Stourbridge Township Council - The Neighbourhood Council of Stourbridge established 1979

MINUTES OF THE 383rd MEETING OF STOURBRIDGE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL
HELD IN THE TOWN HALL STOURBRIDGE ON THURSDAY 14th NOVEMBER 2013

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 P J Miles, Mr R S Owen, Mrs W E Packer, Mr D Pope and Ms S Turner.
Visitors: Mr N Barlow, A/Insp A George (Stourbridge Police), Mr G Moore, Cllr C Perks and Dr L Pope GP (Representative of Dudley Clinical Commissioning Group).

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION (There were no matters raised under this item).
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Members: Mrs E E Fellows, Mr I J Hackett, Mrs J D Hackett, Mr D M Price, Mr P Shepherd and Mr D I West.
Also: Mrs K Dyas, Ms S Griffiths, Cllr’s C Elcock, I Marrey, H Rogers, B Sykes.

POLICE MATTERS – A/Insp George updated members as follows:
a) Vehicle broken into at Lye & Wollescote Cemetery car park. This appeared to be a one off incident -currently there is no CCTV or lighting covering the car park which is locked each evening. The Chairman asked if warning signs, alerting visitors to possible car theft could be mounted. This is an option, but as this appeared to be an isolated incident, could be counterproductive and off-putting to visitors. Local neighbourhood officers will check the car park and area on a regular basis and take further action if necessary.
The Cop Shop is due to reopen in the Ryemarket from 1st December. Local police and community officers will be available to give help and advice to shoppers as well as raising general awareness about crime prevention. They will also offer the facility to register personal items e.g. mobile phones, sat navs, laptops, bicycles, etc online with immobilise.com, which is a free registration service. It is used nationally by police forces to trace ownership of personal items in the event of theft or loss.
b) Mrs Scott asked about the recent news report about the increase in burglaries in Pedmore and Norton. Mrs Packer knew of two burglaries which had occurred in one street, leaving the residents feeling vulnerable and afraid they were being watched. A/Insp George replied that every resident should feel, and ensure, their house is kept secure - local police officers are trained and available to visit your home on request, to give advice on crime prevention matters including locks and security lighting, Residents should also be mindful of leaving items, e.g. presents, on view especially when they tend not to close curtains to display Christmas trees and lights. He added that unfortunately, it is quite common to see an increase in burglaries pre Christmas but the actual figures quoted in the news item were incorrect.
The Cross, Oldswinford has placed a chain across the exit onto to Hagley Road, which prevents vehicles taking a short cut across the car park between Glasshouse Hill and Hagley Road. The police were thanked for their assistance in this matter.
Members raised the issue of vehicles speeding on High Park Avenue, Wollaston and Whittington Road, Norton - both have schools in the vicinity. Could theses roads be considered under the Community Speed Watch Scheme? A/Ins George to discuss with local neighbourhood sergeants and inform members.

URGENT CARE UPDATE DUDLEY CLINICAL COMMISSIONING GROUP
Dr L Pope (Executive for Quality & Safety with Dudley CCG) explained to members that a Consultation of Urgent Care services within Dudley is being carried out to include GP surgeries, A&E at Russell’s Hall and the Walk- in centre at Holly Hall.
She said that most patients would prefer to be seen at their GP practice but due to various problems with accessibility – opening times, availability of appointments - patients go to the Walk-in centre at Holly Hall (50,000 attendees in 2012) or A&E at Russell’s Hall hospital instead. Approx 40% of medical conditions presented at A&E could be dealt with by GP practices.
Extra funding is being made available to improve local health and care services. Dudley CCG are asking for public opinion about the delivery of such services to be made by 24 December 13.
One proposal is to increase opening times at GP surgeries from 8.00am - 6.30pm Monday to Friday with a GP/healthcare professional being available and also using telephone consultations. This would reduce the numbers using the walk in centre. It is also proposed to move the Walk-in centre to Russell’s Hall Hospital near A&E Unit, it will be open during the evenings and weekends ‘Out of GP surgery hours’.
Members raised many concerns about the proposals stating that much more information needs to be obtained, shared and discussed with all parties before any changes are implemented.
The main concerns included: The availability of appointments at GP surgeries, especially for immediate needs. Where are the extra personnel and resources going to come from to provide the increase cover and how will they be managed especially in smaller practices? How can sufficient extra appointment slots be created to replace the number of persons seen at the Walk-in centre? Requested statistics of the number of current users as well as times of visit to the Walk-in centre.
Why change/move the walk in centre? – It provides an excellent service for 50,000 visitors – how many patients are referred to A&E, or back to GP and how many complaints do they receive?
Rather than reduce the walk- in service, why can’t more be opened in local areas using the new Outpatients – Dudley Guest, Corbett, Brierley Hill, etc, which have X-ray, blood test facilities and parking or even some of the new larger GP practices.
Moving the Walk-in centre to Russell’s Hall when A&E is already under severe pressure and with a neighbouring Walk-in centre (open only at night and weekends) this will increase number of patients visiting the site. Use of a triage service to determine route for treatment – extends waiting times to see doctor, cross referral between A&E and Walk- in, have tests and treatment. During day all patients will go to A&E.
Parking at Russell’s Hall is a major issue not only the expense which could easily be over £5 for a visit but also availability of spaces- e car park is full to capacity now. Cost may well be concern to elderly and vulnerable.
What is the cost or running the walk in centre and how is the additional funding being raised by DCCG going to be spent? Discussions are being held with local GP’s regarding extending hours, increasing, changing and sharing facilities.
Ideally people need to learn and use alternative ways of getting medical advice, but they need confidence in the services too.
Dr Pope confirmed the list of concerns we raised and will forward the additional information requested. Further details are available at www.dudleyccg.nhs.uk. The Chairman thanked Dr Pope for attending the meeting.

CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman announced that she has received a message about June Collins, a former STC member and local Councillor, saying that she has suffered a stroke and is in Russell’s Hall Hospital. She was making a good recovery and the family are happy to invite friends and colleagues to visit her.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the 382nd meeting of the Stourbridge Township Council held on 10th October 2013 were received as a correct record and signed by Mrs EMD Scott, Chairman.

REPORT FROM THE CLERK TO THE COUNCIL
Stourbridge in Bloom Awards held on 23 October 13. Awards made to local persons and groups in recognition both of their contribution and outstanding floral displays, including our member, Mr P Miles, on behalf of Green St RTA for the best residential community garden. Congratulations and thanks were also given to Mr D Harcourt, “who makes it happen”.
Remembrance Sunday Service in Mary Stevens Park – A wreath was laid on behalf of STC by Mr B Craddock. He commented that the service had been better organised this year and there was an excellent turn out, but it was disappointing that the PA system did not work so the service could not be heard by everyone.
Attended the pre launch of Tesco on 30 October 13 with Mr I Hackett. We had a guided tour around the store and were introduced to the management team. Ms Sadie Griffiths, store manager, has offered to attend a future meeting to give members an update on future plans for the store and their commitment to be part of Stourbridge Community.
The Dolls House is to be returned to Stourbridge Town Hall. The present plan is to locate it between the Wollaston and Amblecote Room, however this is not available to all visitors and only open at set times. A better proposal would be for it to be placed in the Children’s library or in the main lobby, where it was originally.

MATTERS RELATING TO PERSONAL SERVICES
The AGM Meeting of Friends of Mary Stevens Park is on Thursday 21 November 13 at 7.30pm in the Crystal Leisure Centre, Stourbridge. All members are invited to attend, details to be circulated by the Clerk.

MATTERS RELATING TO TECHNICAL SERVICES
Item A: Clerk has contacted Dudley Council re various temporary road signs which appear to have been forgotten; ‘Register Office sign in Crown Lane and a number of diversion signs around Stourbridge Interchange and the Ring Road; Also the Highway signs at Oldswinford Cross which are so worn they are illegible. Mr R Owen commented about the number of street signs and lighting which are obscured by trees and foliage. Again these should be reported to Dudley Council so that the trees and shrubs can be cut back or crowned.
New Lion Medical Centre in Lowndes Road is nearing completion. A concern about the increase of traffic turning in and out of Lowndes Road was raised as well as the increase in pedestrians crossing Enville Street. The Clerk had raised this issue on the original planning application, which said further information and detail was required. What plans are now in place to control the flow of traffic and protect pedestrian safety at this junction?
Further discussion re Bell PH and recently erected private access sign from Market Street. Members remember that it has been used for pedestrian access between Bell Street and Market Street for a number of years. However Dudley Council says it is not a definitive public right of way. Clerk to make further enquiries
Item B: Now the Crown Centre and Tesco store is open, various observations were made: Mechanical Clock is situated in a good position and is working; Benches and flood lighting have really enhanced the Square; Library/ Town hall sign still refers to Dudley Council not Stourbridge. Clerk suggested including “Stourbridge” painted on central pillar in Centre colours; Mr N Barlow noted that there are no litter bins in the Crown Centre, with the large number of users, food outlets and ATM machines this will lead to litter being left. The problem has been acknowledged by Centre management who plan to install bins shortly: the 3 hours free car parking and easy access to Crown Centre is most welcome allowing person’s time to visit Stourbridge town as well as shop at Tesco.

CHAIRMAN’S OTHER BUSINESS
The Chairman reminded members that after our December meeting, in line with tradition, we would be holding a Christmas celebration and informal buffet. All are welcome and invited to bring a guest to the gathering
The Chairman thanked members and visitors for attending, and closed the meeting at 9.00pm.

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