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

Held on TUESDAY 9TH NOVEMBER 2021 6.30 PM at THE COURTROOM OF THE CORONER’S SERVICE AT THE CIVIC CENTRE, STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN

Present

In the chair The Town Mayor Councillor D C Russell

Councillors T Berry, C Barnett, 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

61. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

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

62. MINUTES

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 5th October 2021 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

63. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

64. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

There was no public speaking.

65. MOTIONS SUBMITTED UNDER STANDING ORDERS

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

66. MAYORS COMMUNICATIONS

The Mayor and Deputy Mayor’s engagements were circulated and noted.

67. PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES – 2ND NOVEMBER 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 2nd November 2021 were approved. In addition, Members agreed that Councillor Berry would attend the Wyre Forest District Council Planning Committee meeting on 16th November 2021 to represent the Town Council on planning application number 21/0030/FUL (Revised) - Erection of 110 dwellings including 18 affordable units, together with associated infrastructure, access and public open space and demolition of caretaker's dwellinghouse and garage at Stourport High School And Sixth Form Centre And Playing Fields, Coniston Crescent, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire DY13 8JU.

68. FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES – 2ND NOVEMBER 2021

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting held on 2nd November 2021 be approved.

69. UPDATE FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LOCALISM WORKING PARTY

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

Britannia Gardens – the Land Registry documents had been received and these were being checked.

Riverside Toilets – All work had been completed apart from the replacement of the Velux windows for which an installation date was awaited.

Stourport Community Centre – Two volunteers at the Civic Group were looking after the bookings at present on behalf of the Town Council.

Elizabeth Mills Centre – Still waiting for information on the boundary wall.Wyre Forest District Council had asked if the town council would consider paying a contribution of 50% towards the cost. After a discussion, the town council response was no. In reply to a question, the Town Clerk confirmed that Community Housing Group (CHG) had responded and advised that the land did not belong to CHG.

70. SETTING UP OF A WORKING GROUP FOR STOURPORT COMMUNITY CENTRE

It was RESOLVED that a working group be set up for Stourport Community Centre. Councillor Little proposed and Councillor Rogers seconded that membership should consist of 2 Conservative, 1 Labour and 1 Independent Health Concern members. Councillor Higgs proposed and Councillor Lloyd seconded that membership should consist of 1 Conservative, 1 Labour and 1 Independent Health Concern members. Upon a vote, this proposal was lost. Upon a vote, the first proposal of 2 Conservative, 1 Labour and 1 Independent Health Concern members was carried.

71. HERITAGE HARBOUR PROPOSAL

A proposal had been received that towns like Stourport be included and known as "Heritage Ports”. To earn the designation of Heritage Harbour, the city, town or village involved needed to have an enthusiasm and recognition for long term benefits of its status in terms of tourism, commercial investment and residential desirability. It was perceived that considerable mutual benefit and local pride could be achieved from the 'Heritage Port' status, by pulling together, all interested parties. The status also provided opportunities for the encouragement of young people to participate thus providing them with an introduction to volunteering activities.

A discussion took place and it was agreed that this item be added to the agenda for the next meeting of the Town Centre Working Party so they could look into it further.

72. UPDATE FROM COUNCILLOR B DAWES ON SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

There was no update this meeting.

73. 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 were no updates this meeting.

74. ACCOUNTS

The Town Clerk reported that Accounts for October totalling £31,083.444 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.

75. 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.

76. PROPOSED TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDERS – LOCATIONS IN STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN

The Town Clerk notified Council that a proposed Traffic Regulation Order had been received from Worcestershire County Council for comment. A discussion took place on the location and the Town Clerk was asked to respond accordingly.

77. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

None.

The meeting closed at 6.59 PM