Town Council's stance on any such withdrawal.
RESOLVED that Clerk write to Cllr Graham Butland, Leader of Braintree District Terms using the strongest possible terms to object to the proposed withdrawal of Parish Support Grand and supporting the stance taken by Braintree Association of Local Councils.

255.    BENCH  IN  COLCHESTER  ROAD
Resident has noted that a bench has been removed from Colchester Road that is the possession of Halstead Town Council.  Clerk stated that it had been taken away pending siting of a new bus shelter and was presently in storage by Essex County Council Highways Dept.   It will be re-sited when location has been agreed.  RESOLVED that seat should be re-located as near as possible to former position when bus shelter is completed.

256.    BRAINTREE DC STREET SCENE LITTER STRATEGY
Draft proposal has been produced.  Members are asked to comment by 28^th November.  It was RESOLVED  that Luke Henry, Waste and Street Scene Policy Manager should be advised that Halstead Town Council has zero tolerance of fly posting and that there are problems of this nature at weekends at Bluebridge.  Braintree DC is asked to enforce this policy at all times.  Clerk advised that there is an excellent partnership working between Halstead TC and Braintree DC.

257.    WEB  SITE
Clerk advised that the Town Council web site needs to be updated; possibly to include a Town Diary and a Mayor's Blog.  Security also needs to be updated.  Quote for this work has been obtained from current web site provider at a cost of £1010.  Clerk also asked Councillors to look at other web sites to see if a complete overhaul of the Town's web site would be a better advertisement for the Council and for the Town.  In other areas it is possible for town traders and local groups to have their own pages and update them possibly providing revenue to cover Council's cost, although  Cllr Paisley questioned whether traders would pay to advertise on our web site it was AGREED that further investigations take place and matter will be discussed at a later meeting.

258.    HALSTEAD DAY CENTRE - request for grant 
Letter has been received requesting a grant to assist with purchase of a light industrial washing machine for use at the Day Centre.  £300 has already been raised, cost of a new machine is £659.  Clerk advised that grant budget is not yet fully allocated.  RESOLVED that at grant of £359 be made to Halstead Day Centre.

259.    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 9.25 pm