Stourbridge Township Council - The Neighbourhood Council of Stourbridge established 1979

MINUTES OF THE 381st MEETING OF STOURBRIDGE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL
HELD IN THE TOWN HALL STOURBRIDGE ON THURSDAY 12th SEPTEMBER 2013 AT 7.15 P.M

PRESENT: Mrs EMD 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,
Mr P Shepherd and Ms S Turner. Visitors: Sgt A George (Stourbridge Police), Mr N Barlow and Mr D Wesson.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Members: Mrs E E Fellows, Mr R S Owen, Mr D M Price, and Mr D I West.
Also: Cllr C Hale, Ms M James (MP for Stourbridge), Insp D Lambert, Cllr C Perks and Cllr B Sykes.

POLICE MATTERS
Mrs J Hackett thanked Stourbridge Police for their handling of a domestic problem where a kitten had been attacked in a neighbouring garden by two unattended dogs. Sgt George advised that any worries about animals being neglected should be reported to the RSPCA to investigate.
Recently a number of discarded glasses/bottles together with broken glass has been scattered in the vicinity of the Cross PH and Labour in Vain, Oldswinford. This is really dangerous to pedestrians, especially small children and also animals. The Swan PH Hagley Road, use plastic glasses for persons drinking outside. Sgt George will ask the licensing officer to speak to the management about the problem. Also a number of shops in Oldswinford sell alcohol so it is not easy to identify the source of the bottles and culprits need to be caught in the act. Mrs Packer asked if the issue re cars driving across the Cross PH car park as a short cut from Glasshouse Hill to Hagley Road be raised with the Cross PH again.
Mr Hackett said the problem of cyclists using the pavement in Worcester Street and not heeding to traffic instructions in the town continued. Whilst cyclists expect fair treatment by other road users they are not giving the same consideration to pedestrians. Sgt George said that local police teams are paying attention to this problem; again they need to witness the actual occurrence. If the problem continues, alternative measures will be considered to raise public awareness – notices, etc.
Mrs Shepherd noted that an ice cream van is parking on the pavement on the corner of Cranbourne and Hagley Road, assumingly to attract students from the College. It is causing an obstruction and restricting the view for vehicles turning from Cranbourne Road. Sgt George said that this was not acceptable, would contact the Company concerned and was confident this could be resolved quickly. She asked that thanks be passed on to the police officers who had attended an incident at her home for their quick, professional and caring way in which they dealt with the matter.
Mr P Miles asked for clarification regarding the distance that vehicles are allowed to park from a road junction, referring to Green Street and Albert Street (Old Quarter). This is the main access route to two blocks of flats, and he has witnessed several times, the difficulty experienced by the fire service in navigating the turn due to parked cars. Sgt George replied that this is covered by the Road Traffic Act and if vehicles are parked so as to cause an obstruction either for an emergency vehicle or blocking the pavement/ dropped kerb then action can be taken. He added that the Old Quarter has many parking issues - due to many residents not having off road parking facilities, and the number of town visitors that park in the street. The police have placed notices on lamp posts and are preparing a leaflet, explaining and illustrating what is NOT considered appropriate parking, to be delivered to local households. Following this – further action/prosecution will follow when necessary.
Community speed watch – local initiative being set up. Members of the public are invited to go out with the police and the speed gun to target any local streets they wish to highlight as hot spots.

CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman attended the Community Forum for Stourbridge Town/Wollaston on 4th September. The major issue related to the Longlands Centre, Bowling Green Road, which is now derelict and overgrown. Cllr C Hale has completed a report on the site which is divided into 3 sectors. The first part is owned by Children’s Services and deemed unsafe, the second requires some remedial work and the third belongs to Stourbridge College which is due to be sold later this year for housing, subject to planning consent. Local residents are concerned that there are currently insufficient places at the primary school and by building more houses it will add to the problem. This needs to be taken into consideration by Dudley Council if a planning application for houses is submitted. A further suggestion was to use it as a community garden/ allotment but then, as pointed out by Mrs Wakelam this would increase the problem of street parking in the Old Quarter.
Mrs Scott had applied for a position on the new Healthwatch Committee, which is being set up to cover health issues and awareness in Dudley Borough, as part of a national initiative. She was disappointed that her application had not been successful given her experience in the voluntary sector, public speaking, serving on other committees together with her own personal knowledge of the health service both in hospital and in the community. However she was pleased that this reflected the amount of public interest and support in this important issue and perhaps she will have a further opportunity to share her experiences within the new watchdog group.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the 379th meeting of the Stourbridge Township Council held on 18th July 2013 were received as a correct record and signed by Mrs EMD Scott, Chairman.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Stourbridge College: In June 2013 further proposals for redevelopment of Stourbridge College were announced and local residents, community groups and councillors were invited to view them. Although STC was promised a copy of the proposals in July, they were not been forthcoming, indeed the Principal has now moved to another position within BMet. This is the first phase of their proposed investment plan.
Mrs W Packer updated members on the new planning application submitted to Dudley Council –Reference No P13/1064. Copies of the latest designs were circulated and discussed by members. Disappointingly the College do not appear to have taken any of the previous comments and objections on board as the new proposals remain very ‘futuristic’ and out of place with the surrounding properties and environment. The frontage to consist of large glass panels and cladding, the new in fill building and reception block will be taller than the existing building with a canopy along the side. Also the issue of removing a number of mature trees, which currently screen the building, to be replaced with a hard landscape surface.. It is agreed that we all support and recognise the importance to improve local education facilities and the building does need refurbishing. However there remain a lot of questions which need addressing, not only about the design but also materials, colours, etc and what the end ‘product’ will look like from a street view, before any planning consent is given. Strict conditions need to be imposed to ensure that the work is carried out to the agreed specification; the designs have already been modified several times already. Concerns have been raised by English Heritage, Oldswinford Hospital School, Heritage and Planning Officers at Dudley Council regarding certain elements of the plans. Members can view both comments and full planning details on Dudley Council website. Observations should be submitted to the Clerk asap so a letter outlining our comments can be submitted to Dudley Council. The issue of retaining the name Stourbridge College as opposed to ‘Hagley Road Campus’ was also raised.

MATTERS RELATING TO TECHNICAL SERVICES
Item A: Mr Shepherd was impressed that having using the reporting system on Dudley Council website to register a problem in Bell Street, the problem was acknowledged and resolved quickly. All members should be encouraged to use the reporting facility to register street and domestic problems with Dudley Council directly.
Mr N Barlow asked if the walkway between The Bell PH and St Thomas’s is a public right of way. Marston’s have erected a sign saying no thoroughfare for pedestrians. Mr Wesson confirmed that to his knowledge it is a public right of way although the car park is for private use. Dudley Council would confirm this.
Item B: Stourbridge Town Hall/Library Entrance –the design for the new signage does not include ‘Stourbridge’ but refers to Dudley MBC. Mr Miles has raised the issue with Cllr Sykes, who is making further enquiries to have the wording amended. All members feel it is important that the name ‘Stourbridge Town Hall/ Library’ is retained, as at Brierley Hill and Halesowen libraries. Tesco has made an excellent job of restoring the Stourbridge Coat of Arms.
Carlisle Centre has opened as a Cafe/ Meeting Place, - “Platters”– excellent food and friendly service. Members should try it.
Item C: Mrs Packer thanked Mr D Wesson and the street cleansing team for fast response in removing the graffiti which has been daubed over various premises in Oldswinford. Mr Wesson reported that there has been an unprecedented outbreak of graffiti spread from Stourbridge to Halesowen in the last 2 weeks, costing about £5,500 in remedial work. The cleansing team are working in partnership with the police to identify the culprits and bring them to justice. This shows such a lack of care and pride in the area when such hard work is carried out to make Stourbridge a pleasurable environment for all to enjoy.
Car Park in Talbot Street – Red Biffa bin which appears unattended and has been left upturned, full of rubbish for some 3 weeks. Possibly the bin is no longer being used – either shop closed or changed service provider. Mr D Wesson offered to investigate further.
Students at Stourbridge College drop litter on Hagley Road -, member saw a rat on street in daylight. Question if there are sufficient bins for number of students/ street users– Street cleansing will visit and review area.
At the Heart of England Awards Stourbridge has obtained a gold award for ‘Stourbridge in Bloom’, Stevens Park Wollescote and Mary Stevens Park have received ground maintenance awards and won the Regional Area Award for their displays. Congratulations to go to David Harcourt (Organiser) and Stuart Mitchell (MSP Manager). Clerk to send congratulations to them on behalf of STC. Mr Shepherd noticed that overnight on a weekend plants are ripped out around the town, again this shows lack of pride and asked if anyone had been caught on CCTV doing this?

FINANCIAL, CIVIC AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT MATTERS
Members were reminded that the STC annual subscription is due or can be spread over the year. The Chairman asked for a volunteer to take on the role of Finance Officer from Mrs Shepherd in order to reduce her current duties. Mrs J D Hackett
volunteered to take over the role.
Finance; current balance £437.

CHAIRMAN’S OTHER BUSINESS
The Chairman had no other business and closed the meeting at 9.10pm.

Previous meeting minutes