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 |
For Decision |
To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Council held Wednesday 27 November 2024
5 – Reports from other authorities and agencies |
To receive reports from representatives of other authorities and agencies
- Kent County Council
- Dartford Borough Council
6 – Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government: English Devolution White Paper |
For Information |
To note the recent publication of the Government’s English Devolution White Paper
The Government recently published the English Devolution White Paper which outlines plans to restructure the tiers of authority across England. It now seems likely that Kent will be included in thefirst tranche of reorganisation, which could impact the Parish Council in a number of ways. Reorganisation also presents opportunities for the parish and town council sector, which have been set out in the attached response to the white paper.
Members are requested to note publication of the White Paper and the attached response to these proposals.
7 – Parish Identity Survey |
For Decision |
To consider and resolve to undertake a survey among Parish Residents to determine how they identify their community, with a view to evaluating potential rebranding options for the Parish.
8 – Finance |
8.1 – Annual Council Budget and Precept Request 2025-26 |
For Decision |
To Consider and resolve the Annual Council Budget and precept request for 2025-26
Members are requested to resolve the annual council budget and precept request for 2025-26.
The budget proposes a precept sum of £576,829.
The council tax base for 2025-26 is confirmed as 4455.31 . The Council Tax Support Grant is confirmed at £7,021, unchanged from 2024-25.
Taking into account the respective sums, the proposed budget includes an annual charge of £129.47 for a Band D property, representing an increase of £12 to Parish Residents.
An media release that explains the budget as proposed is also attached to indicate the way the budget will be communicated.
8.2 – Community Grant Awards |
For Decision |
To resolve to approve grant funding based on the applications presented.
Stone Parish Council’s grant award policy is designed to provide support to local not-for-profit groups and organisations delivering services to the community of Stone Parish. The council is keen to offer funding to enable specific projects, activities and events that align with the council’s 3-Year Strategic Plan and will help to promote and develop a sustainable and inclusive community network.
All applications will be assessed against specific criteria, with consideration to the impact the individual activity or project will have on the parish and how they align with the council’s key focus areas, as outlined in the 3-Year Strategic Plan. In addition, as the council has declared a climate emergency, consideration will be given as to whether the outcome of the activity, project or event will have a detrimental impact on the environment.
Further information and details of the eligibility criteria can be found by following this link Grants Award Policy and all applicants are required to complete the same grant award form.
Responses from the applicants for this round of funding are presented for consideration.
Summary of Applications received
| Name of Organisation | Summary for Purpose of Grant | Amount of funding requested |
| Hope on Prescription | Working with schools in Stone and DVH to engage people with poetry and launch annual event at Recreation ground. | £500 |
| In-Security Counselling Ltd | Provide free and low cost counselling to people with disadvantaged backgrounds | £500 |
| Mary’s Child Kent | Ongoing work of the foodbank | £500 |
| Brent 6th Dartford Scout Group | Put towards the cost of a roof over the fenced area around the container at CTC to allow for outdoor activities. | £500 |
| South-East Dog Rescue | Launching a community outreach and education project. The grant would cover the costs of printing materials, event supplies and digital marketing efforts. | £500 |
| Paige Starbucks School of Dance | Community Fair to celebrate the dance school’s 5th anniversary | £500 |
| Friends of Rainbow Lodge | Purchase specialised sensory equipment and materials for children with additional needs. | £500 |
| DBC – Falls Prevention | To continue providing the falls prevention class at Stone Pavilion | £2,835 |
| We Are Beams | To provide holiday playschemes for disabled young people and family events | £1,000 |
| Stone Darford Scout Group | To upgrade lighting in the scout hall to LED’s. | £480 |
| Greenhithe Lionesses | New training equipment including footballs, cones and hurdles | £500 |
| PS Breastfeeding CIC – Kent Baby Matters | To help provide a weekly breastfeeding group for feeding support, social interaction and sling hire. | £2,105 |
9 – Project Updates |
For Information |
9.1 – Lads of the Village |
For Information |
To note an update on the sale of the Lads of the Village Public House.
The moratorium period granted to the Council, following its nomination of the Lads of the Village as a Community Asset, has now come to an end. Despite repeated attempts to engage with the agents and solicitors, no meaningful response has been provided or negotiations proposed to effect a sale.
9.2 – Stone Recreation Ground Masterplan |
For Information |
To receive a verbal update on the Stone Recreation Ground Masterplan.
10 – Consultations |
10.1 – Government Consultation: ‘Strengthening the Standards and Conduct Framework for Local Authorities in England’ |
For Decision |
To note the Governments Consultation on Strengthening the Standards and Conduct Framework for Local Authorities in England and to resolve whether the Parish Council submits a formal response.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is consulting on proposals to introduce measures to strengthen the standards and conduct regime for local authorities in England. Full details on the consultation are available via the following link and that the consultation will close on 26th February 2025
Strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England Consultation
11 – Planning Applications |
To resolve Council response for approval of signage for Knights Reach Development
Members are presented with site plan from Kent County Council streetworks who have requested Parish Council approval for signage around the Knights Reach site. Members are requested to resolve to approve or refuse this application in order for KCC to proceed.
Relevant legislation: Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
12 – Exclusion of Press and Public |
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 the consideration of the following items.
13 – Performance-Related Pay Increases |
For Decision |
To ratify the recommendation by the People & Performance Committee to resolve performance related pay increases as outlined in the report.
n.b. The documents for this item will be sent separately for confidentiality purposes.
14 – Strategic Resource Allocation Review |
For Decision |
To receive an update regarding internal review of strategic resource allocation and resolve to provided delegated authority to the Chief Officer, in liaison with the Council Chair and Chair of the People & Performance Committee, to conclude the outcome of the review process and implement recommendations within the constraints of the 2025-26 budget.
n.b. The documents for this item will be sent separately for confidentiality purposes.