MEETING OF STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN TOWN COUNCIL

Tuesday 13th May 2025 6.30pm

Venue: Coroners Court, Civic Centre, Stourport-on-Severn

PRESENT:

The Town Mayor: Councillor J Thomas (In the Chair)

Councillors T Berry; M Freeman; P Harrison; K Henderson; B Jones; D Little; R Lloyd; N Martin; D Morris; I Schmeising-Barnes; T Schmeising-Barnes; A Sutton

    1. Election of the Town Mayor for the Year 2025-26

      1. Councillor R Lloyd nominated Councillor J Thomas to be appointed as the Town Mayor for 2025-26. Councillor D Morris seconded the proposal, and it was resolved that Councillor Thomas was duly confirmed as Town Mayor.
      2. The Declaration of Acceptance of Office was duly signed. Councillor Thomas thanked Council for their support and said it was an honour to be elected for a second term.
      3. Councillor Thomas confirmed Sarah Canty and Maria Thomas as Mayoresses for the Mayoral Year 2025-26. He stated that his charities would be announced in due course.

    2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

      Apologies for absence were received from Councillors E Burnip, B Dawes, J Griffiths and H Williams.

    3. MINUTES

      It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 8th April 2025 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor, subject to the amendment of minute number 173 which should be amended to show that the new post was named ‘Responsible Financial Officer’, and not ‘Registered Finance Office’ as had been recorded in the minutes.

    4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

      There were no declarations of interest.

    5. VOTE OF THANKS TO THE RETIRING MAYOR

      Councillor Berry proposed a vote of thanks to Councillor Thomas, Sarah Canty and Maria Thomas as Mayor and Mayoresses for their work during 2024/25. Councillor Berry stated that Councillor Thomas had had an exceptionally good year, and he had both attended and hosted a significant number of engagements during the last municipal year. Councillor Lloyd added that he thought Councillor Thomas had done an excellent job over the last 12 months. Councillor T Schmiesing-Barnes said that he was pleased that Councillor Thomas would continue in post as Town Mayor for Stourport-on-Severn for 2025/26.

    6. STATEMENT BY THE RETIRING MAYOR

      Councillor Thomas expressed his gratitude and thanks to Members for the opportunity to work alongside both Councillors and members of the public. He thanked Deputy Mayor, Councillor Howard Williams, for his support. He also thanked the Officers of Stourport-on-Severn Town Council for their help and knowledge during the last mayoral year. He thanked his daughters, Sarah Canty and Maria Thomas, for their support as Mayoresses. He thanked the charities he supported during the last mayoral year, for their support with fundraising.

      Councillor Thomas advised Members that he had attended 194 events during the last mayoral year. He touched on the most memorable moments from the last 12 months, which included the D Day event, the Armed Forces Flag Flying Day, a day spent celebrating the Battle of Evesham, VE Day event, meeting the High Sheriff of Worcestershire to showcase local charities, attending Stourport Carnival, Remembrance Day and the Three Kings Parade.

      Councillor Thomas advised that a provisional total of £4,361.02 had been raised for his chosen charities.

    7. APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY MAYOR FOR 2024-25

      Councillor Lloyd proposed Councillor Berry for Deputy Mayor, this was seconded by Councillor T Schmeising-Barnes. Councillor Morris proposed Councillor Lloyd for Deputy Mayor, this was seconded by Councillor Little. Upon a vote, Councillor Berry was duly confirmed as Deputy Mayor for the Mayoral Year 2025-26.

    8. MAYORS COMMUNICATIONS

      The Mayors engagements were circulated and noted. An additional engagement, the Bewdley Mayor Making ceremony which took place on 12th May 2025, was noted.

    9. PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES OF 6th MAY 2025

      The Chairman of the Planning Committee informed Council of the planning application recommendations to be made to the district council. He noted that the Planning Committee had reviewed Planning Application Number WF.24/0855/S73 which requested the removal of conditions to a building on an industrial estate along Wilden Lane, Stourport-on-Severn. The Committee recommended that this be moved from deferred to recommended for approval. This was following confirmation from the Planning Officer that concerns previously raised by North Worcestershire Water Management had been satisfactorily resolved.

      Councillor Sutton requested the material reasons as to why application WF.24/0858/RG3 which related to the demolition of the Old Bake House in Raven Street, Stourport-on-Severn, had been recommended for refusal. Councillor Berry advised that it had been because there had been no secure and viable plan for the future use of the space.

      In response to a Member question, it was confirmed that Planning Application Numbers WF.25/0156/FUL and WF.25/0157/LBC related to the conversion of the former medical centre on York Street.

      The minutes of the meeting held on 6th May 2025 were approved.

    10. a) POLITICAL BALANCE

      The political balance was noted and it was acknowledged that the Local Government & Housing Act 1989 (s15) and the Local Government (Committees & Political Groups) Regulations 1990 only applied to principal councils.

      b) Appointment of members to serve on the following committees

      1. Finance Committee
        Councillor T Berry
        Councillor D Little
        Councillor J Thomas
        Councillor T Schmeising-Barnes

      2. Parks Committee
        Councillor E Burnip
        Councillor P Harrison
        Councillor K Henderson
        Councillor D Morris
        Councillor I Schmeising-Barnes

      3. Grants Committee
        Councillor R Lloyd
        Councillor K Henderson
        Councillor I Schmeising-Barnes
        Councillor A Sutton

      4. Planning Committee
        Councillor T Berry
        Councillor M Freeman
        Councillor R Lloyd
        Councillor D Morris
        Councillor I Schmeising-Barnes

      5. Human Resources Committee
        Councillor J Griffiths
        Councillor R Lloyd
        Councillor D Morris
        Councillor C Rogers
        Councillor I Schmeising-Barnes


      c) Appointment of members to serve on the following

      1. Stourport Future Working Party
        Councillor T Berry
        Councillor J Griffiths
        Councillor D Little
        Councillor R Lloyd
        Councillor C Rogers
        Councillor T Schmeising-Barnes
        Councillor A Sutton
        Councillor J Thomas

      2. Civic Hall Working Party
        Councillor M Freeman
        Councillor K Henderson
        Councillor N Martin

      3. Vehicle Activated Sign (VAS) Councillor B Dawes
        Councillor D Morris
        Councillor J Thomas

      4. Localism Working Party
        Councillor T Berry
        Councillor J Griffiths
        Councillor R Lloyd
        Councillor D Morris
        Councillor T Schmeising-Barnes
        Councillor J Thomas
        Councillor H Williams

      5. Contingency Planning Working Party
        Councillor T Berry
        Councillor T Schmeising-Barnes
        Councillor J Thomas
        Councillor H Williams

      6. Events Working Group
        Councillor R Lloyd
        Councillor N Martin
        Councillor T Schmeising-Barnes

    11. AGREE THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO SERVE ON OUTSIDE ORGANISATIONS

      1. Stourport-on-Severn Civic Society - Councillor D Little.
      2. Areley Kings Village Hall Trust – Councillor B Jones and Councillor R Lloyd.
      3. The Church House Charitable Trust - Councillor B Jones.
      4. Kidderminster and District Citizens´ Advice Bureau (CAB) Management Committee - Councillor N Martin
      5. Wilden Village Hall Management Committee - Councillor T Berry
      6. Stourport Heritage Port – Councillor T Berry
      7. Elizabeth Mills Centre - The Mayor – Councillor J Thomas and Councillor K Henderson.
      8. Stourport-on-Severn Carnival Society - Councillor D Little, Councillor R Lloyd and Councillor I Schmeising-Barnes.
      9. Stourport Forward – Councillor T Berry.
      10. Wyre Forest District Council Local Plans Review Panel - Councillor D Morris and Councillor J Thomas.
      11. Worcestershire CALC (Area Meetings) – Councillor T Schmeising-Barnes
      12. Worcestershire CALC Executive Committee - Councillor T Schmeising-Barnes
      13. Civic Hall – Councillor D Morris.
      14. Youth Network – Councillor R Lloyd.

    12. DATES FOR THE 2025-26 TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS

      It was resolved that the dates for the 2024-25 Town Council meetings would be as follows:

      Tuesday 17th June 2025
      Tuesday 15th July 2025
      Tuesday 2nd September 2025
      Tuesday 7th October 2025
      Tuesday 4th November 2025
      Tuesday 2nd December 2025
      Tuesday 6th January 2026
      Tuesday 3rd February 2026
      Tuesday 3rd March 2026
      Tuesday 7th April 2026
      Tuesday 12th May 2026

    13. ANNUAL REVIEW OF STANDING ORDERS

      It was RESOLVED to adopt the following:

      1. Annual Review of Standing Orders.
      2. Sickness Policy
      3. Equality and Diversity Policy
      4. Lone Working Policy and Buddy Form
      5. Training and Development Policy
      6. Clear Desk Policy
      7. Driving for Work Policy
      8. Grievance and Disciplinary Policy.
      9. Anti-Harassment and Bullying Policy.

    14. ADOPTION OF NEW POLICIES

      It was RESOLVED to adopt the following:

      1. Menopause Policy
      2. CCTV Policy
      3. Social Media Policy

    15. VERBAL UPDATE FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE STOURPORT FUTURE WORKING PARTY

      Councillor Schmeising-Barnes updated Council, on behalf of the Chairman. Councillor Schmiesing-Barnes provided the following update:

      New signage had been added to complement existing signage when entering Stourport-on-Severn; the new signage advised of ‘Heritage Port Status’. A Town Council noticeboard was now in place and had been used to advertise the VE Day events that had taken place. A partnership between Stourport Future and the Civic Society and Stourport Forward had been proposed.

    16. ACCOUNTS

      It was reported that Accounts for April 2025 totalling £18,114.75 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.

    17. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

      Councillor Martin asked whether the Parks Committee had explored the addition of a notice board to War Memorial Park, Stourport-on-Severn. Councillor Martin had spoken to a member of the public who lived close to the park but had been unaware of the planned VE Day celebrations which had taken place. Councillor I Schmeising-Barnes noted the feedback and resolved to raise it at the next meeting of the Parks Committee.

      Councillor Martin also commented on building works taking place next to Zains Restaurant on the Gilgal, Stourport-on-Severn. A wall had been partially re-built with new bricks. Councillor Martin advised that works had temporarily paused and would be re-started using appropriate materials.

      Councillor Thomas introduced Councillors Cresswell and Perks to the meeting. Councillors Cresswell and Perks were the newly elected Members of Worcestershire County Council for Stourport-on-Severn. Councillor Thomas extended an invitation to both Councillors to attend all future meetings of Stourport-on-Severn Town Council. He said that plans for devolution made a successful working relationship even more critical. Councillors Cresswell and Perks confirmed that would aim aim to attend each meeting, and provide an overview of their work to Members, to support and develop a meaningful dialogue.

Town Mayor

The meeting closed at 7.12pm.