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.

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

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 1 July 2025, Minute Numbers GP26/033 – GP26/047 (attached).

• a) Tourism & Town Promotion Sub-Committee held on 15 July 2025, Minute Numbers TTP26/001 – TTP26/009 (attached)
• i. To consider the draft minutes
• b) Environment Sub-Committee held on 15 July 2025, Minute Numbers ENV26/001 – ENV26/009 (attached)
• i. To consider the draft minutes
• c) Mayor’s Charity Sub-Committee held on 15 July 2025, Minute Numbers MC26/001 – MC26/006 (attached)
• i. To consider the draft minutes

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

To discuss the Stafford Borough Council proposals for the reorganisation of local government in Staffordshire.

Attached to the agenda is the public survey recently launched across Cannock Chase, Stafford Borough, and other Southern and Mid Staffordshire areas of the County whose councils are working collectively towards a business case to submit to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on proposals for Local Government Reorganisation (LCR).

The survey will help shape the future of LGR in the county and residents; businesses, partners and organisations have been encouraged to take part.

Although the survey close date is Monday 1 September, and the Borough Council is unable to extend the deadline, engagement around Local Government Reorganisation continues and Stafford Borough Council will be in full consultation with the Town Council before the final submission is made to the Government in November 2025.

To consider a Stafford Borough Council consultation seeking views on its Planning Application Validation Criteria which set out the information needed to assess planning applications.

An email from Stafford Borough Council and a copy of the ‘Planning Application Validation Guidance and Local Validation Criteria’ are attached.

The consultation close date is 17 October 2025.

To consider an update on the Stone Heritage Centre.

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

To receive updates from Working Group co-ordinators:

• a) Stone Heritage Centre Steering Group (Chairman: R. Kenney)
• b) Engagement with Young People Working Group (Co-ordinator: K. Dawson)

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

Apologies were received from Councillors: K. Dawson, I. Fordham, B. Kenney, R. Kenney, P. Leason, J. Metters, A. Mottershead, J. Powell and N. Powell.

Where a reason for absence is given, this reason was approved for the purposes of Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972.

Councillor Hood declared an interest in agenda item 9 (Minute Number GP26/041) – Grant to Local Organisations (Stone Choral Society).

There were none.

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

County Councillor Andrew Mynors: Councillor Mynors was not in attendance at the meeting.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the General Purposes Committee meeting held on 3 June 2025 (Minute Numbers GP26/018 – GP26/032), be approved as a correct record.

The Committee considered requests for grant aid:

• a. Organisation: Stone Choral Society. Awarded: £500.
• b. Organisation: First Oulton Scout Group. Awarded: £500.
• c. Organisation: Florence Brass Band. Awarded: £500.
• d. Organisation: Oak Tree Farm Rural Project. RESOLVED: To decline the award of a grant.

The Deputy Town Clerk advised the Committee of the following updates:

• • Both the VE Day and Mr BuzzKing’s Puppet Things exhibitions had received more than 200 visitors.
• • Walton Primary School made a surprise/impromptu visit on 30 June 2025.
• • Items for the VJ Day exhibition are in development for the August celebration.

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

Stone Area Parish Liaison Group: Councillor J. Davies advised a meeting would be called regarding ‘Local Government Reorganisation’.

Stone ATC: Councillor J. Davies advised the Squadron was thriving with a waiting list and called for support for a larger building.

Stafford District Access Group: Councillor Kelt advised the Annual Meeting took place on 23 June 2025.

The Sub-Committee noted updates on events:

• • St George’s Day Re-enactment: A great success; team confirmed for next year.
• • Floating Market: Very successful; drew many new people to the town.
• • Summer Street Party (16 August 2025): Headline act is Fleetwood Mad.
• • Christmas Lights Switch-On (20 November 2025): Kath Stanway to compere; new lighting displays planned.

General: Publicity articles have been well received by the public.

Himalayan Balsam: Four pulling sessions have successfully cleared a significant area.

The Scrapes: Maintenance work removing invasive Willow saplings has been successful; discussions held on deepening Scrape Two.

The National Joint Council for Local Government Services (NJC) has reached an agreement on rates of pay applicable from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

The agreement results in a 3.2% increase on all salary points, backdated to 1st April 2025. The impact on the Council budget is an increase of approximately £1,700, which can be contained within the existing budget provision.

• 02/06/2025 – Prism Solutions (Leased line) – £170.79
• 04/06/2025 – A Little Bit of Stone (Article) – £150.00
• 05/06/2025 – The Puppet Tree (Event) – £1,250.00
• 05/06/2025 – Stafford Borough Council (Service Charge) – £5,156.85
• 25/06/2025 – The Arch Rent Collectors (SSTN Rent) – £1,550.00
• 03/07/2025 – Christmas Plus (Festive Display) – £7,650.00
• 04/07/2025 – MJ Plant (Grounds Maintenance) – £1,784.00
• 10/07/2025 – The Secret Kitchen (Civic Sunday Catering) – £1,350.00
• 17/07/2025 – PPL PRS Music Rights (Licensing) – £1,654.54
• 25/07/2025 – Prism Solutions (IT Managed Service) – £1,421.17

Total Payments for Period: £54,942.46