Minutes of a meeting of MINUTES OF A MEETING OF STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN TOWN COUNCIL

Held on TUESDAY 6TH JUNE 2023 6.30PM at HELD IN THE CORONERS COURT, CIVIC CENTRE, STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN

Present

In the chair The Town Mayor Councillor M C Freeman

Councillors T Berry, E Burnip, B S Dawes, J Griffiths, K Henderson, B Jones, D Little, R Lloyd, D Morris, C Rogers, I Schmeising-Barnes, T I Schmeising-Barnes and H Williams

Minutes

20. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors P Harrison, N Martin, A Sutton and J Thomas.

21. MINUTES

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 16th May 2023 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

22. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor Berry declared an Other Disclosable Interest in Agenda Item No. 8, 5(i) - Planning Application number WF.23/0331/LBC - Retrospective Installation of 3no. mooring totems/posts on the canal side at Canal River And Trust, Mart Lane, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire DY13 9ER as he is a volunteer for the Canal and River Trust.

Councillor Lloyd declared an Other Disclosable Interest in Agenda Item No. 8, 5(i) Planning Application number WF.23/0331/LBC - Retrospective Installation of 3no. mooring totems/posts on the canal side at Canal River And Trust, Mart Lane, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire DY13 9ER as he is a volunteer for the Canal and River Trust.

Councillor T Schmeising-Barnes declared an Other Disclosable Interest in Agenda Item No. 12 – Defibrillator at the Civic Hall as he is a Trustee.

23. MAYORS COMMUNICATIONS

The Mayor engagements were circulated and noted.

24. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

There was no public question time.

25. MOTIONS SUBMITTED UNDER STANDING ORDERS

There were no motions.

26. FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES OF 30TH MAY 2023

The Treasurer introduced himself to Council for the benefit of new members and gave a brief overview of what is role was. In response to a query raised at the Finance meeting (Minute Number 7 of the minutes), the Treasurer confirmed there had been an underspend with money set aside but the money had not been required, which had subsequently left a minus balance. The Treasurer was thanked for an informative report. The minutes of the Finance Committee held on 30th May 2023 were approved.

27. PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES OF 30TH MAY 2023

The Chairman of the Planning Committee informed Council of the planning application recommendations to be made to the district council. The minutes of the meeting held on 30th May 2023 were approved.

28. UPDATES FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES

Council received the following updates: R Lloyd advised he had attended the AGM of Areley Kings Village Hall and it had been very well supported and everything was working well. H Williams informed Council the next meeting of Wyre Forest CALC was to be held on 29th June 2023 via zoom. C Rogers had attended a Stourport Forward meeting and advised the Heritage Harbour status was progressing. In response to question, it was perceived that publicity would be ready at the beginning of September 2023 to coincide with Stourport Carnival.

29. UPDATE FROM COUNCILLOR MRS B DAWES ON SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

PC Maher was in attendance and gave the following update and stated that the data he had related to April 2023:

o 151 crimes had been reported which represented a slight increase from the same period in the previous year, it was perceived that this was due to school and holidays.

o Anti-social behaviour was dominant with burglaries low. Shoplifting had been an issue over the past few weeks and there has been 22 stop and searches.

o The Local Policing Charter priorities were burglary, road safety and shop thefts and these were to be reviewed for July to September 2023.

o It was also noted that there had been an increase in car keyless vehicles.

o Road safety concerns in Stourport were around the following areas:

• Dunley Road

• Discovery Road

• Bewdley Road

• Areley Common

• Lickhill Road

• Worcester Road

o The local police had recently been involved with county lines work. There had been 340 people arrested with approximately 100 people charged and over 80 lines had been disrupted.

o In response to Member questions, PC Maher asked Members to report any sightings of members of the public breaking the law e.g. cars on pedestrian crossing/mobile phone use. This could be done by uploading a photograph onto the “Operation Snap” website where it would be followed up.

o When police were in attendance on either a school site or carrying a speed check in an area, very few crimes were committed but as soon as the police left the site, the public went back to bad behaviours. PC Maher suggested Members to consider setting up a community speed watch with volunteers. Councillor Rogers informed Council that he hoped to be able to share information shortly following a survey by Worcestershire County Council where speed pipes had been laid on road over the county.

30. UPDATE FROM COUNCILLORS P HARRISON AND C ROGERS (STOURPORT COUNTY COUNCIL OUNCILLORS

Councillor Rogers advised Council that the Worcestershire Highways Liaison Officer would be visiting Stourport in due course to have a walk round and he would report back findings.

Councillor T Schmeising-Barnes left the meeting at this point, (7.08pm).

31. DEFIBRILLATOR AT CIVIC HALL, STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN

Following a discussion, it was agreed that a defibrillator at the Civic Hall would be placed on the external wall near the side door. Installation and electrical certificates were to be provided. Councillor T Schmeising-Barnes came back to the meeting at this point, (7.09pm).

32. ACCOUNTS

The Town Clerk reported that Accounts for May totalling £29,244.47 had been paid since the last meeting and it was RESOLVED that the report be noted and approved. A Schedule of the Accounts paid was appended at the end of these Minutes, in the Council’s Minute Book, and was available for general inspection.

33. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business.

The meeting closed at 7.12pm