General Purposes Meeting Agenda Tuesday 7 April 2026
15 Station Road
STONE
ST15 8JP
31 March 2026
Town Clerk
Les Trigg
Tel: 01785 619740
Email: clerk@stonetowncouncil.gov.uk
Dear Councillor,
A meeting of the GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE will be held in the Council Chamber at 15 Station Road, Stone, on TUESDAY 7 APRIL 2026 at 7:05pm, or on the rising of the Council meeting, if later.
Les Trigg
Town Clerk
AGENDA
1. Apologies for Absence
To receive apologies for absence, and to consider the approval of any reasons given for absence under Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972.
2. Declarations of Interest
3. Requests for Dispensations Received
4. To receive a report from County Councillors representing Stone Town
– County Councillor J. Hood
– County Councillor A. Mynors
5. To receive a report from Borough Councillors representing Stone Town
6. Representations from Members of the Public
To consider representations from members of the public on items to be considered at this meeting, in accordance with the Council’s scheme of public participation.
7. Minutes of Previous Meetings
a) To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on 3 March 2026, Minute Numbers GP26/119 – GP26/136 (attached).
8. Minutes of Sub-Committees
a) Tourism & Town Promotion Sub-Committee held on 17 March 2026, Minute Numbers TTP26/034 – TTP26/041 (attached)
i. To consider the draft minutes
b) Environment Sub-Committee held on 17 March 2026, Minute Numbers ENV26/035 – ENV26/042 (attached)
i. To consider the draft minutes
c) Estates Sub-Committee held on 17 March 2026, Minute Numbers EST26/019 – EST26/029 (attached)
i. To consider the draft minutes
ii. To consider the recommendations contained in Minute Number EST26/024, EST26/025 and EST26/026.
9. Appointment of Town Mayor and Deputy Town Mayor Elect
To consider the appointment of a Town Mayor and Deputy Town Mayor Elect and the arrangements for Mayor Making.
10. Review of Standing Orders
To undertake a review of the Council’s Standing Orders (attached to the electronic version of the agenda) which were circulated to the previous meeting of this Committee.
The document has been reviewed by the Town Clerk, who is not proposing any changes other than updating the Procurement Act 2023 contract thresholds.
11. Review of Financial Regulations
To undertake a review of the Council’s Financial Regulations (attached to the electronic version of the agenda) which were circulated to the previous meeting of this Committee.
The document has been reviewed by the Town Clerk, who is not proposing any changes other than updating the Procurement Act 2023 contract thresholds.
12. Neighbourhood Governance
To consider a briefing paper received from Staffordshire Parish Councils’ Association (who is joint working with West Midlands CALCs) on Neighbourhood Governance.
An email from the County Executive of SPCA is attached along with a Neighbourhood Governance Pack, containing a Council briefing, template motion and template letter to our local MP.
The Committee is asked to consider the template motion contained within the attached pack and if supported, ask the Town Clerk to write to Sir Gavin Williamson MP along the lines of the template letter included in the pack.
13. Data Protection Policy
To consider the attached Data Protection Policy and related Privacy Notices.
The Town Clerk has reviewed the documents and made a number of minor changes to improve clarity, change dates and reflect the change of title from ‘Privacy Policy’ to ‘Data Protection Policy’.
14. Stone Community Hub Liaison Group
To consider the attached terms of reference for the Stone Community Hub Liaison Group.
15. Town Council Payments
To receive a list of payments made by the Council during the period 1 to 28 February 2026 (attached).
16. Update from Working Groups:
To receive updates from Working Group co-ordinators:
a) Stone Heritage Centre Steering Group (Chairman: R. Kenney)
17. To receive reports from Town Councillors on attendance at meetings as a representative of the Town Council
Stone Area Parish Liaison Group – Cllr J. Davies
Stone ATC – Town Mayor & one Cllr – Cllrs: J. Metters and J. Davies
Age Concern Stone & District – Cllrs: J. Davies and C. Thornicroft
Stafford & Stone Access Group – Cllr T. Kelt
Stone Common Plot Trustees – Cllrs: A. Burgess, J. Hood, T. Kelt, C. Thornicroft and R. Townsend
Stone Community Hub Liaison Group – Cllrs: J. Battrick, J. Powell and R. Townsend
SPCA Executive Committee – Cllr T. Kelt
West Midlands Railway and other rail matters – Cllr T. Kelt
18. Exclusion of the Press and Public
To resolve, pursuant to the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, that the Public and Press be excluded from the meeting whilst the next items of business are discussed on the grounds that publicity would be prejudicial to public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the debate.
19. To consider the Confidential Minutes and recommendations of the undermentioned Sub-Committee:
a) Estates Sub-Committee Meeting held on 17 March 2026, Minute Numbers: EST26/019 and EST26/029 (attached).
20. Staffing Matters
To consider the report of the Town Clerk (attached).
Members of the public are welcome to attend the General Purposes Committee meeting as observers and/or to make representations to the committee in accordance with the Council’s scheme of public participation. Details of the scheme are displayed in the Council’s notice boards and website.
Please access the Council Chamber from the rear of the building.