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

Held on TUESDAY 9TH JANUARY 2024 6.30 PM at HELD IN THE CORONERS COURT, CIVIC CENTRE, STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN

Present

In the chair The Mayor M C Freeman (In the Chair)

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

Minutes

98. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor E Burnip.

99. MINUTES

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 6th December 2023 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

100. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

101. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

There was no public question time.

102. MAYORS COMMUNICATIONS

The Mayor’s engagements were circulated and noted.

103. MOTIONS SUBMITTED UNDER STANDING ORDERS

No motions had been received in accordance with Section 6 of the Council’s Standing Orders.

104. PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES OF 2ND JANUARY 2024

It be resolved that the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 2nd January 2024 be approved.

105. UPDATES FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES

There were no updates on outside bodies.

106. VERBAL UPDATE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE LOCALISM WORKING PARTY

Councillor Williams informed Members that the transfer for ownership of the Elizabeth Mills Centre had been transferred to the town council from Wyre Forest District Council (WFDC) in December 2023. The current lease would remain in place on the same terms and conditions until the lease end date of August 2026. A party wall agreement would now be followed up with The Community Housing Group. Moving forward, it was agreed that any issues would be discussed with the Stourport Community Centre Working Party and make it a combined working party. It was confirmed that this was the last item of localism with WFDC.

107. WEST MERCIA POLICE & CRIME COMMISSIONER - SAFER ROADS GRANT ROUND 2 LAUNCH

The Town Clerk referred members to the latest grant funding from the West Mercia PCC and proposed to Council that funding be applied for, for additional VAS (Vehicle Activated Signs) machines. This was agreed. Councillor Rogers agreed to speak to Highways Department at Worcestershire County Council (WCC), the suggestion of traffic lights at the junction of Windermere Way and Minster Road, Stourport following the building of new homes in Coniston Crescent, Stourport.

108. COMPLIANCE WITH THE GUIDANCE FOR BIODIVERSITY

The Town Clerk advised Council Section 40 of the 2006 Act, placed a duty of local authorities to consider from time to time, what action the authority could take to further the general biodiversity objective. It was noted that contact was already in place with voluntary groups.

109. UPDATE FROM COUNCILLOR B DAWES ON SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

There was no update this meeting.

110. UPDATE FROM COUNCILLORS P HARRISON ANDC ROGERS (STOURPORT WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL COUNCILLORS)

In response to a question from Councillor Martin, Councillor Rogers replied that as far as WCC were concerned, a yellow hashed box at the end of Severn Road/Mitton Street would have no impact. Councillor Martin requested a meeting to discuss further. Councillor Henderson also asked for clarification on utility companies digging up highways and repairs and whether they were responsible for repainting the yellow lines. Councillor Rogers asked for the details so he could follow up.

111. ACCOUNTS

The Town Clerk reported that Accounts for December 2023 totalling £39,462.96 had been paid since the last meeting and it was RESOLVED that the report be noted and approved. A Schedule of the Accounts paid and additional details were appended at the end of these Minutes, in the Council’s Minute Book and was available for general inspection.

112. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business.

The meeting closed at 6.56pm