Minutes of a meeting of MINUTES OF A MEETING OF STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN TOWN COUNCIL

Held on TUESDAY 2ND FEBRUARY 2021 6.00PM at Via Zoom

Present

In the chair The Town Mayor Councillor K Henderson

Councillors Mrs C Barnett, T Berry, M Freeman, Mrs J Griffiths, P B Harrison, Mrs V Higgs, B Jones, D Little, R Lloyd, Mrs N Martin, C Rogers, D C Russell, D Sheppard, G M Talbot, J Thomas and H Williams.

Minutes

Before the commencement of the meeting, a minutes silence was held in memory of the late Mike Salter.

97. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs B Dawes.

98. MINUTES

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 5th January 2021 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

99. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

100. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

No public had registered to speak.

101. MAYORS COMMUNICATIONS

The Mayor and Deputy Mayor’s engagements were circulated and noted.

102. PARKS COMMITTEE MINUTES OF 21ST JANUARY 2021

It was RESOLVED that the recommendations in Minute No. 12 of the meeting of the Parks Committee held on the 21st January 2021 be approved and confirmed.

103. FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES OF 25TH JANUARY 2021

The Treasurer took Members through the report. It was proposed and agreed that an increase from £39.00 to £41.70 in the precept would be made which represented a 6.9% increase in a Band D property. This increase was mainly due to taking over the Riverside Toilets from Wyre Forest District Council in the new financial year. It was also suggested that temporary flood defence barriers be looked into. In response to a Member question, it was reported that the Town Clerk & Treasurer continued to chase Worcestershire County Council for the service invoices. Money was set aside for payment. The Treasurer was thanked for his report. It was RESOLVED that the recommendations in Minute No. 31 of the meeting of the Finance Committee held on the 25th January 2021 be approved and confirmed. Councillor G M Talbot came into the meeting at this point, (6.17pm).

104. PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES OF 26TH JANUARY 2021

The Chairman of the Planning Committee informed Council of the planning application recommendations to be made to the district council. The minutes of the meeting held on 26th January 2021 were approved subject to the following updates: WF.21/0026/HOU – Extension of existing dropped kerb at 71 Areley Common, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcs, DY13 0NG. Recommend Approval. WF.21/0030/FUL – Erection of 110 dwellings including 18 affordable units, together with associated infrastructure, access and public open space at Stourport High School and Sixth Form Centre and Playing Fields, Coniston Crescent, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcs, DY13 8JU. (Councillors C Rogers and P B Harrison abstained from commenting on this planning application as they were Members of the Planning Committee at Wyre Forest District Council.) Recommend Refusal. This refusal was purely on the grounds of access onto the proposed development. The access needs to be off The Kingsway. The Town Council has not objection to the development.

105. UPDATE FROM COUNCILLOR MRS B DAWES ON SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

In the absence of Councillor Mrs B Dawes, the Town Clerk gave the following update:

  • The police had conducted a joint agency Vehicle operation in November on Sandy Lane whereby nine tickets were issued for no seatbelts, MOT and mobile phones. Two tickets issued by WRS for waste carrier licences and a prohibition notice for MOT issues. Several advisories were also completed.
  • Another Vehicle Operation was planned for February as well as a focus on mobile phone offences coming up.
  • During December 2020, there was a successful drive campaign in Stourport and lots of stop checks conducted and breath tests and education across Wyre Forest.
  • A successful Misuse of Drugs warrant was conducted in Stourport with drugs being seized.
  • Also in December an annual Business crime operation “Holly” was held to target shoplifters affecting businesses in the lead up to the festive period. This was a success and offences were low, however, in January 2021 they have now seen a spike in shoplifting in the town centre. The police are working hard through the suspects and have had two processed and remanded and one outstanding which the police are actively seeking at the present time. They also in the process of applying to the court for a Criminal Behaviour order (old ASBO) for one male.
  • Hartlebury Common / Britannia gardens. A problem solving plan is in place and some strong actions have been completed over the last month. It is believed to date the following has been completed:
    • Fly tipping cameras have been installed.
    • Three Community Protection Notice warning letters have been issued to three residents of Lower Heath Site.
    • Joined up working has strengthened between Stourport and Droitwich SNT’s and Worcestershire County Council.
    • The calls to police are less frequent and we are managing the issue via a range of other tactics also.
  • There has been an increase in burglary and vehicle crime this side of Christmas which is being addressed and is a priority for our local team.
  • All this and more whilst the Police have been constantly Policing the ever fluid Coronavirus legislation both for individuals, groups and businesses!
  • The police asked all councillors to continue to promote the government guidance regarding staying at home and the most current laws regarding the lockdown to their residents. There is a big shift in Policing and enforcement of the law is more common rather than education which was the focus during the first lockdown.

106. UPDATE FROM COUNCILLORS MRS N MARTIN (CABINET MEMBERS FOR WYRE FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL) AND COUNCILLORS P HARRISON & C ROGERS (STOURPORT COUNTY COUNCIL COUNCILLORS)

Councillor Mrs N Martin advised Council that she had arranged for Suicide Prevention training and all Members were welcome to join. Food Provision for children for February half term and Easter was being provided. She urged Members to response to the PSPO Dog Control questionnaire. Councillor C Rogers advised that works had commenced on the Hoobrook Island in Kidderminster.

107. VERBAL REPORT FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COVID WORKING PARTY

This item was deferred until the Council meeting which would be on 9th March 2021.

108. VERBAL REPORT FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LOCALISM WORKING PARTY

The Chairman of the Localism Working Party advised Council of the following:

  • Britannia Gardens – The Heads of Terms were being disputed and this was ongoing.
  • Lloyds Meadow and Foundry Street – Legal transfer in process.
  • Riverside Toilets – Heads of Terms were being agreed. Satisfactory quotations for cleaning and hygiene services had been received and these had been reported to the Finance Committee. Insurance was being looked into.
  • Stourport Community Centre – A meeting was to be arranged.
  • Elizabeth Mills Centre – Heads of Terms had been received and being looked into. The Localism Working Party were thanked for their hard work to date.

109. UPDATE FROM TOWN CLERK REGARDING THE REINSTATEMENT OF THE TWINNING WORKING PARTY GROUP

The Town Clerk advised Council that she had been in touch with the Mayor’s Office at Villeneuve-le-Roi and they were happy to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Twinning with Stourport-on-Severn. t was agreed that due to the current pandemic, this would be put on hold for three months. It was not know at this stage whether the Stourport Carnival would go ahead.

110. ACCOUNTS

The Town Clerk reported that Accounts for January 2021 totalling £37,307.97 had been paid since the last meeting and it was RESOLVED that the reports be noted and approved. A Schedule of the Accounts paid was appended at the end of these Minutes, in the Council’s Minute Book, and was available for general inspection.

111. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business.

The meeting closed at 6.53pm