MEETING OF STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN TOWN COUNCIL

Tuesday 16th June 2026

Venue: Coroner's Court, Civic Centre, Stourport-on-Severn

Present

In the chair: The Town Mayor Councillor T Berry

Councillors: B Dawes, J Griffiths, P Harrison, K Henderson, B Jones, R Lloyd, D Morris, C Rogers, I Schmeising-Barnes, T Schmeising-Barnes, A Sutton, H Williams

Officers: Sue Saunders – Town Clerk, Sarah Harris – Assistant Clerk, Debbie While – Responsible Financial Officer

Minutes

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

    Apologies for absence were received from Councillor M Freeman, Councillor D Little and Councillor J Thomas.

  2. MINUTES

    It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 12th May 2026 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor, subject to the amendment of minute number 11 which included reference to the ‘Stourport-on-Severn Carnival Society’ which had been dissolved in January 2026

  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

    There were no declarations of interest

  4. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

    There was no public question time.

  5. MAYORS COMMUNICATIONS

    The Mayors engagements were circulated and noted.

    The Mayor wished to thank the volunteers and organisers of ‘StourJam’, which had taken place for the first time. The Mayor added that it had been a brilliant event which had been well attended and had showcased the best of local talent.

  6. UPDATE FROM COUNCILLORS I CRESSWELL AND K PERKS (STOURPORT Worcestershire COUNTY COUNCIL COUNCILLORS)

    Councillors Cresswell and Perks were not in attendance.  The Town Clerk read out an update from Councillor Perks:

    • “Areley Common road marking refresh: 30mph roundel, crossing and zig-zags, centre line
    • DYL request for approach coming up the hill on the approach to the post office opposite Chesshire Close
    • Removal of TRO from outside ‘The Salon’
    • Bus stop extension (due this month) to enhance visibility for both road users and pedestrians
    • Stagborough Road resurface – August ’26 - crossing installation confirmed for August ’26 (to be timed in part with road resurfacing)
    • Lickhill Rd White ‘H bar’ markings outside of Beverly Court
    • Single yellow line to run from the existing double yellow lines coming from the Severns club up to Beverly Court. Please note that existing markings such as the current H bar will remain in place

    I have also been speaking with CI Dave King and our SNT regarding the growing use of e-bikes by balaclava youths, the feeling of unease on recreational areas coming from women and elderly within our community, selling of drugs and recent fires as well as the potential purchase / use of mobile CCTV from Areley Kings through to Vawdrey Close.

    I have also allocated the majority of my divisional funding for this financial period.  The Food Share in Areley Kings has again received £5k to continue their works, in particular this will go towards funding children's activities over the summer holiday and for kitting out the school uniform shed ahead of the new school year.

    I am also funding two sets of dropped kerbs to allow a mobility impaired resident to safely cross a road without being in danger for 100m at a time.

    As you may be aware, due to the amendments to the highways budget for 26/27, we now have access to £17.5k to put towards footpath maintenance and clearance.  There are several areas that I have made our officers aware of across Riverside & Areley Kings, however, if there is a particular issue in an area that any of your town councillors are aware of that fall within my remit, please ask that they contact me and I will add it to the list, if not already covered.”

    A Member requested that an update be provided regarding the lighting on the Stourport-on-Severn Bridge.  The Town Clerk resolved to request an update from Councillor Perks.

    In addition, the Town Clerk agreed to circulate Councillor Perks’ update to all members.

  7. FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES – 2ND JUNE 2026

    In the absence of the Chairman of the Finance Committee, Councillor Williams provided an update.

    Councillor Williams noted that the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) had presented the Annual Governance Report.  Members had resolved that the Annual Governance Statement 2025/26 be approved.

    Councillor Willaims provided a thorough overview of the discussions and recommendations of the Finance Committee including a summary of the annual accounts 2025/26:

    • The accrued amounts for outstanding obligations represented items such as the lease on the Civic Centre, Paddling Pool contingency fund, unforeseen expenditure, reserves and ring fenced grants.
    • The accounts showed an overspend of £225. A deficit of £23k was shown against the precept of £527k.  This had been explained that it would be reported differently in following years.
    • The cemetery figures were on target for the current financial year following concerns raised in previous years.
    • The asset register had been restated to reflect current valuations and it was agreed that an up-to-date valuation would be carried out on the Civic Hall.
    • The Civic Centre lease had been signed. The Town Clerk and the RFO had been scrutinising all invoices received.  It was noted that some invoices related to over 10 years ago and that the statute of limitations had been discussed with the town council solicitors.
    • Stourport-on-Severn Town Councils investment arrangements were discussed. Investments were currently held with Wyre Forest District Council and members felt this represented a ‘safe’ investment.

    Councillor Williams thanked the RFO for providing a comprehensive set accounts, which had been thoroughly scrutinised by the Internal Auditor.

    In relation to the purchase/lease of a new vehicle, the Town Clerk provided an update. She advised that the van had remained at the garage and was not operational at present.  The garage carrying out the repairs had said that they would look to offer a part exchange for the vehicle.  The Town Clerk advised that all options would be considered.  It was proposed that the current van be replaced as soon as was practicably possible and that a smaller vehicle be purchased at a later date to ensure that the Parks team had the necessary resources required.

    It was resolved that the minutes of the Finance Committee held on 2nd June 2026 and the resulting recommendations, be approved.

  8. PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES – 9TH JUNE 2026

    The Chairman of the Planning Committee informed Council of the planning application recommendations to be made to Wyre Forest District Council.  Councillor Berry noted that Members had recommended to approve application WF.25/0510/RES after a long period of the application having been deferred, following recent comments provided by the Wyre Forest District Council Planning Officer.

    In response to a Members question regarding application WF.26/0061/S73, Councillor Berry advised that the Highways team at Worcestershire County Council had identified concerns regarding proposed changes to the junction and that Stourport-on-Severn Town Council Planning Committee had recommended refusal of this application.

    The minutes of the meeting held on 9th June 2026 were approved.

  9. UPDATE FROM COUNCILLOR C ROGERS: CABINET MEMBER OF WYRE FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL

    An update was not available.

  10. VERBAL UPDATE FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF EVENTS WORKING PARTY

    In the absence of the Chairman, the Town Clerk provided an update.  Plans for Stourport Carnival were progressing well.  Councillor Morris confirmed that members of the Events Working Party had met with representatives from Jennings Funfair.

  11. REVIEW OF SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

    The Town Clerk gave an overview of the proposed amendments to the Social Media Policy.  Following a vote, Members unanimously resolved to approve the adoption of the amended policy.

  12. ADOPTION OF COUNCILLOR VACANCY AND CO-OPTION PROCEDURE

    The Town Clerk provided an overview of the Councillor Vacancy and Co-Option Procedure.  Following a vote, Members unanimously resolved to approve the adoption of the new policy.

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

    The Chairman advised that the inaugural meeting of the Stourport Vision Steering Group had taken place during May 2026.  The steering group was made up of representatives from Stourport-on-Severn Town Council, Wyre Forest District Council, Worcestershire County Council as well as local business and community representatives.  The steering group were due to meet again during July 2026.

  14. UPDATES FROM COUNCILLOR REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES

  15. Council received the following updates:

    • Elizabeth Mills Centre – the lease agreement was progressing well. Meals had dropped off slightly but it was perhaps due in part to the warmer weather.
    • Wyre Forest District Council Local Review Panel Meeting – following a brief discussion, members resolved to provide both collective and individual responses regarding the local review plans. Comments should be provided to the Town Clerk who would co-ordinate a response from Stourport-on-Severn Town Council.

  16. ACCOUNTS

    The Town Clerk reported that Accounts for May 2026 totalling £45,087.75 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.

  17. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

    There was no further business.

Town Mayor

The meeting closed at 7.06pm.