Stourbridge Township Council - The Neighbourhood Council of Stourbridge established 1979

MINUTES OF THE 368th MEETING OF STOURBRIDGE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL
HELD IN THE TOWN HALL STOURBRIDGE ON THURSDAY 14th June 2012 AT 7.15 P.M

PRESENT:
Stourbridge Township Council: Mr B S Craddock (Vice 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, Mr P J Miles, Mr R S Owen,
Mr D Pope, Mr D M Price and Ms S Turner.
Also Present: Mr I Baggott, Ms S Orton, Cllr C. Perks, Mrs W E Packer, Ms B Sykes, Mr A Storey and Mr K Taylor.

The Acting Chair, Mr B S Craddock opened the meeting and welcomed the visitors. He advised that there is to be an amendment to the Agenda to facilitate a presentation regarding the Heritage Lottery Bid for Mary Stevens Park by Ms S Orton and Mr I Baggott. This to be added, after Item 3(Matters relating to West Midlands Police), as Item 4 – Mary Stevens Park.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION
Mr A Storey and Mr K Taylor were pleased to advise members that the planning application submitted by Oldswinford Cricket Club to erect permanent practice nets and a security fence on Bigmore Playing Fields, Norton has now been withdrawn. They thanked the Township Council for the support and advice given at the last meeting. Following a unanimous vote by members to oppose the proposals, the Clerk had written to Dudley Council to register our objection. Hopefully, any future planning application will take into account the views of the local residents and also the constructive comments made that would benefit more of the community.
Dudley Council had also made observations regarding: the metal storage containers, parking facilities, the Tree Inspector had visited the playing field to inspect the trees and shrubs, which belong to Dudley Council and suggested the shrubs could be thickened to improve the barrier between the recreation area and neighbouring gardens.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from members: Mrs EMD Scott (Chairman), Mrs J D Hackett and Mr P Shepherd, also from Mr N Barlow, Cllr C Hale, Cllr T Herbert, Ms M James (MP for Stourbridge) and Ms K Shakespeare.

POLICE MATTERS
No representative from West Midlands Police was present.
Item A: A communication had been received from Sgt S Gordon regarding the parking issues raised at the May meeting:
Redhill/ Junction Road – the Neighbourhood Police team are aware of the problem and give the area as much patrol time as possible. Stourbridge Police have requested that the Highways Department repaint the road markings, which are badly worn, to highlight the parking restrictions and assist the officers in their duties. The Clerk also contacted Dudley Council to request this to be done urgently. Mr R S Owen added that inconsiderate parking at Ham Dingle School remains an ongoing problem, as it appears to be at most schools in the Borough. There is a planning application (P12/0623) to improve the parking area and pavement at Ham Dingle School but this unlikely to make any significant improvement to the existing problem.
Ibstock Drive – Vehicles parking on the footpath – Sgt Gordon has requested local police officers to investigate this further.
We are also advised that a new Inspector has been appointed to Stourbridge Sector– Insp Des Lambert - a letter of introduction and an invitation to the July meeting of the Township Council will be sent.
Item B: Nothing was raised under this issue.
Item C: Nothing was raised under this item.

MARY STEVENS PARK
Ms S Orton (Dudley Council) and Mr I Baggott (URS) gave a presentation on the Heritage Lottery Bid for the restoration and development of Mary Stevens Park. Having successfully passed the first round, the final bid has to be submitted by February 2013. A detailed, fully documented report has to be submitted and this will require a lot of research and discussion within the community and therefore they plan to:
• Hold a series of stakeholder meetings, local groups will have the opportunity to discuss the bid together (first on Monday 9th July).
• Talk to local residents –either via local media, in person - both in the park and also in Stourbridge town as to what they want.
• Obtain specialist reports on the work needed to restore the historic Grade II Main Gates and other ironwork including the railings, Band Stand and War Memorial.
• Make a study and analysis of the condition of the pool area, which is home to a wide selection of wild life and could be used for more nature activities.
• Improve the recreational activities and facilities – e.g. a cafe, the tennis courts, children’s facilities, provision of seating, etc.

• Look to encourage the local community to get involved with Mary Stevens Park more - either as volunteers, groups or as a meeting place for all to enjoy.
• The report also has to show the detailed cost to support the bid, including match funding etc.
Following the presentation there was a question and answer session which addressed the queries raised by members.

CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATIONS
Mr B S Craddock thanked Ms S Orton and Mr I Baggott for their presentation, which was very informative and encouraging to the Township Council that Dudley Council recognise the importance of Mary Stevens Park to the people of Stourbridge both for its value as a community hub for all to enjoy and also its nature and historic worth, especially the Main Gates. The acting Chair also sends best wishes to Mrs E M D Scott for a speedy recovery following her short stay in hospital on behalf of all members and visitors.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the 367thh meeting of the Stourbridge Township Council held on 7th May 2012 were received as a correct record and signed by Vice- Chairman Mr B S Craddock accordingly.

REPORT FROM THE CLERK TO THE COUNCIL
The Page Arms – Dudley Council confirmed that the building is not currently listed as a property of local historic interest. The large storage containers require planning consent which lasts for 5 years. Mr R S Owen advised members that they storage containers have been removed today! Hopefully the frontage will now be cleared and made safe and secure until any work commences.
The Dolls House – Mrs EE Fellows raised a concern that the antique Dolls House had been moved from the foyer in the Town Hall to Dudley Museum. It has historic links with Wollescote and Stourbridge and therefore long term should remain in Stourbridge. The Clerk has been advised that the Dolls House has been moved whilst the building work to the Crown Centre, which includes alterations to the entrance and foyer of the Town Hall and Library are carried out but they were unable to confirm if it was a temporary measure only. The manager of Dudley Council Culture and Leisure will update the Clerk on her return next week.
Moochers (former Conservative Club) – Alterations are being carried out to convert it to a recording studio and music venue. The premises currently have a licence to sell alcohol within defined hours only, weekends to midnight. Any change to this would require a formal application to the licensing committee for permission to vary the hours. A public notice would be displayed and objections taken into account, together with comments from the Police.
Carlisle Hall has been acquired by Dudley Mind – a charity which provides a range of services for local people suffering from mental health problems. They are currently looking at various options how use the Hall including a drop in cafe, well being centre – with advice and demonstrations, meeting place, making it available to other local groups for activities and meetings.. Mr M Mueller did confirm that although some internal modifications will be made, the stained glass windows will remain and hopefully be on show to the public too. The clerk is awaiting confirmation that Carlisle Hall has been added to the Dudley Council list of buildings of local historic value.

MATTERS RELATING TO TECHNICAL SERVICES
Item A: (There were no matters raised under this item).
Item B: The demolition of the Crown Centre is rapidly progressing. The temporary closure of Bell Street appears to be well managed. Large vehicles and buses are using Crown Square to access Market Street and Talbot Street. Bulletins are posted by Dudley Council regarding temporary traffic diversions, next being on Saturday 16th June (from 6pm) on Bath Road, when only one lane will be in operation due to resurfacing from Bath Road to Bell Street. The new junction is due to be open by the end of June.
Mr R S Owen advised that, although footpath and road work is being done outside the Stourbridge Institute, no formal agreement has yet been completed.
The Clerk had contacted Dudley Council regarding parking for disabled for visitors to the Town Hall and library in Market Street. The Traffic department is aware of the problem, they are considering painting yellow lines around the Smithfield area, which would provide parking for 4/5 vehicles although it is also a walkway into the building so may create problems for pedestrians.
Mr I J Hackett commented that the playing fields on the former Long lands School were now being used as allotments, which added to the green space in the Old Quarter which is welcomed as it improves the local environment.
Stourbridge College had announced, in the local press, that they were reconsidering the design for the entrance and frontage to the Haley Road campus. The original plans had been withdrawn following the high volume of objections submitted by the local community, including ourselves. It is hoped that Stourbridge College will take the points raised into account before submitting further plans to Dudley Council.
Item C: There were no matters raised under this item
.
FINANCIAL, CIVIC AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT MATTERS
(a) Finance; current balance £1,036.73
(b) Stourbridge Area Committee- Monday 25th June 2012, Wollaston Village Hall, Bridgenorth Rod, Wollaston at 7.15pm.
(c) Stourbridge Township Council will meet on Thursday 12th July and Thursday 13th September 2012.

CHAIRMAN’S OTHER BUSINESS
After thanking the visitors for attending, the Township Council went into a closed session.
Mr B S Craddock, Vice- Chairman, closed the meeting at 8.40 pm.

Chairman 12th July 2012

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