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) General Purposes Committee meeting held on 2 September 2025, Minute Numbers GP26/048 – GP26/062 (attached).
• b) Planning Consultative Committee meeting held on 2 September 2025, Minute Numbers PC26/019 – PC26/024 (attached).

To award the winners of the Allotments Competition 2025.

To note receipt of the External Auditor’s Report and Certificate for the year ending 31 March 2025. A letter from the External Auditor and the External Auditor’s Report and Certificate is attached.

Before the meeting began, Reverend Paul Kingman, led prayers.

Apologies were received from Councillors: J. Battrick, L. Davies, I. Fordham, T. Kelt, B. Kenney, A. Mottershead and C. Thornicroft

None made.

None received.

None

RESOLVED:

• a) That the minutes of the meeting of the Town Council held on 1 July 2025 (Minute Numbers C26/024 – C26/034), be approved as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

• a) The draft minutes of the General Purposes Committee meeting held on 1 July 2025 (Minute Numbers GP26/033 – GP26/047), were noted.
• b) The draft minutes of the Planning Consultative Committee meeting held on 1 July 2025 (Minute Numbers PC26/013 – PC26/018), were noted.

The Town Mayor invited Past Town Mayor, Councillor Philip Leason, to come forward to thank his Cadets for their conscientious service through the now completed mayoral year 2024-25, and to award certificates of appreciation in acknowledgement of their duty and support.

Sergeant James Haycock served as Mayor’s Air Cadet, representing 2352 (Stone) Squadron Air Training Corps, and Corporal Madison Twigg served as Mayor’s Army Cadet, representing Stone Detachment (Mercian Regiment) Army Cadets.

The Past Town Mayor, Councillor Philip Leason, awarded £2,500 of his Mayor’s Charity appeal 2024-25, to Mr Steve Fisher, CFR Coordinator, and his colleagues from Stone Community First Responders.

The Information* for Quarter ending 30 June 2025 was noted.

The Civic Announcements, which had previously been circulated, were noted.

The Town Mayor’s and Deputy Town Mayor’s reports of engagements, which had previously been circulated, were noted.

Apologies were received from Councillors: J. Battrick, L. Davies, I. Fordham, T. Kelt, B. Kenney, A. Mottershead and C. Thornicroft.

County Councillor Jill Hood advised the Committee that she had no report on this occasion.

Councillor Jon Powell gave a report on a Borough Council Economic Development & Planning Scrutiny Committee meeting. He discussed the operation of Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) and expressed concern over spills into the River Trent.

RESOLVED: That the Town Council accepts the recommendations of the Town Clerk and adopts the new 2025-26 salary levels for staff on national local government pay scales.

The Chairman introduced the leader of Stafford Borough Council, Councillor Aiden Godfrey, who briefed the Committee on local government reorganisation in Staffordshire.

• • The recommendation that a North unitary authority and a South unitary authority be set up in Staffordshire.
• • The North unitary authority would comprise Staffordshire Moorlands, Newcastle under Lyme and Stoke on Trent.
• • The South unitary authority would comprise Stafford, South Staffordshire, Lichfield, Cannock, Tamworth and East Staffordshire.

The Deputy Town Clerk advised the Committee that the Heritage Centre welcomed its 1000th visitor this year and recently hosted the VJ Day 80 exhibition.

Application Number – 25/4 0938/HOU
Location – Orchid Cottage, 33 Eccleshall Road, Stone
Development – Removal of existing covered store and provision of two storey side/rear extension and terrace
Observations: No objections

Application Number – 25/40877/FUL
Location – Block 1 & 2 (Phase 1) Stone Business Park, Diamond Way, Stone
Development – Variation of Condition 7 (hours of operation)
Observations: No objections as long as disturbance to Brooms Park residents is avoided.

On the basis of our review of Sections 1 and 2 of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return, in our opinion the information in Sections 1 and 2 of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return is in accordance with Proper Practices.

Saturday 6 September – Nicholson War Memorial Centenary, Leek
The town of Leek was bustling with visitors and residents for the centenary of the Nicholson War Memorial.

Thursday 11 September – RAF TSW Battle of Britain Dinner, MOD Stafford
The Mayor attended the Officers Mess Hall and heard historical vignettes regarding the Battle of Britain.

Saturday 13 September – Railway 200 Heritage Open Day
Event commemorating 200 years of railways with tours through the town.

Saturday 27 September – Classic Car Event
Classic car owners from around the region displayed vehicles throughout the high street.

Thursday 2 October – Stone Alzheimer’s Club 19th Birthday Celebration
Celebration for the 19th Birthday of the Stone Alzheimer’s Club.

14 September – Battle of Britain Commemoration
Attended the civic service to commemorate the Anniversary of the Battle of Britain.