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

Held on TUESDAY 8TH FEBRUARY 2022 6.30 PM at THE CORONERS COURT, CIVIC CENTRE, STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN

Present

In the chair The Mayor - Councillor D C Russell

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

Minutes

92. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors N Martin and J Thomas.

93. MINUTES

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 7th December 2021 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

94. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor Sheppard declared an Other Disclosable Interest in Agenda Item No. 9 – Minutes of the Planning Committee 1st February 2022, Minute Number 56 (l) - WF.22/0049/HOU 11 Oakhampton Road, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, DY13 0NR as his daughter had a close connection with a neighbour.

95. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

There was no public speaking.

96. MOTIONS SUBMITTED UNDER STANDING ORDERS

No motions had been received in accordance with Section 6 of the Council’s Standing Orders.

97. MAYORS COMMUNICATIONS

The Mayor advised Council that he had been unable to attend the invitation from the Bishop of Worcester on Friday 4th February 2022. He also reminded Council that he was holding an annual ball on Friday 1st April 2022 at Stourport Manor and hoped that Members would attend.

98. PARKS COMMITTEE MINUTES - 18TH JANUARY 2022

It was RESOLVED that the recommendations in Minute No. 11 of the meeting of the Parks Committee held on the 18th January 2022 be approved and confirmed.

99. FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES - 25TH JANUARY 2022

The Treasurer took Members through the report. It was proposed and agreed that an increase from £41.70 to £43.70 in the precept would be made which represented a 4.8% increase in a Band D property. This increase was mainly due to taking over the Riverside Paddling Pool from Wyre Forest District Council and what had been learnt about the level of budget required during the five weeks it had opened during August 2021. A discussion ensued about the budget and opening the pool in 2022 and it was agreed that the Town Clerk would work out how many weeks it could open on a budget of £32,000. There was also an increase in the proposed budget for the Riverside Toilets and it was hoped that the Town Council would take these over on 1st April 2022, with discussions ongoing with Wyre Forest District Council. The Town Clerk advised Council that she had attended a virtual meeting with Severn Trent and Wyre Forest District Council regarding works on Lloyds Meadow and the Riverside in Stourport for the rising main sewer. It had been suggested that works would commence after the Easter holidays – concerns were had with events taking place, loss of income for traders and vehicle access onto the riverside itself. Details were awaited from Severn Trent. The Town Clerk would update accordingly. The Town Clerk and Treasurer were thanked for their work. It was RESOLVED that the recommendations in Minute No. 38 of the meeting of the Finance Committee held on the 25th January 2022 be approved and confirmed.

100. PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES – 4TH JANUARY AND 1ST FEBRUARY 2022

The Chairman of the Planning Committee advised Council that the recommendation had changed from Deferred to Recommend Approval on application number WF.21/0799/HOU – Cedar Tree Cottage, Cedar Close, Stourport-on-Severn, DY13 0AU for the meeting held on 1st February 2022. Subject to this being changed, the minutes of the meetings held on 4th January and 1st February 2022 were approved.

101. VERBAL UPDATE FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LOCALISM WORKING PARTY

The Chairman of the Localism Working Party gave Council the following update:

  1. Britannia Gardens Play Area – The Town Clerk and the Mayor had signed all the relevant documents for the transfer of the play area and confirmation of completion was awaited from Wyre Forest District Council.
  2. Stourport Community Centre – The draft lease had been sent to the solicitor of the Civic Hall Trustees.
  3. Elizabeth Mills Centre – It had become apparent that the Title Deeds were silent on the left and right hand side boundary walls. After a discussion, the Town Clerk was asked to contact The Community Housing Group to see if they would agree to register the walls as party walls.
  4. Riverside Toilets – All works had now been completed on the toilets and a provisional takeover date of 1st April 2022 was agreed. Council asked that they are kept informed of all updates.

102. LETTER RECEIVED BY THE MAYOR FROM A YOUNG RESIDENT OF THE TOWN

A letter had been received addressed to the Mayor from a young adult raising concerns in Stourport, i.e. recycling, cycle paths, speed ramps. After a discussion, it was agreed that the Town Clerk would send a response detailing all the points raised.

103. SITING OF BIKE SHEDS AT THE REAR OF THE CIVIC HALL

The Town Clerk had received correspondence from West Mercia Police asking if it was possible to put covered bike storage shelters on land at the rear of the Civic Hall (this land is owned by the Town Council). A discussion took place and the Town Clerk was asked to obtain the following information and report back:

  • Are the bikes electric – if so where will they be charged?
  • Where is the bike storage facility proposed to be stored and what grounds works would be needed on the proposed location?
  • What material will the storage unit be made of? A picture or photo of the proposed unit needs to be supplied.
  • Will the Police be insuring the storage facility, e.g. in case of vandalism.
  • Is planning permission required?

104. UPDATE FROM COUNCILLOR B DAWES ON SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Councillor Dawes advised Council that an initiative for self-defence classes for women was to be launched. She advised that no further updates had been received.

105. 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)

There was nothing to report.

106. ACCOUNTS

The Town Clerk reported that Accounts for January 2022 totalling £30,276.57 and February 2022 totalling £22,790.98 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.

107. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business.

The meeting closed at 7.24pm