Monday 27th January 2025

PRESENT:

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

Officers: S Saunders (Town Clerk), G Shaw (treasurer), S Harris (Assistant Clerk) 

16. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

There were no apologies for absence.

17. MINUTES

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on the 6th January 2025 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 

18. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

19. RISK ASSESSMENT REVIEW

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

• No. 1 – A Member raised a question as to why the Civic Hall roof remained on the Risk Assessment, following planned works. The Committee were advised that it was an on ongoing risk, should any future repairs be identified.
• No. 2 –If any accident occurred in the external areas of the Civic Hall it would be the responsibility of the Town Council as per the lease.
• No. 6 – The lease had now been signed but further clarity was needed from Worcestershire County Council (WCC) to understand the service charge element of the lease. 
• No. 10 – Members were advised that the impact of key staff leaving was still a significant risk to the Town Council. The draft Business Continuity Plan would detail appropriate mitigating action.
• No. 14 – Insufficient future quantity and/or quality of elected members was an ongoing issue. There were no known public engagement initiatives currently active.  
• No.15 – The Treasurer confirmed that the risk around a sudden drop in income remained e.g. income received from burials had fallen significantly around 2 years ago. 
• No’s 25 and 26 – Town Clerk to amend the Risk Assessment document to ensure ‘Action Taken’ reflected the risk of damage to Stourport Community Centre. 
• Town Clerk to amend the Risk Assessment Register to include Britannia Gardens in the ‘Open Spaces’ section.
• No. 33 – It was noted that Councillor Thomas would substitute for Councillor Little as and when it was needed.
• No. 34 – It was stated that the Town Council currently looked after 11 bus shelters in Stourport-on-Severn. 
• No.35 – It was confirmed that the Town Council was responsible for 12 Victorian street lights at the Riverside, in addition to the lamps in Villeneuve-le-Roi Gardens.

It was RESOLVED that the report be approved.

20. PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING – 20TH JANUARY 2025

It was perceived that the upcoming changes to the structure of Local Government (following the publication of the Devolution White Paper in December 2024) may impact the spending requirements laid out in Minute Number 10 of the Parks Committee meeting dated 20th January 2025.

It was agreed that should the proposal of the Parks committee be approved, equipment would not be purchased until the impact of devolution was better understood.

Minute Number 10 of the Parks Committee meeting dated 20th January 2025 was approved.
 
21. REPORT OF THE TREASURER ON THE BUDGET FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31ST MARCH 2026

The Treasurer took Members through the report and advised that he 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 £900 to £950 from 1st April 2025;
• Allotment fees be increased from £54 to £56 (large plot) and from £27 to £28 (small plot) with effect from 1st April 2025.

During discussions, it was noted that the Revised Estimate for 2024/25 was £465,728, an overspend of £72,000. The Treasurer explained the reasons for the revised estimate. Chiefly, this was due to the spending on the paddling pool resurfacing slipping into the current financial year and also the significant staffing changes approved in the autumn.

It was agreed that a £15 monthly fee be paid for the use of a noticeboard in the High Street, Stourport-on-Severn. A basic agreement be drawn up. 

The Treasurer was thanked for his clear and informative report.

22. RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL ON 4TH FEBRUARY 2025

The Committee approved:

1. the changed to burial fees and allotment fees detailed in Minute No.21 above;
2. the Revised Estimates for 2024/25;
3.  the draft budget for 2025/26 and the Funds and Reserves schedule; and
4. a precept increase from £56.60 to £72.70 (an increase of 28%) was approved.  This represented a total precept of £527,511.

Chairman

The Meeting closed at 11.17am.