| Date | 18/03/2026 |
| Time | 19:00 – 21:00 |
| Location | Lizzies Cafe, Stone Recreation Ground, Stone DA9 9DQ |
| Present | Councillors: Jessica McQueen – Mayor, Stephanie Thredgle – Deputy Mayor Jeanne Hoadley, John Burrell, Lucy Canham. Officers: Eudeen Shrubsole – Responsible Finance Officer, Luke McLean – Council Administrator. |
1 – Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Mote, Cllr Cutler, Cllr Lees and Cllr Howes.
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
The Mayor invited any member of the public present to speak.
A member of the public asked whether the issue of lorry parking on London Road was being discussed again. The Council Administrator confirmed that the London Road Green Corridor Scheme was progressing, and there would be a progress update meeting later that month. It was also confirmed that the Council had recently resolved the Highways Improvement Plan priorities and had identified London Road and the lorry parking as its top priority. The HIP had been submitted to Kent County Council Highways for discussion ahead of consultation.
The Mayor confirmed that the Council were doing everything in their power to assist with this issue and urged anyone witnessing lorries parked in dangerous locations or abandoned trailers, to the police.
The Mayor thanked the member of the public for their participation.
4 – Approval of Minutes
The Minutes for the Meeting of the Council held on Wednesday 18 February 2026 were approved.
Relevant Legislation: Local Government Act 1972, Sch 12, para 41 (1).
5 – Reports from outside organisation and agencies
- Kent County Council
Cllr Ben Fryer provided members with a verbal update on several items. Cllr Fryer confirmed that the data from the consultation on the Blue Star Roundabout was being collated and expected to be discussed soon. Members were also informed that fast track buses would all be electric by May, except for the F route. Members questioned if there was a connection between this and the bus lanes being widened near Bluewater shopping centre. Cllr Fryer confirmed he would investigate this and confirm with members next time. Members were informed of some key dates approaching. The Bean Underpass groundbreaking ceremony would be 23rd April and the consultation expiry date for Local Government Reorganisation was 26th March.
Members thanked Cllr Fryer and resolved to note his update.
- Dartford Borough Council
Cllr Burrell and Cllr Canham provided a verbal update to members on the upcoming spring and summer events being held by Dartford Borough Council and confirmed that further discussions were being held regarding the recent increase in applications for HMO’s in the area.
Members thanked Councillor Burrell and Councillor Canham and resolved to note their update.
- Kent Police
There were no representatives from Kent Police present at the meeting.
- Stone St Mary’s Church
Cllr Hoadley confirmed that there were school visits planned over the Easter period to the church, where the children would learn and discuss the story of Easter. These would be held on Friday 27th and Monday 30th. Cllr Hoadley also confirmed that the first phase of the new hall interior works would begin next week with the installation of toilets.
Members thanked Councillor Hoadley and resolved to note her update.
6 – Resolution of Town Council logo
Members were presented with a report outlining the process for the development of the new town logo. The report outlined the Council’s decision to transition to a Town Council and the elements of the design process that had been followed by the designers following the steer from the Council at the last meeting. The resulting three potential logo designs were presented to the Council for resolution. Members discussed the three options and felt that they all achieved the objectives of creating a clear and recognizable civic identity, provided a design capable of long-term use and reflected the area’s riverside setting and heritage. The logos would all be functionally able to be used across digital and printed communication, as well as signage and use on civic and ceremonial materials.
There was discussion over which design was preferable, and the Mayor called for a vote.
Members unanimously resolved Option 3 of the presented logos to be adopted as the Town Council’s new logo.
7 – Review of Internal Controls
Members were presented with the Risk Register and Internal Controls document for review.
The Responsible Finance Officer explained that Regulation 6 of the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 requires the Council to conduct a review of the effectiveness of the system of internal control once per year. It was explained that this document is a working document that would be amended and adapted to match the Council’s activity and any change in policy.
Members were also informed that due to the new buildings and services which were being introduced at Stone Recreation Ground and Stone Pavilion through the Masterplan, the document would continue to be updated, and these amendments would be presented to the Council in due course.
Members resolved to approve the internal controls document as presented.
8 – Policies and Procedures
8.1 – Dignity at Work Policy
Members were presented with a draft Dignity at Work Policy for consideration and adoption. The Council Administrator confirmed that the Local Council Award Scheme requirements now required the Council to have a stand-alone Dignity at Work Policy, to be used alongside its current Diversity and Equality Policy and the Council’s Civility & Respect Pledge.
Members resolved to approve and adopt the Dignity at Work Policy 2026 as presented.
8.2 – Grant Award Policy
Members were presented with a revised Grant Award Policy. The Council Administrator confirmed that the policy had been revised to ensure it more clearly reflected the priorities set out in the Stone Strategic Plan 2025–2028 and the Council’s intention that grant funding should deliver direct and measurable benefits to the residents of Stone. The proposed amendments were intended to strengthen the requirement for applicants to demonstrate clear alignment with the Council’s strategic priorities, provide greater clarity on the expectation of local benefit where organisations operate beyond Stone, and adjust the assessment criteria to place greater emphasis on community impact. The changes in the document were highlighted for members’ clarification.
Members resolved to approve and adopt the revised Grant Award Policy 2026 as presented.
9 – Planning Applications
Members were presented with details of major planning applications affecting the Parish.
- 26/00136/FUL 18 Chichester Road Stone Kent DA9 9JT
Demolition of existing bungalow and erection of a 2-storey new dwelling house with associated landscaping, refuse and parking provisions.
Members resolved to make no observations for this application.
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26/00146/COU 101 Hedge Place Road Greenhithe Kent DA9 9JY
Proposed change of use from C3 dwellinghouse to 5-bed 5 person C4 HMO
Cllr Burrell confirmed to members that objections could only be made for material reasons and further clarification would be given at the Development Control Board meeting at Dartford Borough Council that week as to any updates to the framework and guidelines regarding HMO’s.
Members felt that there were concerns over the parking standards for this application and should seek clarification over how these standards had been assessed in this case. Members were also concerned about how the proposed change could result in an increase in on-street parking demand, leading to an impact on highway safety and residential amenities in the surrounding area.
Members resolved to object to this application on the inadequacy of parking provision and impact on local amenities.
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26/00203/FUL 15 Steele Avenue Greenhithe Kent DA9 9PQ
Change of use from an existing residential dwelling (C3 use class) to a children’s care home (C2 use class), with alterations to the fenestration and internal alterations
Members felt that there were concerns over the parking standards for this application and should seek clarification over how these standards had been assessed in this case. Members were also concerned over how the proposed change could result in an increase in on-street parking demand, leading to an impact on highway safety and residential amenity in the surrounding area. There were also concerns raised by members over the loss of a family dwelling, which contributed to the character and balance of the local community.
Members resolved to object to this application on the inadequacy of parking provision, loss of a family dwelling, and impact on local amenities.
There being no further business, the Mayor closed the meeting at 19:56.