Monday 12th November 2024 10.30am

PRESENT:

Councillors: T Berry; E Burnip; K Henderson; I Schmeising-Barnes; H Williams

Observer: J Thomas

Officers: S Saunders (Town Clerk); K Terry (Parks & Cemetery Superintendent)

1. APPOINTMENT OF A CHAIRMAN FOR THE CURRENT MUNICIPAL YEAR

It was RESOLVED that Councillor I Schmeising-Barnes be appointed as Chairman of the Parks Committee for the current municipal year.

2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors P Harrison and D Morris. Councillor

Williams was appointed as a substitute for Councillor Harrison and Councillor Berry was appointed as a substitute for Councillor Morris.

3. MINUTES

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 22^nd January 2024 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor Schmeising-Barnes declared an Other Disclosable Interest in Agenda Item No. 5 – Community Garden in Lickhill War Memorial Park as she was the Secretary of Greener Stourport.

Councillor Burnip declared an Other Disclosable Interest in Agenda Item No. 5 – Community Garden in Lickhill War Memorial Park as she was the Chairman of Greener Stourport.

5. Report from the Parks and Cemetery Superintendent for a requst for a community garden in lickhill war memorial park

The Parks & Cemetery Superintendent took Members through his report and reported that the location for the proposed Community Garden would be on the hedged area by Stourport Community Centre. The intention would be to start with a couple of raised beds and progress from there if it worked well and if this proved the case, then possibly a lockable portakabin be placed on the site, which would be surrounded in hedges. In the future, it was hoped that other areas in the town of Stourport-on-Severn could be utilised for further community gardens.

It was confirmed that there was sufficient room for six to eight raised beds. The proposed area was currently used as a composting area by the Town Council and it may be possible to place secured water butts to the rear of the community centre building.

If the project went ahead, local schools would be invited to help in the garden and it was perceived that members of the community would also assist. The area would not be fenced off but an extra security camera could be placed on the community centre building pointing towards the proposed area.

In response to a Member question, the group have their own public liability insurance. However, the Town Council’s insurer would also need to be contacted.

Councillors Burnip and Schmesing-Barnes left the meeting at this point, (10.43am).

It was agreed, that pending correspondence with the Town Council’s Insurance Company and checking with the Charity Commission, a Community Garden be commissioned at the hedged area to the side of Stourport Community Centre with the Parks and Cemetery Superintendent overseeing the project.

Councillors Burnip and Schmesing-Barnes came back to the meeting at this point, (10.48am).

6. REQUEST FOR A COFFEE PITCH AT LICKHLL WAR MEMORIAL PARK

The Council had received a request for a possible coffee business to trade in Lickhill War Memorial Park. A discussion took place and it was agreed that the requestee be asked the following:

What was the size of the trailer and photographs to be provided. Which location in the park had they thought of. What days of the week and hours did they wish to trade. What did they intend to do with rubbish? What amount of insurance cover did the business have?

Members also discussed, possible Highways objections if the trailer was parked in Park Avenue, Stourport-on-Severn, the barrier on the car park near to the Community Centre, clarification from the Charity Commission and provision of a lease.

The Town Clerk would contact the requestee to obtain the details and report back to the Parks Committee.

There was no other business.

The meeting closed at 10.58 am.