Stourbridge Township Council - The Neighbourhood Council of Stourbridge established 1979

MINUTES OF THE 385th MEETING OF STOURBRIDGE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL
HELD IN THE TOWN HALL STOURBRIDGE ON THURSDAY 9th JANUARY 2014

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, Mr I J Hackett, Mrs J D Hackett, Mr P J Miles, Mr R S Owen, Mrs W E Packer, Mr D Pope,
Mr D Price, Mr P Shepherd and Ms S Turner.
Visitors: Mr N Barlow, Sgt L Couldrey (Stourbridge Police) and Cllr B Sykes.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Members: Mrs EE Fellows, Miss A Green and Mr DI West. Also: Cllr C Elcock, Cllr C Perks and Ms M James (MP for Stourbridge).

POLICE MATTERS
Item A: Sgt L Couldrey (Lye and Stourbridge North) introduced herself as one of the three neighbourhood sergeants who will be attending our meetings in future. Although crime figures for the Stourbridge area have increased (5.9%), there has been a 20% reduction in the last 3 years; average number of crimes is 14 per day with a 27% detection rate.
January traditionally sees an increase in robbery thefts from persons, especially around young persons who may have received new electronic gadget, mobiles, etc for Christmas. Local officers are carrying out patrols and crime prevention events at local schools and colleges. To date there have been no reported incidents.
Vehicle crime is still an issue; Theft of number plates- subsequently used in bilking – persons driving off without paying for petrol; Valuable items being left on display in vehicles; Residents leaving vehicles unattended with the engine running on frosty mornings. Members of the public are reminded to keep their vehicles secure at all times and not leave personal possessions in view which will attract attention. Burglary, theft from dwelling houses and business crime is reducing.

Item B: Mr Shepherd asked about the prevalence of shop lifting in Dudley borough. Whilst using public transport he had overheard a person openly talking about stealing goods from local shops and what he expected to sell them for in local pubs. Sgt Couldrey replied that there are professional shop lifters, who steal to fund a drug or alcohol addiction and people who steal for own personal use. The problem is a vicious circle in that culprits are often fined, -so steal to pay the debt off. Smaller retail shops are often targeted - fewer staff, security less sophisticated, no CCTV. Regular items that are stolen are cheese and meat, which are easy to sell on -larger retailers tend to tag these items now. Bans and custodial sentences can be issued but in many cases this only moves the activity elsewhere or defers it. Stourbridge Police has an excellent success rate in apprehending shop lifters due to experience and knowledge of local ‘town’ officers and PSCO’s; the usage of CCTV cameras and the retail phone link between shops and the police –most offenders are indentified and charged, being a deterrent in itself too.
The problem of broken glass and glasses outside the Cross and Labour in Vain in Oldswinford is still ongoing particularly on the Hagley Road, which is part of the alcohol free zone. Due to the high number of pedestrians in this area including children, elderly and dog walkers this could be dangerous if someone fell. Sgt Couldrey said she would pass this issue back to the local neighbourhood team. Also if new signs highlighting Hagley Road as part of the alcohol free zone could be mounted (the existing ones being well worn) it would raise public awareness.
Mrs Scott thanked Sgt Couldrey and Stourbridge Police for their continued support and dealing with issues raised at our meetings.

CHAIRMAN’S COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman thanked everyone for their contributions to the December Township Council meeting.
Mrs Scott had also attended a Christmas celebration held at Old Swinford Hospital School by Ms M James MP with the clerk and members, Ivan and Joyce Hackett. It had been a well attended and gave different groups within the local community the opportunity to get together - local businesses, organisations, schools ,charities, media and councillors. An enjoyable evening.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the 384th meeting of the Stourbridge Township Council held on 12th December 2013 were received as a correct record and signed by Mrs EMD Scott, Chairman.

REPORT FROM THE CLERK TO THE COUNCIL
Traffic lights at the Cross Oldswinford, issue is ongoing. The Clerk has requested data relating to reported police incidents, and enquired as to the purpose of the camera mounted on the ground outside Tesco – police or highways? Although there seems little possibility at present for Dudley Council to make any changes or introduce a right filter, the concern about the number of vehicles crossing from Glass House Hill to Heath Lane after the lights continues. As this is a road traffic offence what measures can be taken to stop it happening and catch the offenders – possible use of CCTV camera to record vehicles, issue of fines? The congestion and issues at the junction have been ongoing for a number of years and the only real solution would be to widen the junction which would need major work, funding and premises demolished.
38 Market Street, Stourbridge –a vacant building where there appears to be some structural movement including a large crack above the front door. Photographic evidence has been submitted to Dudley Council, who is going to carry out an external inspection of the premises. Depending on their findings they will contact the owner and discuss any remedial work they feel needs to be undertaken to ensure that the building is kept safe. Dudley Council has powers to take further action if they feel it is necessary or there is any danger to the public.
Right of Way in Market Street – ongoing. Surely after a certain number of years where the public have used it regularly it automatically becomes a public right of way? Members note that it has been used by pedestrians for some 40 years+. As it is such a small area what is the reason that the Bell has put a sign up, vehicles cannot drive through anyway.
Tesco/ Crown Centre – At the last meeting Clerk commented about the poor signage to the new store entrance/ escalator/ car park. On leaving the STC Christmas meeting the signs were being changed!

MATTERS RELATING TO PERSONAL SERVICES
Following a comment from Mr Hackett that whilst Stourbridge town caters well for the younger generation by way of the night life; bars, music, etc it was felt that the town was lacking in venues to attract older, mature clientele. Interestingly a lively debate followed which illustrates that Stourbridge does indeed have such venues – French Connection, Talbot Hotel, Vesuvio, Pizza Express, Cellars, Cuisine East as well as the Chinese at Oldswinford. Also the proposed new Beefeater restaurant on Birmingham Street.
Mrs Packer informed members that new signage has been erected outside ‘Stourbridge College’ on Hagley Road and Heath Lane - stating Birmingham Metropolitan College, dropping Stourbridge College from the title. Presently there is lettering on the building saying Stourbridge College but this will be quite confusing for students and visitors referring to it as Birmingham Metropolitan and another loss to the identity of Stourbridge.
Dudley Clinical Commissioning Group is meeting today, 9th January, to discuss the proposals for future Urgent Care facilities in Dudley Borough including the closure of the Walk in Centre. A copy of the report will be forwarded to the Clerk and a representative from the CCG has offered to come to a future meeting to discuss the plans with members.

MATTERS RELATING TO TECHNICAL SERVICES
Item A: Signage around the Ring Road relating to Bell Street Car Park and Longlands College. Clerk has contacted Dudley Council to ask that they remove the signs from around the Ring Road (3). Bell Street Car Park has not existed for over 2 years. An acknowledgement has been received, council workers are currently dealing with urgent road repairs but the signs will be removed shortly. A discussion followed about the number of unnecessary or forgotten traffic signs around the town and local neighbourhoods which must be a waste of Council money and resources when they could be used elsewhere –Please use the Dudley Council website to report all issues. Also the amount of street clutter – on the pavements, attached to posts, bus stops and buildings: either obstructing the footpath, distractive to motorists and no one takes any notice of them.
Mr Dawes had witnessed persons walking up the entrance ramp to the Tesco Car Park to the Crystal Leisure Centre. This is most dangerous as there is no footpath and cars turning from Bell Street have limited vision of the ramp. This issue was raised on many occasions in the planning stages with Tesco by ourselves, Stourbridge Chamber of Trade, local Councillors and Crystal Leisure Centre users but Tesco still declined to put a walkway in. Clerk to write to Tesco and commented that there is an emergency route along side Stourbridge Institute which could be opened/used as a pedestrian way.
Mrs Scott commented that the exit from Crown Centre Car Park onto Crown Lane is very dark after leaving the bright underground lighting. Clerk has written to Dudley Council to ask them to review the lighting in Crown Lane and install a lamp post outside the car park exit to make it brighter this part of the street and thus make it easier for your vision to adjust.
Parking in Lower High Street and the recent press article. Traders are requesting that the time limit for parking be increased to 2 hours and longer after 4pm. The traders feel that Lower High Street has been targeted by the Street patrol officers. As Tesco is currently offering 3 hours free parking, members did not see how this would make a difference and 2 hours would half the number of users in a day if used to capacity.

Item B: Crown Centre and Tesco - various questions were raised; number of vacant units, introduction of car parking charges, signage within the Centre re lift, accessibility for partially sighted persons, the need for two security guards outside Tesco all day -other stores uses security but less obtuse, what message is giving to visitors and shoppers about Tesco.
Old ‘Yorkshire Bank’ premises planning application for an ‘Ale and Pie House’ – change of use from A3 (cafe/restaurant) to A4 (drinking establishment). Opening hours to 11pm (12pm on Fri and Sat). Building of historical interest - no plans to change exterior other than give disabled access. Will add to choice of eateries in the town and enhance Coventry Street and Crown Square.

FINANCIAL, CIVIC AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT MATTERS
The Clerk has received a communication about the Sustainable Communities Act which encourages local organisations to get involved and put suggestions forward whereby government has to consider them. As to where the Township Council falls within the categories, which include County/district/ parish council and voluntary organisations – this needs clarification but could be a useful tool in the future. The Vice Chairman suggested that we register our interest and obtain further information. This was voted for unanimously. Clerk to register our interest.

CHAIRMAN’S OTHER BUSINESS
The Chairman thanked members and visitors for attending and closed the meeting at 8.50pm.

Previous meeting minutes