Monday 26 January 2026

PRESENT:

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

Officers: S Saunders (Town Clerk), D While (RFO), S Harris (Assistant Clerk)

51. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
    
    There were no apologies for absence.
    
    
52. MINUTES
    

    It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on the 10^th November 2025 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

53. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
    
    There were no declarations of interest.
    
    
54. RISK ASSESSMENT REVIEW

    The Town Clerk advised Members that the Risk Assessment Register had been updated and the following points were raised:

     

    • 6 – the lease had been signed, and the Town Clerk was expecting an invoice from Worcestershire County Council (WCC). In response to a Members question, the Town Clerk confirmed that it was expected funds in the earmarked reserves would cover the cost.
    • 7 – in response to a Members question, the Town Clerk confirmed that a Contingency Plan was in progress.
    • 9 – Members were asked to note that the current lease for the Elizabeth Mills Day Centre would be in place until August 2026.
    • 9 – in response to a Members question regarding party wall agreements at the Elizabeth Mills Day Centre, the Town Clerk advised that this was still in progress.
    • 20 – Britannia Gardens Play Area had been added to the Risk Register.
    • 28 – the Town Clerk noted that opportunities for grants for the repair of the Memorial Park Bandstand would be pursued during 2026/27.
    • 34 – the Parks and Cemetery Superintendent was now responsible for carrying out weekly checks on the Town Clock and the clock had now been repaired.
    • 36 – it was confirmed that the Town Council was responsible for 12 Victorian street lights at the Riverside, Stourport-on-Severn, in addition to the lamps in Villeneuve-le-Roi Gardens.
    • 38 – a mini tractor had been purchased during 2025.

    It was RESOLVED that the report be approved.

55. PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING – 19TH JANUARY 2026
    

    In response to a Members question, the Town Clerk confirmed that the Town Council would not be taking over any assets from Wyre Forest District Council during 2026/27 that had any impact on staffing or funding.

    Minute Number 5, which contained the recommendations of the Parks Committee meeting dated 19th January 2026 were approved.

56. PADDLING POOL
    

    The Town Clerk provided an update on the Riverside Paddling Pool, Stourport-on-Severn, following a meeting with the Councils specialist contractor, Go Aqua. Members were informed of the plans which had been made to lay and seal the new flooring and re-open the Paddling Pool, following its closure during 2025. Temporary fencing would be erected around the pool whilst the work to re-lay the flooring took place. This would ensure the site was secure.

    Water testing would take place prior to the pool being opened for the 2026 season. Following a discussion, Members RESOLVED that the pool be kept filled and running in the intermediary period between the water testing taking place and the pool re-opening. Temporary fencing would remain in place for the duration of this period to ensure the site was secure. The continued presence of the fencing would decrease the number of contractor site visits required and represented a saving of approximately £2,000.00.
    
    Following an update from the Town Clerk, it was RESOLVED that a new self-calibrating testing kit be purchased at a cost of £167.00 plus VAT.

    It had been identified that a new multi-port was required, at a cost of £696.36 plus VAT. This was essential to the re-opening of the Riverside Paddling Pool. Members RESOLVED to approve the purchase of this item.

    The Town Clerk presented Members with options for the daily opening and closing of the Paddling Pool during the 2026 season. Members were asked to note that at the meeting of the Parks Committee on 19th January 2026, the Parks Committee recommended that the Paddling Pool opening times be amended from 10.00am to 5.00pm to 9.30am to 4.30pm. The Town Clerk provided Members with the details of a quote received from the contractor to open and close the pool. The Town Clerk proposed that the Stourport Town Council Parks team close the Paddling Pool on a weekday, which would represent a saving of approximately £11,000.00. In response to a Members question, the Town Clerk confirmed that the specialist contractors would open the Paddling Pool the following morning and would continue to carry out the required legionella and water testing. The Town Clerk confirmed that staff would receive relevant training. It was RESOLVED that the Town Councils Parks staff would close the Paddling Pool on a weekday.

    It was RESOLVED that signage be amended at the Riverside Paddling Pool to ensure the public were aware of the revised opening times.

57. IT PROVISION
    

    The Town Clerk updated Members following a series of meetings with IT providers, ahead of the anticipated local government reorganisation, as presently Stourport-on-Severn Town Council received all IT services from Wyre Forest District Council. Quotations had also been sought for the purchase or lease of IT equipment for Members.

    In response to a Members question, the Town Clerk advised that she did not anticipate a huge difference in price between the current provider and future providers for the office equipment.

    A discussion regarding IT equipment for Members took place. The Town Clerk discussed quotes received for iPads; the quotes ranged from £325.00 to £350.00 ex. VAT, per iPad, plus licensing costs. The Town Clerk advised that IT equipment for Members would need to be returned to the Town Council when a Councillors term ended.

    It was RESOLVED that the Town Clerk continued to look at options of IT equipment for Members and report back to a future Finance Committee meeting.

58. REPORT OF THE RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL OFFICER (RFO) ON THE BUDGET FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31ST MARCH 2027
    

    The RFO took Members through the report and advised that she had prepared the draft budget on the perception that Council wished to maintain current services. The Committee agreed that:

    • The fee for full burials to be increased from £950 to £975 from 1st April 2026;

    • Allotment fees be increased from £56 to £62 (large plot) and from £28 to £31 (small plot) with effect from 1st April 2026.

    During discussions, it was noted that the Revised Estimate for 2025/26 was £504,196, compared to the original budget of £503,955. A forecasted underspend of £10,000 had been reported to the Finance Committee in November 2025. The RFO explained the reasons for the revised estimate. An underspend had been expected due to salary savings, but increased vehicle repair costs, increased business rates and decreased burial fees had affected the forecasted year end budgetary position.

    A discussion took place regarding the annual Three Kings Parade and Christmas Lights. Donations of £3,000 had been received for the event which took place during November 2025. Members were advised that this income could not be guaranteed for future events. The Town Clerk confirmed that the budget plus donations, had been spent for the 2025 event. In response to a Members question, the Town Clerk confirmed that the Town Council owned all of the Christmas lights. It was RESOLVED to include an additional £3,000 to the budget for the Three Kings Parade and Christmas Lights.

    A further discussion took place regarding the van used by the Parks team. The cost of repairs and associated vehicle hire charges incurred whilst the van had been unavailable, had had a notable impact on the final budget position. The Town Clerk was asked to prepare a report for the Finance Committee on the cost of leasing and purchasing two vehicles for Parks staff and it was RESOLVED that £6,000 be added to the 2026/27 budget to support this objective.

    Following a request from the Town Clerk, it was RESOLVED that a yearly £100 Canva Pro subscription be approved.

    The RFO asked Members to consider whether a working balance of £80,000 was sufficient. Following a detailed discussion, Members RESOLVED to increase the working balance by £10,000 to increase the Town Council’s resilience within a changing environment.

    The RFO was thanked for her clear and detailed report.

59. RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL ON 3RD FEBRUARY 2026

    The Committee approved:

1. the changed to burial fees and allotment fees detailed in Minute No.58 above;
2. the Revised Estimates for 2025/26;
3. the draft budget for 2026/27 and the Funds and Reserves schedule, subject to the amendments agreed during the meeting; and
4. a precept increase from £72.70 to £85.71 (an increase of 17.9%) was approved. This represented a total precept of £631,092.00.

Chairman

The Meeting closed at 12.52pm.