MEETING OF STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN TOWN COUNCIL

Tuesday 2nd September 2025

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

Present:

The Town Mayor: Councillor J Thomas (Chairman)

Councillors: T Berry, B Dawes, M Freeman, J Griffiths, P Harrison, K Henderson, D Little, R Lloyd, N Martin, D Morris, C Rogers, I Schmeising-Barnes, T Schmeising-Barnes, A Sutton, H Williams

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
    Apologies for absence were received from Councillors E Burnip.

  2. MINUTES
    It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 15th July 2025 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
    There were no declarations of interest.

  4. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
    One member of the public attended and address Council:

    Mr Mayor, Councillors.

    Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak.

    Many of you may be asking why you should consider The Civic Group’s request for a 10-year lease and even questioning whether we can be trusted to manage the venue in a responsibly fiscal way. These are fair questions.

    Let me assure you: the trustees are leaving no stone unturned in strengthening our finances. We’ve already taken the decision to reduce our staff by one FTE, we are reviewing every process and procedure to identify efficiencies, and we’re bringing in two new trustees – one with a proven record of turning struggling organisations around. We are determined to put The Civic on a secure footing for the future.

    But this request is not just about survival – it’s about growth. A 10 year lease unlocks significant funding opportunities we know we’re eligible for. These funds would allow us to improve the building, invest in accessibility and deliver long-term projects that directly benefit the people of Stourport.

    The Civic is more than an arts and entertainment venue. Yes, it brings in an estimated £1.5 million a year into the local economy but it’s also a community lifeline. It’s where people find purpose, connection and confidence.

    Like Abbie, once unable to enter a room without panic, now a valued member of our Friends in the Foyer team. Or Arron, who came to us anxious and uncertain and today is confidently front of house, selling tickets and designing our materials. Their stories show what The Civic can do: transform lives.

    Our volunteers and users describe The Civic as a “safe place”, “a second home”, even “a lifesaver”. Groups like the Short-Mat Bowls Association, whose members are mostly over 60, tell us it keeps them active and socially connected – vital for their health and wellbeing.

    With the right funding, we can go further; we can become registered ‘disability confident’ and a venue leader in accessibility, a community hub for the town, providing essential local services. We can expand our support for vulnerable, SEN and neurodiverse people and even bring affordable cinema to the town.

    We’ve already achieved national recognition, being nominated for the Kings’ Award this year. Imagine what more we could achieve, with access to the funding a long-term lease makes possible.

    This decision is about more than a building. It’s about partnership. We want to extend the working partnership we have been developing with you over the last few years, working together with you to strength our community, support our local businesses and improve lives.

  5. MAYORS COMMUNICATIONS
    The Mayor’s engagements were circulated and noted.

  6. MOTIONS SUBMITTED UNDER STANDING ORDERS
    No motions had been received, in accordance with Section 9 and 10 of the Council’s Standing Orders.

  7. UPDATE FROM COUNCILLORS I CRESSWELL AND K PERKS (STOURPORT WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL COUNCILLORS)
    Councillor Perks informed Council that he had commissioned a review into the Stourport-on-Severn Local Plan with all options to be considered and he had communicated with MP Mark Garnier.

    A Member raised a question regarding an infill of land located in the local plan, located off Buttermere Road, Stourport-on-Severn and stated that Town Council wished to work with Worcestershire County Council to reduce the current speed limit on the Kingsway, Stourport-on-Severn should the development go ahead. Councillor Perks responded that speeding reviews were on hold at present.

    Councillor Perks agreed to look into the issues of the bollards in High Street, Stourport-on-Severn and agreed to attend a meeting with members of Stourport Future Working Party. He also asked for any information regarding the Worcester Road Island to be forwarded to him.

    It was also suggested that a “yellow box” be added to the junction of Severn Road/Mitton Street, Stourport-on-Severn at the traffic lights which was causing congestion from Tesco car park. Councillor Perks replied that he was looking into this issue.

    Council were also informed that Councillor Perks would be holding a surgery at The Severns Club, Stourport-on-Severn on the last Thursday of each month between 3pm – 5pm.

  8. PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES OF 5TH & 26TH AUGUST 2025

    The Chairman of the Planning Committee provided an overview of the applications which had been discussed at the most recent meeting of the Planning Committee. He informed Council that Wyre Forest District Council would be asked if S215 Notices could be issued to empty properties in the town centre.

    It was resolved that the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 5th and 26th August 2025 be approved.

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

    The Chairman of Stourport Future Working Party informed Council that the “Vision” document was almost finalised. It was planned to send the document to Wyre Forest District Council (WFDC) and display some information at the events caravan at Stourport Carnival on 6th September 2025. Once feedback had been received from WFDC, it was hoped that the final version would be submitted in time for the October 2025 Council meeting.

  10. UPDATES FROM COUNCILLOR REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES

    Council received the following updates which were all noted:
    • Wilden Village Hall (Councillor Berry) – the hall had been renovated over the last 15 months and it was hoped that users would now start utilising the space.
    • Elizabeth Mills Centre (Councillor Henderson) – the centre was doing well and the number of people attending lunch time meals had increased. A copy of the accounts would be circulated in due course.
    • Stourport Carnival (Councillor Little) – all was on plan for 6th September and everyone was hoping for a good day to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the carnival.
    • Stourport Forward (Councillor Berry) – New trial notice boards were currently being displayed and being implemented over the coming months. More volunteers were needed.
    • Queen Elizabeth II Foundation (Councillor Williams) – A new clerk was in post. The website was currently being modernised and the foundation were hoping to get onto internet banking.

  11. ACCOUNTS

    It was reported that Accounts for July 2025 totalling £43,715.04 and August 2025 totalling £47,431.31 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.

  12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

    There was no other business.

  13. 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.

  14. UPDATE FROM COUNCILLOR C ROGERS

    Councillor Rogers provided Council with an update on current issues that affected the Council. The information was noted.

  15. Verbal update from THE Chairman of the localism Working Party

    The chairman of the Localism Working Party informed Council that discussions were ongoing with Wyre Forest District Council.
    Decision: “Stourport-on-Severn Town Council to ask Wyre Forest District Council to look at options for transitional funding with regard to transfer of assets.
    Councillor T Schmeising-Barnes left the meeting at this point, (7.40pm).

  16. VERBAL UPDATE FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CIVIC HALL WORKING PARTY

    The Chairman of the Civic Hall Working Party provided Council with an update following an emergency meeting which had been requested by the trustees of The Civic Group.

    A robust discussion ensued and a decision was agreed as follows:

    Decision: The Town Council agreed to give The Civic Group 3 months rent free to enable them to stabilise and come back to Stourport Town Council (within one month, i.e. 3rd October 2025), with business plan proposals for a five & ten year lease, which required detailed evidence of all grant funding available.

  17. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

    There was no other business.

Town Mayor

The meeting closed at 8.10pm.