MEETING OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN TOWN COUNCIL

Tuesday 5th May 2026

12.15pm Mayor's parlour, Civic Centre, Stourport-on-Severn

Minutes

PRESENT:

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

Officers: S Saunders (Town Clerk), D While (RFO), S Harris (Assistant Clerk), K Gynn (Civic Support Officer)

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

    There were no apologies for absence.

  2. MINUTES

    It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on the 26th January 2026 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

    Councillor Little declared an Other Disclosable Interest in Agenda Item No. 7 as he was a trustee of the Elizabeth Mills Day Centre, Stourport-on-Severn.

  4. BANDSTAND, LICKHILL WAR MEMORIAL PARK, STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN

    The Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) provided an update regarding the bandstand located in Lickhill War Memorial Park, Stourport-on-Severn, which required considerable renovation and was in a poor state of repair at present.

    The RFO had identified the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) as a source of potential funding. It was unanimously agreed that the RFO would submit a project enquiry to the HLF to establish whether it was a project that the HLF would be minded to support.

    It was noted that the HLF would provide grant funding up to a maximum of 90% and therefore, there was an expectation that Stourport-on-Severn Town Council would be required to provide match funding, if a project enquiry was accepted and progressed to a further round of applications.

    Councillor Schmeising-Barnes joined the meeting at this point, (12:23pm).

  5. 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 Parts 2 & 3 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

  6. INSURANCE VALUATIONS OF STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN TOWN COUNCIL OWNED PROPERTIES

    The RFO advised that the need for an up-to-date valuation of the Civic Hall, Stourport-on-Severn, had been identified following the annual insurance renewal process.

    Stourport-on-Severn Town Council’s current insurance provider had confirmed that a desktop survey and valuation would be acceptable. The RFO had received quotations from two companies and committed to seeking a third quotation. The expected cost was £950 plus VAT.

    It was resolved that the RFO would obtain a valuation for the Civic Hall, Stourport-on-Severn in order to satisfy the requirements of the town council’s insurance provider.

  7. LEASE RENEWAL AT THE ELIZABETH MILLS DAY CENTRE, STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN

    Councillor Little left the meeting at this point, (12:29pm).

    The Town Clerk advised that the 21-year lease between Stourport-on-Severn Town Council and the Elizabeth Mills Day Centre would expire on 25th August 2026.

    Members were unanimous in their agreement that the centre provided a valuable service to the local community, and as such, Members wished to see the work done by the centre continue.

    Following an update from the Town Clerk, if the Trustees of the Elizabeth Mills Day Centre, Stourport-on-Severn wished for the lease to be renewed, it was confirmed that Stourport-on-Severn Town Council staff would support trustees with regard to Health & Safety commitments.

    A robust discussion was held on the lease payments going forward.

    The Town Clerk advised that the trustees would be required to give notice by 25th May 2026 should they wish to terminate the current lease.

    Councillor Little returned to the meeting at this point, (12:47pm).

  8. CLEANING OF THE RIVERSIDE MEADOWS TOILETS, STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN

    The Town Clerk advised that the Riverside Meadows toilets had not been cleaned to the standard that had been expected. The Town Clerk advised that she had been working with the current contractor to address the issues identified.

    Following a period of monitoring, the standard of cleanliness had dramatically improved. The Town Clerk advised that she had been investigating alternative arrangements but that she had no recommendations to make to Members at present.

    Following a discussion regarding the payment of invoices, Members resolved to delegate negotiations regarding the payment of invoices to Stourport-on-Severn Town Council Officers.

The Meeting closed at 12:54pm.

Chairman