1 – Apologies for Absence |
To receive apologies for absence.
Relevant Legislation: Local Government Act 1972, s 85.
2 – Disclosure of Pecuniary Interests |
To receive disclosure of any pecuniary interests relating to meeting agenda items.
Having declared an interest, a member must not participate in discussion on the matter and must not take part in any vote unless an appropriate dispensation has been granted.
Relevant Legislation: Localism Act 2011, s 31.
3 – Public Participation |
The council meets and makes its decisions in public. A council meeting is not a public meeting. It is a meeting held in public and there is no requirement in law which allows members of the public to speak at such meetings.
However, the council is keen to encourage public attendance at meetings and will therefore provide an opportunity to local registered electors to show it is committed to community engagement.
A maximum of 3 minutes is allowed per person to speak and the total length of time afforded for public participation at each meeting shall be no more than 15 minutes, subject to an extension of this time, in exceptional circumstances, being agreed by the Chairman.
Relevant Legislation: Local Government Act, s 100.
4 – Approval of Minutes |
To approve the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on Wednesday 26th June 2024.
Relevant Legislation: Local Government Act 1972, Sch 12, para 41 (1).
5 – Reports from outside organisation and agencies |
For Information |
1. Kent County Council
2. Dartford Borough Council
3. National Association of Local Councils
Members are presented with the Quarterly Activity Report for NALC (National Association of Local Councils)
6 – Finance |
6.1 – Community Infrastructure Levy Expenditure |
For Decision |
To resolve use of Community Infrastructure Levy funds of £9,500 for purchase of a new mower for the public realm.
6.2 – Budget Monitoring Report |
For Information |
To note the budget monitoring report for the period ending 30th June 2024.
Members are presented with a finance report for the first quarter ending 30th June 2024 and an income and expenditure report.
7 – Projects |
7.1 – Stone Recreation Ground Masterplan – Stone Pavilion Extension |
For Information |
Members are requested to note the planning application drawings for Phase 2 Recreation Ground Masterplan Pavilion extension in line with the Masterplan funding agreement to increase the number of community users at Stone Pavilion, as well as in support of the council’s strategic objective to achieve carbon net zero by 2030.
Attached drawings comprise the existing and proposed floor plan and elevations.
7.2 – London Road Lorry Parking |
For Decision |
To discuss and resolve use of CIL funding for designs for build outs and parking restrictions for London Road.
Members met with KCC Highways representatives to discuss highways-related issues in Stone. Predominantly the Lorry parking alond London Road which has been an ongoing problem. At the site meeting, it was mentioned that double yellow lines and potentially build outs along certain stretches would help to alleviate the issue.
As work is currently being done by Dartford Borough Council on the London Road Green Corridor project, these works had been put on hold as those designs would resolve these issues through design. However members have now had numerous more reports of issues surrounding the lorry parking and members will not be able to see a presentation on the green corridor plans until the September meeting at the earliest.
Highways have confirmed that if members wish to move forward and use £1,124.00 of Community Infrastructure Levy funds to have plans and costings for Double Yellow Lines and Buildouts along certain areas of London Road.
7.3 – Lads of the Village |
For Decision |
1. To note the intention of sale for the Lads of the Village Public House.
The Lads of the Village Public House was listed by the freeholder as for sale.
In line with the legislative requirements of nominated Community Assets, the freeholder is required to formally notify Dartford Borough Council of their intention to sell. DBC is then required to formally notify the Parish Council, along with providing us with a six-week window in which the council must decide whether it wishes to be considered as a potential purchaser.
Upon such notification, the freeholder is unable to dispose of the property during the six-month moratorium (although can still market and negotiate on a sale). This window of time aims to provide the council with sufficient time in which to develop a proposal and secure the necessary funds.
Once the six-months is up, the seller is free to sell the land to whoever they choose, even if the parish council were to have formulated a bid and made an offer, there is no right of first refusal over the property. However, the only exception to selling the property within the six-month period is if it is to the body that nominated the asset and therefore the council has a potential advantage in this aspect.
Correspondence from many Parish residents and community members has shown that there is support for seeing the Lads of the Village re-established as a valuable community resource to continue providing opportunities for social interaction, club and group meets, and recreation and leisure activities. The office has gone out on social media to identify the level of support among the Parish for this restoration.
2. To discuss and resolve to submit an expression of interest form for a potential bid for the Lads of the Village Public House
Since asking the Community for their input, the Council have received 14 emails and a number of facebook comments all in support of re-establishing the pub as a local asset. This has included residents offering to contribute to a community fund for the purchase of the pub, should the bid go ahead.
Members are requested to resolve whether to submit an expression of interest form for putting a bid in for The Lads of the Village Public House. Should the Parish Council resolve to submit this form, funding arrangements, a workplan and a full report would then be prepared for a future meeting.
8 – Exclusion of Press & Public |
For Decision |
To resolve, pursuant to section 1 (2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, that because of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted, the public and the press leave the meeting during consideration of the following items.
9 – Stone St Mary’s Preschool |
For Information |
To note an update on Stone St Mary’s Preschool.