Stourbridge Township Council - The Neighbourhood Council of Stourbridge established 1979

MINUTES OF THE 371st MEETING OF STOURBRIDGE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL
HELD IN THE TOWN HALL STOURBRIDGE ON THURSDAY 11th OCTOBER 2012 AT 7.15 P.M

PRESENT:
Stourbridge Township Council: Mrs E M D Scott (Chairman), Mrs K C Shepherd (Clerk), Mr A C Dawes, Miss A Green,
Mrs J D Hackett, Mr P J Miles, Mrs W E Packer, Mr D Pope, Mr P Shepherd and Ms S Turner.
Visitors: Cllr C Hale, Cllr T Herbert, Ms M James (MP for Stourbridge), Insp D Lambert (Stourbridge Police),
Cllr C Perks and Cllr H Rogers.

The Chairman welcomed members and visitors to the meeting and announced the sad passing of Cllr Malcolm Knowles. A minute of silence was taken in recognition of the dedication given by the longstanding local Councillor and former Mayor who most recently had represented Wollaston and Stourbridge Town.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION. Nothing was raised under this item.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from members: Mrs J Collins, Mr B S Craddock, Mrs E E Fellows, Mr I J Hackett, Mr R S Owen,
Mr D M Price, Mrs M Wakelam and Mr D I West.
And also from: Cllr C Elcock, Sgt. S Gordon (Stourbridge Police) Ms B Sykes and Mrs L Waltho.

POLICE MATTERS
Item A: Insp D Lambert updated members on the local crime figures for Stourbridge Sector, which far exceeds the average target set for West Midlands Police.
Insp Lambert went on report on two local crimes which have escalated in Stourbridge in the last month:
Theft from handbags/ purse dipping – There have been over 30 thefts by persons in and around the town, who are generally targeting the elderly. The two women have been recorded on CCTV cameras and their photo’s printed in the local press, which has resulted in them being named but as yet - not apprehended. Shoppers should take extra care to protect their bags and be aware of persons around or approaching them.
There has also been a sudden increase in household burglaries being carried out in the area, mostly during the day time. Stourbridge police are questioning two persons regarding the thefts but residents should remain vigilant and report anything or anybody acting suspiciously to the police immediately.
The night time economy continues to thrive. The opening of Chicago’s has had a few initial problems but local officers are working with the establishment to ensure that they are maintaining the same security standards as the other venues.
Ms M James (MP) thanked Insp Lambert and all his officers for their hard work and commitment in keeping Stourbridge a safe environment for everyone to share.
Item B: Stourbridge Town Traffic Consultation Meeting held on 26th September at Baylie Court.
Members were invited to a meeting to discuss the proposed changes to the traffic measures in Stourbridge Town. The plans show changes to on street parking facilities around the Crown Centre redevelopment area and in the High Street. Members are most concerned about the loss of disabled parking spaces within the Ring Road giving the less mobile limited access to the banks and shops. Following the meeting the Clerk discussed some of the points raised with Mr J Butler, Group Engineer for Dudley Council and a formal letter stating our observations and concerns was submitted to Cllr J Foster, Cabinet Member for Transportation and Community Safety. The final decisions will be announced in November 2012.
Item C: The issue regarding vehicles existing Foster Street East onto the Ring Road is ongoing. The Chair had previously raised the issue at a PACT meeting. The main problem is down to confusing signage from Birmingham Street/ Vauxhall Road/ Angel Street rather than motorists deliberately abusing the exit. The Clerk has written to Mr P Vangeersdale,(Dudley Council) and he has instructed an officer to carry out further investigations

CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman made members aware of a theft scam that is operating nationally. Where a person, using stolen payment details are ordering goods to be sent to a local delivery points, often petrol stations for collection. The card holder is not aware of the purchase until they receive the statement or invoice which is sent to the home address. This system is legitimately set up for persons who are at work all day and therefore cannot receive a home delivery.

Mrs E M D Scott outlined problems she had recently encountered on applying to renew her disabled blue badge. The procedure was changed nationally in March 2012 and blue badges are now issued centrally rather that from a local Council Office. The process includes a lengthy application form, office visit and possible medical assessment.
The form was delivered 6 weeks prior to the badge expiring but due to poor administrative procedures and lack of staff Dudley Council was unable to process her renewal in time, leaving her virtually housebound and without the facility for 7 days. The staff was all most sympathetic but inundated with work and telephone calls. The Clerk had received a communication from Cllr S Waltho, cabinet member for Adult and Community Services to confirm that he is in the process of reviewing the process within Dudley Council including staffing levels. Both Ms M James MP and Cllr C Perks had been contacted regarding similar problems and were also asking for an improvement in the service.
Applicants should at least be made aware of the timescales involved when sending out the renewal forms.

Dudley Council is reviewing the way to engage with the public by introducing local Community Forums (9) instead of Area Committee Meetings (5) as a way of increasing communication within the local areas/wards. Several points were raised:
Could PACT (Police and Communities Together) meetings be expanded to include representatives from other services (PCT, Housing, etc) and local Councillors? - Using existing resources and not creating a further layer and meeting to attend.
Area Committee Meetings (there are only 3 per year) could be used to address issues affecting the whole area, i.e. Stourbridge Town, Stourbridge Area Action plan, which is of interest to all of Stourbridge including businesses, schools, traffic, parks, etc?
What would become of the Ernest Stevens Trust Fund – the delegated trustees are Stourbridge Area Committee?
A general discussion ensued – fortunately some of the visitors, local Councillors, were able to add to the points raised and also advised that it is a consultation and therefore the STC could submit our views in writing to the Consultative Committee. The Community forums will be held in addition to the local surgeries which the individual councillors currently hold.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the 370th meeting of the Stourbridge Township Council held on 13th September 2012 were received as a correct record and signed by Mrs E M D Scott, the Chairman accordingly.

REPORT FROM THE CLERK TO THE COUNCIL
Oldswinford Cricket Club Planning Application: – Although over 30 objections had been lodged with Dudley Council the planning application for the erection of 2 practice nets and a security cage had been passed on 17th September 2012. Specific conditions have been added to the application, including a reduction in the number of hours it may be used. Cllr H Roger raised a concern about damage caused to adjacent trees and shrubs which will be disturbed when the cage is erected. A letter of thanks for our support has been received from the residents in Gainsborough Hill.

Litter bins – Hagley Road Oldswinford; Street cleansing had promptly attended to the litter and overflowing bin on Hagley Road. With regard to Dudley Council supplying additional litter bins: they can be requested- consideration has to be given to position on footpath for pedestrians, disabled and partially sighted, utility cables and also comments from local residents.

MATTERS RELATING TO PERSONAL SERVICES
The Clerk had attended a meeting of the Friends of Mary Stevens Park on 19 September which had discussed the interim report from the Consultants regarding the Heritage Lottery bid. Cllr H Rogers, Chairman of the Friends of Mary Stevens Park was present and kindly gave a brief history of the Mary Stevens Park, the Friends involvement and projects, the healthy hub and park activities.
There is a stakeholder meeting for the Heritage Lottery bid on 18 October 2012 at the Sons of Rest in Mary Stevens Park to discuss the progress of the second round bid. The Chairman and Clerk are going to attend to represent the Township Council.
Mr B S Craddock had received a query about the removal of a Horse Chestnut tree from Mary Stevens Park – Following a specialist report on all the trees and plants in the park, several trees had been identified as diseased or unsafe and had to be completely removed. They will be replaced either by new trees or shrubs.
It was great to see that Stourbridge has received a ‘Gold’ award, considering we are now in the town category and also given the huge amount of redevelopment work being carried out within the town. A thank you message was sent to David Harcourt and his team for their hard work and resourcefulness and beautiful floral displays.
The next meeting for the River Stour project is on Sunday 11th November at Bagley Street. The Clerk will forward details to interested members by email

MATTERS RELATING TO TECHNICAL SERVICES
Item A: Mrs KC Shepherd had noticed that water is flowing into the road from the Car Wash on Birmingham Street again. This has been previously resolved by Cllr M Hanif last year. Cllr T Herbert offered to take the matter up on our behalf.
Several members had noted the congestion of traffic at Wollaston Island, made worse by cars turning right into the Aldi car park. Mrs EMD Scott suggested that a yellow ‘no waiting’ box be painted on the road at the entrance to Aldi which would prevent cars blocking it and making it easier for cars to exit. Cllr C Hale said he would look into this option.
Item B: It was noted that several tall conifer trees, on the embankment on Birmingham Street, had been cut down. Members asked that, given Dudley Council’s policy not to remove trees without reason, had they been diseased or even unsafe, due to the great height on the main road.

Mr A Dawes commented that a further 2 shops were closing in Stourbridge Town – Polka Dot and Harvest Moon.

Item C: Mr P Shepherd had walked through a large amount of litter, including broken bottles in the vicinity of Foster Street, High Street, and underpass to Stourbridge Interchange last Sunday morning and asked if the Street cleansing department worked on Sundays or is there no responsibility for the night venues to clear the entrance, footpath from the premises on closing? Visitors arriving in Stourbridge by public transport will enter the town by this route and it does not give a good impression.

Item D: Stourbridge Area Action Plan – the Clerk had emailed the web link to view the information to members who had access to the internet. It is a large detailed document and outlines the future proposals for Stourbridge over the next 15 years. It embraces all aspects of the community including housing, roads, business and retail opportunities, cycle ways,
conservation areas, etc.
A hard copy of the Action plan (85 pages) is available in the Library and Council Offices for everyone to view but this allows limited access and the document is in an easy to read format. Given the significance of the proposals to the community the Clerk asked if they could not have been displayed in the Town Hall, Rye Market or even a shop unit, where members of the public could view and make their comments as had happened with the Tesco redevelopment proposals. Or a public meeting i.e. the Stourbridge Area Committee meeting used as a public discussion group? Once the plans have progressed to the final stage – a model of the whole area could be on display in the town, although it is noted that it is a working plan, subject to change to meet needs over the 15 year period.
A short general discussion followed. Concerns were raised: Stourbridge basin area (Canal/ River) has been highlighted as an area for mixed residential housing- it is subject to flooding – very badly as recently as Nov/Dec 2009- consideration needs to be given to this. Houses need to be elevated, built over garages, possibly marina style dwellings with commercial premises too. Improvement to the subway exit from Lower High Street is long overdue; it was originally planned as a pocket park in 2008.
More surface crossings on the Ring Road is also encouraging, as people are currently crossing the 3 lanes as they do now want to use the underpasses, it will slow the traffic down too.

FINANCIAL, CIVIC AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT MATTERS
(a) Finance; current balance £844.23
(b) Stourbridge Area Committee- Monday 15th October at Hob Green Primary School, Wollescote, at 7.15pm.
(c) Stourbridge Township Council will meet on Thursday 8th November and Thursday 13th December2012.

CHAIRMAN’S OTHER BUSINESS
The Chairman announced the funeral service for Cllr M Knowles will be held at St. Thomas’s Church, Stourbridge on Monday 22nd at 2.30pm.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.10pm.

Chairman, 8th November 2012

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