| Date | 29/01/2025 |
| Time | 19:00 |
| Location | The Claire Tiltman Centre, Cotton Lane, Stone DA9 9FA |
| Present | Councillors; Jessica McQueen, Stephanie Thredgle, John Burrell, Paul Cutler, David Mote, Lucy Canham, Jeanne Hoadley, Milan Suter, Lesley Howes, Richard Lees
Officers; Jennie Thomas – Parish Clerk, Eudeen Shrubsole – Responsible Finance Officer, Steven Muzio – Community Engagement Manager |
| Apologies | Tom Oliver |
1 – Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Oliver.
2 – Disclosure of Pecuniary Interests
There were no disclosures of pecuniary interests.
3 – Public Participation
There were no members of the public present who wished to speak.
4 – Approval of Minutes
Members resolved 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
Kent County Councillor P Cole provided members with a written report. The report detailed the devolution plans for Kent, KCC grants and expenditure and work on local issues.
It was highlighted by members that the proposed devolution plans could increase the responsibilities of Stone Parish Council, with assets currently under the Borough Council’s remit that may need adopting.
Members discussed the potential effect of the introduction of mayors to strategic authorities. Members also noted that there could be a need for ward boundaries to change as a result of the reforms and that new Parish and Town Councils might need to be created to cover the currently un-parished areas.
Members thanked Councillor Cole and resolved to note her report.
- Dartford Borough Council
Councillor Mote told members that Council elections may not take place this year due to the devolution plans and outlined the potential transfer of social care responsibilities from local authorities to the NHS.
Councillor Cole told members that it was thought that social care should remain under local authority control and that transferring it to the NHS might not be beneficial.
Members resolved to note the update from Dartford Borough Council.
6 – Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government: English Devolution White Paper
Members were provided with the recently published English Devolution White Paper from the UK Government, which outlined plans to restructure the tiers of authority across England. Members were also provided with a response to the proposals which outlined the potential impact to parish and town councils. Kent had confirmed their interest in being included in the first tranche of reorganisation. Members discussed the potential opportunities that could be presented to the parish and town council sector, set out in the response. The discussion highlighted examples of national devolution, citing Manchester as a case study. Members also considered the transition process from the current governance structure to a devolved model. The Chair noted that parish councils could be in a stronger position following devolution.
Members resolved to note the recent publication of the Government’s English Devolution White Paper.
7 – Parish Identity Survey
Members were requested 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. Members had been provided with a report detailing the aims and objectives for undertaking the consultation. The Chair outlined the rationale confirming that the geography of Stone and its relationship to Greenhithe, along with the increase in population and development in the area, meant that it was important to understand how residents felt about the area and the Parish Council itself. Members agreed that consultation was needed and that the timing of this was necessary to facilitate the transition to a .gov.uk website domain, enable branding of the new community app, and consider how the council might benefit from any changes ahead of local government reorganisation. The discussion also connected to a forthcoming agenda item on the potential renaming of Stone Recreation Ground. Members also considered how the current devolution plans could impact the Stone Parish boundary, with potential changes needing to factor in changes arising from a future boundary review.
Members resolved to conduct the survey among parish residents to assess community identity, with the findings informing potential renaming options for the Parish.
8 – Finance
8.1 – Annual Council Budget and Precept Request 2025-26
To Consider and resolve the Annual Council Budget and precept request for 2025-26
Members were requested to resolve the annual council budget and precept request for 2025-26. Members discussed the proposed increase, acknowledging that the financial impact was £1 per household (Council Tax band D,) and were keen to ensure that residents were informed of the reasoning for the increase, thanking the Clerk for the inclusion of a proposed media release which showed how the budget would be communicated to residents. Members were also keen to ensure that the budget strengthens the Council’s financial reserves, which have been historically low which represents a risk with the council delivering large scale schemes. The Clerk confirmed the need to build reserves to a level that covers six month’s revenue, which the internal auditor had noted previously.
The council tax base for 2025-26 for Stone Parish was confirmed as 4455.31. The precept sum was confirmed at £576,829. This represents an annual charge of £129.47 for a Band D property, representing an increase of £12 per year.
Members resolved to approve the annual council budget and precept request for 2025-26 as outlined, with ten voting in favour and one member abstaining.
8.2 – Community Grant Awards
Members were requested to resolve grant funding requests from local groups and organisations. Twelve grant applications had been received. Members were provided with the Council’s Grants Award Policy which outlines the purpose of the grants and the criteria by which they are considered
Members discussed each application individually and resolved to award the following:
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 | Amount of Funding requested | Funding approved |
| Hope on Prescription | £500 | None |
| In-Security Counselling Ltd | £500 | None |
| Mary’s Child Kent | £500 | None |
| Brent 6th Dartford Scouts | £500 | None |
| South-East Dog Rescue | £500 | None |
| Paige Starbucks School of Dance | £500 | None, but free hall hire for anniversary event granted. |
| Friends of Rainbow Lodge | £500 | £250 |
| Falls Prevention – DBC | £2,835 | None |
| We Are Beams | £1000 | None |
| Stone Dartford Scout Group | £480 | £480 |
| Greenhithe Lionesses | £500 | £250 |
| PS Breastfeeding CIC – Kent Baby Matters | £2,105 | None |
9 – Project Updates
9.1 – Lads of the Village
To note an update on the sale of the Lads of the Village Public House.
Members were advised that the moratorium period that prohibited any sale of the property except to the Council, had now expired. Despite repeated attempts by the Clerk to engage with the agents and solicitors regarding the Lads of the Village public house, no meaningful response had been received or negotiations entered into. An update was received on Wednesday 29 January from the freeholder’s property agent advising that an open viewing session had been arranged for Saturday 8th February for interested parties. The Clerk emphasized the need for further direction on the Council’s approach moving forward regarding the commitment to secure control over the future of the property given the time that had passed and the level of ongoing deterioration of the building. Members felt that it would be prudent to await the outcome of the viewing on 8th February, which officers would attend along with any members who wished to, to hear directly from the agent what next steps might be.
Members thanked the Clerk and resolved to note the update on the Lads of the Village.
9.2 – Stone Recreation Ground Masterplan
To receive an update on the Stone Recreation Ground Masterplan.
Members were provided with an update on the ongoing Stone Recreation Ground Masterplan. The construction programme was in week 40 with Phase 1 works progressing well. The pump track, MUGA, outdoor gym, climbing equipment had all been completed and soft landscaping works and tree planting were set to commence in February. Members were pleased to hear that around 100 new mature trees would be being planted, including Lime, Birch, Apple, and Liquidamber. The Clerk explained that delays to the new café had occurred due to the need to alter extract openings and electrical points to accommodate the kitchen design and equipment loadings. The Clerk explained that the café had a completion date of 21st April, noting that this is likely to slip by a few weeks due to the current hold ups. Works to enlarge the pavilion car park were not set to commence until May and would impact the bookings that could take place at the Pavilion. Arrangements were already in place to manage this, with a block on private and social bookings during the anticipated 4-week construction period. Officers planned to maintain regular hire where possible to avoid inconvenience, but with pedestrian access only. Hayes Road is expected to be closed around 7th April for two-three weeks for Thames Water to carry out works on site. Members noted that a recent article had been published on the Council’s website and social media pages which was helpful for keeping residents informed.
Members thanked the Clerk and resolved to note the update on the Stone Recreation Ground Masterplan.
10 – Consultations
10.1 – Government Consultation: ‘Strengthening the Standards and Conduct Framework for Local Authorities in England’
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.
Members were informed that the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government were consulting on proposals to introduce measures to strengthen the standards and conduct regime for local authorities in England. Members were provided with a link to the consultation and informed that the closing date would be 26th February 2025. Members felt that the consultation did not require a formal response from the Council, but that Members and officers should be encouraged to respond individually.
Members resolved not to submit a formal response to the consultation.
11 – Planning Applications
- To resolve Council response for approval of signage for Knights Reach Development
Members were presented with site plans from Kent County Council who had requested Parish Council approval for signage around the Knights Reach site. Members were requested to resolve to approve or refuse this application for KCC to proceed. Members felt that the signs should be approved but requested that KCC limits the duration they are in place to one year, after which they should be removed.
Members resolved to support the application for a period of one year.
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, any members of the public and the press were asked to leave the meeting during the consideration of the following items.
13 – Performance-Related Pay AWARDS
Members were requested to ratify the recommendation by the People & Performance Committee to resolve performance-related pay awards as outlined in the report.
Members resolved to ratify the recommendation of the People & Performance Committee with regards to performance-related pay awards.
14 – Strategic Resource Allocation Review
Members were provided with an update regarding internal review of strategic resource allocation and resolve to provided delegated authority to the Chief Officer, in liaison with the Council Chairperson and Chairperson of the People & Performance Committee, to conclude the outcome of the review process and implement recommendations within the constraints of the 2025-26 budget.
Members resolved to provide delegated authority to the Chief Officer, in liaison with the Council Chairperson and Chairperson of the People & Performance Committee, to conclude the outcome of the review process and implement recommendations within the constraints of the 2025-26 budget.