Monday 18th March 2025

PRESENT:

Councillors: T Berry (Chairman), T Schmeising-Barnes, J Thomas.

Officers: S Saunders (Town Clerk), G Shaw (treasurer), K Terry (Parks and Cemetery Superintendent), S Harris (Assistant Clerk) 

23. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

There were no apologies for absence.

24. MINUTES

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on the 27th January 2025 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 

25. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

26. UPDATE ON THE RIVERSIDE PADDLING POOL

The Town Clerk provided a summary of the outcome of recent testing that had been carried out at the Riverside Paddling Pool, Stourport-on-Severn. The resulting recommendations were discussed, alongside the quotations which had been received to address the issues.

To re-open the Paddling Pool, a quotation of £33,000 plus VAT had been received which would address the existing issues with the underground pipework. A Member raised a question as to whether work would be required to land owned by Wyre Forest District Council. It was confirmed that work was limited to the pipework underneath the paddling pool site.

A further quotation of £55,000 plus VAT was received to replace the flooring of the Riverside Paddling Pool. A discount of £35,000 would be applied to the invoice to cover the cost of the flooring laid last year. Members questioned whether the flooring recommended by the supplier was the most appropriate to be used in a paddling pool.

Two further quotations had been received to replace failed equipment in the Plant Room at the Riverside Paddling Pool. The dosing unit required replacing and a quotation of £7,313 plus VAT had been received. A further quotation of £696 plus VAT had been received to replace a multi port.
The Town Clerk advised that a further quotation had been provided to upgrade the plant room at the site, but that the work required to re-open the Paddling Pool was not dependent on upgrading the plant room.

The terms under which Stourport-on-Severn Town Council had taken over ownership of the Paddling Pool were discussed. The Town Clerk agreed to review the terms of use for the site, should it not be a Paddling Pool in future. It was noted that any change of use at the site would require additional finance.

Following a lengthy discussion, it was agreed that the following be recommended for approval at the next meeting of the Town Council on 8th April 2025:

• The quotation to repair underground pipework be approved,
• The quotation to relay the Paddling Pool flooring be approved but the Town Clerk would consult the supplier about an alternative rubberised flooring option, which Members would prefer.

Pending approval from Stourport-on-Severn Town Council, it was agreed that discussions between the supplier and the Town Council would take place to negotiate a reduction in the final invoice amount to take into consideration the higher water bills incurred during Summer 2024. Furthermore, it was noted that discussions between Wyre Forest District Council and Stourport-on-Severn Town Council would take place to determine whether any funding could be made available to assist with the repairs to the Paddling Pool.

27. UPDATE FROM THE TREASURER REGARDING ENERGY COSTS

The Treasurer provided commentary regarding the energy costs of the Town Council. A quotation to fix energy prices for three years had been received, which would provide savings and would make administration easier. A discussion was held and the Town Clerk and Treasurer were asked to proceed with the most appropriate quotation for energy and water costs.

28. REPORT FROM THE TREASURER ON THE TREASURY MANAGEMENT POLICY STATEMENT AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY 2025/26

The Treasurer presented the Treasury Management Policy Statement and Investment Strategy 2025/26. In response to a Member question, the Treasurer confirmed that £230,000 was invested with Wyre Forest District Council. A further Member question was raised regarding the impact of devolution on the Town Councils investments. The Treasurer advised that the current impact was unknown, but that this would be reviewed once further information had been made available. The updated Treasury Management Policy Statement and Investment Strategy for 2025/26 were approved.

Chairman

The Meeting closed at 2:57pm.