1 – Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Burrell and Cllr Lees.
2 – Disclosure of Pecuniary Interests
There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest.
3 – Public Participation
No member of the public wished to speak at this time.
4 – Approval of Minutes
The Minutes for the meeting of the Council held Wednesday 19 November 2026 were approved.
5 – Reports from outside organisation and agencies
- Kent Police
PC Cooper attended the meeting on behalf of Kent Police as the local officer for Stone was on leave. PC Cooper confirmed to the members that several trailers had recently been removed by the police as they were deemed to be dangerous to motorists. PC Cooper confirmed that it was important for people to report any dangerous parking to the police. The Mayor advised members that PC Andrews had recently met with herself and other Councillors regarding the issue of lorry parking and he had emphasized the importance of reporting everything. The issues with parking by school traffic for Stone St Mary’s Primary School on Hayes Road had also been raised at this meeting. PC Cooper recommended that PC Andrews arrange a time to patrol alongside school staff to reinforce where people can and cannot park. Members felt that a close working relationship between all parties would help to alleviate the situation.
Members thanked PC Cooper and resolved to note his report.
- Kent County Council
Kent County Councillor Waters gave a verbal update to members, confirming that he had been speaking with the KCC officers regarding the London Road Green Corridor scheme and that the business case was hoped to be submitted for Active Travel funding. The Clerk confirmed that an update meeting with officers from Stone, Dartford and Kent was set for early February. Cllr Waters confirmed that Active Travel had also met with the headteacher of Stone St Mary’s Primary School to discuss and implement a school travel plan. The Blue Star Roundabout Consultation was active and Cllr Waters urged as many people as possible to respond, asking the Council for their assistance with promoting the consultation to residents. Cllr Waters asked members to discuss which bus services would be best supported to serve the residents of Stone as funding for bus services in Kent had recently been announced. Cllr Waters also raised the issue of potholes, which he had received many messages from residents about. He urged members to encourage residents to report these via the pothole reporting function on the KCC website.
Members thanked Cllr Waters and resolved to note his report.
- Dartford Borough Council
Cllr Mote provided a verbal update to members, confirming that a consultation on HMO’s had just been completed and that Dartford Borough Council was working on the annual budget currently. Members were informed that plans were continuing on the medical facility on Steele Avenue and that the Orchard Theatre renovations were continuing, but the expected reopening was currently November 2026.Cllr Mote confirmed that Dartford had submitted their preference regarding Local Government Reorganisation to the Government but confirmed that it was unlikely that a decision would be confirmed until the summer.
Members thanked Cllr Mote and resolved to note his report.
6 – Award of MBE to Parish Resident, Kelvin Reynolds
Kelvin Reynolds, a resident of Stone Parish, was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List for delivering outstanding services to the traffic and parking management sector. It was noted that Kelvin had given over 50 years of service to the sector, including traffic engineering roles at Dartford Borough Council, Gravesham Borough Council and the Corporation of London. Kelvin had also worked as transport and infrastructure manager on LendLease’s retail projects, including Bluewater in Kent. He had retired from the British Parking Association in 2025 but remains an executive consultant to the association as well as being it’s company secretary.
Mr Reynolds had sent his apologies as he was unable to attend the meeting. The members asked the Clerk to pass on their congratulations to Mr Reynolds on this great achievement.
Members resolved to note the award of an MBE to Parish resident, Kelvin Reynolds.
7 – Council and Community Events Programme 2026
Members were presented with a report outlining a proposed programme of Council-led and supported community events for 2026, including civic events, community engagement activities. The proposed programme was seeking to utilize the new facilities and support the Council’s wider financial and strategic objectives. Members noted that one of the new objectives for the community events would be to establish the office of the Mayor of Stone and note the significant milestone for the Council of its transition to Town Council. As such, a number of events were planned to include civic and fundraising activities. Members were invited to note the outline programme and provide feedback ahead of detailed planning and delivery. The Mayor reiterated that outside funding sources and grants would be explored to fund community events as much as possible and would dictate the number of events that would be possible.
Members resolved to note the report.
8 – Annual Council Budget and Precept Request 2026-27
Members were asked to consider and determine the Council’s Annual Budget and associated Precept for the financial year 2026/27. Members were presented with the draft budget, which had been prepared by the Responsible Finance Officer in accordance with statutory requirements and reflected the Council’s duty to set a balanced and sustainable budget that enables the continued delivery of services, effective stewardship of assets, and appropriate provision for future liabilities. The report set out the proposed revenue budget, key assumptions, and the resulting Precept requirement, together with the implications for the Band D parish charge.
Members discussed the proposed increase and the numerous factors which had contributed to its necessity, including growth of council services, known and anticipated cost pressures, inflationary impacts and changes to external funding streams.
The council tax base for 2026-27 for Stone Parish was confirmed as 4,627.35. The precept sum was confirmed at £654,631. This represents an annual charge of £141.47 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.
9 – Policies and Procedures
9.1 – FOI Policy and Publication Scheme
Members were presented with an updated FOI Policy and Publication Scheme.
Members resolved to approve the FOI Policy and Publication Scheme 2026.
9.2 – Complaints Procedure
Members were presented with an updated Complaints Procedure for approval.
Members resolved to approve the Complaints Procedure 2026.
10 – Planning Applications
Members were presented with Major Planning Applications affecting the parish, for discussion and resolution.
1. Taylor Wimpey Knights Reach Development, Stone, Dartford, Kent DA2 8DE
Waiting Restrictions – Traffic Regulation Order Application Consultation.
Members resolved not to object to the TRO application presented.
2. 25/01456/FUL – 76 Kirby Road Dartford Kent DA2 6HF
Erection of a new 2 bedroom house with shared car parking.
Members resolved to respond to the application and request confirmation that the parking provision was in line with current regulations.
11 – Exclusion of Press & Public
It was resolved, 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, the public and the press leave the meeting during consideration of the following items.
12 – CCTV Monitoring
Members were presented with a proposal for the monitoring of the CCTV systems at Stone Recreation Ground. The item had been deferred from the last Council meeting while further negotiations on the cost were requested. Members felt that the proposal was not in line with the budget and currently did not present sufficient value for money. Members were open to revisiting the proposals should it be deemed necessary in the future.
Members unanimously resolved not to approve the proposed CCTV monitoring and maintenance contract as presented.
There being no further business, the Mayor closed the meeting at 19:51.