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

Held on TUESDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2021 6.30 PM at HELD IN THE ELIZABETH MILLS CENTRE, STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN

Present

In the chair The Town Mayor - Councillor D C Russell

Councillors Councillors: C Barnett, T Berry, B S Dawes, M C Freeman, J Griffiths, P Harrison, K Henderson, V Higgs, B Jones, D Little, R Lloyd, N Martin, C Rogers, D Sheppard, G M Talbot, J Thomas and H Williams

Minutes

30. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

There were no apologies for absence.

31. MINUTES

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 20th July 2021 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor. Councillor Little advised Council that following the public speakers at the last meeting (minute number 17), he had received a telephone call from the ice cream trader and been informed that his exhaust omissions were normal. Councillor Martin advised extra monitoring was being carried out to try and obtain a compromise.

32. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor Little declared an Other Disclosable Interest in Agenda Item No. 6 – Minutes of the Planning Committee 31st August 2021, Minute Number 26(n) - WF.21/0597/FUL, Chichester Caravans, Vale Road, Stourport-on-Severn, DY13 8YL as he had a close connection with the land owner. Councillor Lloyd declared an Other Disclosable Interest in Agenda Item No. 7 - Minutes of the Parks Committee 27th July 2021, Minute Number 6, as he had met with a resident about a piece of land on Areley Kings Recreation Ground.

33. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

There was no public speaking.

34. MAYORS COMMUNICATIONS

The Mayor engagements were noted. The Mayor advised that he was holding a McMillan Coffee Morning at Stourport Workmans Club on Thursday 23rd September 2021 and asked for cake donations.

35. PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES - 3RD AND 31ST AUGUST 2021

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 3rd and 31st Aug 2021 were approved, subject to:

• Planning Application WF.21/0597/FUL – a revised application had been submitted. The Chairman of the Planning Committee would contact Wyre Forest District Council to discuss. Councillor Freeman entered the meeting at this point, (6.36pm).

36. PARKS COMMITTEE MINUTES - 27TH JULY 2021

The minutes of the Park Committee meeting held on 27th July 2021 were approved.

37. UPDATE FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LOCALISM WORKING PARTY

The Chairman of the Localism Working Party provided the Council with updates on the following:

Riverside Paddling Pool – The pool was now under the ownership of the Town Council and had opened on 3rd August 2021 and closed on 5th September 2021 for the season. Feedback has been very positive.

Britannia Gardens Play Area – All repairs had been completed and the final paperwork was awaited from Wyre Forest District Council.

Elizabeth Mills Centre – Ownership of the boundary wall was still awaited. The Town Clerk was asked to send details to Councillor Martin to follow up.

Riverside Toilets – Wyre Forest District Council had agreed to pay for the necessary repair works to be carried at the toilets following a meeting with the Leader of the Council. The Town Clerk would action.

38. WELCOME BACK FUND

The Town Clerk updated Council on the Welcome Back Fund and advised Council that the free vintage bus trips between Stourport-on-Severn and Bewdley had proved successful.

39. PROPOSED UPDATES TO THE BUSINESS PLAN

The Town Clerk asked Council if they wished to update the business plan which had been done late 2019. A discussion was held and it was agreed the plan would be updated.

40. FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR THE CAR PARK ON BRIDGE STREET, STOURPORT

The Town Clerk advised Council that two quotations had been received for a feasibility study for the car park on Bridge Street, Stourport. After a discussion, it was proposed that a zoom meeting be held for all councillors to discuss further. The Town Clerk would arrange.

41. UPDATE FROM COUNCILLOR B DAWES ON SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Councillor Dawes informed Council that PC Maher was on sick leave but she had been speaking to Inspector D King who had indicated he was happy to attend a future meeting to update Council. She also advised that a community speed watch would be set up on Wilden Lane, Stourport.

42. UPDATE FROM COUNCILLORS N MARTIN AND J THOMAS (CABINET MEMBERS FOR WYRE FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL) AND COUNCILLORS P HARRISON AND C ROGERS (STOURPORT COUNTY COUNCIL COUNCILLOR)

Councillor Martin advised that Afghan refugees would be welcomed into the county with the Wyre Forest district expecting to take two families. A new Homelessness strategy survey was to be launched week commencing 13th September 2021. Councillor Rogers reiterated the comments made by Councillor Martin on the refugees. He also advised that although Covid cases had risen in the county, hospital admissions were still down.

43. ACCOUNTS

The Town Clerk reported that Accounts for July totalling £27,522.65 and August totalling £113,925.25 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.

44. EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

Decision: "Under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of "exempt information" as defined in paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

45. UPDATE FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LOCALISM WORKING PARTY

The Chairman of the Localism Working Party advised Council that work was ongoing with Stourport Community Centre. A discussion took place on the future of the centre and it was agreed that Members would be kept informed.

46. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

None.

The meeting closed at 7.09 P.M.