Membership:

Also in attendance:   Mr M C Murkin, Town Clerk, Mrs J Smith, Minute Clerk
                                 7 members of the Public

263.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
There were no apologies for absence

264.    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 interest in Planning item, Broton Drive as knows applicant.
Cllr Mrs B Gage declared personal interest in all planning items as a member of BDC Planning Committee
Cllr Mrs. S Diver declared Personal and Prejudicial interest in planning item, Broton Drive as personal friend of applicant
Cllr H Messenger declared personal interest in item 11, Hedingham Road Parking as member of family lives in the area.

265.    PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Mr. Mark Abbott and Mr Donald Daly of Hedingham Road indicated that they would like to speak regarding parking in Hedingham Road, Halstead.
Mr. Abbott (of 84 Hedingham Road)said that he had been in touch with ECC Highways regarding parking on Hedingham Road in what was said to be dangerous positions.  He said that residents had witnessed several ‘near misses' and that the road became blocked at times when large vehicles could not pass.  He said that ECC Highways had indicated they were looking at parking restrictions in various areas including Hedingham Road but had indicated they would like    support from Town Council for any measures to be taken.  Mr. Abbott had presented a petition to the Council asking for this support.
Mr. Daly (of 90 Hedingham Road) said that he would like to stress the safety issues caused by parking on bends on this A road and said that paths were narrow and constantly blocked by refuse bins.  Police have been called on several occasions and have spoken to car owners who park on pavements.  Mr Daly said he had witnessed emergency vehicles having difficulties passing along this part of Hedingham Road.
Mrs. Joyce (of 88 Hedingham Road) said that there was a planned bus cage in the area currently allocated for parking outside the Homes of Rest and that this would only aggravate the parking situation.
Chairman thanked residents for their contributions and said the matter would be discussed later in the meeting.

266.    COMMITTEE  MINUTES
Minutes of the Council meetings held on 19^th November 2009 and  8^th December 2009 were unanimously approved and adopted.

267.    SALT  BINS
An exchange of e-mails from resident of Hawthorn Close, Halstead and Essex          County Council Highways regarding placement of salt bins at Beech Avenue and Hawthorn Close, Halstead were shown.   Residents had requested provision of salt bins and had been told that new salt bins have to be paid for by Town or Parish councils and Essex County Council would then maintain them.  Cost of bins was said to be £300 each.
Clerk had stated that Town Council had not paid for bins in the past and no budget had been allocated for bins.  It was said that presently there are 28 salt bins in the Town.
Councillors were concerned that no budget was available for bins, and it would be difficult to justify such expenditure to our Auditor.
Councillors were concerned about setting a precedent by purchasing bins in this location and there were concerns about who would pay for damage to bins.  It was said that maintenance of highways had always been the responsibility of County Council
it was RESOLVED that Town Council put pressure on Essex County Council to provide salt bins at identified locations where there is a great need for this amenity
Cllr Mrs J Pell said that she would raise this matter at the next Road Traffic Liaison Meeting

Two members of the public left the meeting at this point.

268.    HEDINGHAM  ROAD  PARKING
Town Clerk referred to the statements by residents and endorsed points made.  It was stated that Essex County Council had indicated a willingness to review the situation in the area but required Town Council support for the review.
It was recognised that this was a difficult problem and Town Council would always want to promote road safety and would want to support residents.
It was RESOLVED that a meeting be convened with Police, Residents, Essex County Council Highways and residents to look at all possibilities to resolve the situation.
Cllr Paisley suggested that perhaps the verge was wide enough for a lay-by to be made outside the allotment site.
Cllr Gage asked Clerk to contact Land Registry to find ownership of the meadow beyond the allotments and that has access to Hedingham Road with a view to approaching the owner with regard to possible provision of parking spaces.

Five members of the public left the meeting at this point.

269.    COMMITTEE  MINUTES
The minutes of Finance and General Purposes Committee 14^th January 2010 were reviewed.
It was noted that Cllr Mrs L Hilton did attend the meeting, and left at point as indicated.
Chairman of Finance and General Purposes Committee Cllr M Gage advised that item 226 had been RESOLVED in view of the need to take immediate action.
Cllr Mrs K Little asked that item 221 be amended to show the date of previous meeting as 12^th November 2009.
Minutes were then unanimously adopted.

270.    PLANNING  APPLICATIONS.
Cllr Mrs S Diver Chairman of Planning Committee took the Chair for this part of the meeting:

10/00046/FUL. The Old White House, 34 Parsonage Street Halstead CO9 2JZ. Proposed construction of covered terrace and erection of 2no. outbuilding blocks to rear of property.
There were no details regarding proposed use of the properties and very little detail had been included in the application.
Members asked that District Council Planning Committee request details of future use of these outbuildings and raised concerns that the buildings should not be used for commercial or residential purposes
Cllr Mrs S Diver left the meeting at this point.
Cllr K Paisley, Vice Chair of Planning Committee  took the chair for this part of the meeting. 
10/00070/FUL. 9-11 Broton Drive Halstead Essex CO9 1HB. Erection of single storey extension to existing industrial unit.
It was said that this would develop the previously burned out buildings, fire damaged in 2002.   Applicant stated that this would potentially provide employment for 7 people.
Members raised no objections.

Cllr Mrs S Diver rejoined the meeting.

271.    MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
List of appointments was reviewed.
Cllr Mrs J Pell thanked Chairman for attending the senior citizens parties and noted the assistance of other Councillors and volunteers in making these parties a success.

272.    AMENITIES  COMMITTEE
No minutes available for meeting that had taken place earlier in the evening.
One referral had been made regarding reallocation of money from budget for bus shelters to provision of new ‘welcome' signs into the Town.
RESOLVED that money allocated for bus shelters should now be allocated to provide new signage at entrance points into the Town.

273.    COMMITTEE DATES 2010/11
Dates as listed were noted.
It was RESOLVED that dates be as listed, but that Finance & General Purposes Committees meet on 7^th September and 11^th January rather than 9^th September and 13^th January as listed.  Annual Town Council Meeting to be held on 12^th May so as not to clash with elections that will be held on 5^th May 2011.
Also RESOLVED that meetings structure and standing orders be reviewed in the near future.

274.    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