Minutes of a meeting of MINUTES OF A MEETING OF STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN TOWN COUNCIL

Held on TUESDAY 8TH JUNE 2021 6.30PM at HELD IN THE CIVIC HALL, THE CIVIC CENTRE, STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN

Present

In the chair The Town Mayor (Councillor D C Russell)

Councillors C Barnett, T Berry, B S Dawes, M C Freeman, J Griffiths, K Henderson, V Higgs, B Jones, D Little, R Lloyd, N Martin, C Rogers, D Sheppard, G M Talbot, J Thomas and H Williams

Minutes

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies received from P Harrison.

2. MINUTES

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 4th May 2021 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

No members of the public present at the meeting, nor had questions been submitted to the Town Clerk.

5. MAYORS COMMUNICATIONS

The Mayor engagements were circulated and noted.

6. PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES OF 1ST JUNE 2021

The Chairman of the Planning Committee informed Council of the planning application recommendations to be made to the District Council. The minutes of the meeting held on 1st June 2021 were approved, with agreement that the decision on Planning Application WF.21/0475/HOU (Construction of outbuilding in rear garden at 84 Areley Common, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire DY13 0NP) change from “Recommend Approval” to “Deferred” as more information was required. Council were also informed that Planning Application WF.21/0892/FUL (Revised) at Former Carpets of Worth Site had been refused due to no change in access and no increase to the contribution for infrastructure

7. FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES OF 3RD JUNE 2021

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting held on 3rd June 2021 be approved.

8. UPDATE FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LOCALISM WORKING PARTY

The Chairman of the Localism Working Party provided the Council with updates on the following:

Lloyds Meadow/Open space at Foundry Street – Following agreement to take on these two pieces of land in November 2019, the land was officially transferred to the Town Council on 13th May 2021. Notices will be displayed to show they are under the ownership of the council.
Britannia Gardens Play Area – Following a meeting with Wyre Forest District Council (WFDC), the district council would not make repairs to two pieces of equipment in the play area, i.e. Elephant and Snakes and Ladders. They stated they were both low risk. The working party had recommended to council not to take over the play area as it would need money spending on it immediately. A discussion ensued and the Town Clerk was asked to obtain quotations for the work to be carried out. Councillors Martin & Thomas would follow this up with the Leader of the Council at WFDC.
Stourport Community Centre – the current lease between WFDC and the charity runs out of 10th June 2021, however, this was going to be extended until 31st August 2021 when it would be transferred to the town council. Council would be updated shortly with how this was progressing.
Elizabeth Mills Centre – Progress on the transfer has been slow due to waiting for information on who owns the boundary walls on the land. Following a request, Councillors Martin and Thomas would follow this up with the Leader of the Council at WFDC.
Riverside Paddling Pool – The Heads of Terms for the transfer of the freehold of the paddling pool were signed by the Town Clerk in May 2021 despite chasing for 2 months. There was now a delay to opening because of Covid regulations but also until the transfer is complete, WFDC are saying the pool cannot be open.
Riverside Toilets – WFDC had conducted a condition survey in 2017 and the town council had one carried out in April 2021 which had highlighted 4 red (urgent) areas. A comparison between the two reports and issues raised with WFDC who had indicated that some were deemed not to be done. A discussion ensued and it was agreed that due to the inadequate state of the toilets, the Council were not able to accept at the present time. Councillors Martin and Thomas would follow this up with the Leader of the Council at WFDC.

9. UPDATE FROM THE TOWN CLERK ON THE WELCOME BACK FUND

The Town Clerk advised Council that a couple of meetings had been held to try and obtain funding for the three towns in Wyre Forest. Stourport Forward were also working the town council. It was hoped that a couple of events could held across the three towns. However, confirmation of the funding bid was awaited. The Town Clerk would keep Council updated.

10. UPDATE FROM COUNCILLOR B DAWES ON SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Councillor Dawes referred Members to the email that had been circulated earlier in the day which gave an update. She also stated that this information would be placed on the Town Council website. In response to a couple of queries on the strategy for speeding at night and issues with cars doing wheelies and donuting at Dunley Road/Pearl Lane in the evening, Councillor Dawes would follow these up.

11. UPDATE FROM COUNCILLORS N MARTIN AND J THOMAS (CABINET MEMBERS FOR WYRE FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL) AND COUNCILLOR C ROGERS (STOURPORT COUNTY COUNCIL COUNCILLOR)

Councillor Martin advised Council that a Management Review had been carried out at the district council. She also stated that ongoing support for people was still available on the Worcestershire County’s Council “Here to Help” site. Councillor Rogers advised that a lot of work was still being done behind the scenes on Covid. He was to have a meeting with the Highways Liaison Officer on 9th June 2021 and would report on issues raised, i.e. fatality at Lickhill Road, it is possible to have chicanes and also on alleyways not being suitable to get a mobility scooter through due to barriers at one end. In response to a question, it was confirmed that a defibrillator was based outside the Elizabeth Mills Centre.

12. ACCOUNTS

The Town Clerk reported that Accounts for May totalling £22,810.30 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.

13. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

None.

The meeting closed at 7.25pm