Town Clerk: Les Trigg

15 Station Road, STONE, ST15 8JP

Tel: 01785 619740 | Email: clerk@stonetowncouncil.gov.uk

23 June 2025

Dear Councillor,

A meeting of the GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE will be held in the Council Chamber at 15 Station Road, Stone, on TUESDAY 1 JULY 2025 at 7:05pm, or on the rising of the Council meeting, if later. The agenda is set out below and I trust you will be able to attend.

Les Trigg, Town Clerk

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 3 June 2025, Minute Numbers GP26/018 – GP26/032 (attached).

There are no Sub-Committee draft Minutes.

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

• a. Organisation: Stone Choral Society
• Amount Requested: £500
• Reason: To support the costs of performing ‘Stone Circles’ at Crown Wharf on 1 November 2025, which includes music hire, advertising, professional musicians, collaboration with Acceler8 and production expenses.

• b. Organisation: First Oulton Scout Group
• Amount Requested: £500
• Reason: To support the purchase of safety equipment (first aid kit and fire extinguishers) and additional equipment (such as gas burners, propane tanks and camping equipment) to help cater for the size of the group.

• c. Organisation: Florence Brass Band
• Amount Requested: £500
• Reason: To support the purchase of uniform and equipment including polo shirts, music folders and rolling stand cases with the aim of keeping performance fees affordable for local community groups.

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

NOTE: These applications do not meet the Council’s approved grants criteria, so will not be considered unless a motion is moved and seconded for each application individually that the criteria is waived, and the application approved:

• d. Organisation: Oak Tree Farm Rural Project
• Amount Requested: £473
• Reason: To support the replacement of gardening equipment to be used by team members.
• i. Turnover is over £100,000
• ii. Level of reserves

To consider an update on the Stone Heritage Centre.

To receive a list of payments made by the Council during the period 1 to 31 May 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)

• Stone Area Parish Liaison Group – Cllr J. Davies
• Stone ATC – 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

To confirm as a correct record the Confidential Minutes of the General Purposes Committee held on 3 June 2025, Minute Numbers GP26/018 and GP26/032 (attached).

PRESENT: Councillor R. Kenney in the Chair, and Councillors: A. Best, J. Davies, L. Davies, I. Fordham, J. Hood, T. Kelt, B. Kenney, P. Leason, J. Metters, J. Powell, N. Powell, C. Thornicroft and R. Townsend

Officers: L. Trigg, R. Edwards and T. Williams

ABSENT: Councillors: J. Battrick, A. Burgess, K. Dawson and A. Mottershead

Apologies were received from Councillors: J. Battrick, K. Dawson and A. Mottershead. Reasons for absence were approved under Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972.

Councillor Townsend declared an interest in agenda item 9 (Minute Number GP26/026) – Grant to Local Organisation.

The Committee considered a request for a dispensation from Councillor Townsend to allow him to answer questions regarding the grant application for Aston Lodge Residents Association.

RESOLVED: That Councillor Townsend be granted a dispensation to speak but not vote on the item.

County Councillor Jill Hood advised that she had no report on this occasion. County Councillor Andrew Mynors was unable to attend.

Councillor Leason provided an update on the Food Waste Working Group and discussions regarding Stafford Borough Council’s consideration of a food waste system for next year.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the General Purposes Committee meeting held on 20 May 2025 (Minute Numbers GP26/001 – GP26/017), be approved as a correct record.

Organisation: Aston Lodge Residents Association. Amount Requested: £500. Reason: Purchase of a heavy-duty cordless strimmer and leaf blower.

RESOLVED: To award a grant of £500 to Aston Lodge Residents Association.

The Town Clerk updated the committee on the successful puppetry event ‘Mr BuzzKing’s Puppet Things’. Discussions followed regarding external signage for the building to improve visibility for the public.

Councillor Kelt updated the Committee on West Midlands Railway matters, specifically timetable stability and accessibility issues at Stone Station, including the platform gap and north-bound access.

RESOLVED: The Committee agreed to re-appoint to the post of Marketing and Events Organiser in line with the recommendations outlined in the Town Clerk’s report.

As at 31st December 2024

• Total Fixed Assets: £260,552
• Total Current Assets (Bank, Deposits, Cash): £281,204
• Total Assets: £555,666
• Accumulated Funds at 31 December 2024: £547,079

Income Summary 2024:

• Fees Charged: £244,526
• General Sales: £36,325
• Tearoom Takings: £104,265
• Donations & Grants: £54,140
• Total Income: £431,549

• 01/05/2025 – Prism Solutions – Leased line rental – £170.79
• 01/05/2025 – Bullfinch Ltd – Rose Beacon – £549.00
• 02/05/2025 – CE & PS Ltd – Barriers and Elec Supply – £514.60
• 02/05/2025 – Stone House Hotel – Civic Dinner – £1,528.25
• 02/05/2025 – Stone Retinue – St Georges Day Knights – £800.00
• 06/05/2025 – Stafford Borough Council – Rates (FJC/SSTN/Market) – £480.00
• 07/05/2025 – Christmas Plus – VE Day bunting installation – £1,310.00
• 14/05/2025 – Worknest – Health & Safety Subscription – £2,636.00
• 16/05/2025 – Panda Press – HC Printing/Panels – £839.00
• 18/05/2025 – Zurich Municipal – Insurance cover – £1,147.73
• 30/05/2025 – Zurich Municipal – Insurance cover – £6,571.03

Total Payments for Period: £25,269.93