MEETING OF STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN TOWN COUNCIL

Tuesday 7th April 2026

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

Present

In the chair: The Town Mayor Councillor J Thomas

Councillors: T Berry, M Freeman, P Harrison, K Henderson, B Jones, D Little, R Lloyd, N Martin, D Morris, C Rogers, I Schmeising-Barnes, T Schmeising-Barnes, A Sutton, H Williams.

Minutes

  1. Apologies For Absence

    Apologies for absence were received from Councillors B Dawes and J Griffiths.

  2. Minutes

    It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 3rd February 2026 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

  3. Declarations Of Interest

    Councillor Berry declared an Other Disclosable Interest in Agenda Item No. 10 (Planning Application 25/0615/PIP). Councillor Berry advised that the application had received an objection from a person with whom he was acquainted with. 

    Councillor Lloyd declared an Other Disclosable Interest in Agenda Item No. 10 (Planning Applications 26/0084/HOU and 26/0085/FUL). Councillor Lloyd advised that both applicants were known to him.

    Councillor I Schmeising-Barnes declared an Other Disclosable Interest in Agenda Item No. 10 (Planning Application WF.26/0015/FUL). Councillor I Schmeising-Barnes advised that they owned part of a property on the same road.

    Councillor T Schmeising-Barnes declared an Other Disclosable Interest in Agenda Item No. 10 (Planning Application WF.26/0015/FUL). Councillor T Schmeising-Barnes advised that they owned part of a property on the same road.

  4. Public Question Time

    One member of the public, Mr Clive Wood, attended the meeting and addressed Council as follows:

    “England is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. Worcestershire County Council published its Local Nature Recovery Strategy last month designed to tackle this. This is a legal requirement dating from the last government.

    The country has a target of 30 by 30 – that is 30% of land should be effectively conserved and enhanced for nature by 2030. The amount in Worcestershire in that state is just 3%. So we have got a lot to do - and soon. The positive side to this is that anything constructive we can do will make a big difference.

    The Worcestershire Local Nature Recovery Strategy has a mass of information and advice, an interactive map, case studies and more. It is designed to highlight where the most impact can be made on nature recovery.

    For the strategy to work, all of this impressive information and advice needs to somehow be turned into practical action by local people. It is 132 pages long and it could perhaps feel a little overwhelming.

    I am here on behalf of Greener Stourport. This is a local constituted voluntary organisation committed to improving biodiversity in our town. We get involved in community gardens, rewilding requested areas, removing invasive species, building bug hotels and more.

    Last month I attended a conference on managing roadside verges and meadows in Shropshire to get an update for our group. The Shropshire group running the event has developed a workbook for parish and town councils to help bring their Local Nature Recovery Strategy to life. It is working. In addition to raising more funds for key projects they have been featured in the national media and academic reports for the great work they are doing on local place-based nature recovery. 

    We can build on that success here. Greener Stourport has been getting to grips with the new Worcestershire Local Nature Recovery Strategy and we are working now on an easy-to-use, short workbook tailored for Stourport. We aim to talk with local partners to work out how we can together get the most from this.

    As part of the working group on Intervention Seven: Enhance our open spaces, Greener Stourport can provide practical support to help bring together the vision of Stourport Future and the new Worcestershire Local Nature Recovery Strategy to help develop workable, fundable plans for nature recovery across Stourport.

    This is a good opportunity for Stourport to be at the forefront of practical, appropriate nature recovery in Worcestershire.”

    In response to Mr Wood’s speech, one Member asked Mr Wood to quantify, as a percentage, how much the 3% of land which had met the “30 by 30” criteria, was within Stourport-on-Severn.  Mr Wood advised that he had already asked Worcestershire County Council to provide further information.

    In response to a Members question as to how the Council could support the work being undertaken, Mr Wood asked that Stourport-on-Severn Town Council consider working alongside Greener Stourport to create an action plan.

  5. Mayors Communications

    The Mayoral engagements were circulated and noted.

    In addition to the engagements recorded, the Mayor noted that on Saturday 4th April 2026 he had attended the opening of the new ‘ALH Crafts & Printing’ shop on York Street, Stourport-on-Severn. He had also attended an open day, hosted by Stourport Forward, and officially opened the new heritage trail.

    The Town Mayor invited Members to attend his charity coffee morning at The Civic, Martins Way, Stourport-on-Severn, which would take place on Friday 10th April 2026. The mayor’s final fundraiser would take place on Thursday 30th April 2026 and would be a curry night held at Severn Tandoori, Bridge Street, Stourport-on-Severn.

  6. Update regarding section 106 monies

    Helen Hawkes, Planning Manager at Wyre Forest District Council, provided Members with an overview of Section 106 Agreements and the legal framework within which they had been agreed:

    • Planning obligations were legal obligations which could be entered into to mitigate the impact of a new development through the provision of such things as health care facilities, schools, improved highways infrastructure, affordable housing and parks/open spaces.

    • Regulation 122 of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Regulations 2010 required planning obligations to be demonstrably related to the development, necessary to make the development acceptable in planning terms and fair/reasonably related in scale to the development.

    • Paragraph 56 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) stated that planning obligations could be used to make developments which had previously been deemed unacceptable, acceptable.

    • The priorities for Wyre Forest District Council in terms of Section 106 planning obligations where there had been a shortfall in meeting the costs of all obligations following a viability assessment had been agreed as follows:

      1. On and/or off-site infrastructure necessary to make the development acceptable
      2. Affordable housing
      3. Open space and recreation
      4. Education 
      5. Other stakeholder contribution requests

    Helen Hawkes provided an overview of the planning obligations which had been agreed for the Pearl Lane development in Stourport-on-Severn. 

    Paul Allen, Tree and Biodiversity Officer at Wyre Forest District Council, discussed the importance of selecting the right projects for delivery by way of Section 106 monies. He advised that Council should consider whether a project was fully deliverable and whether it met the criteria of delivering improvements to an area. This in turn would enhance the appeal of a development. Members were advised to consider not only the initial project costs but also the ongoing maintenance and running costs, plus any costs which would be associated with decommissioning the asset in future.

    There was an opportunity for Members to ask questions. Councillor Sutton asked how any reductions in Section 106 monies were redistributed. In response to this question, Members were advised that the Planning Practice Guidance provided context for determining whether a project was viable. An independent consultant would be appointed to carry out a review.

    Councillor T Schmeising-Barnes raised concern regarding the large number of residential developments in Stourport-on-Severn, and the apparent lack of investment from Section 106 monies. Helen Hawkes responded that the larger developments, such as the Pearl Lane site, had had substantial planning obligations. Paul Allen added that a significant planning obligation at the Pearl Lane site had been for the provision of open space within the development. Councillor T Schmeising-Barnes discussed the disparity between planning obligations at two sites: Woven Oak, Kidderminster and Pearl Lane, Stourport-on-Severn, in terms of cost per property. Helen Hawkes advised that the two developments had been quite different, with significant concerns being raised regarding highways issues at the one site in particular, which had impacted the agreed planning obligations.

    Councillor Morris asked a question regarding the correlation between homes being built and the provision of school places. Helen Hawkes responded that Worcestershire County Council would determine the provision required. Councillor Morris asked a further question regarding Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) and the Pearl Lane development. It was confirmed that a TPO was not in place, but that there was a planning condition in place which detailed the type and number of trees the developer had been required to plant.

    Councillor Morris asked a further question regarding the new play area off Windermere Way, Stourport-on-Severn. Helen Hawkes confirmed that play areas that had been built on new developments would be maintained by a private company. Wyre Forest District Council (WFDC) had decided to not take on the management of any new play areas or open spaces. Helen Hawkes advised Council that WFDC should be notified of any desire to take over play areas sited on new developments at the planning stage of Section 106 agreements.

    Councillor T Schmeising-Barnes had raised a question as to how the town council could achieve the most value from planning applications with Section 106 obligations.  Paul Allen advised that Members should think about projects which would represent the most improvement for the area.

    Councillor Thomas raised a question regarding a spreadsheet that had been circulated with the Stourport-on-Severn Town Council Planning Committee Agenda for the meeting held on 30th March 2026, regarding Section 106 monies. Specifically, Councillor Thomas questioned the length of time taken to spend Section 106 monies. Helen Hawkes agreed to provide an update. 

  7. Update from Lucy Bird, Health and wellbeing officer, Worcestershire County association of local councils (calc)

    Lucy Bird provided Members with the following updates:

    • A Winter Wellbeing Outreach Event had taken place at St Bartholomew’s Primary School on 18th November 2025. It had been organised by Community Housing Group but had been well attended by other partner agencies such as H.E.L.P., Citizens Advice, Barnardo’s, AYOS and Act on Energy. Further events may be planned in the future.

    • A meeting had been held with David King, Chief Inspector for North Worcestershire, West Mercia Police during November 2025. A community conversation had taken place at the Walshes Community Café and Areley Kings Village Hall, Stourport-on-Severn. Lucy advised that David King was keen to engage with partners and regularly attended the Walshes Place Based Partnership meetings. He had engaged with AYOS at the Younity Hub on The Walshes, Stourport-on-Severn.

    • A Walshes Place-Based Partnership meeting had taken place on 26th January 2026. Lucy advised that opportunities existed for Stourport-on-Severn Town Council to support the project. Members should contact Lucy Bird for further information.

    • Lucy had met with Zena Dalton, CEO of Wyre Forest Citizens Advice. Lucy reported that Zena was keen to work with the Town Council. It was noted that Stourport-on-Severn Town Council had previously attended Wyre Forest Citizens Advice meetings and would be happy to send a Councillor to future meetings. Lucy Bird agreed to discuss this with Zena Dalton.

    • Lucy had attended the opening of Younity Hub on the Walshes on 20th February 2026. It had been a successful event with many partners in attendance.

    • A meeting had taken place with the Wyre Forest Health Partnership/Stourport Medical Centre which Councillor Lloyd had attended. Councillor Lloyd had offered to run a local walking group, which would start from Stourport Medical Centre, Dunley Road, Stourport-on-Severn and would commence during Spring 2026.

    • It was confirmed that funding had been secured which would see Lucy Bird remain in post until at least August 2027.

    • A meeting had taken place with Sue Saunders (Town Clerk, Stourport-on-Severn Town Council) during March 2026. Lucy remained committed to attending meetings relevant to her role in Stourport-on-Severn and she would share updates and opportunities for Councillors to support residents with their health and wellbeing. She would also develop training sessions for Town Councillors, which would include training specific to the Gypsy and Traveller community.

    • Lucy had also attended the Stourport Future Stakeholder Session on 4th March 2026 and had agreed to join the steering group as the representative for Health and Wellbeing.


  8. Motions Submitted Under Standing Orders

    No motions had been received, in accordance with Section 9 and 10 of the Council’s Standing Orders.

  9. Update from Councillor I Cresswell and K Perks (Stourport Worcestershire County Council councillors)

    Councillors Cresswell and Perks were not in attendance and no updates were available.

  10. Planning Committee Minutes 24th February 2026 And 30th March 2026

    The Chairman of the Planning Committee informed Council of the planning application recommendations to be made to Wyre Forest District Council (WFDC).

    It was noted that the Planning Committee had recommended refusal of applications 26/0062/PIP and 26/0085/FUL.

    The minutes of the meetings held on 24th February 2026 and 20th March 2026 were approved.

  11. Parks Committee Minutes – 18th February 2026

    The Chairman of the Parks Committee updated Council following the last meeting of the Parks Committee. A review of the allotment rules had taken place, which would bring the rules for both sites into alignment. It was noted that representatives from the Kingsway allotments were in attendance. It was resolved that the minutes of the Parks Committee held on 18th February 2026 and the resulting recommendations, be approved.

  12. Update From Councillor C Rogers: Cabinet Member Of Wyre Forest District Council

    Councillor Rogers confirmed that Wyre Forest District Council (WFDC) had initiated work which would implement changes brought about by the Renters Reform Act 2025, which aimed to raise standards and afford better protection for tenants.

    Work was also being undertaken to draw up a new local plan and new housing sites had been identified. Councillor Rogers advised that a further call to identify additional Gypsy and Traveller sites would be made.

    Councillor Rogers advised that the draft Shared Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2026-31 had been published and was under consultation. Work was also underway regrading a North Worcestershire Flood Resilience Project which would make improvements to flood risk properties.

    Councillor Rogers advised that there were currently no plans to collect food waste in the Wyre Forest area as additional funding had not been made available to support the additional collections.

    In response to a Members question, Councillor Rogers confirmed that changes to the planning controls for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) applied to properties in Kidderminster only. Councillor Rogers advised that there were no HMO’s in Stourport-on-Severn. Councillor Rogers advised that similar powers would be sought should an issue arise, such as that which had been experienced elsewhere in the district.

  13. Verbal Update From The Chairman Of Stourport Future Working Party

    In Councillor Griffiths absence, the Town Clerk provided an update. The Town Clerk advised that two stakeholder events had taken place during March 2026, which brought stakeholders together following the publication of the Stourport Vision document.

    The stakeholder events sought to identify volunteers for the Stourport Future Steering Group and various associated working groups. It was reported that both events were well attended.

    The Town Clerk confirmed that all places on the Steering Group had been filled and the first meeting had been planned for 21st May 2026.

    Further endorsements of the Stourport Vision document had been received from Stourport Civic Society and Stourport Forward. It was hoped that further endorsements would be received from the local MP and Worcestershire County Council.

    The Town Clerk concluded the update by advising that planned updates would be shared via the Stourport Town Council website and Facebook page.

  14. Verbal Update From The Chairman Of Events Working Party

    Councillor Martin provided Members with an update following the public meeting which had been held on 25th March 2026, regarding the future of Stourport Carnival.

    Members of the Events Working Party had attended the meeting and spoken to the general public about the plans for carnival. It had been thought that a small-scale event on the Riverside, to honour the date on which carnival usually takes place, would be suitable. Members of the public had raised concerns that the plans would not meet the expectations of residents and visitors to Stourport-on-Severn.

    Councillor Martin advised that 4 members of the public who had attended the meeting, had agreed to be co-opted on to the Events Working Party. A meeting which included the co-opted Members had been organised to take place on Thursday 16th April 2026. It had been agreed that Members would discuss and explore all options for Stourport Carnival, which would include the possibility of a walking parade.

  15. Updates From Councillor Representatives On Outside Bodies

    Council received the following updates:

    Stourport Civic Society – an update was not available.

    Worcestershire CALC – it had been confirmed that funding for the post of Health and Wellbeing Officer for Worcestershire CALC had been extended further. Additionally, it was confirmed that Worcestershire CALC were actively pursuing for Town and Parish Councils to have recognised roles within the plans for local government reorganisation.

  16. Accounts

    The Town Clerk reported that Accounts for February 2026 totalling £39,844.96 and Accounts for March 2026 totalling £130,622.37 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 other business.

  18. 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.

  19. Verbal Update From The Chairman Of Localism Working Party

    The Chair of the Localism Working Party reminded Council that they had previously resolved to take over a number of assets from Wyre Forest District Council.

    An update was provided with regard to the following assets:

    • Bonemill Tip, off Minster Road, Stourport-on-Severn
    • Land at Mitton Street/Lion Hill, Stourport-on-Severn
    • Land at Pearl Lane, Stourport-on-Severn
    • Dunley Sports Field, Stourport-on-Severn
    • Land at Dunley Road, Stourport-on-Severn

    It was confirmed that paperwork which related to the transfer of these assets had been sent to the solicitor for Stourport-on-Severn Town Council.

The meeting closed at 8.11PM