Stourbridge Township Council - The Neighbourhood Council of Stourbridge established 1979

MINUTES OF THE 365th MEETING OF STOURBRIDGE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL
HELD IN THE TOWN HALL STOURBRIDGE ON THURSDAY 8th MARCH 2012 AT 7.15 P.M

PRESENT:
Stourbridge Township Council: Mrs E M D Scott (Chairman), Mr B S Craddock (Vice Chairman), Mrs K C Shepherd (Clerk), Mrs M Wakelam (Deputy Clerk), Mrs J Collins, Mr A C Dawes, Miss A Green, Mr I J Hackett, Mrs J D Hackett, Mr P J Miles, Mr R S Owen, Mr D M Price, Mr P Shepherd and Mr D I West.
Also Present: Cllr N Barlow, Mr M Glover, Mr D Harcourt, Mr C Parnell, Mr D Pope, Ms H Rogers, Mr J Simpson, Ms B Sykes and Ms S Turner.

It was agreed that our agenda be structured to allow for two new members to be sworn in, the election and appointment of Officers of Stourbridge Township Council and a presentation by Tesco and Bowmer and Kirkland regarding the Crown redevelopment.

The Chairman, Mrs E M D Scott called upon Mr David Pope and Miss Sarah Turner who had presented themselves for membership to make their Declaration of Acceptance of Office and were duly sworn in as members of Stourbridge Township Council. They were warmly welcomed by all members on joining and to take part in the 2012 Annual General Meeting.

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

POLICE MATTERS (There were no matters raised under this item).
No communication had been received from Stourbridge Police. Dates of future PACT meetings were distributed by the Clerk.

TO ELECT AND APPOINT OFFICERS OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR 2012/2013

The Chairman of the Council; Mrs E Margaret D Scott was re elected unopposed.
The Vice-Chairman of the Council; Mr Brian S Craddock was re elected unopposed.
Clerk to the Council; Mrs Kari C Shepherd was appointed as the Clerk.
Deputy Clerk to the Council; Mrs Mavis Wakelam was appointed as the Deputy Clerk.
Financial Officer; Mrs Kari C Shepherd was appointed as the Financial Officer.
Auditors; Mr Peter J Miles and Mr Rod S Owen were appointed as Auditors of the Council’s Accounts.

CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATIONS
Sadly the Chairman had attended the funerals of Cllr M Cowell and former member Mrs J Fellows. She reminded members of the support that they had both had given Stourbridge Township Council in the past and had passed on our condolences.
A concern had been raised regarding the fence panels at the front of Stourbridge Academy - Hagley Road, being used for graffiti and street posters. The fencing belongs to the Stourbridge Academy and is only being used to advertise their future artists and events.
An article in the Express and Star had alerted shoppers parking at Aldi on the Ring Road, Stourbridge that the conditions of parking had changed. Visitors using the car park are restricted to a maximum 1 hour stay and have to input their car registration number on a machine in the Aldi store before leaving the car park or a parking fine of £70 will be issued by post. Although it is understandable that Aldi want the car park to be used by Aldi shoppers, sufficient time should be allowed for them to visit the town, bank, etc too. The Clerk asked how drivers name and addresses were obtained from the registration number - the only source would be the DVLA and was this disclosure allowed under the data protection act. Mr I Hackett asked if this could be raised with Ms M James, MP and Cllr N Barlow said he would make further enquiries. The Clerk to make further enquiries and report back.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the 364rd meeting of the Township Council held on 9th February 2012 were received as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, Mrs E M D Scott accordingly.

REPORT FROM THE CLERK TO THE COUNCIL
The Clerk had received an email from Mr D Cox, outlining his proposals to use the land of the Page Arms as a car park in the short term. The existing building being removed and the frontage stored until a suitable time when the site would be redeveloped either for housing or commercial use. Details and a copy of the layout were circulated to members; consideration to the entrance and exit should be given as well as the existing parking arrangements in Market Street. The planning application had been previously refused but given the loss of Bell Street Car Park there was an urgent need for additional parking in the area of St. Thomas’s Church and Crystal Leisure Centre and the neighbouring Drury Lane parking could be incorporated too to make the best use of available space. Members also commented that it certainly would be an improvement on the current ‘site’. Mrs J Collins asked if Market Street could be opened onto the Ring Road to give an additional exit point from the Town. The Clerk to write to Dudley Council.

Mrs K C Shepherd had visited the Carlisle Hall, which is currently for sale; it is in excellent condition and being sold with fixtures and fittings, which would make it an ideal centre/ meeting place for a local community group. It also includes ornate stained glass windows, which are of historic value to Stourbridge. A lot of interest had been shown from local charities and groups in acquiring the premises. Although she had contacted both Dudley Council and the WRVS regarding the sale of the property, no satisfactory reply had been received. Cllr N Barlow was also concerned and agreed to investigate the matter further on our behalf.

MATTERS RELATING TO PERSONAL SERVICES
The Clerk has received an update from Dudley Council about the Heritage Lottery bid for Mary Stevens Park: the project manager and team have been appointed and are in the process of setting dates for meeting with stakeholders commencing in April. Positive comments about the park facilities had been received from residents – but concerns about the Main Gates were raised again, they continue to deteriorate and will, without remedial work being carried out, become a danger. They remain an eye sore and make a sad tribute to the memory of Ernest and Mary Stevens, who gave so much to the people of Stourbridge.
Mr D Harcourt informed members of the forthcoming events in the town and asked for our support: 1st July -Stourbridge Carnival, celebrating 25 years and 12th July - Stourbridge in Bloom

MATTERS RELATING TO TECHNICAL SERVICES
Item A: Following the closure of Bell Street car park, motorists are being directed to Birmingham Street, by large prominent signs around the Ring Road. Dudley Council has distributed leaflets, showing suitable parking areas in and around the town and there have also been notices in the local press to assist visitors. There are 3 car parks on Birmingham Street, and only 1 is currently being used. Ms B Sykes suggested that if all day parking was offered either free or at a cheap tariff workers would be encouraged to use it, thus freeing up the parking within the town perimeter for short term shoppers. Mrs J Collins hoped that the free Shuttle bus, running from Birmingham Street into the town would continue as it assisted shoppers and would encourage people not to drive into the High Street.
Mr B S Craddock had viewed the flow of traffic northbound on the Hagley Road at the Cross, Oldswinford traffic lights and advised, in his opinion, that it would not be practical to have a right lane filter as it would be dangerous for pedestrians. The only solution, which currently is not possible, would be to widen the whole junction.

Item B: Mrs E M D Scott commented on how impressive Stourbridge Interchange looked, with the street furniture, including the glass blower being displayed. The Clerk had been informed by Centro that it was due to be opened in April and that the final checks were being carried out to ensure everything worked and flowed smoothly. The Chair asked if it was necessary for all the lights to be on all night as it was a huge waste of energy.

Item C: Mr P Shepherd commented that High Street, Stourbridge still has a lot of litter and food debris strewn about it especially on a Friday and Saturday morning following the previous night pub/street activity - rubbish bin bags having being kicked over. Although it is cleared by the time the shoppers enter the town. Is there any way of preventing it happening?

Mr Jonathan Simpson, Regional Corporate Affairs Manager for Tesco gave a presentation about the Crown Centre redevelopment, highlighting the benefits and opportunities it will bring to Stourbridge including; several retail premises as well as a Tesco store, offices, jobs and a car park for 560 - completion by Winter 2013. Mr Christian Parnell - project manager, outlined the schedule of work and distributed details of the proposed stages from demolition through to completion of the Centre. There is going to be disruption during the work but through good communication and support by all parties including Dudley Council, town businesses, workers, visitors and local groups as well as Tesco and Bowmer and Kirkland, this could be kept to a minimum and manageable. Mr Parnell asked that should anyone foresee or experience a problem that they contact him so that it can resolved as soon as possible. The major issue at present is the demolition of Bell Street car park and the Crown Centre, including the removal of the Coat of Arms. Mr M Glover reassured members that the Coat of Arms will be sympathetically restored and prominently placed in the new Crown Centre. The flattening of the car park and centre will to be carried out by mid April. Explosives are to be used in demolishing Bell Street car park, the operation has to be carefully and strategically planned, residents from nearby premises being evacuated, roads - including part of the Ring Road closed, the exact date is not going to be publically announced to maintain a low profile and for safety reasons. Mrs K C Shepherd asked that information and updates during the work be given to the public by posters, signage and an information point within the town and also via the press and internet with links to Stourbridge.com and Dudley Council, from Tesco.com to ensure that correct information is well circulated and people feel involved. A meeting by Dudley Council is planned for next week for businesses and residents within the Ring Road to ensure they are kept fully informed. A question and answer session then followed.

CHAIRMAN’S OTHER BUSINESS
Mrs E M D Scott thanked all our visitors for their time, presentation and sharing of information.
The Chair closed the meeting at 9.25pm.

Chairman, 12th April 2012

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