Stourbridge Township Council meetings

EXTRACTS FROM MINUTES OF THE MEETING (319th Meeting) OF STOURBRIDGE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL STOURBRIDGE ON
THURSDAY 10th January 2008 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 B S Craddock, Mr A C Dawes, Miss A Green, Mr P J Miles, Mr D M Price, Mr B D Waller and Mrs G P Waller.
Also present; Police Constable M Barlow (W M Police), PCSO G Else (W M Police), Mrs J E Garrett, Councillor M Knowles, Mr C Hale and Mrs K C Shepherd.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION
Mrs J E Garrett representing the Stourbridge Pantomime Group was introduced and welcomed by members. Mrs Garrett told the meeting of the concerns voiced by her group membership and supporters over the planned development of the Crown Centre. The disruption in the vicinity of the Town Hall and the demolition of Bell Street car park would create many problems for her group.
The Vice-Chairman spoke of his conversations with Mr Peter MacFarlane Director of Modus. Mr Shepherd said that arrangements were under consideration to use Birmingham St car park with ferry provisions into the town. Our Chairman identified the need to upgrade Birmingham St car park if this arrangement was to be suitable. Mrs Scott said that surface areas of that car park required repair, the question of security supervision was also a factor. The important matter of direction signs must be considered Mrs Scott said, visitors to our town using this car park would have extreme difficulty. Mrs Garrett told the meeting that entering the town from the Birmingham Street car park location without clear signage would be a problem, many of the group supporters are not familiar with the town, signs and other measures are needed and would be appreciated.
Councillor M Knowles told members that the Tesco interventions into the DMBC/Modus original planning had meant delays but that Modus and Tesco were now working out agreed development arrangements, he was unable to give further details. Cllr Knowles said that ferry arrangements from alternative car parks in Halesowen had recently failed, but he was sure that alternative parking arrangements to Bell St would be provided by DMBC as the work progressed. He stated that Bell St car park still had two years of life left. Mrs B D Waller suggested that the delivery area from Crown Lane once used by traders could be utilised for public parking. Town centre clamping operations were discussed, also a proposed increased use of the Rye Market car park.
Mr Shepherd said that Modus was aware of the importance to our Council of the Coat of Arms mosaic; Mr MacFarlane had instructed his architect on our proposal that it should be placed in the foyer of the Town Hall/Library, the safety of the mosaic is very important to the Township Council. Cllr Knowles said that in his view the mosaic was of no particular artefact importance but he was satisfied that it would be protected, the Crown Centre clock would also be safeguarded he said. Mr Shepherd said that Cllr Knowles’ passion for our Town Hall was known and admired, but Cllr Knowles should begin to understand the concerns and passion of our members who are unable to trust all assurances that are given when the safety of this important mosaic is concerned.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from; Mrs E E Fellows, Mr M D Fellows, Mrs P J Fellows, Mr K C Jones and Mr D I West.
Apologies were also received from; Ms L Blyth, Councillor Mrs J Collins, Mr D Harcourt, Ms M James, Mr M Rose and Mrs Lynda Waltho MP.

POLICE MATTERS
Details of the PACT meetings currently arranged at this time were presented to the meeting by PC M Barlow

Item A; Members welcomed PC M Barlow and PCSO G Else to the meeting. A letter of introduction had been received from Chief Superintendent Peter Monroe Commander of Dudley South (J2). Our Council has written to Mr Monroe congratulating him on his appointment, welcoming him to Stourbridge and inviting him to our meetings.

Item B; The proposals for gantry cameras on the Ring Road crossing will be taken up with PS Androlia our police traffic officer.

Item C; Concerns remain over the proposed development of the old Yorkshire Bank and also Barbarella’s club. Members spoke of the proposals as threats to the Cumulative Impact Order. It is thought that local residents will yet again experience problems.

CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATIONS
Mrs E M D Scott spoke of the increased use of warning signs painted on road surfaces in the area, she reminded members that 30mph markings had been refused for the Ring Road. The Chairman asked that the regulations be examined, there are a number of locations where such markings are in place and where there has been no change to the overall speed limit.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the 318th meeting of the Township Council held on Thursday 13th December 2007 were received as a correct record and signed by the Chairman Mrs E M D Scott accordingly.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
The Vice-Chairman’s bulletin gave details of communications sent and actions taken by the Council since our December meeting. Mr J Shepherd will provide copies of all relevant communications to members on request.

MATTERS RELATING TO TECHNICAL SERVICES
Item A; The details requested by Mr B S Craddock regarding safety and accident remedial work to be carried out in Racecourse Lane following the tragic double fatality had been received by Mrs Lynda Waltho MP, these were handed to Mr Craddock by Mr C Hale.

Item B; There was nothing further to report on building or redevelopment plans from the town centre areas.

Item C; No reports were received of any increase in drunken/disorderly behaviour in the town centre.

Litter; A response is awaited from Birmingham central tickets agency. Ms M James has written to ascertain how many fixed penalty litter tickets have been issued in our area. Comparisons will be made with other areas when the figures are known.

Mr B Waller identified an area near to the Express & Star offices where bags full of rubbish were strewn. Mrs G P Waller described litter problems in Lower High St near fast food outlets and also at the rear of Bell hotel. Mr A C Dawes spoke of similar problems in the vicinity of the Chicago Rock premises. The problems will be raised with DMBC and brought to Mr M Caddick’s attention.

FINANCIAL, CIVIC AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT MATTERS
(a) The Chairman informed members that annual subscriptions are being collected and will be added to our credit balance.
(b) Stourbridge Area Committee Meeting; 7pm Monday 10th March at Hob Green Primary School.
(c) The Township Council will meet on Thursday 14th February, Thursday 13th March and Thursday 10th April 2008.

CHAIRMAN’S OTHER BUSINESS
The Chairman called upon Mrs K C Shepherd who had presented herself for membership to make her Declaration of Acceptance of Office. Mrs K C Shepherd was duly sworn in as a member of Stourbridge Township Council by our Chairman Mrs E M D Scott.

The Township Council rose at 9pm.

318th meeting
317th meeting
316th meeting
315th meeting
314th meeting
313th meeting
312th meeting
311th meeting
310th meeting

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