Tuesday 9th July 2024 6.30pm

Present

In the chair: The Town Mayor Councillor J Thomas

Councillors: T Berry; E Burnip; B S Dawes; M C Freeman; J Griffiths; K Henderson; B Jones; D Little; R Lloyd; D Morris; C Rogers; A Sutton; I Schmeising-Barnes; T I Schmeising-Barnes; H Williams

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and paid tribute to Doctor Richard Taylor, former Wyre Forest MP who had passed away recently. A minute’s silence was observed.

Minutes

37. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor N Martin.

38. MINUTES

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 4th June 2024 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

39. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

40. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

There was no public question time.

41. UPDATE FROM COUNCILLOR C ROGERS ON SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

PC Maher thanked Council for the invitation to the meeting.  Because of operational matters and shift patterns, it was not always possible to attend.

He informed Council of the following:

For the past 3 months, the three main focus areas had been:

Drugs at a particular address in Stourport-on-Severn

The police had been working with partner agencies which had resulted in a warrant on 25^th May.  Fortunately drugs had been found but not as many had initially been informed.

Anti-social behaviour on Walshes/Areley Common

This had been extended for the next couple of months.  Work was ongoing with the housing providers to use their powers and although an impact was being made, it was slow.  There had been a huge increase in parole on the estate.  A lot of the culprits were youngsters so options were limited.  Section 59 of the Police Reform Act was being used and notices were being issued.  A safety camera was to be used from the Community Safety Team at Wyre Forest District Council to cover the area.

Road Safety, mainly speed

It was impossible to stop people from speeding, although a lot of work was ongoing.  There had been a road safety operation in July in Stourport-on-Severn.

The police were working with the town council on Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) machines and two new poles were waiting to be erected following the successful grant from the Police & Crime Commissioner.  It was noted that enforcement sites were Bewdley Road, Hartlebury Road and Dunley Road.  It was hoped that the Community Speedwatch in Wilden Lane would be restarted soon.

Over the last 12 months in North Worcestershire, there had been an increase of 47% in commercial burglaries, with building sites being targeted.

In the Wyre Forest areas, statistics were as follows:

All crime down 10%

Violence down 9%

Rape down 21%

Robbery down 22%

Residential burglaries down 23%

Vehicle Crime down 10%

Domestic abuse down 10%

With regard to offences:

Drugs down 9%

Weapons down 22%

Public Order down 27%

In response to questions, PC Maher reported as follows:

• He would find out information between the ratio on national and recorded crime.
• Police surgeries were active in Barnfield Road, Burlish Park and Riverside in Stourport-on-Severn.
• There was one mobile CCTV on the Walshes estate but it was perceived that The Horsefair and Rifle Range in Kidderminster were given more priority.
• There had been distrust in stop and search. Up to date figures would be sought.
• E Scooters were classed as a mechanically propelled vehicle and there was a lot of confusion as some cities were allowing them whilst others not. He would provide figures for the last 3 months and ask how many had been seized in the Wyre Forest area. 

PC Maher reiterated that if anyone caused alarm/nuisance/harassment/concern, it must be reported, the more reports the police received the more effective they could be.

42. MAYORS COMMUNICATIONS

The Mayor’s engagements were circulated and noted. The Mayor thanked his deputy for attending the functions he had been unable to attend and Councillor Henderson for attending the memorial service for Louise Edington.

The D-Day80 celebrations held on 6th June 2024 in the War Memorial Park had been a success together with the Armed Forces Flag Flying Ceremony on 24th June 2024. He thanked the Town Clerk, PA/Administrator, Parks & Cemetery Superintendent and the Parks staff for their help.

43. PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES – 2ND JULY 2024

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 July 2024 were approved.

Members noted that unauthorised works were taking place on the former Blossoms Tea Rooms and Wyre Forest District Council had issued a “Stop” Notice. The building was Grade II listed.

Members were also reminded to inform the Town Clerk if they wished to attend the Planning Training on 24th September 2024.

44. UPDATES FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES

Councillor Rogers informed Council that Stourport Forward had submitted a bid to the Heritage Lottery and a response was awaited.  The bid had consisted of wanting to put on events, improving publicity and communication.

45. UPDATE FROM THE TOWN CLERK ON RIVERSIDE PADDLING POOL

The Town Clerk advised Council that the paddling pool had proved problematic since opening for the season on 24th May 2024.  The contractor had been on site to investigate, a few modifications had been carried out and it was now operational.  At the end of the season, a full analysis would be carried which would include any extra costs that may have been incurred.
 

46. VERBAL UPDATE FROM CHAIRMAN OF STOURPORT FUTURE WORKING PARTY

Councillor Griffiths informed Members that a meeting had been held with an expert from the High Street Task Force and it had been proposed to hold a workshop for primary stakeholders on 4th September 2024.  The venue and timing were to be decided.  The next meeting of the Stourport Future Working Party would be held on 17th July 2024.  There was also a meeting with Wyre Forest District Council to finalise the online survey which would hopefully run from 5th August through to September 2024.

47. UPDATE FROM COUNCILLORS P HARRISON AND C ROGERS (STOURPORT COUNTY COUNCIL OUNCILLORS

Members were informed that the usual road maintenance was ongoing and that County Buildings had been closed due to an outbreak of legionella.  It was not known at this stage when employees would return.

48. ACCOUNTS

The Town Clerk reported that Accounts for June totalling £43,635.92 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.  

49. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business.

50. 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. 

51. 8A BRIDGE STREET, STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN

The Town Clerk and Councillor Berry updated Council with information received from Wyre Forest District Council.  A discussion took place and the following was agreed:

DECISION:  That Kate Bailey and her team be thanked for their efforts on 8A Bridge Street, Stourport-on-Severn but Stourport-on-Severn Town Council are unable to justify the expense to the residents of the Town without a much better worked up proposal and plan.  

Therefore, the Town Council will not pursue 8A Bridge Street, Stourport-on-Severn any further.

52. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business.

Town Mayor
The meeting closed at 7.28pm.