Stourbridge Township Council - The Neighbourhood Council of Stourbridge established 1979

MINUTES OF THE 363rd MEETING OF STOURBRIDGE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL
HELD IN THE TOWN HALL STOURBRIDGE ON THURSDAY 12th JANUARY 2012 AT 7.15 P.M

PRESENT:
Stourbridge Township Council: Mr R S Owen (Acting Chairman), Mrs K C Shepherd (Clerk), Mrs M Wakelam (Deputy Clerk),
Mrs J Collins, Mr A C Dawes, Mrs E E Fellows, Miss A Green, Mr I J Hackett, Mrs J D Hackett, Mr D M Price and Mr P Shepherd.
Also Present: Cllr N Barlow, Insp E Boyle (Stourbridge Police), Mr D Pope, Ms B Sykes and Ms S Turner.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION (There were no matters raised under this item).

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from members: Mrs E M D Scott (Chairman), Mr B C Craddock (Vice-Chairman) and Mr P Miles.
Also from: Mr D Harcourt, Ms M James (MP for Stourbridge), Mr C MacDonald, Ms H Rogers and Cllr K Shakespeare.

POLICE MATTERS
Item A: Insp E Boyle reported that crime figures for Stourbridge Sector continued a downward trend, which was very encouraging as the figures include the Christmas period, which usually shows an increase in burglaries and shop lifting. Operation Cache, implemented in December and the New Year, had focused on crime within the town had resulted in 45 less crimes than the previous month. In January robbery and dwelling theft is classed as a high risk due to the large number of electrical items and mobile phones purchased at Christmas. One of the problems the police encounter is, on recovering stolen goods, identifying the rightful owner. Insp. Boyle highlighted the importance of marking or registering personal possessions - particularly for students and young person’s, out at school, college and in the town. There is a national mobile phone data base where items can be registered - details to follow. Mr RS Owen suggested that items could be marked with address details using indelible marker pens, which are readily available from the police or can be purchased locally. The data only shows under an ultra violet light and would assist the police in returning goods.
A final decision is due to be made by West Midlands Police about reducing the opening hours at Stourbridge Police Station, which we have opposed on the basis as it gives lack of access to our local police services and officers in person. Insp Boyle supports the change in hours as he feels that the public will benefit from the change without losing any services- the public contact the police by other methods, phone, email, etc. Enquiries/ issues via a call centre are passed to the appropriate station/team to deal with quickly and efficiently and emergency calls will continue to be responded to immediately. Following a survey it showed that Stourbridge PS was visited by few persons during the evening hours, the footfall being less than 1 per hour and that police personnel currently staffing the front office can be out on the streets reassuring the public. Although Lye PS has closed, new local contact points are being set up in the community for the public to speak to police officers e.g. Thorns School. Members of the public can also approach police officers in and around the town at anytime. Residents can also go to PACT meetings and police surgeries e.g. Mary Stevens Park, Tesco Express, and Hob Green Children’s Centre, - dates and times are regularly published.
Item B: There were no matters raised under this issue).
Item C: The Acting Chair asked Insp Boyle if petrol bilking (driving off without paying for fuel) was a problem at Stourbridge petrol stations. He replied that there had been a number of thefts, but most petrol stations have effective CCTV surveillance cover which record the vehicles and drivers which can then be passed on to the police and other garages to highlight and deter the offenders.

CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATIONS
Unfortunately, due to ill health the Chair, Mrs EMD Scott was unable to attend the meeting. Mr RS Owen is acting Chair on her behalf wished her a speedy recovery on behalf of all members.
Mr RS Owen had noted that despite the lengthy (approximately 8 weeks) road works and traffic disruption at The Cross, Oldswinford, it was disappointing to see no improvements had been made either for vehicles, or pedestrians crossing. The Clerk advised that this problem that had been raised with Dudley Council on a number of occasions and they had carried out various surveys and studies. The outcome had been that to install any further traffic filters or pedestrian crossings at this major junction would cause even longer traffic delays, confusion for pedestrians and therefore was not in the interest of the public. The only option would be to widen the junction which is not possible at this time given the location of the properties.
Mrs J Collins questioned the reason for introducing some of the local traffic calming measures and highlighted the mini roundabout in Eggington Road, Wollaston which she felt served little purpose, and it did not slow the traffic and was ignored by most motorists.
Mrs E M D Scott had been received a letter, sent by Interserve to residents of Vauxhall and Parkfield Road, stating that as part of the Stourbridge Interchange redevelopment, the roads would be closed overnight on 14th and 15th January to enable resurfacing work to be carried out. The plan showed that the remedial work would be to the roads giving access and exit to the Bus station only. Stourbridge Township Council had reported problems of pot holes approximately 100 metres further along Parkfield Road to Dudley Council on 2 previous occasions and asked that this remedial work could be carried out at the same time. The Clerk had received a positive response from Cllr A Turner and Mr G Pentreath, project engineer to consider our request as a matter of urgency.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the 362nd meeting of the Township Council held on 8th December 2011 were received as a correct record and signed by the Acting Chairman Mr R S Owen accordingly.

REPORT FROM THE CLERK TO THE COUNCIL
Mrs K C Shepherd had contacted the owner of the Page Arms to raise concerns about the current state of the premises and asking what the future plans for the site were. The premises are very dilapidated with several smashed windows, the ladder and scaffolding to the rear giving easy access to the premises. The entrance and fencing has been vandalised, damaged and the car park is full of rubbish, creating a potential health risk. The rusty metal containers at the front of the premises are very unsightly- could they be moved to the rear or hoarding placed around? The Clerk had received a reply promising that the site would be cleaned up and made secure. The long term plans are to redevelop the site as premises, keeping the original frontage of the property which is part of Market Street history but in the meantime they want to use it as a car park for shoppers and asked for our feedback. The points raised by members included the narrowness of Market Street and current on street parking and access. It was agreed to discuss this at our next meeting, after all members had been consulted.
Following an email received from Ms S Orton about the Heritage Lottery bid for Mary Stevens Park and the recent appointment of a project manager, it is hoped that the bid can now progress quickly with discussions and agreement being reached quickly and formal submission before the end of 2012. After successfully obtaining approval for the first stage in December 2010, it is very frustrating to see that no progress has been made and although Dudley Council have set aside a contribution towards funding the restoration of the historic Park Gates little commitment has been shown to move the project on/ repair the Gates. The Clerk suggested writing to Stourbridge Councillors to confirm their commitment and support to restoring the Main Gates at Mary Stevens Park as an important part of the history and in memory of a major benefactor of Stourbridge - Ernest Stevens.

MATTERS RELATING TO PERSONAL SERVICES
The Clerk is pleased to note that, Dudley Council have agreed to suspend the decision regarding the closure of care homes in Dudley Borough until further consultations and discussions been held. The Clerk has requested details and timescales about the review process. A recent article in the Express and Star stated that patients were being kept in hospital longer than necessary due to the lack of residential/ social care available on their discharge. Discharge delays also occur due to patients waiting for hospital prescriptions, etc, which is particularly distressing for the patient when advised you are fit to leave but unable to due to lack of services.

MATTERS RELATING TO TECHNICAL SERVICES
Item A: The Clerk had written to Centro regarding the issues raised by bus drivers concerning the entrance/ exit to Stourbridge Interchange but to date no reply had been received. Cllr N Barlow was pleased to advise that the redevelopment work was ahead of schedule and also that the free shuttle service will continue to operate - whilst the Crown Centre redevelopment work is carried out.
A further planning application to convert the Rock Public House to a fast food outlet and 2 flats has been submitted to Dudley Council, this was previously refused on the basis that there will be a new food outlet within the Interchange.
A recent press release had announced plans to reopen the open the train line between Stourbridge Junction and Merry Hill using a metro style service by local operators, Parry People, this is following on from their successful service which runs between Stourbridge Town and Junction. Members were enthusiastic about the proposals and looked forward to seeing the more detailed plans.
Item B: Township Council members heard that Tesco had signed to take over the Crown Centre and Bell Street car park today. This was confirmed by Cllr N Barlow and also Town Hall employees, one being relocated to Dudley with immediate effect. No further updates have been received from Tesco. Mrs J Collins reported that the local media had reported that the mechanical clock is to remain within the new Crown Centre, which is good news that it, together with the Stourbridge Coat of Arms will remain in our historic town.
A planning application had been submitted by the Bell Hotel to acquire the 2 adjacent premises in Market Street as a Cafe and Bistro to include an alcohol license for the same opening hours as the hotel. A number of questions were raised: Was this just a way to obtain an alcohol license and increase the premises for late night drinking, could better use of the existing premises be made by using the upper floors, did Stourbridge need a further Cafe/bistro as such outlets are also included in the new Crown Centre. As this would probably create more street litter could the food/drink venues not be held responsible to keep the areas clean or pay Dudley Council for the provision of the additional necessary street cleansing service? Application for an alcohol licence would have to be approved by the licensing committee and the rules of the cumulative impact order taken into account. The Clerk to make further enquiries with Dudley Council and the licensing officer.
Mr A Dawes announced that the Red Lion PH in Green Street was to be converted into flats.
Mr P Shepherd had noted that building work was being carried out at the former Conservative Club, which has been acquired by Kendrick’s Builders, but future plans were not known.
Item C: (There were no matters raised under this item).

FINANCIAL, CIVIC AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT MATTERS
(a) Finance; Current balance £1,301.87
(b) Stourbridge Area Committee- Monday 20th February 2012 at Redhill School, Junction Road, Stourbridge at 7.15 pm.
(c) Stourbridge Township Council will meet on Thursday 9th February and Thursday 8th March 2012.

CHAIRMAN’S OTHER BUSINESS
The Acting Chairman, Mr R S Owen closed the meeting at 8.38pm.

Chairman
9th February 2012