Stourbridge Township Council - The Neighbourhood Council of Stourbridge established 1979

MINUTES OF THE 374th MEETING OF STOURBRIDGE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL
HELD IN THE TOWN HALL STOURBRIDGE ON THURSDAY 14th FEBRUARY 2013 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), Mr A C Dawes, Mr I J Hackett, Mrs J D Hackett, Mr P J Miles, Mr R S Owen, Mrs W E Packer, Mr D Pope, Mr P Shepherd and Ms S Turner.
Visitors: Cllr C Elcock, Sgt A George(Stourbridge Police), Cllr C Hale, Mr T Homer, Insp D Lambert (Stourbridge Police),Cllr C Perks, Cllr H Rogers and Mr D Wesson.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
From members: Mrs M Wakelam (Deputy-Clerk), Mrs E E Fellows, Miss A Green, Mr D M Price and Mr D I West.
Also from: Mr I Baggott, Mrs K Dyas, Cllr M Hanif, Cllr T Herbert, Ms M James MP,Cllr P Lowe, Cllr C Perks and Cllr B Sykes,

POLICE MATTERS
Insp. D Lambert introduced Sgt A George as the new community Sergeant for Stourbridge and Halesowen.
Closure of Redhill –diversion via Cranbourne Road/ Oldswinford, Sgt George has made enquires and reports that the current proposals are:
To re- open Redhill from 1st April one way, to allow vehicles to travel from Redhill to Brook Road/Glasshouse Hill and to make Cranbourne Road one way from Hagley Road to Redhill to complete a loop. Discussions are ongoing between Dudley Council, Centro and the independent bus companies with regard to diverting the buses, in order to maintain an effective service and also to ensure the safety of pedestrians, other road users and passengers at all times. Dudley Council has no authority over the bus companies or their routes.
Local PCSO’s are increasing their patrol of the area and monitoring the situation re: vehicles mounting, obstructing the kerbs and the risk to pedestrians, action will be taken where necessary as the safety of the public is the prime consideration.
It is important to maintain the best flow of traffic including buses. There is a distinct lack of signage, informing drivers of the road closure/diversion particularly exiting the Ring Road and from Oldswinford Cross, which would assist drivers to take alternative routes to avoid the area and help alleviate the traffic congestion.
Mr T Homer spoke of the lack of communication with local residents and the actual appraisal of the situation by all official bodies -a site visit by Dudley Council and the Bus Companies should be made to see first hand the safety issues being raised.
Due to the seriousness of the landslip on Redhill it could take 18 months to resolve: monitor any further movement; establish ownership and responsibility of the land and installation of a permanent barrier or wall. One option is to make this section of Redhill permanently one way which would raise the issue that the surrounding roads are not suitable or designed to facilitate large vehicles and buses. Cllr Rogers pointed out that any permanent changes would have to go to public consultation, where by all parties should be fully informed and their views taken into consideration.

Following on from the success of the Cop Shop, there will be a ‘police stand’ in the Ryemarket on Saturdays, for any member of the public to obtain information or advice on police and security matters.

Insp Lambert was pleased to report that crime figures continue to fall, part of the success is due to the community becoming more aware, reporting incidents and taking preventative measures to keep their homes and vehicles safe. He reminded members and asked them to pass the message on NOT to leave any items of value on view in vehicles (eg laptops, mobiles, sat navs, wallets) as these are easy targets for car thieves.

CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATIONS
Following her own personal experience in obtaining a ‘renewal’ of her blue badge the Chairman reports that the situation is still dire. Despite reassurances that the existing holders are being advised to apply early for renewal, a neighbour only received her renewal notice three days before the expiry date and has been left, virtually housebound until her application is processed and a new badge issued which, she is informed could take 3/4 weeks.
Dudley Council have announced that following the success of the recycling trial last year, it is to be extended throughout the Borough - homes will have 3 recycling containers to separate glass, paper, etc., which will be collected 2 weekly. Black bags for general waste are to be replaced with ‘wheelie bins’. Whilst the extended recycling is to be applauded - what will the actual savings of ‘wheelie bins’ be and also the practicality of having another large container both at home and on the footpath, especially for the less abled and residents where the pavements are narrow, ie the Old Quarter, Stourbridge.

The Chair has contacted the local NHS Foundation Trust following an article in the local press seeking new members and governors as she feels this affects all of us and our families. By becoming a member you receive regular updates, invitations to view ‘behind the screens’ at Russells Hall Hospital and join in discussions. Leaflets and details were distributed to members.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the 374th meeting of the Stourbridge Township Council held on 10th January 2013 were received as a correct record and signed by Mrs Scott, the Chairman accordingly.

REPORT FROM THE CLERK TO THE COUNCIL
Ryemarket toilets – opening hours. This has been reported to the Centre manager- who assures members this will be addressed to ensure they remain open until 5.30pm, in line with the majority of the shops.
Fairtrade Quiz Night – members are invited to attend on 15th March at the Talbot Hotel. Please contact the Clerk if you want to join the team, she needs a further 5 ‘quizzers’.
Bridge Radio – an email has been received from Andrew Moore inviting the Township Council to join in a local news discussion show on Saturday mornings. The Chairman and Vice- Chairman are happy to participate.
[email protected] – a new email address has been set up to distinguish the Township Council - details are being distributed to all contacts.
Community Forum - Mrs Shepherd has attended the first forum together with Mrs Packer. The meeting, chaired by Cllr M Attwood was informal, members of the public encouraged to speak and enter into general discussion. A number of issues were raised, including the closure of Redhill and its impact: pot holes, road repairs – reporting, criteria and prioritisation: problems at the Bell Hotel/ Bell Street with waste water flowing on the footpath: Cllr H Rogers raised a question with regard to the Ernest Stevens Trust Fund - who would the future delegated trustees be, previously the Stourbridge Area Committee and how would applications be made. Although answers could not be given there and then, the officer advised all questions requiring a response, should be submitted on the enquiry forms provided -a written response would be made as soon as possible.

MATTERS RELATING TO PERSONAL SERVICES
The Chairman and Clerk had attended the final consultation for the HLB for Mary Stevens Park, the bid is due to be submitted by 28th February 2013. Information included: details of the removal and cleansing of the silt from Heath Pool, the importance of the history and working to create an archive of MSP, including the Stevens family for the future, involving local residents, groups and schools in maintaining MSP as a great community park.

MATTERS RELATING TO TECHNICAL SERVICES
Item A: Potholes – The Chairman said that the potholes on Foster St East and the Green had not been repaired and were deteriorating despite having been reported. The Clerk replied that, having been informed at the Community Forum that it is important to report the depth of the hole as this is a primary consideration as to the importance/ urgency of the repair, she would report them again. Members are advised to include approx measurements when reporting future pot holes.
Birmingham Street - Following the car incident in January due to frozen water on the highway, water is still seeping from the bank and running across the highway despite sand bags being in place; A further accident could happen and what is the condition of the bank -could it collapse - compare with Redhill. The Clerk to contact Dudley Council.
Bell Hotel/ Bell Street – The problem of water spilling onto the footpath continues, and although Severn Trent attended and cleared the drains, this is not the issue – which is the downpipes not being connected to a drain. Mr P Shepherd has taken photo’s to illustrate the problem. The Clerk raised the issue at the Community forum and asked who is responsible? Dudley Council will investigate further.
Item B: Former War Memorial Club, High Street, Amblecote (P12/1555) – A planning application has been submitted for 4 detached dwellings to provide residential care homes for young adults.
Item C: Mr David Wesson. Head of Street Cleansing for Dudley Council introduced himself and his role which is to manage street and highway cleansing, pest control, removal of graffiti and work with Greencare. His team provides Stourbridge Town with a daily maintainence service (Monday to Saturday) to ensure the pavements are swept, clean and free from debris, street litter bins emptied up to 3 times a day depending on demand – the service is reduced on Sundays. Dog fouling and gum on pavements is a constant problem despite police notices and warning it is difficult to enforce. Residential streets are swept on a 8 weekly rota. Priority is given to remove any graffiti reported (0300 555 2345 or online) immediately as not only is it unattractive but can be offensive – removal can be done by various methods, including painting it out/ use of duality paint. Mr Wesson’s remit also covers the removal of abandoned vehicles and fly tipping, which was greatly reduced last year from 1440 cases to 760 but still is a burden on resources. Winter maintenance is also provided by his team, ie road gritters and snow clearance so he has to have a strategy prepared and ready to implement at very short notice.
He also works with a range of community groups providing equipment for litter picks and collection of rubbish (48 groups)/ Transition Stourbridge – River Stour project/ youth offenders and Stourbridge in Bloom.
It is very evident that both Mr Wesson and his team have a hard task in looking after Stourbridge, that they are dedicated and take a great deal of pride in their work. The Chairman thanked Mr Wesson for his time and very informative talk about the service provided to ensure Stourbridge has a clean and welcoming environment.

FINANCIAL, CIVIC AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT MATTERS
(a) Finance; current balance £725.22.
(b) Stourbridge Community Forum – Tuesday 19th February – Lye Community Centre, Cross Walks, Lye.
(c) Stourbridge Township Council will meet on Thursday 14th March and11th April 2013.

CHAIRMAN’S OTHER BUSINESS
The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.15pm.

Previous meeting minutes