Minutes of a meeting of MINUTES OF A MEETING OF STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN TOWN COUNCIL
Held on TUESDAY 2ND APRIL 2024 6.30 PM at HELD IN THE MAYORS PARLOUR, CIVIC CENTRE, STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN
Present
In the chair The Mayor M C Freeman
Councillors T Berry, E Burnip, B Dawes, P Harrison, K Henderson, B Jones, D Little, R Lloyd, N Martin, C Rogers, I Schmeising-Barnes, T I Schmeising-Barnes, A Sutton, J Thomas and H Williams
Minutes
132. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor J Griffiths.
133. MINUTES
It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 6th February 2024 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.
134. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
- Councillor Rogers declared an Other Disclosable Interest in Agenda Item No. 6 – Motion as he was a Member of Wyre Forest District Council.
- Councillor Little declared an Other Disclosable Interest in Agenda Item No. 6 – Motion as he was a Member of Wyre Forest District Council.
- Councillor Harrison declared an Other Disclosable Interest in Agenda Item No. 6 – Motion as he was a Member of Wyre Forest District Council.
- Councillor Sutton declared an Other Disclosable Interest in Agenda Item No. 6 – Motion as he was a Member of Wyre Forest District Council.
- Councillor Martin declared an Other Disclosable Interest in Agenda Item No. 6 – Motion as she was a Member of Wyre Forest District Council.
- Councillor Thomas declared an Other Disclosable Interest in Agenda Item No. 8 – Finance Committee minutes, 25th March 2024 as he had introduced one of the suppliers to quote for the solar panels and he also opened and closed the Stourport Community Centre on behalf of the Town Council.
135. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
There was no public question time.
136. MAYORS COMMUNICATIONS
The Mayor’s engagements were circulated and noted.
137. MOTIONS SUBMITTED UNDER STANDING ORDERS
One motion had been received in accordance with Section 6 of the Council’s Standing Orders. Councillor Williams proposed the motion and advised Council that he was concerned that the Town Council were not being given adequate information on the plans of Wyre Forest District Council (WFDC) for the Bridge St car park. He acknowledged that WFDC owned the land but it was our town and as representatives of the residents of Stourport, had a genuine interest in and developments being planned.
It would be courteous to know the thoughts of WFDC before planning applications were submitted. Once planning applications were submitted it was more difficult to oppose them as past experience had shown. Bridge Street, Stourport was an important part of the town, as people entering the town can get a very wrong impression of the town. It was important therefore, that the right development was carried out.
Councillor Williams asked Council to consider the motion and added that the Town Council be given some insight on plans, without breaking any confidentialities or impeaching on any commercial interests but mainly to have an early update on what sort of development was under consideration. He also stated that Stourport-on-Severn residents would expect the Town Council to be aware of what was going on.
There was another site to the rear of 23/24 Bridge Street, Stourport-on-Severn which was also owned by WFDC which could also be developed.
The High Street Task Force were in the process of preparing a public consultation for a future vision for Stourport-on-Severn and he felt that there should be some information on the two sites before the public were consulted.
A debate ensured and the following was agreed:
Decision: “That Stourport-on-Severn Town Council formally requests that Wyre Forest District Council consults Stourport-on-Severn Town Council on its p for the Bridge Street Car Park and any other land it owns in the Town before any planning applications are submitted.”
138. PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES - 27TH FEBRUARY and 25TH MARCH 2024
It be resolved that the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 27th February and 25th March 2024 be approved.
139. UPDATES FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES
Councillor Lloyd had attended a recent meeting of the Areley Kings Village Hall and reported that the Chairman had resigned for personal reasons. The next meeting would be the Annual General Meeting.
140. ELECT AN OUTSIDE BODY REPRESENTATIVE FROM STOURPORT TOWN COUNCIL FOR THE “HERITAGE PORT”
It was RESOLVED that Councillor Berry be the Council representative for the “Heritage Port”.
141. UPDATE FROM CHAIRMAN OF THE HIGH STREET TASK FORCE WORKING PARTY
Due to the absence of the Chairman of the High Street Task Force Working Party, a document had been circulated to all Members providing an update of the work of the group. Decision: That the Town Centre Working Party and the High Street Task Force be amalgamated into one Working Group.
142. UPDATE FROM COUNCILLOR B DAWES ON SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Councillor Dawes reported that she had been unable to contact PC Maher.
144. UPDATE FROM COUNCILLORS P HARRISON AND C ROGERS (STOURPORT WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL COUNCILLORS)
Councillor Rogers reported that repair work were underway to the building that was damaged in Mitton Street, Stourport-on-Severn.
In response to a question, it was reported that work had temporarily ceased on the County buildings at Worcester Street due to a bat survey having to be carried out.
It was also noted that the Tesco Store in Severn Road had had to close its doors over Easter due to the area being gridlocked. Councillor Rogers reported that Highways were aware and he would follow the matter up.
145. ACCOUNTS
The Town Clerk reported that Accounts for February 2024 totalling £37,261.66 and March 2024 totalling £32,326.92 had been paid since the last meeting and it was RESOLVED that the report be noted and approved. A Schedule of the Accounts paid and additional details were appended at the end of these Minutes, in the Council’s Minute Book and was available for general inspection.
146. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
The meeting closed at 6.53 PM