MEETING OF STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN TOWN COUNCIL

Tuesday 7th October 2025

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

Present:

The Town Mayor: Councillor J Thomas (Chairman)

Councillors: T Berry, E Burnip, M Freeman, J Griffiths, P Harrison, K Henderson, D Little, R Lloyd, N Martin, D Morris, C Rogers, A Sutton.

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

    Apologies for absence were received from Councillors I Schmeising-Barnes, T Schmeising-Barnes, H Williams.

  2. MINUTES

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

  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

    Councillor Little declared an Other Disclosable Interest (ODI) in Agenda Item No. 8 – Minutes of the Finance Committee (29/09/2025) as he had current responsibility for the maintenance of the Town Clock.

    Councillor Berry declared an Other Disclosable Interest (ODI) in Agenda Item No. 9 – Minutes of the Planning Committee (30/09/2025), with regard to Planning Application WF.25/0615/PIP. Councillor Berry advised that the application had received an objection from a person with whom he was acquainted with.

  4. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

    There was no public question time.
  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)

    An update was not available.

  8. FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES OF 29th SEPTEMBER 2025

    The Chairman of the Finance Committee provided an overview of the recommendations which had been made following the recent meeting of the Finance Committee.

    In response to a Member question regarding the communications specialist supplier, the Chairman of the Finance Committee confirmed that the package would include access to specialists in data compliance also.

    It was resolved that the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on 29th September 2025 be approved.

  9. PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES OF 30th SEPTEMBER 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, and provided commentary on the applications which had been deferred.

    With particular regard to application (25/0569/FUL), Councillor Martin remarked that she felt Stourport-on-Severn had more than enough takeaway and fast-food outlets, as well as ongoing traffic issues. Councillor Martin felt that the application for a further takeaway on York Street was inappropriate, and she voiced her concerns regarding the impact a further takeaway outlet would have on traffic, should the application be approved.

    It was resolved that the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 30th September 2025 be approved.

  10. UPDATED COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP FOR 2025/26
    Noted

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

    The Chairman of the Stourport Future Working Party advised that the Vision document had been sent to Wyre Forest District Council for feedback. Members were advised that the document was also being reviewed by the Web Development Officer at Wyre Forest District Council, who would ensure the final document was professional in its presentation and layout.

    It was hoped that a finalised document would be circulated to Members alongside the agenda for the November 2025 meeting of Stourport-on-Severn Town Council.

  12. VERBAL UPDATE FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE VECHICLE ACTIVATED SIGN (VAS) WORKING PARTY

    The Chairman of the VAS Working Party informed Members that two new VAS machines were in operation along the Worcester Road and the Bewdley Road. Following a meeting of the VAS Working Party, which had been attended by members of the Stourport Safer Neighbourhood team and Councillor Perks (Worcestershire County Council Councillor for Stourport-on-Severn and Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Highways and Transport), it had been resolved that the VAS machine installed on Lower Lickhill Road, Stourport, would be adopted by the Town Council and included within the current maintenance schedule. The VAS machine can rotate both ways.

  13. PDATE FROM COUNCILLOR C ROGERS: CABINET MEMBER OF WYRE FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL AND ON SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM

    Councillor Rogers informed Council that Wyre Forest District Council (WFDC) were awaiting further information from central government regarding a move to a unitary authority.

    Members were also informed that Birchen Coppice, Kidderminster, would receive a £20 million investment over the next ten years. The funding would be used to improve the health of residents living in Birchen Coppice.

    Councillor N Martin asked whether an update regarding the Bridge Street, Stourport-on-Severn, was available. Councillor Rogers confirmed that WFDC were considering options for the site; the option to develop a Market Hall on the site was currently under consideration. Councillor Rogers stressed that all options were under consideration and at the initial concept stage.

    Councillor Martin raised a further question regarding the Civic Society’s proposal for Bridge Street, and specifically why it had been unsuccessful. Councillor Rogers advised that a proposal for the site had not been received and confirmed that WFDC had supplied the Civic Society with the available information that had been requested.
    PCSO Hopkins attended Council to provide an update regarding the Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT):

    • Members of SNT had attended the VAS sign working party
    • Speed data surveys had been conducted on Vale Road, Stourport-on-Severn
    • A Trucam speed enforcement operation was conducted along Minster Road, Stourport-on-Severn
    • A Community Protection Warning (CPW) had been issued to a resident for anti-social behaviour (ASB) and anti-social riding
    • A further five CPW’s had been issued for ASB relating to the use of vehicles and behaviour
    • An operation had been conducted in Stourport, which had resulted in an off-road bike being seized
    • Two Section 59's had been issued which related to the antisocial use of motor vehicles
    • Traffic Offence Report (TOR) for traffic offences had been completed and resulted in several interventions relating to parking on Bridge Street, Stourport-on-Severn
    • Intelligence had been gathered regarding the location of off-road bikes/e-bikes
    • It had been agreed that the focus of the Local Policing Community Charter during the next quarter would be specifically around ASB with a specific focus on anti-social driving. 

  14. UPDATES FROM COUNCILLOR REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES

    Council received the following updates which were all noted:

    Stourport Carnival (Councillor Lloyd) – The carnival raised approximately £2,200.00 via street collections, which was an increase of around £600.00 on last years collection. A meeting was due to take place on Monday 13th October 2025 to discuss the distribution of funds to local charities.

    The Civic Hall (Councillor Martin) –  Thanks had been received with regard to the 3 months rent free period which Council had agreed during the last Council meeting, held on 2nd September 2025.  In response to a Members questions, Councillor Martin confirmed that progress was being made and business plan proposals regarding an extension of the lease agreement had been received. Councillor Martin hoped to provide Council with a full update at the November 2025 meeting.


  15. ACCOUNTS

    It was reported that Accounts for September 2025 totalling £91,124.30 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. 

  16. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

    There was no other business.

Town Mayor

The meeting closed at 19.02pm.