Stourbridge Township Council - The Neighbourhood Council of Stourbridge established 1979

MINUTES OF THE 382nd MEETING OF STOURBRIDGE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL
HELD IN THE TOWN HALL STOURBRIDGE ON THURSDAY 10th OCTOBER 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, Mr R S Owen, Mrs W E Packer, Mr D Pope, Mr P Shepherd and Ms S Turner.
Visitors: Ms M James (MP for Stourbridge), Cllr I Marrey, Cllr C Perks, Cllr B Sykes and Mr D Wesson.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and praised the appearance of the new Town Square, including the lighting feature around the Clock, ‘Old Market Hall building’ and new Crown Centre entrance which is very impressive.

T.C. 2013/1515 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION (There were no matters raised under this item).
T.C. 2013/1516 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Members: Mrs E E Fellows, Mr D M Price and Mr D I West.
Also: Mrs K Dyas, Cllr C Hale, Sgt A George and Insp D Lambert (Stourbridge Police).

T.C. 2013/1517 POLICE MATTERS - Sgt George had given the Clerk an update on issues raised by members.
a) The Cross and Labour in Vain PH’s -Oldswinford. The licensing officer has spoken to the managers regarding the discarded bottles and broken glass around their premises. They were reminded of the responsibilities of their licenses - when customers are taking glasses, bottles, etc outside and also asking that due care be given to clear away debris/ objects which could potentially be dangerous to ensure that no one (pedestrian, child or animal) is injured.
Vehicles taking a short cut via the Cross PH Oldswinford car park from Glasshouse Hill to Hagley Road continues, which is dangerous both to pedestrians and road users, also disrupting the flow of traffic in and out of Stourbridge Town. A suggestion made by Mr Craddock is that vehicles exiting on to Hagley Road from the car park could be made to turn left negating any advantage of using the short cut. Mr Hackett said that there is a similar issue at the BP Garage on the Ring Road; vehicles take a short cut from Birmingham St across the garage forecourt, in order to avoid the junction. The problem is that the activity is happening on private property and action needs to be taken by proprietors.
Ice Cream Van - junction of Hagley Road/Cranbourne Road. Mrs Packer provided Stourbridge Police with further details and the police have spoken both to driver and company and it appears that the matter has been resolved.
Recent outbreak of graffiti and vandalism in Stourbridge. The Clerk read out the police article (copy attached), which detailed the latest and very brazen incident which occurred on 4 October in Worcester Street/ New Road Stourbridge. The end result is that 2 persons have been caught and charged by the police. Mr D Wesson circulated photographs of the graffiti and damage to personal and public property they have caused in the period from 13 September to their apprehension; they can be identified by their ‘tags’; the damage to public property in Stourbridge alone amounts to over £4,500 and they have also spray painted private property and vehicles. A discussion followed regarding suitable punishment from prison sentences, fines, working for the youth offending team, cleaning off the offending art work. Mr Wesson explained that the removal of graffiti requires specific materials and chemicals which need to be carefully prepared and applied. The operative has to be specially trained in ways to repair the damage and to ensure their personal safety with the substances used. STC members hope that the courts will deliver a suitable punishment to the culprits so they understand the seriousness of the crime, act as a deterrent to others and the victims feel they have also received some justice.
The Cop Shop is due to reopen in the Ryemarket for the Christmas period – this provides the police with more personal direct contact with the public, who can drop in and raise any local. Issues.
b) An incident occurred in Lye Cemetery car park. In September on a Sunday afternoon a widow, returning to her car after visiting her husband’s grave, found the lock on her car door broken and contents disturbed. This act of theft/vandalism is very frightening, leaving her feeling vulnerable and she can’t secure or use the car until the lock is repaired. A question was raised if this was just a one off incident, are there any signs warning visitors to be mindful. Clerk to raise with the police.

T.C 2013/1518 CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman is appalled to hear about the proposal to close the 24 hour Walk-in Health Centre at Holly Hall, Dudley. It is suggested that the service be replaced by a Triage centre set up outside the A&E department at Russell’s Hall hospital and increase use of GP’s surgeries. This prompted many comments from members who feel this would be a step backwards when the NHS is looking to deliver more alternatives to get health advice. The Walk-in Centre provides a valuable service to all residents in Dudley Borough and is very well used 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week and works so why change it?
People use the Walk- in Centre because they do not feel the need to go to A&E but are concerned about a medical problem. By transferring the service to Russell’s Hall Hospital – this will increase the existing problems of parking, waiting times to see a doctor and receive treatment. Whilst the idea of increasing the use of GP’s surgeries is logical, is it currently practical?
Patients already experiencing long delays in obtaining appointments, which is not acceptable when feeling ill. Ms M James MP advised that the proposals are part of a consultation being carried out by Dudley Clinical Commission Group – she would also being taking the issue up with them and suggested that the STC register their concerns too.
In a national survey carried out on the standard of food presented to patients, Russell’s Hall Hospital was found to be one of the poorest in the country. A press article announced there is to be a consultation at RHH to improve the standards of food provided - including a food tasting. Mrs Scott reminded members such a review had already been carried out in March/ April when she was an inpatient, she had sampled the menu prepared by a new contractor, which offered a good choice and she found very palatable. She had provided valid feedback which the hospital said was most helpful and would be used. However the delivery and choice of food remains unchanged – why were the earlier findings not acted on, now more money and time is to be spent on ‘talking and reporting’. Patients need good nourishment, to assist in making a healthy and speedy recovery.

T.C. 2013/1519 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the 381th meeting of the Stourbridge Township Council held on 12th September 2013 were received as a correct record and signed by Mrs EMD Scott, Chairman.
T.C. 2013/1520 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES (There were no matters raised under this item).
T.C. 2013/1521 REPORT FROM THE CLERK TO THE COUNCIL
Public Right of Way off Market Street – Dudley Council say that the passage way is not a definitive right of way and the Bell Hotel can place a sign restricting access, subject to the wording being acceptable. Further enquiries to be made.
Dolls House – contacted Dudley Museum, where it is presently housed on a temporary basis only. Requests for it to be returned to Stourbridge should be made to local Cllrs and officers. Members suggested waiting until the work at Stourbridge Town Hall/ Library is completed and a suitable location can be found, prior to making the request.
Dates for diaries include – official opening of Crown Centre 31 October, Remembrance Service at Mary Stephens Park – Sunday 10 November (The Vice- Chairman will lay a wreath on behalf of the Township Council), Saturday 30 November – official launch of Christmas events, including light ‘switch on’.
T.C. 2013/1522 ITEMS RAISED UNDER STANDING ORDER NO 13 (There were no matters raised under this item).
T.C. 2013/1523 MATTERS RELATING TO PERSONAL SERVICES
Healthwatch Dudley is a new ‘local’ watchdog group set up to discuss and monitor health and social care services –e.g. GP’s, dentist’s, hospitals, car homes and day care centres. They want to hear about personal experiences which can be used as fact based evidence when reviewing and looking to improve current services. They also need volunteers to carry out surveys at various designated ‘hotspots’ and analyse the information. Leaflets were distributed and further information can be found at www.healthwatchdudley.co.uk
Cllr Perks informed members of a new voluntary care service which has been set up – Crossroads Care, Dudley. A home care service offering support and advice to carers and providing them with time off as well. Referrals can be made by support workers or by individuals directly to Crossroads Care – Telephone 01384 298513 or email [email protected]

T.C. 2013/1524 MATTERS RELATING TO TECHNICAL SERVICES
Item A: The land on Birmingham Street (former Cox Homes site) has now been cleared in readiness for the new hotel and restaurant. The Chairman asked if thought had been given to vehicles wanting to exit right from car park or if any alterations would be made to the present road layout - 4 lanes of traffic. Further enquires to be made.
There are a number of, now dysfunctional, temporary road signs which appear to have been abandoned around Stourbridge Interchange/ Birmingham Street. Request Dudley Council to remove them.
Item B: The Tesco store/ Crown Centre is due to open officially on 31 October, the manager (Sadie Griffiths) has now been appointed, staff recruited and training is well underway. Tesco has confirmed there will be 3 hours free parking in the Crown Centre Car Park for all users. Following on from a campaign by local residents and Cllrs to the Licensing Committee, the hours when alcohol may be sold has been reduced to 6am- 12pm on Monday to Saturday and Sunday 10am - 4pm. Mr P Miles formally thanked the Councillors for their efforts in getting this reduction in licensing hours. This restriction was fully supported by Stourbridge Police and falls under the Cumulative Impact Order.
Mrs Shepherd commented on all the activity in the Town which is giving traders and visitors a good positive feeling which hopefully will continue: a facelift to the Ryemarket including the clock and toilets; new businesses- including a florist, new handbag shop, various eateries; Town Square -new pedestrian area with seating; as well as the new Crown Centre. There are areas which still need attention – the old vets practice and former Page Arms premises in Market Street. A suggestion to open Market Street onto the Ring Road was made, which would give vehicles another exit from the town and also easier access to Worcester Street.
Item C: Mr Wesson praised St Thomas’s Church, along with many other local community groups such as Tidy Stourbridge for their efforts in keeping Stourbridge clean and reduce the amount of litter. Dudley Council provides the equipment/ bags and collection of rubbish whilst volunteers carry out the litter picking - community working together. A request for additional waste bins on Hagley Road around Stourbridge College was made. There was also a successful bulk collection of waste organised and carried by residents in Wollaston – they filled 10 skips in 4 hours and it has lead to a reduction in fly tipping. Cllr Marrey said Dudley Council is keen to support such local initiatives which residents wish to put forward.
Stourbridge College has received approval for the latest set of proposals submitted, although strict conditions have been imposed including further detail re materials, colours to be used, amount and position of exterior lighting, time restraints, surrounding seating and grass areas. Stourbridge College has taken on board comments made, especially by English Heritage and Dudley planning officers which has resulted in several last minute changes in the design.

T.C. 2013/1525 FINANCIAL, CIVIC AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT MATTERS
Finance; Current bank balance - £587.

T.C. 2013/1526 CHAIRMAN’S OTHER BUSINESS
The Chairman thanked members and visitors for attending and closed the meeting at 9.15pm

Mrs E M D Scott – Chairman
14th November 2013

Previous meeting minutes