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 17 September 2025 and the Special Meeting of the Council held on Wednesday 1 October 2025.
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
6 – Recognition of Service Award |
For Decision |
To resolve an award of recognition to the Coxedge family for services to the community.
For 59 years, J Coxedge Fish and Chips has been an enduring part of the Stone community, operated continuously by the Coxedge family. Throughout this time, the business has provided excellent service, quality food, and a welcoming presence to generations of residents and visitors alike.
As the family have now ceased frying and passed on the shop to new owners, it has been recommended that the Council formally recognise the Coxedge family’s exceptional commitment and contribution to the parish.
Since 2015, the council has had a Recognition Policy to recognise exceptional or longstanding service to the community. Since 2015, awards have been made to former councillors and employees, community volunteers, and employees of local business. The policy dictates that a monetary figure of £50 is applied for the purchase of an appropriate award gift.
7 – Finance |
7.1 – Budget Monitoring Report |
To note the Budget Monitoring Report for the period ending 30 September 2025.
View the Finance Report for the Six Months Ended 30 September 2025.
7.2 – Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) |
To note the Audited Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) for 2024 – 2025 and to note completion and consider comments of the External Audit.
View the External Audit Completion letter 2024-25
7.3 – Internal Audit 2025-2026 |
To resolve scope of works for the Internal Audit 2025-2026.
>View the Internal Audit Scope Report for 2025-2026
7.4 – Community Infrastructure Levy Funding Request |
To Consider a request for Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Funding from Stone St Mary’s preschool.
Members are presented with an application form for CIL funding from Stone St Mary’s Preschool. The application form, quotation for works and risk assessment have been provided.
Members will also see attached the Council’s CIL Policy and Value Calculator for CIL applications, plus the CIL Strategy which was approved by the Council in November 2024 and the list of Pipeline projects which were presented at that time.
View the CIL Application Form – St Mary’s Preschool
View the Council’s Value Calculator for CIL Applications
View the Application Assessment Report
7.5 – Statues for War Memorial |
To resolve expenditure for Unknown Tommy Statues for the War Memorial at Stone Recreation Ground.
The Royal British Legion are able to provide Unknown Tommy Statues at £175.00 each for use in the Memorial Garden on Stone Recreation Ground ahead of the Remembrance Service on 9th November 2025.
Members are requested to resolve whether to approve expenditure for two Unknown Tommy Statues.
8 – Pride in Place Strategy |
To note the details of the Governments Pride in Place Strategy and its potential effect on the Council.
The Secretary of State recently posted regarding the Government’s action plan going forward, laying out the plans for the Pride in Place Programme. A summary and timeline of the report can be found below.
Overview
The Pride in Place Strategy (launched March 2025 by the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government) sets out a ten-year national plan to restore local pride, devolve decision-making, and invest directly in communities.
It marks a significant policy shift towards long-term, locally driven regeneration, moving away from short-term competitive funding pots.
Key aims include:
- Empowering local people and councils to shape their neighbourhoods.
- Strengthening local identity, safety, and community cohesion.
- Revitalising high streets, public spaces, and community assets.
- Supporting healthier, greener, and more connected places.
- Giving communities direct control over funding decisions.
Main Policy Elements
| Programme / Policy Area | Summary | Approximate Timescale |
| Pride in Place Programme | £1.5bn pilot providing up to £20m over 10 years for 75 towns and communities, governed by Neighbourhood Boards involving local residents, councils and partners. | Announced March 2025 – implementation 2025–2035 |
| Programme Expansion | Extending to 169 additional “doubly disadvantaged” neighbourhoods. | To follow 2025 Spending Review (late 2025 / early 2026) |
| Pride in Place Impact Fund | £150m fund for immediate improvements to high streets, public spaces and community hubs. | 2025–2027 |
| Neighbourhood Governance Requirement | All principal authorities to establish effective neighbourhood-level structures for community engagement and partnership working. Parish and Town Councils expected to play a key role. | Development through 2026 with implementation thereafter |
| Community Right to Buy | New legal power giving community groups (including councils) first refusal on purchasing valued local assets when put up for sale. | Legislation anticipated 2026 |
| Community Wealth Fund | £175m (10-year) fund supporting the most deprived neighbourhoods with £1–2.5m each to build capacity, skills and community infrastructure. | 2025/26–2035 |
| Fair Funding Review 2.0 | Reform of local government finance to redirect ~£2bn to areas most in need; expected to inform future funding settlements. | Consultation mid-2025 → new arrangements from 2026–27 |
| High Street & Town Centre Measures | New powers for councils to bring empty units back into use, reform of leases, and support for local business improvement districts (BIDs). | 2025–2026 onwards |
| Neighbourhood Policing & Safety | New Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee and stronger anti-social behaviour powers in the upcoming Crime & Policing Bill. | Legislation 2025/26 |
| Health, Green Space & Transport | Shift towards “Neighbourhood Health Services”, new parks/green infrastructure standards, and improved local transport grants. | Rolling implementation 2025–2030 |
9 – Stone Castle |
To note the current condition and ownership of Stone Castle.
It was recently brought to the attention of officers that Stone Castle is in a state of disrepair and appears no longer to be in use. It has now been confirmed that the company who owned the Castle have gone into administration. Officers have made contact with the appointed administrators who have informed us that they have security and insurance in place and are looking to sell the building back to one of the directors from the previous company. No deal has yet been made on this, however.
Members will be aware that the Stone Parish Neighbourhood Plan contains a policy on Stone Castle:
LI2 – Stone Castle – Planning applications for development at Stone
Castle should strengthen its community role and ensure that the
significance of this designated heritage asset is conserved and,
where possible, enhanced.
Supporting Local Plan policy CS4(h), DP12, DP13
10 – Planning Applications |
For Discussion |
To resolve representations to Major Planning Applications affecting the parish.
25/01044/LDC – 8 Rosedale Close Dartford Kent DA2 6AL
Application for a Lawful Development Certificate for proposed change of use from a Use Class C3 dwellinghouse to a C2 residential institution children’s home.
25/01062/FUL – Littlestone Continuing Care Unit Bow Arrow Lane Stone Kent DA2 6PQ
Conversion of existing NHS Continuing Care Unit (Use Class C2) to an NHS Female Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (Use Class C2A) including installation of external air conditioning plant and enclosure, alterations to elevations to include infilling existing windows/doors, insertion of new windows, new rooflight and erection of fencing around the seclusion garden