1 – Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J Burrell, L Canham, T Oliver and M Suter.
Relevant Legislation: Local Government Act 1972, s 85.
2 – Disclosure of Pecuniary Interests
There were no disclosures of pecuniary interests.
Cllr Hoadley declared an interest in item 8.3 as a member of Stone St Mary’s church.
Relevant Legislation: Localism Act 2011, s 31.
3 – Public Participation
The Chair asked if any members of the public in attendance wished to speak. Reverend Kenneth Clarke wished to speak in support of item 8.3 Community Lantern CIL Grant Request, The Chair asked the Council to allow this to be deferred until this item was being discussed. Members approved this deferral.
Relevant Legislation: Local Government Act, s 100.
4 – Approval of Minutes
To approve the minutes of the meeting of the council held on Wednesday 23 October 2024.
Members resolved to approve the draft minutes for the meeting of the Council held on Wednesday 23 October 2024.
Relevant Legislation: Local Government Act 1972, Sch 12, para 41 (1).
5 – Co-Option for Councillor in Castle Ward
To resolve co-option for the position of Parish Councillor in Castle Ward.
Members were presented with a list of nine candidates who had submitted expression of interest forms for co-option to the Parish Council. Members were also provided with a summary of each candidate’s responses for consideration.
The Chair asked the candidates who were in attendance if any of them would like to speak in support of their application or provide any additional information. No candidate wished to speak at this time. The Chair asked the Members to vote for the candidate they would like to be co-opted to the position of Parish Councillor for Castle Ward. An absolute majority of voting members is required for co-option.
Members unanimously resolved to co-opt Richard Lees to the position of Parish Councillor for Castle Ward. Councillor Lees signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office book and joined the remainder of the meeting as a councillor. The Chair thanked the candidates that had applied to be considered and expressed her desire that they consider opportunities to represent the parish in the future.
6 – Reports from outside organisations
- Kent County Council
Kent County Councillor Penny Cole provided a verbal update to members regarding the fast-track tunnel to Bluewater which is planned for submission to Dartford Borough Council Planning department in December with work expected to start in the new year should approval be granted. Councillor Cole also updated members on the planned new bus stop for Watling Street which had been missing for some time. This new style of shelter would also cater for the fleet of electric buses that had also been planned for 2025.
Councillor Cole expressed concern from Kent County Council on the budget that had been presented by the government, particularly on the effect she believed it will have on care homes and charities with the increase to national insurance set to have an effect on all services.
The Clerk asked Councillor Cole about the white paper that was set to be released in the next few weeks regarding devolution in Kent. Councillor Cole confirmed that there are a number of ways this could manifest, but that the leaders of Kent and Medway had expressed interest in the option of having an elected Mayor of Kent, with districts and counties remaining the same.
Members passed on residents concerns over streetlights around Darent Valley Hospital being out. Councillor Cole informed members that she would look into this, but that KCC would likely already be aware and that it was most likely due to the development at the Knights Reach site across the road.
Members thanked Councillor Cole and resolved to note her report.
- Dartford Borough Council
Councillor Cutler informed members that the last General Assembly of Dartford Borough Council had been cancelled due to lack of business.
Members were also informed that Santa on Tour was visiting children across the Borough and would be at Stone Pavilion on Sunday 1st December at 11.30am.
Councillor Mote advised members that Basildon Borough Council had discussed the purchase of 100 dwellings at the Knights Reach development in Stone to be used as temporary accommodation. Members discussed the issues with people being placed away from the networks that are put in place to help them and felt that dwellings should be being purchased by Councils in their own boroughs. It was suggested that Dartford Borough Council could bid to use the development for their own temporary accommodation and that talks were underway within the Council.
Members resolved to note the update from Dartford Borough Council.
7 – Award for Exceptional Public Service
To resolve and present the award for long-standing and exceptional public service to the Grounds Maintenance Manager Matthew Pearce.
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.
The Chairperson of Stone Parish Council nominated the Grounds Maintenance Manager, Matthew Pearce for this award after 20 years of service to the Parish. Councillor McQueen praised Matt’s dedication and expertise in his understanding of the local area and the maintenance and enhancement of the public spaces in Stone.
Members resolved unanimously to present the award for long-standing and exceptional public service to the Grounds Maintenance Manager, Matthew Pearce.
8 – Finance
8.1 – CIL Strategy
To resolve CIL strategy 2024-2029.
Members were presented with a report outlining Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Funds, the current CIL forecast and capital projects anticipated to be funded via CIL in the period covered by the report. Members were also provided with appendices which showed the CIL received from developments and the potential capital project list in more detail to demonstrate the anticipated CIL cashflow for the next five years
Members praised the Responsible Finance Officer for the quality and level of detail in her report.
Members resolved to approve and adopt the CIL Strategy 2024-2029 in line with the report provided.
8.2 – Pavilion Works
To resolve CIL expenditure of up to £200,000 to support required maintenance and refurbishment works to Stone Pavilion that are outside of the contractual works in the Stone Recreation Ground Masterplan scheme.
Members were presented with a project financial summary report from Liberty QS with an itemised list of maintenance works for Stone Pavilion. Due to the age and use of the building, works were now necessary to replace the floor in River Hall, make improvements and alterations to the lighting and toilets along with the addition of external cladding and the installation of solar thermal, heating and ventilation to help the Council meet its 2030 Carbon Neutral obligations.
The Clerk outlined the works that were planned and confirmed that these works along with the current Masterplan works would be removing fossil fuels from the entire estate. Members were informed that a report would be presented to the Council in 2025 which would confirm the Council’s former carbon footprint, current position and future projections regarding its pledge to be Carbon Neutral by 2030.
Members resolved CIL expenditure of up to £200,000 to support the required maintenance and refurbishment works to Stone Pavilion.
8.3 – Community Lantern CIL Grant Request
To consider Community Infrastructure Levy grant request in respect of the Lantern Community Centre.
The Chair invited Reverend Kenneth Clark to speak about the bid for the Community Lantern project. Reverend Clark told members that the Church is owned by the Parishioners and does not have access to the various revenues needed to build the community hall that is required. Reverend Clark spoke to members of the obvious link between the Parish Council and the Parish church and explained that the amount that had already been raised was purely from donations by generous residents and parishioners of the Church.
The Chair thanked Reverend Clark for his input and invited members to speak about the grant request and report that had been presented.
Members were presented with a list of recommendations of ways to assist with the Lantern Community Project that would be in line with the Council’s CIL Strategy and would benefit the scheme and community. These recommendations were as follows:
- That the council resolves to commission its quantity surveyor to review the costs of the remaining construction to identify value engineering opportunities to reduce costs without compromising project outcomes.
- That the council liaises with Stone St Mary’s Church regarding further public consultation to increase the level of response to support further funding success.
- That the council resolves administrative support by council officers to assist in reviewing and refining the funding case and identifying prospective grant schemes.
- That the council resolves an award of £23,000 of Community Infrastructure Levy funds equivalent to the sum of the CIL received in relation to the St Mary’s old church hall development.
- That the council resolves a formal approach to Dartford Borough Council to request concurrent provision of £129,874 representing the equivalent sum of the CIL retained by them in relation to the St Mary’s old church hall development.
Members were keen to support the project, but to do so in a way that was in line with the CIL Strategy that had been resolved, leaving the Council in a position to fund the list of potential projects that had been identified.
Members resolved to approve funding of £23,000 to the Lantern Community Project from Community Infrastructure Levy Funding and to provide further assistance in line with the recommendations outlined in the report.
8.4 – Pay Awards
To note the Local Government Services Pay Agreement 2024/25.
Members were requested to note that the National Joint Council for Local Government Services (NJC) had agreed the new pay scales for 2024-25 to be implemented from 1 April 2024.
Members were also requested to note the National Living Wage had been increased to £12.60 per hour from 1st November 2024.
Members resolved to note the Local Government Services Pay Agreement 2024/25 and the National Living Wage increase.
9 – Policies and Consultations
9.1 – Dogs on Lead Policy
To note the proposed draft Dogs on Lead Policy and to resolve to undertake consultation on the policy among residents and stakeholders to inform the council’s resolution.
Following the tragic incident at Stone Recreation Ground last month where a dog was attacked and killed by another dog, the risk assessment for Stone Recreation Ground had been reviewed in respect of dogs and a draft policy produced which proposed a requirement for Dogs on Leads. With the Masterplan works set to complete next year, the Recreation Ground will offer many more activities likely to generate a larger footfall to the site and variety of users so it was felt that it would be timely for this policy to be considered. A fuller review of the risk assessment for the site will be undertaken as works complete but broaching this particular issue now should provide the time to carry out public consultation to establish the views of residents.
Members were presented with a report that detailed the action taken so far and a draft policy for review. The recommendation was for members to resolve to undertake public consultation on the Dogs on Leads policy to gauge public opinion on the topic, before any policy is resolved.
Members were keen to understand how the public felt about the policy as well as how it could be policed if it were to be put into place.
Members resolved to approve to undertake public consultation on the draft Dogs on Lead Policy.
10 – Reports on Current Activity
10.1 – Stone Recreation Ground Masterplan
To note a verbal update on the Stone Recreation Ground Masterplan.
The Clerk provided a verbal update to members on the progression of the Stone Recreation Ground Masterplan works including a revised date for the opening of the new Lizzies café, which would not be around 21st April 2025. The pump track, multi-use games area and other outside equipment is set to be completed by January. Once the new café is completed, the works on Stone Pavilion car park will begin, so there will be no car parking for a short time after the launch. It is recommended that this time be utilized for a soft launch of the café with an official launch event for when all the works complete.
The Clerk told members that it was hoped that the public toilets would be open as soon as possible as the temporary toilets that are currently available are expensive to run.
Members enquired whether the pump track was planned to be in used late in the day. The Clerk confirmed that a new risk assessment was being amended for the whole site, which would confirm requirements, prior to the completion of the works and this would be reviewed regularly as the use of the new site progressed.
Members thanked the Clerk and resolved to note the update on the Stone Recreation Ground Masterplan.
10.2 – Lads of the Village
To note a verbal update on the sale of the Lads of the Village Public House.
The Clerk updated members that no further response had been received from the agents regarding the purchase of the Lads of the Village Public House since confirming that there was a large amount of interest in the site. The Clerk confirmed that numerous attempts had been made to engage with the agents, solicitors and owners regarding this, but to no avail.
Members discussed the frustrations with the lack of response and felt that officers should advise the public on the current situation.
Members thanked the Clerk and resolved to note the update on the Lads of the Village Public House.
10.3 – London Road Green Corridor
To note an update on the London Road Green Corridor project.
Community Engagement Manager Steven Muzio presented members with an update on Dartford Borough Council’s Active Travel consultation on walking and cycling on London Road. Members were informed that the consultation was now live and will determine the level of support among road users, residents and stakeholders.
Members were also informed of face-to-face consultation dates that had been set for the project on 3rd and 4th December at Stone Pavilion to allow members of the public to ask questions to Dartford Borough Council officers and submit their opinions on the matter.
Members thanked Mr Muzio and resolved to note the update on the Active Travel consultation.
There being no further business the Chair closed the meeting at 20:15.