Parks committee of Stourport-On-Severn Town Council

2.00pm on Thursday 21st January 2021

via Zoom virtual meeting

PRESENT:

Councillors: D Little (Chairman); Mrs V M Higgs; R Lloyd; D Russell; G M Talbot

Observer: Councillor K Henderson

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

In the absence of the Chairman, Councillor D Little was elected as Chairman for this meeting.

9. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

There were no apologies for absence.

10. MINUTES

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 8th July 2020 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

11. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

12. TREASURER’S REPORT FOR PRIORITY AND BUDGET SETTING 2021/22

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 2020 and then recommended to Council on 2nd February 2021.

Councillor D Russell came into the meeting at this point, (2.05pm).

The Treasurer reported that there was an overspend on the play areas at Lickhill War Memorial Park and Areley Kings Recreation Ground, as repairs had been required on some of the equipment. However, overall there wan an underspend of £6,300 on the Parks budget.

A suggestion of a staff uniform for Parks staff was not thought to be a good idea at this stage.

Members agreed the following:

  1. No increase to cemetery fees for the next financial year.
  2. Allotment fees to increase from £44 to £46 for a large plot and from £22 to £23 for a small plot.
  3. A new van would need to be purchased.
  4. The Cemetery Office portakabin would need to be replaced.

The Treasurer was thanked for his informative report.

13. ALLOTMENTS

a. Bee Hives

It was agreed bees hives would be allowed on allotments but they would have to have a screen around them.

b. Chickens

It was perceived that having chickens on the allotments would be a health hazard and would encourage rats so this would not be allowed.

c. Requests from out of area (i.e. Bewdley and Kidderminster)

Priority to be given to the residents of Stourport-on-Severn.

d. Email received from local resident re parking at Kingsway Allotments

Worcestershire County Council had already indicated that nothing could be done with parking along the Kingsway near the allotments.

e. Letter of resignation from Frank Williams – Areley Kings Allotments

It was noted that Frank Williams was retiring and a replacement had been found.

f. Tenancy Agreement and Rules for Kingsway Allotments

No report.

14. REQUEST FROM ARELEY KINGS VILLAGE HALL TO PLANT ADDITIONAL TREES AND SHRUBS AROUND THE CAR PARK AND IMMEDIATE ENVIRONS

Following a request from Areley Kings Village Hall, Members agreed that the planting of trees and shrubs was a good idea but asked the Town Clerk to obtain further information regarding the type of trees they were wishing to plant and stated that they wanted the Parks & Cemetery Superintendent to oversee the planting.

15. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business.

The meeting closed at 2.28pm.