1 – Apologies for Absence
No apologies for absence were received.
Relevant Legislation: Local Government Act 1972, s 85.
2 – Disclosure of Pecuniary Interests
There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest.
Relevant Legislation: Localism Act 2011, s 31.
3 – Public Participation
There were no members of the public present.
Relevant Legislation: Local Government Act, s 100.
4 – Approval of Minutes
The Minutes for the meeting of the Council held Wednesday 9 October 2024 were approved.
Relevant Legislation: Local Government Act 1972, Sch 12, para 41 (1).
5 – Kent Police
To receive an update from Kent Police
PC Andrews was unable to attend the meeting, but provided a written report to members. The report outlined advice that Kent Police had provided to local residents through various channels, regarding the prevention of car theft.
PC Andrews’ report also advocated for all residents to sign up to My Community Voice, which is a system being used by Kent Police to keep residents up to date with local crime issues. The system also allows him as the local PC to send blaster emails regarding specific issues and is the best way to keep up to date.
Members confirmed that they had all signed up to the My Community Voice application and had found it a very helpful way to keep up to date with Kent Police activity.
PC Andrews informed the Committee that he would be contacting Parish Councillors individually to arrange meetings and surgeries with them.
Members resolved to note the report from Kent Police.
6 – Events
6.1 – To note a report on Autumn / Winter Events 2024
Members were provided with a report detailing the Autumn and Winter events for 2024. The report outlined the activities that had been provided, the costs associated with this and a summary of feedback received. Members were also provided with a list of recommendations for amendments/inclusions to implement for the Autumn & Winter events 2025.
Members discussed the success of the remembrance service and thanked Landlogical for use of the site of the Old War Memorial while the Recreation Ground works were taking place. Members agreed that the recommendation for inclusion of a QR code linking to a digital version of the Order of Service, would be very helpful. This recommendation would also be in line with the Council’s biodiversity aims in reducing the amount of printing.
It was suggested that the future Remembrance services be held on the Recreation Ground as before, but members felt that it would be beneficial to have the option of using the Old War Memorial for infrequent occasions in the future.
Members agreed with the feedback around the Christmas Market, noting that it was very successful, but that many last minute changes had been made due to the storm the night before and these changes had caused a few minor disruptions.
Members thanked the Community Engagement Manager and resolved to note the report.
6.2 – To note an updated Events Calendar for 2025
Members were provided with a report detailing the planned events and proposed activities for the remainder of the 2025.
Members discussed the proposals for alternative Easter events. The Community Engagement Manager explained the reasoning behind the idea for a Parish-wide Easter trail running over a longer period of time. The trail would give parents a free activity to take part in with their children and it would encourage active travel around the Parish. It is also hoped that this would increase awareness among residents about how large Stone Parish is.
It was confirmed with members that the events on Easter weekend would be taking place inside due to the ongoing activity of works on the recreation ground.
Members discussed the 80th anniversary of VE Day and VJ Day would be this year and were please to see that plans to commemorate these had been included on the Calendar. It was recommended that the Remembrance service in November also commemorate these.
It was noted that the soft launch for the new Lizzies café was a tentative date at the moment as delays had already pushed it back and could do so again. Members would be informed of this planned soft launch as soon as a date is confirmed.
Members discussed the proposed smaller clubs and group meetings that were being considered to be hosted in a corner of the new café. The Community Engagement Manager confirmed to members that these groups would be prebooked only to avoid affecting other café users and would be arranged around the quieter times in the café to increase the usage at these times.
The Calendar included potential small scale summer events in August, but members were informed that risk assessments would be carried out on all events to ensure that levels of attendance did not result in an increase in security requirements, as required by Martyn’s Law. Martyn’s Law is a UK bill requiring public venues to improve security and preparedness in the event of a terrorist attack.
Members were pleased with the lights that had been in place at Horns Cross, with the power provided by Steve’s Carpets. Resident feedback was positive and members were keen to see it return.
Members resolved to note the updated events calendar report for 2025.
7 – Communications
7.1 – To note the latest communications statistics and strategy
Members were provided with a report outlining the strategy for engagement and communications.
Members noted that the report showed that the Council’s social media pages and news posts were extremely busy over the Christmas period.
Members were keen for the use of the noticeboards in the Parish to be utilised as much as possible. The Community Engagement Manager confirmed to members that the communications strategy included plans for the use and communications using these noticeboards would be assigned to a specific officer who would take on the responsibility of keeping them up to date.
Members resolved to note the Communications Statistics and Strategy report.
8 – Wellbeing
8.1 – To note a report on strategy and activity to support resident wellbeing
Members were provided with a report outlining the planned activity to support the wellbeing of Parish residents.
The report detailed the Stone Recreation Ground improvements and emphasised the importance of the operations of the park to achieve the level of experience that was expected.
Members also discussed the Stone Parish Youth Club, which had now ceased running. It was discussed and agreed that every effort had been made to continue the Youth Club, but attendance had fallen off during the pandemic and the engagement and subsequent numbers of attendees had remained extremely low despite the incredible efforts of long-standing volunteers. It was also noted that youth clubs all over were noticing similar issues with engagement, suggesting that this was no longer an effective method for engaging the youth of today.
The report put forward recommendations for the Committee to review alternative approaches to the engagement of young people in the area, such as subsidizing and advertising existing groups, which were already providing successful engagement.
Further recommendation put forward in the report was to recognise the Council’s existing contributions to youth activity and to explore a dedicated webpage to collate activity available across the Parish and help to signpost residents to the appropriate places.
Members agreed with the recommendations and resolved to note the Wellbeing report.
8.2 – To note a report on the Seniors of Stone monthly events
Members were provided with a report on the Seniors of Stone monthly events which are an established group providing social opportunities to senior residents in Stone.
The report outlined a summary of activity planned from this month to December 2025. It also detailed the proposed procedure for the planning of the Seniors of Stone events going forward, ensuring that the theme, entertainment and catering of the event was decided by the Community Engagement & Events Committee in line with the terms of reference for the committee.
It was confirmed that this would allow sufficient time for the pricing, sourcing, ordering and arrangement of each event and ensure that it aligned with the budget set by the Full Council.
The Chairperson of the Committee emphasised that volunteers had been responsible for the running of these events for some time, but that in line with the proposed procedures, the Council officers would be responsible for carrying out the events in line with the Committee’s proposals.
Members resolved to note the report on the Seniors of Stone monthly events.
There being no further business, the Chairperson closed the meeting at 20:08.