1 – Election of Mayor

The Mayor asked for nominations for the election of the Mayor of the Council for 2026-27. Councillor Thredgle nominated Councillor McQueen. There were no further nominations.

Members unanimously resolved to elect Councillor Jessica McQueen as Mayor for 2026-27.

 

2 – Apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received Cllr Lees and Cllr Canham.

3 – Disclosure of Pecuniary Interests

There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest

 

4 – Election of Deputy Mayor

The Mayor asked for nominations for the election of Deputy Mayor for 2026-27.

Councillor McQueen nominated Councillor Thredgle. There were no further nominations.

Members unanimously resolved to elect Councillor Stephanie Thredgle as Deputy Mayor for 2026-27.

 

5 – Public Participation

There were no members of the public present.

 

6 – Approval of Minutes

The Minutes for the meeting of the Council held Wednesday 15th April were approved.

 

7 – Reports from outside organisation and agencies

 

7.1 – Kent Police

There were no representatives from Kent Police present.

 

7.2 – Kent County Council

There were no representatives from Kent County Council present.

 

7.3 – Dartford Borough Council

Councillor David Mote gave a verbal update to members. The update included details for the summer events that Dartford Borough Council had planned. Councillor Mote also informed members that DBC had resolved to support the London Road Green Corridor scheme at the latest meeting and would be working with KCC to progress the plans.

Members discussed the upcoming Local Government Reorganisation and Cllr Mote confirmed that Dartford had begun discussions internally about asset transfer, though there had not been engagement with town council officers yet.

Members thanked Councillor Mote and resolved to note his report.

 

7.4 – St Mary’s Church – Stone

Cllr Jeanne Hoadley gave a verbal update on the upcoming events for St Mary’s Church. Members were informed of the summer fair on 6th June, the anniversary evensong to mark Reverend Kenneth Clark’s 25 years of service. There would be an afternoon tea to fundraise for Mary’s Child Kent on 13th June and on 27th June, there would be an ordination for Ian Packer as the new assistant curate.

Cllr Hoadley also told members that the church was asking residents to Sponsor-a-floorboard for the new main hall of the Lantern Centre.

Members thanked Cllr Hoadley and resolved to note her report.

 

8 – Scheme of Delegation to Committees and Officers

To resolve approval of Scheme of Delegation to Committees and Officers

Members were presented with a proposed Scheme of Delegation for 2026-27.

The Mayor requested that the membership of the Strategic Planning & Environment Committee be increased to allow Cllr Suter to join. Members unanimously agreed to make this minor amendment.

Members resolved to approve the draft Scheme of Delegation for 2026-27.

9 – Committee Membership

Members were requested to appoint membership of the Committees for 2026-27 in line with the Terms of Reference in the Scheme of Delegation. The membership of the Committees was resolved as follows:

 

Performance & People Committee

Councillor David Mote

Councillor Jessica McQueen

Councillor Stephanie Thredgle

Councillor Paul Cutler

Councillor Lesley Howes

Councillor John Burrell

 

Strategic Planning & Environment Committee

Councillor Jessica McQueen

Councillor Stephanie Thredgle

Councillor Richard Lees

Councillor Lucy Canham

Councillor Jeanne Hoadley

Councillor John Burrell
Councillor Milan Suter

Members resolved to appoint membership of the Committees for 2026-27.

 

10 – Appointment of Representatives to Outside Bodies

 

10.1 – Bluewater Community Forum

Members were requested to appoint individuals to the Bluewater Community Forum.

Members resolved to appoint Councillor McQueen, Councillor Thredgle and Councillor  Howes as representatives for the Council at the Bluewater Community Forum.

 

10.2 – Kent Association of Local Councils – Dartford Area Committee

Members were requested to appoint individuals to the Kent Association of Local Council (KALC) Dartford Area Committee.

Members resolved to appoint Councillor Jessica McQueen and Councillor Lesley Howes as representatives for the Council on the Kent Association of Local Council’s Dartford Area Committee.

 

11 – Standing Orders & Financial Regulations

Members were presented with proposed Standing Orders and Financial Regulations for 2026-27. The Responsible Finance Officer (RFO) informed members that these had been updated in line with the model Standing Orders and Financial Regulations provided by the National Association of Local Councils.

Members resolved to approve and adopt the Standing Orders and Financial Regulations for 2026-27 as presented.

 

12 – Calendar of Meetings

Members were presented with a Calendar of Council and Committee Meetings for 2026-27 and advised that it had been scheduled in close alignment with internal activity, processes, and reporting cycles to ensure optimal efficiency and effectiveness in transacting anticipated council business.

Members resolved to approve the Calendar of Meetings for 2026-27 as presented.

 

13 – Finance

 

13.1 – Financial Report 2025-26

Members were presented with a Financial Report for Year End 2025-26. Members thanked the Responsible Finance Officer for the thorough and accessible report provided.

Members resolved to note the financial report for year-end 2025-26.

 

13.2 – Internal Audit Report

Members were presented with the Internal Audit Report by Heelis & Lodge.

Members praised the Responsible Finance Officer for the very positive report.

Members resolved to note the findings of the Internal Audit Report by Heelis & Lodge.

 

13.3 – Statement of Internal Control

Members were presented with a statement of internal control for approval. The Clerk informed members that the document would be reviewed this year, following the completion of the Masterplan project. It was clarified to members that there are templates to help with the processes, but it would be completed in-house to be accurate and appropriate for our own systems and services.

Members resolved to approve the Statement of Internal Control as presented.

 

13.4 – Annual Return (AGAR)

Members were presented with the Annual Return (AGAR) 2025-26.

The RFO confirmed to members that this would now be examined by the External Auditors.

Members resolved to approve the Annual Return (AGAR) 2025-26.

 

13.5 – Signatories and Bank Mandate

To resolve approval of signatories and amendment of the bank mandate.

Members were presented with the list of signatories proposed for approval on the new bank mandate. The list of signatories were proposed as follows:
> Mayor
> Deputy Mayor
> Town Clerk
> Responsible Finance Officer

Members resolved to approve the list of signatories proposed.

 

14 – Policies and Procedures

 

14.1 – I.T. Policy 2026

Members were presented with the draft Information Technology Policy 2026 for approval.

Members resolved to adopt the Information Technology Policy 2026.

 

14.2 – Reserves Policy 2026

Members were presented with the draft Reserves Policy 2026 for approval.

 

Members resolved to adopt the Reserves Policy 2026.

15 – Consultations

 

15.1 – Dartford Local Plan

Members were presented with three draft supplementary planning documents from Dartford Borough Council (DBC) for the Dartford Local Plan for consultation:

  • Draft Guidance for the Planning of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Supplementary Planning Document
  • Draft Darent Riverside and Flood Management Supplementary Planning Document
  • Draft Settlements and Sustainable Locations Supplementary Planning Document

The feedback request by DBC was planned to ensure that the draft SPDs were as effective as possible.

Members resolved that officers to submit a response to the draft supplementary planning documents (SPDs) that were in line with the Stone Parish Neighbourhood Plan and the Council’s Strategic Plan.

 

16 – Planning Applications

16.1 – Land North of Lads of the Village

Members were presented with a planning application for the Land North of Lads of The Village Public House. The application was for complete removal of T23 Sycamore subject to Tree Preservation Order No.13 1981.

It was confirmed that the tree was growing through the back wall of the Lads of the Village public house.

Members resolved to make no observations for this application.

 

There being no further business, the Mayor closed the meeting at 19:51.