| Date | 18/02/2026 |
| Time | 19:00 – 21:00 |
| Location | The Claire Tiltman Centre, Cotton Lane, Stone DA9 9FA |
| Present | Councillors: David Mote, Jeanne Hoadley, Jessica McQueen, John Burrell, Lesley Howes, Paul Cutler, Richard Lees, Stephanie Thredgle.
Officers: Jennie Thomas – Parish Clerk, Eudeen Shrubsole – RFO, Luke McLean – Council Administrator |
1 – Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Canham.
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
No members of the wished to speak at this time.
4 – Approval of Minutes
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on Wednesday 21 January 2026 were approved.
Relevant Legislation: Local Government Act 1972, Sch 12, para 41 (1).
5 – Reports from outside organisation and agencies
- Kent County Council
Kent County Councillor Ryan Waters gave a verbal update to members on the London Road Green Corridor scheme, the Bluestar Roundabout consultation and potholes. Cllr Waters advised that the London Road Green Corridor scheme was still progressing and noted the item on the agenda to update members. The Bluestar roundabout consultation had been completed and provided it did not raise any major concerns; implementation was expected to be completed asap. Cllr Waters confirmed that the high amount of precipitation had led to a lot more potholes recently but confirmed that all potholes should be reported and were being dealt with as quickly as possible.
Members thanked Cllr Waters and resolved to note his report.
2. Dartford Borough Council
Councillor Mote advised members that Dartford Borough Council had been able to freeze Council tax this year and the medical centre on Steele Avenue was still planned to be completed, but that the administration and discussions with the legal team and the ICB were progressing slowly. Cllr Mote confirmed that the theatre was still planned to be completed this year and the bridge that connects north and central Dartford over the railway was being rebuilt, to provide a safe and usable access point into Dartford town centre.
Members thanked Councillor Mote and resolved to note his report.
3. Kent Police
PC Calum Andrews and PC Michael Cooper gave a verbal update to members on recent activity in Stone. PC Andrews explained the process of removing trailers that are parked dangerously on London Road, advising members and the public to report these when they are perceived to be parked dangerously. Seven trailers have been removed recently and a number of others have been taken back by the companies who own them following calls from the Police. PC Andrews reported that they are continuing to liaise with the landowner of the area South of London Road where the horses have been escaping from and that this has been passed on to the Rural Task Force to look into the issues with site security and welfare of the horses. PC Andrews also informed members that he would be liaising with Council officers to arrange a monthly police surgery at Lizzies Café for residents to voice their concerns and speak with the local officer.
Members thanked PC Andrews and PC Cooper and resolved to note their update.
- Stone St Mary’s Church
Cllr Hoadley provided members with the times dates for the Easter services at Stone St Mary’s Church. Cllr Hoadley also confirmed that the Church would be holding a Summer Fayre on 6th June and that a Parish Breakfast is held every second Sunday of the month, with the next being due on Sunday 8th March after the service.
Members thanked Cllr Hoadley and resolved to note her update.
6 – Ebbsfleet Development Corporation
Kevin McGeough, Head of Strategy and Placemaking & Mary Rouse, Community Development Manager from the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation gave a presentation to members on the progress of the Ebbsfleet Garden City. Over 5,000 homes have been completed to date with over 12,500 new residents, along with infrastructure, such as three primary schools, two community centres, two convenience stores, a pub and a hotel with several large projects in the pipeline. The presentation covered the wide range of community events and services, the creation of a community board and several community groups to empower residents and the commitment to sustainability and future proof of the work. Members were also informed about employability programmes, education outreach programmes and the Apprenticeship scheme which had been introduced.
Members asked whether any health centres or hospitals were planned and it was confirmed that this was being worked on in conjunction with the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB) to identify appropriate healthcare, but was likely to be by around 2030 before it is in place.
Members thanked the representatives of the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation and resolved to note the update.
7 – Escaping Horses – Land South of London Road
Members were presented with a report outlining the recent issues with horses escaping from the land south of London Road. Officers had attempted to engage the landowner to bring the issues to their attention in September but had received no response. After the recent escalation of horses escaping onto London Road several times, creating a dangerous situation for motorists, officers contacted Kent Police and have been liaising with them to get the situation resolved. It has been confirmed that the landowner is now engaged with the police and relevant authorities and has indicated a willingness to resolve the matter. Officers will continue to monitor the situation and liaise with Kent Police, the landowner and other relevant agencies as appropriate. Members will be updated as the situation develops. It was recommended that any further issues with horses on the site be reported to Kent Police and that residents should be encouraged to do the same.
Members resolved to note the update provided.
8 – London Road Green Corridor Update
Members were provided with an update on the London Road Green Corridor Scheme. The scheme was a Kent County Council (KCC) led highways and active travel scheme intended to improve safety, accessibility and connectivity along the London Road corridor. The scheme has been developed in partnership with Dartford Borough Council (DBC) and Stone Town Council.
Members were informed that the scheme is still progressing and is currently undergoing an internal technical review, which involves detailed checks across design disciplines to ensure that all elements of the scheme function as intended. Junction modelling was being undertaken by an external specialist team, with final iterations expected by the end of February. Members were also informed that discussions were underway with KCC’s Freight Team, to assess the impact of the proposed design on freight movements and identify any necessart mitigation measures. The Clerk clarified that KCC had confirmed that these discussions were not intended to amend the overall design concept, but to understand and manage impacts. The Clerk also informed members that the issue of future maintenance of the soft landscaping of the scheme had been raised with KCC and had been advised that KCC’s soft landscaping team would be able to engage with Stone and Dartford to discuss maintenance requirements and associated responsibilities. This would be an important consideration for the Council in assessing long-term financial implications, should the maintenance of the soft landscaping fall under the Council’s responsibility.
The next progress update meeting was proposed for mid-March 2026.
Members resolved to note the update on the London Road Green Corridor scheme.
9 – Lads of the Village Public House – Notification of Intended Disposal
Members were presented with a notification of intended disposal from Dartford Borough Council (DBC) in respect of the Lads of the Village Public House, which is listed as an Asset of Community Value. The Clerk clarified that this notification gives the Council the option to trigger a six-month moratorium period, enabling time to prepare and submit a bid for the freehold of the asset. This was the second notification that has been received. After the first was received in 2024, the Council resolved to trigger the moratorium period but were not successful in their bid for the purchase of the freehold. Members were now requested to resolve whether to trigger a second moratorium period and provide an expression of interest in the purchase of the freehold. Members discussed budgetary restraints and current priorities in comparison with the decision made in 2024. Discussion was also had around the plans for the current buyer, who had confirmed that they were looking to refurbish the public house and reopen it. The Clerk also confirmed that an overage clause was in place, which would provide a financial deterrent to any developer not looking to reopen the asset as a public house. It was also clarified that the Lads of the Village public house would remain an Asset of Community Value, regardless of whether the Council resolved to trigger the moratorium period at this time.
The Mayor proposed that the Council does not submit an expression of interest at this time.
Members unanimously resolved not to trigger the moratorium period or seek to submit an expression of interest for the Lads of the Village public House.
10 – Ratification of Highways Improvement Plan (HIP) Priority List
Members were presented with a priority list for the Highways Improvement Plan (HIP). The list and for the priorities for Stone had been resolved by the Strategic Planning & Environment Committee for recommendation by the Full Council. Members were asked to ratify the HIP Priority list ahead of liaising with Kent County Council Highways and public consultation.
Members resolved to ratify the Highways Improvement Plan as recommended by the Strategic Planning & Environment Committee.
11 – Development of Town Council Logo
Members were presented with a report which detailed the structured design progression undertaken in developing a new civic identity to support the Council’s transition to Stone Town Council by April 2026. Members were requested to note the current strategic direction for the logo, ahead of discussions with the designers about the final design. Discussion was had regarding the difficulty of developing a logo that pleases everyone and members were asked to confirm what they felt were any important factors for the designer to consider. After careful discussion, members felt that it was important to keep it clear and simple. It was proposed to delegate authority to the Clerk to continue to collaborate with the designers to produce the most appropriate logo.
Members resolved to note the design progression and agreed to delegate responsibility to the Clerk to work with designers to conclude the development of the new Town Council logo.
12 – Policies & Procedures
12.1 – Strategic Plan 2025-28
Members were presented with the proposed final draft of the Strategic Plan 2025-28 for ratification and adoption. The Strategic Planning & Environment Committee provided final feedback on the plan and recommended adoption by the Full Council. The Clerk clarified that this final version sought to remove jargon, acronyms and technical language and to ensure it was written in clear, accessible plain English. The substance of the Plan remained unchanged, including all strategic objectives, key projects, financial commitments and governance standards. The amendments related solely to clarity, readability and public accessibility.
Members resolved to note the revisions contained in the cover note and approved the revised version of the Strategic Plan 2025-28 for adoption and publication.
12.2 – Training & Development Policy
Members were presented with the draft Training & Development Policy and accompanying Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Framework. The Mayor emphasized to members the importance of participation by everyone in training to ensure that they are up to date with current legislation and procedures and to ensure that the Council’s upcoming LCAS requirements are met.
Members resolved to adopt the Training & Development Policy and accompanying Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Framework 2026.
13 – Planning Applications
Members were presented with planning applications and asked to resolve the Council’s response to these applications.
- 26/00061/COU – 72 Hedge Place Road Greenhithe Kent DA9 9LH.
Members discussed the application and felt that it was important to seek clarification from the Local Planning Authority on the applicable parking standards for HMOs and how these have been assessed in this case. Members proposed to respond to the application, highlighting concerns that the proposed change of use may result in an increase in on-street parking demand, which could have a detrimental impact on highway safety and residential amenity in the surrounding area.
Members resolved to delegate to officers to formulate a response to the application in line with the Council’s Strategic Plan and the Stone Parish Neighbourhood Plan.
There being no further business, the Mayor closed the meeting at 20:48.