Minutes of a meeting of Stourport-on-Severn Town Council

Held on Tuesday 9 March 2021 6.00pm at Held via a virtual Zoom meeting

Present

In the chair The Town Mayor Councillor K Henderson

Councillors C Barnett, T Berry, B Dawes, M Freeman, J Griffiths, P B Harrison, V Higgs, B Jones, D Little, R Lloyd, C Rogers, D C Russell, D Sheppard, G M Talbot, H Williams

Minutes

112.     APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors N Martin and J Thomas. 

113.     MINUTES

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 2nd February 2021 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

114.     DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST       

There were no declarations of interest.

115.     Public question time

No public had registered to speak.

116.     MAYORS COMMUNICATIONS

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

117.     PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES OF 2ND MARCH 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 2nd March 2021 were approved:

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

There was no update this meeting. 

Members were informed that a new law had been laid in Parliament for police to be given additional powers with regard to travellers.

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

There were no reports this meeting.

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

The Chairman of the COVID Working Party referred Council to her report that had been circulated electronically.  The main areas for topic of discussions had been:  Foodbanks, Mental Health, local businesses and footfall in the town centre.  The working party would meet once more to decide the way forward.

The Chairman was thanked for her report.

121.     VERBAL REPORT FROM THE TOWN CLERK

The Town Clerk updated Council on the following:

a)             Civic Hall Partnership Group Meeting

A meeting had been held with the trustees of the Civic Hall.  The Hall had received many grants which had helped them through the Covid crisis and they were on plan to open on 17th May 2021 in line with the Government’s roadmap. 

b)             Future Council Meetings on zoom

A discussion took place on the future of virtual meetings as the regulations allowed local authorities to hold meetings remotely up to 6th May 2021.  The Government has now concluded that it will not be possible to bring forward emergency legislation to amend this date.  Therefore, all meetings after this date would need to be face-to-face.

A debate was held on whether the annual meeting should be bought forward from 11th May 2021 to be held virtually on 4th May 2021 and cancelling the 6th April meeting, with meetings from June 2021 to be held in person.  A vote was held in favour (10 for and 6 against) of this happening.

c)             Localism

Members were informed that Lloyds Meadow and Foundry Street were nearing completion for transfer to the town council.  Britannia Gardens Play Area and Riverside Toilets were still being looked at.  Wyre Forest District Council (WFDC) had agreed that the town council could have the freehold of the Riverside paddling pool.

d)             Emergency Plan

It was agreed that the Town Clerk would arrange a zoom meeting with the relevant officer at WFDC for a presentation via zoom.

122.     ACCOUNTS

The Town Clerk reported that Accounts for February 2021 totalling £41,903.9 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.

123.     ANY OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business.

Town Mayor

The meeting closed at 6.39pm