Stourbridge Township Council meetings

EXTRACTS FROM MINUTES OF THE MEETING (313th Meeting)
OF STOURBRIDGE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL STOURBRIDGE
ON THURSDAY 14th June 2007 AT 7.15 P.M

PRESENT:
Stourbridge Township Council: Mrs E M D Scott (Chairman of the Council) in the Chair, Mr J B Shepherd (Vice-Chairman & Clerk to the Council), Mrs M Wakelam (Deputy Clerk to the Council), Mr D C Baker, Mr B S Craddock, Mr A Dawes, Mrs E E Fellows, Miss A Green, Mr K C Jones, Councillor I M Kettle, Mr B D Waller, Mrs G P Waller and Mr D L West.
Also present Mrs H Guy (Stourbridge Chronicle), Mr C Hale, Miss R Jones (Express and Star), Police Constable S Lowe and Police Constable D Palmer (West Midlands Police Service).
Apologies for absence were received from Mr M D Fellows, Mrs P J Fellows, Mrs J G Kettle, Mr P J Miles and Mr D M Price. Apologies were also received from Police Inspector P Boardman, Councillor J Collins, Mr M Rose, and Mrs L Waltho MP.
POLICE MATTERS
Item A; Members welcomed PC Sean Lowe and PC Dean Palmer. The officers were able to inform members of our force policy with regard to the duties of Police Community Support Officers (PCSO’s) with particular regard to the deployment of these officers purely in a ‘non confrontational role’. It is reported that West Midlands police are one of only three force areas in the country where ‘stab vest’ protection is not issued to PCSO’s.
The Vice-Chairman reminded the meeting that we had initially contacted Lloyd House in 2005 requesting a review of the then existing policy on protective body armour for all officers including PCSO’s. He said that The Chief Constable had been asked to ensure that his officers were adequately protected. He went on to say that PCSO’s have increased in number since that time and are regularly deployed as the ‘soft face’ of the police on our streets. Mr Shepherd said that there was a very real danger of these officers being involved in a situation, which was not of their making, but which could lead to death or serious injury which could be prevented by the wearing of a protective ‘stab vest’, he called upon members to make their opinions known.
Members voted unanimously in favour of the issue of protective stab vests to PCSO’s. The Chairman Mrs Scott directed that this decision by the members of the Township Council should be communicated to the Chief Constable.

Item B; Mr B S Craddock has liaised with Mr G Randle (DMBC traffic light consultant) with regard to the synchronisation of traffic lights on the Ring Road and also the traffic lights from the ‘gasworks development’. There have been problems, Mr Craddock has been promised further reports which have not yet been received, he will continue to monitor the situation on our behalf.

Item C; Mr D C Baker reported that taxis were ignoring the High Street closure to enter the area via Coventry Street and then driving between the post box and the building line. Cllr I M Kettle again outlined the regulation in force and said that he would raise this matter at Area Committee on Monday 18th June when a review of the closure will be on the agenda.

The Chairman thanked the officers for attending and on behalf of our members extended an open invitation to representatives of the police service to attend all future meetings of the Township Council.
CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman reminded members of the Royal British Legion parade on Sunday 8th July 2007 at St Thomas Church, Stourbridge.
She drew attention to the proposed £80million development plans for Dudley area redevelopment and also the £56,000 security spend plan for Mary Stevens Park where £5,000 was reported to have been lost to damage and vandalism. Mrs Scott also commented upon the lack of attention to unsightly uncut and littered grassed banks in the Birmingham Street area.
ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
The Vice-Chairman’s bulletin of all communications sent and actions taken on behalf of the Council since our last meeting was circulated. He welcomed the return of Mavis Wakelam and thanked Gladys Waller for her assistance as A/Deputy Clerk to the Council. He gave details of communications received by the Council, including very welcome reports from Councillor A Adams which related to the Old Quarter on the question of signs also road resurfacing in West St. The issue of bollard protection for ‘the green’ near Parkfield R’d had now been resolved. An encouraging response had been received from Cllr Fraser Macnamara on the Town Hall rental question. Cllr M Attwood will review the charity fund issues of the Listed Park Gates.
MATTERS RELATING TO TECHNICAL SERVICES
Item A; We have received favourable communications from Cllr A Adams with regard to ‘the old quarter’ problems.
Item B; There was nothing to report on building or redevelopment plans from the town centre areas.
Item C; No reports were received of any noticeable increase in drunken/disorderly behaviour in the town centre.

Mrs E E Fellows welcomed the signage and resurface proposals in the old quarter but drew attention to other longstanding problems in that area including a very large pothole in Wheeler St.

Mrs Fellows also commented on the improvements planned for Mary Stevens Park pool. Members agreed that the three new pump and fountain provisions would improve the pool and oxygenate the water to safeguard the fish.

Mr A Dawes drew attention to an area near the bus station which was quite badly littered.

*There is no August meeting*. The Township Council will meet on Thursday 13th September and Thursday 11th October 2007.

Last month's meeting (312th)
311th meeting
310th meeting

Back to main StourbridgeTownship Council page

Welcome | About Stourbridge | Stourbridge Glass | Stourbridge Tour | Can you help? | What's on in Stourbridge
Stourbridge Lion | Stourbridge Music | Sport | Long Lost Friends | Clubs & Charities | Stourbridge Genealogy
Stourbridge Area | Stourbridge Business | Links | Home | Contact Stourbridge