Stourbridge Township Council Bulletin
Since our APRIL meeting
The Chairman and Vice- Chairman will be pleased to answer any queries
MARTIN FELLOWS
The very sad news
of the loss of Martin Fellows who died on Monday 28th April in Russells
Hall Hospital was devastating. Martin as one of our founder members launched
our Stourbridge Township Council in 1979. There is no finer tribute to
him than that this Council continues to be respected and heard as the
towns’ watchdog to this very day. Our deepest sympathy to his Wife
Jane and to Molly. Martin will always be remembered and will be sorely
missed.
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COMMUNICATIONS; Contacts have suffered due to the pressures of the local
elections on Councillors of all parties standing for election and their
colleagues working to support them. In addition we have lost our not only
our Town Centre Manager but also three of our police contacts from the
town, arrangements are in place for us to continue to work with their
replacements.
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Councillor Mrs June Collins; Politics are usually avoided by our Council,
but we have the ear of many local politicians of all parties. These contacts
enable us to better represent this Council and local residents. Over many
years, June Collins, as a member of this Council and later as an elected
Councillor has been very active on our behalf. June lost her seat at the
recent elections. We have thanked her for her valued support; she is invited
to continue to attend our meetings.
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PACT MEETINGS; Our thanks to Police Sergeant Tony Osborne for this information.
7pm Monday 19th May, St James School, Kingsway, Wollaston.
7.15pm Wednesday 21st May Amblecote Primary School (Amblecote).
7pm Thursday 22nd May Gigmill Primary, Norton.
7pm Thursday 29th May Petershill Primary (Penfields).
7pm Tuesday 3rd June Withymoor Primary (Withymoor).
At the PACT meeting held at St Thomas Church on Saturday 26th April the
matters raised were; Anti sociable behaviour issues and night time economy
in the Town Centre. Similar problems and reports of damage in the Bowling
Green Road area and widespread parking/obstruction reports.
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THE CROWN CENTRE; It is rumoured that Tesco has yet to sign on the dotted
line as fully satisfied with the Crown Centre arrangements and that work
is not expected to commence before Christmas. With regard to our Coat
of Arms mural proposal, we watch developments closely.
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THE TOWN CENTRE; Our close liaison continues with Mr David Harcourt who
has assured us that the planned town centre projects are in place. He
will continue to inform us of all details and thanks our members for their
valued support.
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THE LISTED PARK GATES; The assessment of work required, together with
a further costing report for refurbishment, is still awaited from DMBC
officers. A copy of those details has been requested for examination and
debate by our members. The report(s) were promised at the April meeting
of Stourbridge Area Committee. An expert assessment report is essential
if our efforts are to continue to move forward in our long fight to save
The Gates from further deterioration.
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REMOVAL OF ARTEFACTS; You asked that we write to The Director for Libraries,
Archives and Adult Learning. A letter has been received noting our opposition
to any such move until the planned custom built archive site is completed
and is seen to be suitable for the purpose.
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POLICE MATTERS: The report presented by Mr Rod Owen regarding the situation
at Ham Dingle School was seen to have been of considerable assistance
and interest to the police. The safety issues involved, with dangers presented
to schoolchildren, are being examined by PS Osborne and his team at Ham
Dingle School and at other schools in our area.
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STAB
VEST DECISION; In the light of the recent decision to allow Para-Medics
a stab vest provision after pressure on the West Midlands Ambulance Authority,
our efforts should continue. We have approached the Chief Constable on
several occasions in recent years to allow a stab vest provision for our
PCSO’s. To date, Sir Paul has refused this suggestion. With your
permission it is the intention of our Council to overturn what we see
as a risky policy. Our efforts have the full support of Lynda Waltho MP
and other agencies.
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LITTER; You will have seen the problem area, off Market St near to The
Express & Star (Chronicle) offices. This entry, serving the rear of
several premises, is an ugly eyesore of filth. Here commercial waste bins
overflow causing unsightly stinking problems. Responsibility for the cleansing
of this area is seemingly under dispute. Together with the Chronicle staff
we have now approached DMBC Environmental staff for answers and solutions.
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PARKING PROBLEMS; Residents of Mount Street and Parkfield Road continue
to experience problems from indiscriminate long term parking by commuters
and shoppers. The situation is under review by Councillors and DMBC.
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AREA COMMITTEE MEETINGS; Due to elections, these are still to be announced.
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THE YORKSHIRE BANK; At this time the ‘licensing conditions’
are still to be decided.
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MRS Lynda Waltho MP; Ref BARBARELLA’s (The former Picture House
Night Club) Residents in the area (Object) are concerned that the ‘entertainment
licences requirements’ currently used to allow lap dancing clubs
such as “Heaven” the proposed “Barbarella’s”
should be changed. Lynda Waltho has brought the issue to the attention
of Parliament via an Early Day Motion. Under existing legislation lap
dancing venues are licensed in the same way as pubs and cafes. It is proposed
that ‘sex encounter licences’ as used for sex cinemas and
sex shops should be used. Such a move would give residents’ objections
more weight during the licensing process. Hagley Road residents are extremely
concerned that the latest venue could be allowed to open until 4am.
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OUR WEB SITE(S); Thanks to Colin MacDonald (stourbridge.com) this site
is active and regularly updated. Full details of this Council are featured
on Colin’s site, our meeting details together with extracts from
meetings can be found under the clubs and charities section. The site
covers all of the town and surrounding areas. It features excellent photographs
and a wealth of local information.
We remain in contact with Mark Rose of (aboutmyarea.co.uk). His site is
the subject of some revision and change, Mark hopes to update the site
in the near future.
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EMDS/JBS
(May 2008)
