Minutes of 14 July 2020
PRESENT:
The Town Mayor: Councillor K Henderson (In the Chair)
Councillors: Mrs C Barnett; T Berry; Mrs B S Dawes; Mrs J Griffiths; P B Harrison; Mrs V Higgs; B Jones; D Little; R Lloyd; Mrs N Martin; C Rogers; D C Russell; D Sheppard; G M Talbot; J Thomas; H Williams.
11. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor M Freeman.
12. MINUTES
It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 9th June 2020 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.
13. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
14. MAYORS COMMUNICATIONS
The Mayor and Deputy Mayor’s engagements were circulated and noted. The Mayor informed Members that it was unlikely that the Three Kings Parade in November would be held due to Coronavirus, however, the Council would do what they could.
15. APPLICATIONS FOR PLANNING PERMISSION
Consideration was given to consultations by the District Council on the following applications for planning permission, and it was RESOLVED that the District Council be informed of the Town Council response to each consultation, as set out below:-
WF.19/0805/FULL – Revised Plans: Change of use from building used for Worship to 5No. Residential Town House at Kingdom Hall, Lickhill Road, Stourport-on-Severn, DY13 8HB.
Recommended Approval.
WF.20/0058/FUL – Change of use of Offices (Use Class B1) to cafe (Use Class C3) at Top Yard, Barracks Road, Sandy Lane Industrial Estate, Stourport-on-Severn.
Recommended Approval.
WF.20/0279/ADV – Replacement of 2no. existing external ATM sign with 1no. new external ATM sign at 37 High Street, Stourport-on-Severn, DY13 8DD.
Recommended Approval.
WF.20/0388/FUL – Alterations and two storey rear extension with rooms in roof space to refurbish 2no. ground floor shops (A1) and provide 2no. self-contained flats (C3) on two floors above, and erection of two storey building to rear to create 4no. self-contained mews dwellings (C3) at 23-24 Bridge Street, Stourport-on-Severn, DY13 8UT.
Recommended Approval.
WF.20/0414/HOU – Two storey side extension at 88 Longboat Lane, Stourport-on-Severn, DY13 8AE.
Recommended Approval.
WF.20/0422/HOU – Single storey rear extension at 69 Hanstone Road, Stourport-on-Severn, DY13 0HB.
Recommended Approval.
WF.20/0428/FUL – Change of use of open space to residential cartilage, including retrospective demolition of front boundary wall and erection of new wall at 7 Mitton Street, Stourport-on-Severn, DY13 9AF.
Recommended Approval.
WF.20/0485/HOU – External Changes, addition of pitched rood, addition of roof lantern to rear, revision to internal layout, erection of boundary wall with railings to front following prior approval for ground floor change of use from A1 to C3 (application ref: 19/3027/PNRES) at 30 Kylemilne Way, Stourport-on-Severn, DY13 9NA.
Recommended Approval.
WF.20/0448/HOU – Single storey rear extension at 26 Santa Maria Way, Stourport-on-Severn, DY13 9RX.
Recommended Approval.
WF.20/0488/HOU – Single storey rear extension at Sandon, Olive Grove, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire.
Recommended Approval.
WF.20/0507/PNR – Change of use of Agricultural Building to Dwellinghouses (Class C3) at Barns at Wells Meadow, Minster Road, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire.
Noted.
WF.20/0513/HOU – Proposed single storey front extension at 7 Lickhill Road, Stourport-on-Severn, DY13 8RW.
Recommended Approval.
WF.20/0514/CLP – Proposed rear dormer to facilitate loft conversion at 27 Mitton Gardens, Stourport-on-Severn, DY13 9AE.
Noted.
WF.20/0518/HOU – Single Storey Side Extension at 13 Redhouse Road, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire DY13 0NN.
Deferred.
16. ARISING FROM CONSIDERATION OF THE APPLICATIONS FOR PLANNING PERMISSION
Noted.
17. DECISIONS ON PAST PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Members had been circulated with a list of the decisions of the District Council in respect of past planning applications and, it was RESOLVED that the list be noted.
18. ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT 2019/20
It was RESOLVED that the annual governance statement be approved and signed by the Town Mayor and Town Clerk.
19. ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 2019/20
The Treasurer took Members through the report and stated there were no significant matters to report. The attached appendices to the report gave further details.
In response to a Members question, the money invested with Wyre Forest District Council was seen as safe and had a low level of interest, the difference of £30K for the years 2018/19 and 2019/20 was because the Council’s expenditure had increased.
It was also confirmed that the Scout Hut in the Lickhill War Memorial Park were invoiced annually for their rent.
Members thanked the Treasurer for his hard work and detailed report and it was RESOLVED that the Annual Accounts for 2019/20 be approved.
20. FINANCE MINUTES - MEETING HELD ON 29TH JUNE 2020
It was RESOLVED that the minutes from the Finance Committee meeting held on the 29th June 2020 be approved.
21. MAYOR AND DEPUTY MAYOR FOR 2020/21
The Town Clerk informed Members that Councillor K Henderson and Councillor D Little had agreed to stay on as Mayor and Deputy Mayor until such times that mayoral duties commenced. It was confirmed to Members that no mayoral allowances were being paid at present.
The information was noted.
22. CODE OF CONDUCT CONSULTATION
Council considered the Model Code of Conduction from the Local Government Association which Members took on board.
23. TO AGREE DATES FOR ALL 2020/21 TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS.
It was RESOLVED that the meeting dates for 2020/21 be approved. In the current climate, the meetings would be held via zoom until otherwise stated.
24. UPDATE FROM COUNCILLOR MRS B DAWES ON SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Members had been circulated with an update following a meeting with the police and this was noted.
25. 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.
Councillor Mrs V Higgs left the meeting at this point, (18.38pm).
26. UPDATE FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LOCALISM WORKING PARTY.
Members received an update from the Chairman of the Localism Working Party on progress to date with Wyre Forest District Council on the possibility of transfer of some services/assets. Discussions were ongoing and Council would be updated accordingly.
Councillor Mrs V Higgs came back to the meeting at this point, (18.42pm).
27. ACCOUNTS
The Town Clerk reported that Accounts for June 2020 totalling £47,347.69 had been paid since the last meeting and it was RESOLVED that the reports 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.
28. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
None.
Town Mayor
The meeting closed at 6.50 pm.