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.

To receive any declarations of interest from members.

To consider any requests for dispensations received by the Town Clerk.

• – County Councillor J. Hood
• – County Councillor A. Mynors

To receive updates from Borough Councillors.

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.

• a) To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on 9 December 2025, Minute Numbers GP26/092 – GP26/103 (attached).

• a) Tourism & Town Promotion Sub-Committee held on 13 January 2026, Minute Numbers TTP26/024 – TTP26/033 (attached)
• i. To consider the draft minutes
• ii. To consider the Recommendations contained in Minute Numbers TTP26/030 (NOTE: the recommendations in Minute Number TTP26/032 will be considered as part of agenda item 10)
• b) Environment Sub-Committee held on 13 January 2026, Minute Numbers ENV26/026 – ENV26/034 (attached)
• i. To consider the draft minutes
• ii. To consider the Recommendations contained in Minute Numbers ENV26/031 and ENV26/032 (NOTE: the recommendations in Minute Number ENV26/033 will be considered as part of agenda item 10)
• c) Estates Sub-Committee held on 13 January 2026, Minute Numbers EST26/011 – EST26/018 (attached)
• i. To consider the draft minutes (NOTE: the recommendations in Minute Number EST26/016 will be considered as part of agenda item 10)

To consider the report of the Town Clerk (attached).

To consider the report of the Town Clerk (attached) and budget recommendations related to Sub-Committees.

To consider the following requests for grants from local organisations which meet the criteria within the Council’s grants policy:

• a. Organisation: Stone Alzheimer’s Club. Amount Requested: £350. Reason: To purchase a speaker and microphone system to aid communication and to play music at meetings.
• b. Organisation: Tilling Drive Allotments. Amount Requested: £500. Reason: To support the replacement of a self-laid water pipe system which is showing signs of wear.
• c. Organisation: Stone Lions Club. Amount Requested: £500. Reason: Prostate screening.
• d. Organisation: Stone Community Hub. Amount Requested: £500. Reason: To start a series of activities in 2026 to promote health and wellbeing.

To consider the following requests for grants from local organisations which do not meet the criteria within the Council’s grants policy (requires waiving criteria):

• e. Organisation: St Michael’s Hall. Amount Requested: £500. Reason: To support redecoration. (Issue: Level of reserves).
• f. Organisation: Alleyne’s Academy. Amount Requested: £250. Reason: To purchase materials for gardening club. (Issue: Turnover over £100,000).
• g. Organisation: Futures2gether. Amount Requested: £500. Reason: To purchase gardening tools. (Issue: Turnover over £100,000).
• h. Organisation: Stone Community First Responders. Amount Requested: £500. Reason: To purchase a Laerdal Suction Unit. (Issue: Level of reserves).

To determine the Council’s Meeting Schedule for the Year 2026-27 (attached).

To receive a list of payments made by the Council during the period 1 November to 31 December 2025 (attached).

• a) Stone Heritage Centre Steering Group (Chairman: R. Kenney)

• 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

Councillor R. Kenney in the Chair, and Councillors: J. Battrick, J. Davies, L. Davies, I. Fordham, J. Hood, T. Kelt, P. Leason, J. Metters, J. Powell, N. Powell, R. Townsend and C. Thornicroft. Officers: L. Trigg, R. Edwards and T. Williams.

Councillors: A. Best, A. Burgess, K. Dawson, B. Kenney and A. Mottershead.

Apologies were received from Councillors: A. Best, A. Burgess, K. Dawson, B. Kenney and A. Mottershead. The reasons for absence were approved.

None.

There were none.

Councillor Hood informed the Committee that County Councillor Ian Cooper had resigned his leadership of Staffordshire County Council but would continue as an Independent. Councillor Mynors was not in attendance.

Councillor Leason reported on waste management (Veolia) and leisure center statistics. Councillor Fordham updated on local government reorganisation. Councillor Hood reported on housing lists and homelessness in Stone.

None.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the General Purposes Committee meeting held on 4 November 2025 be approved as a correct record.

The Committee considered the report of the Town Clerk regarding the budget and precept level. The Town Clerk advised figures were based on a standstill position.

RESOLVED: That the Committee notes the standstill budget position and authorizes the reallocation of the inflation contingency.

RESOLVED: To note the list of Town Council payments made during the period 1 to 31 October 2025.

Reports were received regarding the Stone Area Parish Liaison Group, Access Group, Common Plot Trustees, Community Hub, SPCA, and Rail matters.

Updates were given on the Christmas Lights Switch-On and Texas Flag Raising events. Future events for 2026 were noted.

RECOMMENDED: That the Traders’ Group schedule be accepted, and dates for Halloween and Christmas markets be moved to Saturdays, provided existing market traders are accommodated.

RECOMMENDED: That the standstill budget be accepted with adjustments for Christmas lighting replacement (£3,000) and a summer children’s event (£1,000).

RECOMMENDED: That £1,100 be included in the budget for replacement boundary fencing at the Mount Road allotment site.

RECOMMENDED: That a contingency sum be made available for a Crown Meadow Five Year Management Plan in consultation with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust.

RECOMMENDED: That the standstill budget be accepted with a £500 provision for Frank Jordan Centre parking improvements.

The Town Clerk gave a confidential update on the lease and discussions with Network Rail.

• Stone Heritage Centre (Setup): £45,000 (2026-27)
• Stone Heritage Centre (Running): £4,000 (2026-27)
• Grants: £249,600 (2026-27)
• Salaries & Employment Costs: £15,000 (2026-27)
• Accommodation: £9,000 (2026-27)
• Administration: £40,400 (2026-27)

The Town Council’s share of Council Tax in Stone is currently £63.99 per year (Band D). Payments from Stafford Borough Council include compensation for Taxbase reductions (£29,184) and concurrent functions (£11,461).