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.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Tourism & Town Promotion Sub-Committee held on 18 November 2025, Minute No’s TTP26/017 – TTP26/023 (attached)

To consider the Town Council’s Calendar of Events (and give updates on events that have taken place) including:

2025 – Taken Place

• • Christmas Lights Switch-On (Thursday 20 November 2025)
• • Texas Flag Raising, marking the anniversary of Texas joining the Union on 29 December 1845 (Monday 29 December 2025)

2026/2027 – Upcoming/To be agreed

• • Texas Flag Raising, marking Texas State’s independence from Mexico (Saturday 7 March 2026)
• • St George’s Day (April 2026)
• • Floating Market (possibly May 2026)
• • Children’s Event (August 2026)
• • Summer Street Party (August 2026)
• • Florence Brass Band Concert & Burma Star Commemoration (August 2026)
• • Vegan Market (September 2026)
• • Classic Car Event (possibly July 2026)
• • Bike Event (possibly August 2026)
• • Alternative Car Event (September 2026)
• • Any suggested new future events

To consider Stone Traders’ Group’s proposed event schedule for 2026 (attached).

To consider the future of Rebekah, the narrow boat on the canal bridge.

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

• • Remembrance Plaques Working Group (Co-ordinator: L. Davies)
• • Market Strategy Working Group (Co-ordinator: J. Hood)
• • Friendship Agreement Working Group (Co-ordinator: J. Davies)

Councillors: J. Hood, B. Kenney, R. Kenney, J. Metters and A. Mottershead

None made.

None received.

None received.

The Minutes of the Tourism & Town Promotion Sub-Committee meeting held on 16 September 2025 (Minute Numbers TTP26/010 – TTP26/016), were approved as a correct record.

The Sub-Committee considered the Town Council’s Calendar of Events and gave updates on events that had taken place:

2025 – Taken Place

• • Vegan Market (20 September 2025): Good reports had been received about the Vegan Market with lots of stalls and variety of produce/goods on offer.
• • Classic Car Event (27 September 2025): The Classic Car show was a successful well attended event with impressive numbers visiting town to view the exhibits.

2025/2026 – Upcoming/Agreed

• • Christmas Lights Switch-On (Thursday 20 November 2025): The Chairman reported that preparations for the Switch-On were in hand and that volunteer stewards had been recruited.
• • Texas Flag Raising (Monday 29 December 2025): Councillor Davies advised the Sub-Committee that the usual arrangements would apply with the December 2025 event being low key.
• • Texas Flag Raising (Saturday 7 March 2026): Councillor Davies advised the Sub-Committee that the usual arrangements would apply in March 2026.

Other Events

In the absence of the Sub-Committee Chairman, Councillor Hood, the detailed arrangements for the other events listed on the agenda were not discussed at this time.

Any suggested new future events

Suggestions were made that the Sub-Committee should consider a formal opening of the Heritage Centre and an Armed Forces Day event.

Remembrance Plaques Working Group
Councillor L. Davies advised that the Remembrance plaques continued to be a work in progress. It was suggested the project could be launched at the same time as the opening of the Heritage centre.

Market Strategy Working Group
The Town Clerk advised that the Markets Working Group had not yet arranged their meeting.

Friendship Agreement Working Group
Councillor J. Davies advised that a draft policy document had been formulated but the Group would meet when the direction of local government reorganisation was clearer.

We would like to thank Stone Town Council for their continued support. The events held within the town are widely recognised as essential for increasing footfall and engaging both residents and visitors.

The Stone Traders Group is responsible for organising all scheduled events throughout 2026. To facilitate smooth running, the Group enlists external support for administration and logistics, covered by income generated from the events.

The events will take place on the third Friday of each month, running from June through to October, between 15:00 and 21:00.

• Friday 17th April
• Friday 19th June
• Friday 17th July
• Friday 21st August
• Friday 18th September

Recognising its value in 2025, many services expressed interest in repeating the event in 2026 to foster connections with residents and children.

We would like STC to consider providing a subsidy for 2026 to reinstate free activities for children. We also request to run this on Saturday 31st October.

Proposed dates:

• Saturday 28th November 10.00am – 3.00pm (or Sunday 29th Nov)
• Sunday 13th December 10.00am – 3.00pm

Scheduled for Friday 8th May to Sunday 10th May 2026 at Westbridge Park.

The purpose of this report is to determine the level of budget for services under its control that the Sub-Committee wishes to recommend to the General Purposes Committee.

The standstill budget was prepared on the basis that all Council services will continue at broadly their current level.

• a. The Christmas Lights budget includes electricity and contract payments but not switch-on event costs.
• b. Tourism and Town Promotion includes hanging baskets (£6,000), switch-on event (£4,300), and general promotion (£16,000).
• c. Town Market income and expenditure are budgeted at current levels with a £2,000 maintenance contingency.

The Sub-Committee is asked to recommend their proposed budget for consideration by the General Purposes Committee.