Stourbridge Township Council - The Neighbourhood Council of Stourbridge established 1979

MINUTES OF THE 387th MEETING OF STOURBRIDGE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL
HELD IN THE TOWN HALL STOURBRIDGE ON THURSDAY 13th March 2014

PRESENT: Mr B S Craddock (Vice-Chairman), Mrs K C Shepherd (Clerk), Mrs M Wakelam (Deputy-Clerk), Mr A Dawes,
Mr I J Hackett, Mrs J D Hackett, Mr P J Miles, Mr R S Owen, Mrs W E Packer, Mr D Price and Mr P Shepherd.
Visitors: Mr N Barlow, Sgt L Couldrey (Stourbridge Police), Mr J Evans, Cllr C Hale, Mrs M Miles, Cllr C Perks and Cllr B Sykes.

The Vice Chairman, Mrs B Craddock opened the meeting – passed on apologies from the Chairman and informed members of a change of order to the Agenda to accommodate a presentation from Dudley CCG prior to the Election of the Township Council Officers.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Members: Mrs EMD Scott (Chairman), Mrs EE Fellows, Miss A Green, Mr D Pope, Ms S Turner and Mr DI West.
Also: Mrs K Dyas, Ms S Griffiths, Ms M James (MP for Stourbridge), Cllr I Marrey and Cllr H Rogers.

POLICE MATTERS Details of forthcoming PACT meetings were circulated.
Item A: Sgt Couldrey updated members with the crime statistics and trends for Stourbridge Sector which show a slight increase. Members were informed of current issues and forthcoming local police priorities for March/April including:
Lighter nights campaign –various strategies are being planned by local officers to minimise any anti social behaviour especially during the evenings and school holidays. Looking at previous problem areas e.g. Amblecote, Wollaston (Swan pool)- taking action to prevent groups of youths gathering and signposting them to venues/activities they can attend. In Stourbridge town, area around the Ryemarket and Crown Centre, there is ongoing problem with skateboarders and cyclists causing a nuisance to pedestrians. It is hoped that once the new skateboard/ BMX facility is opened in Mill Race Lane that that this will reduce/ eradicate the problem.
Vehicle Crime in Norton/ Oldswinford. Officers are carrying out regular patrols and raising awareness to vehicle owners to take preventative action – to secure and remove items of value from parked vehicles.
Drug activity in Lye – Police are targeting and raiding known offenders, this has been successful: in finding cannabis plants, recovery of drugs and charging offenders.
Bilking of petrol from Tesco Garage, Oldswinford - Following police advice - management are increasing their security and installing improved CCTV cameras to include automatic vehicle number recognition.

Item B: Mr P Shepherd asked if there has been an increase in the number of vagrants in the Stourbridge as persons have been seen begging and rummaging through bins in the town. Sgt Couldrey replied that this is not a common problem in the town – said persons are either ‘moved on’ to another area or if a social problem is identified then referred to other services/agencies for help e.g. social services/ food bank.
With reference to the issue of vehicles crossing Crown Square (Lower High Street to Ring Road via Coventry Street) previously raised by the Clerk, Sgt Cauldrey advised that the area was being monitored by officers – drivers are being spoken to at the time or contacted later – difficult to take ‘action’ due to poor signage, which drivers often miss. New clearer signage is needed immediately next to the Crown Square/ pedestrian area to replace the one sign situated further down Lower High Street.

DUDLEY CLINICAL COMMISSIONING GROUP
Dudley CCG currently handle £80 million to look after healthcare for Dudley - this includes provision of out of hours GP service, the ambulance service, accident and emergency service and the Walk in Centre at Holly Hall.

Mr J Evans, commissioning manager for Dudley CCG, spoke about the plans for future urgent healthcare service in Dudley.
The plan is to close the Walk in centre at Holly Hall and move it to Russell’s Hall hospital, adjoining the A& E department in 2014/15. The urgent care unit, will be open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year: new care providers will be asked to submit a bid and plan for the delivery of the service for approval by the CCG: the building/unit initially will be of a temporary mobile structure – Russell’s Hall hospital is currently looking to redesign the overall urgent care facilities including the A&E department and ambulance drop off point.. This involves a lot of planning and further discussion with all parties to move this plan forward. Doors to the Urgent care unit to open Spring 2015.

Car parking remains and will become even more of an issue - not only the cost but also the provision. Members and visitors voiced concerns including the new points that: existing car parking spaces will be reduced to make way for new ‘buildings’; there is not sufficient capacity on the existing car park – increase of at least 100 vehicles per day; there are no charges made for parking at existing facilities – Walk in Centre, GP surgeries – so Dudley patients would be disadvantaged, discouraged from attending: patients may have to attend at Urgent Care unit and then again if referred to A&E – length and cost of time spent waiting for medical attention.
Mr Evans explained that the car park is owned by a private company and therefore beyond the control of CCG. However there is a consultation between the car park owners/ hospital/staff underway to provide increase patient parking but this will be mean there is a reduction in staff parking on site. Considering providing offsite parking for staff. Members feel this creates further problems – local residents already have a problem with car users from the hospital parking in the side roads which would increase further: Offsite car park – need to consider the safety of staff who work irregular hours, going to and from site: unpopular with staff and not good for moral - already working 12 hour shifts will in effect extend time ‘at work’.

TO ELECT AND APPOINT OFFICERS OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR 2014/2015

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 Joyce D Hackett
Auditors; Mr Peter J Miles and Mr Rod S Owen

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the 386th meeting of the Stourbridge Township Council held on 13th February 2014 were received as a correct record and signed by Mr B C Craddock, Vice Chairman.

REPORT FROM THE CLERK TO THE COUNCIL
Ryemarket – Outside area/ fountain square is maintained by Dudley Council. The Ryemarket owners (Zurich) and Dudley Council acknowledge that the area needs updating and are in discussion. There is also a problem with pigeons and shoppers are asked not to feed them, signs are being erected. The farmers market contract is due for renewal, with a new operator taking over - hopefully it will be extended to include a wider choice of stalls and pedestrian accessibility improved too.
Premier Inn, Birmingham Street –Tests to the site are being carried out re drainage and soil content, prior to commencement of the construction work.
Crown Lane – Clearer signage is needed both from the exit from Crown Centre car park to inform drivers of cars of traffic coming from the left down Crown Lane and also traffic from Lower High Street to alert drivers travelling down Crown Lane of vehicles existing from car park – the road markings are not clear and therefore cars are using both lanes. Suggest take photos to send to Dudley Council and request they visit site to view issues for themselves.
Litter bins – Hagley Road, Red hill and Glasshouse Hill – requested additional litter bins. Await outcome/response.
Stourbridge Area Action Plan – have a hard copy if members wish to view. It is available on line but is difficult to read diagrams, etc.

MATTERS RELATING TO TECHNICAL SERVICES
Item A: Mr I Hackett commented on the beautiful sight of the two trees, including a magnolia tree, seen from the Ring Road at the end of Market Street and asked if they are protected by a conservation order as it would be tragic to have them removed.
Closure of Red Hill for repair work. Following the announcement by Dudley Council that the road will be closed from 26 March until July 14, no information regarding the diversion of traffic, more specifically public transport has been given. In view of the numerous problems experienced last year, when it was an emergency, it is hoped that plans have been made to; reroute the buses using the main roads (Hagley Road, Ring Road, Glasshouse Hill) and also inform the public of the changes; to erect diversion signs on the Ring Road and Church Street to alert drivers that there is no exit from Red Hill to Brook Road: Early warning will allow drivers to consider/find an alternative route and in turn help alleviate the congestion of traffic which is inevitable.
Parking permit consultation in the Old Quarter- Consultation is now closed. Members feel parking is and will continue to be a problem around the area; there is no one solution but it is good that local residents are being asked for their views.
Pavement on Hagley Road opposite Union Street/ Old Swinford Hospital School is very ridged and uneven due to tree roots pushing through the tarmac. Clerk is making enquiries to see if remedial work can be carried out without damaging the tree. Similar problem also in Red Hill.

Item B: Stourbridge Junction Car Park– plans have been passed to extend the car park and will include the provision of a drop off point situated by the existing bus stop- cars dropping off will only to turn around by entrance.
Ryemarket –late night food trader from caravan in Fountain Square – has been granted licence – concern about access, key needed for bollards and also amount of litter/waste which may be left.
Cross PH, Oldswinford – Application to extend their opening hours to 2.30am on Friday and Saturday nights which could create a noise nuisance to neighbouring properties including the retirement flats at Priory Court. Residents can register an objection with Dudley Council licensing team.

Item C: Talbot Street/passageway to High Street. Issue of overflowing large waste collection bins raised by two members. Debris and rubbish is blowing around the car park and passageway. Matter has been reported to Dudley Council and an enforcement officer has spoken to the premises owners to address the problem, the bins both have locks, the situation will be monitored both by Dudley Council and members.

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