Minutes of a meeting of MINUTES OF A MEETING OF STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN TOWN COUNCIL
Held on TUESDAY 7TH JUNE 2022 6.30 PM at THE CORONERS COURT, CIVIC CENTRE
Present
In the chair The Town Mayor (Councillor T Berry)
Councillors C Barnett, B S Dawes, M C Freeman, J Griffiths, P Harrison, K Henderson, V Higgs, B Jones, D Little, R Lloyd, N Martin, C Rogers, D C Russell, D Sheppard, J Thomas and H Williams
Minutes
19. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
There were no apologies for absence.
20. MINUTES
It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 10th May 2022 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.
21. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor Berry declared an Other Disclosable Interest (ODI) in respect of agenda item number 5(b) – WF.22/0198/LBC Land at Os381147 271192 York Street, Stourport-on-Severn as he is a volunteer for the Canal and River Trust. He also declared an ODI in respect of agenda item number 5(h) – WF.22/0418/FUL 168 Wilden Lane, Stourport-on-Severn as he had met with the neighbour to hear his concerns.
22. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
No members of the public were present at the meeting, nor had questions been submitted to the Town Clerk.
23. MAYORS COMMUNICATIONS
The Mayor advised Council that he had attended a tree planting ceremony at Wilden Cricket Club on Monday 6th June 2022. The Mayor’s engagements were circulated and noted.
24. MOTIONS SUBMITTED UNDER STANDING ORDERS
No motions had been received in accordance with Section 6 of the Council’s Standing Orders.
25. PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES OF 31ST MAY 2022
The Chairman of the Planning Committee informed Council of the planning application recommendations to be made to the District Council. He advised that the planning application for the Pearl Lane site (WF.21/0031/FUL( had been recommended for approval. The minutes of the meeting held on 31st May 2022 were approved.
26. FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES OF 1ST JUNE 2022
A vote of thanks was given to the Treasurer for a well presented set of accounts. It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting held on 1st June 2022 be approved.
27. “20’S PLENTY FOR WORCESTERSHIRE”
Members considered a proposal for normalising 20 MPH in Worcestershire. After a discussion, Members perceived that as there was no law for 20mph, there was a lot more that could be done with regard to enforcing the current speed limits so would not be supporting “20’s Plenty for Worcestershire”.
28. UPDATES FROM THE TOWN CLERK
a) Stourport Central By-Election Following the resignation of Gary Talbot, a by-election would be held on Thursday 14th July 2022 for the Central Ward in Stourport-on-Severn.
b) UK Shared Prosperity Fund Funding proposals had been submitted to Wyre Forest District Council for funding for Riverside Toilets, Stourport Community Centre, Three Kings Parade and Civic Hall.
c) Bike Lockers for West Mercia Police Further information had been received as to the specification of the vertical bike lockers West Mercia Police were proposing to install at the back of the Civic Centre. After a discussion, Members agreed for this item to be discussed at the next Finance Committee meeting where a fee could be discussed.
d) Riverside Toilets and Stourport Community Centre Both of the above sites had been vandalised and reported to the police. Reports were awaited.
29. UPDATE FROM COUNCILLOR B DAWES ON SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
An email from PC Maher had been received and had reported that it had been a fairly quite month in the town. The main priorities were Road safety and speeding, theft/burglaries and drug dealing.
30. UPDATE FROM COUNCILLORS N MARTIN AND J THOMAS (CABINET MEMBERS FOR WYRE FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL) AND COUNCILLORS P HARRISON AND C ROGERS (STOURPORT COUNTY COUNCIL COUNCILLOR)
Councillor Martin advised Council that Wyre Forest District Council had employed their own Ukraine speaking employee to work with the Home for Ukraine Scheme. In response to a question, Members were informed that 24 households in the Wyre Forest had come forward to house refugees, all of which had been accepted with an average of 2/4 in each household. Councillor Rogers advised that the Libraries Unlocked project had now been implemented in Stourport Library and was being very well received. Worcestershire County Council (WCC) were also making library sites available for Ukranians to meet up. In his capacity as Chairman of WCC he reported that he would do his best to promote Stourport-on-Severn. He had also attended a recent event at Hartlebury Castle which had been an honour and a concert at Worcester Cathedral.
31. ACCOUNTS
The Town Clerk reported that Accounts for May totalling £35,099 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.
32. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Council thanked the Town Clerk, PA/Administrator and Parks staff for all their efforts in making the Queens Jubilee event an amazing and well organised occasion.
The meeting closed at 7.05pm