Parks committee of Stourport-On-Severn Town Council

Held in the Mayors Parlour at the Civic Centre, Stourport-on-Severn 11am on January 18 2022

PRESENT:            

Councillors: D Russell (Chairman); J Griffiths; D Little; R Lloyd; G M Talbot

Officers: S Saunders (Town Clerk); G Shaw (Treasurer); A Longville (Parks & Cemetery Superintendent)

8. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor V M Higgs.  Councillor Griffiths was appointed as a substitute for Councillor Higgs.

9. MINUTES

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 27th July 2021 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.  In response to a question, it was confirmed that security bollards had been installed on the Areley Kings Recreation Ground.

10. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

11. TREASURER’S REPORT FOR PRIORITY AND BUDGET SETTING 2022/23

The Treasurer took Members through his report and explained that any recommendations from the Parks Committee would be presented to the Finance Committee meeting on 25th January 2022 and then recommended to Council on 8th February 2022.

In response to a Member question, the Treasurer responded that by increasing cemetery fees, the benefit to the Council was approximately £5,000 per annum.

A discussion was held on the opening of the Riverside paddling pool for 2022 as the costs incurred for the 5 week opening in 2021 had amounted to £15,715.  Several options had been discussed on the opening period for 2022.                                      

The Treasurer agreed to follow up on the following:

  • Why the ‘Maintenance of Grounds’ budget in the Memorial Park and Town Gardens was over.
  • With possible increases in electricity prices, was the proposed budget increase enough?

 Members were informed there were three additional items to be included in this years budget which had been agreed at the Finance Committee held on 2nd November 2021:

  1. Security Lighting and CCTV at Stourport Community Centre.
  2. Additional benches at the paddling pool.
  3. Refurbishment of Victorian lamps at the Riverside.

Members agreed the following:

  1. Increase ‘headline’ fees for the cemetery from £800 to £850 with effect from 1st April 2022.
  2. No increase to Allotment fees for the next financial year.
  3. Costings be sought for installation of the roof on the bandstand in the War Memorial Park.
  4. The Riverside paddling pool be open for a 15 week period in the Summer of 2022 (from end of May to beginning of September).

The Treasurer was thanked for his informative report.

12.    HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE

A discussion took place on Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022.  Members agreed the following:

  • Trees be planted in the War Memorial Park.
  • A gas beacon to be ordered which would be lit on the evening of 2nd June 2022 in the War Memorial Park.
  • Planting in the shape of a crown for the flower bed in the War Memorial Park and the letters ‘ER’ in the flower at the town gardens, all would be in the colours of red/white/blue.

It was also agreed that an item on shop window dressing for the celebrations be added to the agenda for the Town Centre Working Party.

13.    ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Following a request from the Trustees at Areley Kings Village Hall it was agreed that they could plant some shrubs in the fenced area at the back of the village and some trees on the car park and at the fence on the allotment side.

The meeting closed at 11.42am.