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 Town Council held on 1 July 2025, Minute Numbers C26/024 – C26/034 (attached).

• a) General Purposes Committee meeting held on 1 July 2025, Minute Numbers GP26/033 – GP26/047 (attached).
• b) Planning Consultative Committee meeting held on 1 July 2025, Minute Numbers PC26/013 – PC26/018 (attached).

Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations 2014
Information for Quarter ending 30 June 2025 (attached).

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

None made.

None received.

None

RESOLVED:

• a) That the minutes of the meeting of the Town Council held on 3 June 2025 (Minute Numbers C26/012 – C26/023), be approved as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

• a) The draft minutes of the General Purposes Committee meeting held on 3 June 2025 (Minute Numbers GP26/018 – GP26/032), were noted.
• b) The draft minutes of the Planning Consultative Committee meeting held on 3 June 2025 (Minute Numbers PC26/007 – PC26/012), were noted.

The Deputy Town Clerk deferred this item which was reconvened during a break in the General Purposes Committee meeting, later in the evening, when Mrs Campbell Kelly and Mrs Gale had arrived at the Council Chamber.

The Deputy Town Mayor invited Councillor Jill Hood to lead the Town Council’s expression of grateful thanks to Mrs Sue Campbell-Kelly and Mrs Mary Gale for their dedicated support in running the musical elements of the Town Council’s Christmas Lights Switch-On events over the previous 25 years.

Councillor Hood addressed the ladies, thanking them for their role as ambassadors for music, educators, performers, and community champions. On behalf of Stone Town Councillors and office staff, Councillor Hood thanked Sue and Mary most sincerely for everything.

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.

The Deputy Town Mayor advised the Council that he had had a great time in the Stone Carnival Parade and judged the Dog Derby event on Carnival Sunday.

RESOLVED: To exclude the Press and Public from the next item of business.

The Confidential Minutes of the General Purposes Committee held on 3 June 2025, Minute Numbers GP26/018 and GP26/032 were noted.

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

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

County Councillor Jill Hood advised the Committee that she had no report on this occasion. County Councillor Andrew Mynors was not in attendance.

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

The Committee considered an update on Stone Heritage Centre. Both the VE Day and Mr BuzzKing’s Puppet Things exhibitions had received more than 200 visitors. Items for the VJ Day exhibition were in development for the August celebration.

Councillor T. Kelt declared an interest in planning application 25/40687/HOU. RESOLVED: That Councillor Kelt be granted a dispensation to speak but not vote.

Application Number 25/40661/HOU (2 Orchard Close): No objections.

Application Number 25/40501/HOU (39 Hill Drive): The Town Council supports the objections raised by residents and County Highways.

Application Number 25/40576/HOU (57 Saddler Avenue): No objections in principle, but seek clarification on parking and construction details.

Application Number 25/40687/HOU (33 The Avenue): No comments were made.

Application Number 25/40605/ADV (Stone Business Park): No objections.

Application Number 25/40718/HOU (126 Oulton Road): No objections.

• 1. Invitations to Tender for Contracts Exceeding £5,000: None
• 2. Contracted Agreements Exceeding £5,000: None

• 02/04/2025: The Arch Rent Collectors – Rent increase – £2,130.19
• 08/04/2025: Dauphin – 5x Half mannequins – £1,055.00
• 11/04/2025: MJ Plant – Restoration of Scrape 2 – £2,800.00
• 11/04/2025: MJ Plant – Improvements to Anglers Carpark – £3,100.00
• 11/04/2025: MJ Plant – Christmas Trees/Lights – £2,100.00
• 25/04/2025: Prism Solutions – IT Managed Service – £1,393.90
• 02/05/2025: Stone House Hotel – Civic Dinner – £1,528.25
• 18/05/2025: Zurich Municipal – Insurance cover – £1,147.73
• 05/06/2025: Stafford Borough Council – Service Charge – £5,156.85
• 30/06/2025: Zurich Municipal – Insurance Cover – £6,571.03

Sunday 15 June: Biddulph Town Mayor’s Civic Service

Sunday 22 June: St Michael’s 10K Road Race – I had the great pleasure of starting the race.

Wednesday 2 July: Community Open Day at Stone Station Community Centre

Saturday 5 July: Stone Choral Society’s Summer Concert

Sunday 13 July: Civic Sunday & Mayor Making in Stone

Friday 15 August: VJ Day 80 Flag Raising Ceremony

Sunday 17 August: Florence Brass Band Concert & VJ Day Commemoration in Stonefield Park

Sunday 29 June: Church at the Crossing Community Fun Day

Saturday 5 July: Stone Rocks Festival at Christ Church Academy

Wednesday 9 July: Celebration Evening at Christ Church Academy

Sunday 13 July: Stone Town Council’s Civic Sunday