Stourbridge Township Council - The Neighbourhood Council of Stourbridge established 1979

MINUTES OF THE 376th MEETING OF STOURBRIDGE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL
HELD IN THE TOWN HALL STOURBRIDGE ON THURSDAY 14th MARCH 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), Mrs M Wakelam (Deputy-Clerk),Mr A C Dawes, Miss A Green, Mr I J Hackett, Mrs J D Hackett, Mr P J Miles, Mrs W E Packer, Mr D Pope and Ms S Turner.
Visitors: Sgt A Pugh (Stourbridge Police), Cllr H Rogers and Cllr B Sykes.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
From members: Mrs E E Fellows, Mr R Owen, Mr D M Price, Mr P Shepherd and Mr D I West.
And: Mrs K Dyas, Cllr C Elcock, Sgt A George, Cllr C Hale, Cllr T Herbert, Ms M James MP, Cllr P Lowe, Cllr I Marrey, Cllr C Perks

POLICE MATTERS
Item A: Sgt A Pugh was pleased to report that Dudley LPU had been acknowledged nationally, as having the lowest re-offending rates in the country. He attributed this excellent result to the offender management team in deploying resources diligently. The team work closely together with local partners (street pastures, drug agencies) and the community through PACT and local group meetings. He stressed the importance of continuing to work with the community to reduce and prevent future crime.
SelectaDNA packs are being distributed by PCSO’s, in local areas that have recently been subject to house burglaries. The fluid can be used to mark specific items of value with an individual ‘code’ which can be traced back to the owner, in the event of theft, by the use of ultra violet light. Residents can also register personal/household items on www.immobilise.com. Both the police and second-hand traders use this website to check items – mobile phones, laptops, sat nav’s, etc which may have been stolen. It is a free and easy website for all to use.
Under the Continuous Improvement Plan , an ongoing review of resources including personnel is made to ensure that they are used to deliver the maximum benefit to the Stourbridge area including specific teams to deal with set priorities - a community team has been set up to target Stourbridge night time economy, carrying out of warrants, etc. This strategy enables the local neighbourhood teams to spend more time on their patch. In the Old Quarter the local team have been concentrating on dealing with the parking problems –discussing the issues with the residents and offering advice and solutions: giving written/verbal warnings to inconsiderate drivers and ultimately they have and will issue tickets, if an offence is committed.

Item B: Mrs Scott had listened to the Stourbridge and Halesowen Police ‘Web Chat’ hosted by Insp D Lambert – questions could be raised online, in an informal manner with an immediate response from Insp Lambert. Sgt Pugh said it had been successful -approx 100 persons logging on, further web chats are planned – dates to be advised.
Mrs Packer raised a problem at The Cross, Oldswinford Junction. Vehicles turning right from Glasshouse Hill to Hagley Road are taking a short cut across The Cross PH car park in order to avoid the queue at the traffic lights, which is illegal, unsafe and creates more congestion on the Hagley Road. Until 3 years ago there had been a barrier across the pub car park, to prevent vehicles from taking this short cut. Sgt Pugh will discuss this with The Cross PH management on our behalf.

TO ELECT AND APPOINT OFFICERS OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR 2013/2014
Chairman of the Council; Mrs E Margaret D Scott was re elected unopposed.
Vice-Chairman of the Council; Mr Brian S Craddock was re elected unopposed.
Clerk to the Council; Mrs Kari C Shepherd
Deputy Clerk to the Council; Mrs Mavis Wakelam
Financial Officer; Mrs Kari C Shepherd
Auditors; Mr Peter J Miles and Mr Rod S Owen

CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATIONS.
Mrs Scott thanked members for their vote of confidence and support during the last year.
The Chairman was very impressed by the performance of the street cleansing team. After our last meeting and reporting the telecommunication box in Parkfield Road, was badly covered with graffiti for approx 12 months - it was cleaned and painted the next day- which highlights Mr Wesson’s point that “if Dudley Council are aware of the problem then it can be addressed”. Contact details to report street and litter issue to Dudley Council are phone 0300 555 2345 or online http://www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/parking-roads/street-care-and-maintenance.
Mrs Scott noted that full planning permission had been given to the proposals for a Premier Inn, restaurant and car park on Birmingham Street and that Ms M James MP had commented in the press that this would also open up the opportunity to improve the River Stour which is included in the Area Action Plan. A local focus group, Transition Stourbridge, is already working on this project and cleaning up the River Stour – hopefully the increase focus on the area will also include them and assist them to obtain further support/ funding towards the project too.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the 375th meeting of the Stourbridge Township Council held on 14th February 2013 were received as a correct record and signed by Mrs Scott, the Chairman accordingly.

REPORT FROM THE CLERK TO THE COUNCIL
The Clerk circulated a copy ‘STC Clerks Notes/Updates’ to all members which provides an update about ongoing issues during the month. She invited members to comment and ask any questions. If members find this useful she is happy to continue to issue one on a regular basis. The Chairman and members agreed it is a good idea - a bulletin had been issued monthly by the previous Clerk and had been a useful aid.
The Old Quarter traffic issues – in addition to the above note under Police, the Cllrs for Wollaston and Stourbridge Town are also canvassing residents regarding the street issues. A discussion for a future STC meeting is planned to report and discuss the findings/ proposals further with members.
Ernest Stevens Trust –Dudley Council have advised that a management committee, made up of 6 members (One Councillor from each Ward covered by the Trust) is to be set up. Further details to follow.
Red hill- raised an issue with Mr Vangeesdaele re the lack of signage from Brook Road/ Glasshouse Hill re one way.
A presentation/update by Tesco’s and Bowmer and Kirkland is scheduled for our April meeting – 11th April.

VICE-CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATIONS
Mr B Craddock had obtained a detailed copy of the proposals for the Premier Inn Hotel Birmingham Street. He presented these to members as well as photos of the former site of ‘Cox Homes’ Offices and building yard which appears vacant.
Not only will the 80 bedded hotel be a welcome addition to Stourbridge, which currently only has the Talbot hotel nearby, but the complex includes a Beefeater Restaurant and car park for 120 vehicles. The design of the buildings does not appear overbearing, rising from one to four storeys high and the design is in keeping with Stourbridge Interchange. It is easily accessible for vehicles, persons using public transport via Stourbridge Interchange and on foot - being in close proximity to Stourbridge Town. The proposals include landscaping the area between the Hotel and the River Stour and providing a footpath/cycleway which will encourage local residents as well as visitors to use this route. Planting of trees and shrubs will enhance the area further. Cllr Rogers pointed out that this area has been flooded previously and this has to be given consideration in the new design and plans.
The Vice- Chairman also photographed Red Hill including; The new road traffic system with it’s clear road markings and signs: The land slip on Red Hill and temporary retaining barrier: Street views of Cranbourne Road/ Hagley Road –showing the clear view for drivers of the road and pavement in both directions along Cranbourne Road. The photo’s had been taken at a fairly quiet time of the day and Mrs Packer pointed out, when students are arriving/ leaving Stourbridge College the road becomes more cluttered with waiting vehicles - causing drivers of large vehicles to mount the pavement whilst students gather on the footpath.

MATTERS RELATING TO PERSONAL SERVICES
Mrs J Hackett raised considerable concerns, which all members shared about the increase in car parking charges at Russell’s Hall Hospital and will hit the most vulnerable, who may be already under an increased financial burden due to illness, debility. Many points were raised: Reduction of 30 -10 minutes for free parking – pointless; cost for visitors/person requiring treatment more than 2/3 times a week; lack of promoting and accessibility in obtaining a ‘weekly’ car park pass; delayed/ late appointments leading to extra charges. In Wales hospital parking is free also in Scotland - yet in England there is no national nor local trust policy- fees, rules vary at each hospital. There should be a national NHS policy re parking/charges at hospitals. Letter to be sent objecting to the increase in car parking charges and the need to provide and promote financial support for the patients needing regular treatments and daily visitors.
Mary Stevens Park – Further to a recent concern raised about the removal of trees from Mary Stevens Park, residents are invited to visit MSP/Heath Pool to understand why it is necessary to remove some of them - overgrown and struggling, falling into pool, some just ‘ lost strength and tired’, not all the trees will be lost – by good planning, pruning and replanting this will allow the trees and shrubs to grow and gain strength, encourage more wildlife and birds and the whole pool will be enhanced without losing its natural beauty. The numbers are over stated.

MATTERS RELATING TO TECHNICAL SERVICES
Item A: Nothing was raised.
Item B: Details of a proposal by Dudley Council to convert the 11 short term parking bays in Drury Lane to 6 disabled bays. This is on a temporary basis to monitor usage, accessibility, traffic flow, etc. Additional disabled parking is always welcomed by the Township Council but we still advocate that disable parking is needed at the top end of the High Street – where most of the business/ commercial premises are.
Item C: Pot holes on Foster St East and Church Rd/Hagley Rd have both been repaired after being taken up by Cllr B Sykes.
Foster Street East/Ring Rd – The new road markings have been painted on Foster Street East and road signs adjacent to Stourbridge Interchange amended to advise drivers that it is not an exit route to the Ring Road.

FINANCIAL, CIVIC AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT MATTERS
(a) Finance; current balance £725.23.
(b) Stourbridge Community Forum’s to be held on 18th and 23rd April – see attached notes.
(c) Stourbridge Township Council will meet on Thursday 11th April and Thursday 9th May 2013.

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