Apologies were received from Councillors: J. Battrick, K. Dawson and A. Mottershead.

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 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 in relation to agenda item 9 (Minute Number GP26/026).

Councillor Townsend had in advance of the meeting requested a dispensation to allow him to answer any questions from Councillors about the grant application submitted on behalf of Aston Lodge Residents Association and to provide clarification where needed. A copy of the written request was distributed to each Town Councillor present at the meeting.

RESOLVED: That Councillor Townsend be granted a dispensation to speak but not vote on agenda item 9 (Minute Number GP26/026) – Grant to Local Organisation.

The Chairman invited County Councillors to address the Committee:

County Councillor Jill Hood
Councillor Hood advised the Committee that, as the new term was just beginning, she had no report on this occasion.

County Councillor Andrew Mynors
Councillor Mynors was unable to attend the meeting and had sent his apologies.

The Chairman invited Borough Councillors to address the Committee.

Councillor Leason advised the Committee that, as a member of the Food Waste Working Group, he had been involved in meeting Newcastle Under Lyme Borough Council who were already operating a food waste system. The working group was looking at costs and the system was under consideration for introducing in Stafford, next year.

Councillor Leason said there had been a big debate about whether Stafford Borough Council should provide plastic liners (for external household caddies) in line with the Newcastle Under Lyme approach, but most of the working group were against providing them.

None

RESOLVED:

• a) 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.

There were no Sub-Committee draft minutes.

The Committee considered a request for grant aid from the following organisation which met the criteria within the Council’s grants policy:

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

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

The Committee considered an update on Stone Heritage Centre.

The Town Clerk advised the Committee that puppetry event ‘Mr BuzzKing’s Puppet Things’ which ran from Friday 30 May to Monday 2 June 2025 had gone very well and was successful.

A Committee member raised a question about when a ‘Heritage Centre’ sign would be installed on the outside of the building as people were having difficulty finding it.

The Town Clerk advised the Committee that the large sign at the building’s frontage was originally going to say, ‘Stone Heritage Centre’ but the decision had not been documented, and current management at Joules preferred the sign displaying ‘Joules Fire Station’.

A suggestion had previously been made to use the windows to display ‘Stone Heritage Centre’, accompanied by an A board, which the Heritage Centre Manager was looking into.

A Committee member suggested installing a sign on the side of the building adjoining the Crown Wharf car park so that it would be seen by traffic on Crown Street. The Town Clerk confirmed that all signage options secured to the external structure of the building would have to be agreed by Joules Brewery.

Another proposal was to introduce a main frontage sign saying ‘Stone Fire Station and Stone Heritage Centre’.

The Chairman reassured the Committee that the matter was receiving consideration.

RESOLVED: To note the list* of Town Council payments made during the period 1 to 30 April 2025.

Stone Heritage Centre Steering Group
There was no additional update from the Steering Group.

Engagement with Young People
Councillor Dawson was not available to give a report.

Stone Area Parish Liaison Group
Councillor J. Davies advised the Committee that a meeting would be called as soon as possible.

Stone ATC
Councillor J. Davies advised the Committee that the next meeting of 2352 (Stone) Squadron ATC would be the Annual General Meeting on 24 June 2025.

Age Concern Stone & District
Councillor Thornicroft advised the Committee that no meeting had taken place.

Stafford District Access Group
Councillor Kelt advised the Committee that the next meeting would be the Annual Meeting on 23 June 2025.

Stone Common Plot Trustees
Councillor Thornicroft advised the Committee that the last meeting of the Stone Common Plot Trustees was the Annual General Meeting (on 7 May 2025) which had been reported upon.

Stone Community Hub Liaison Group
It was confirmed there had been no meeting of Stone Community Hub Liaison Group.

SPCA Executive Committee
Councillor Kelt informed the Committee that there had been no meeting.

West Midlands Railway and other Rail Matters
Councillor Kelt advised the Committee that a meeting had taken place on 29 May 2025 where the main discussions affecting Stone were timetable changes (of which there were none), a number of travel problems, access to trains at Stone including the gap between the platform and train, access to north bound trains, and questions about the proposed parking charges on Station Approach. Councillor Kelt advised the Committee that Sir Gavin Williamson MP had been approached for support.

The meeting was suspended at this point and then reconvened after the Planning Consultative Committee meeting had taken place.

To resolve, pursuant to the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, that the Public and Press be excluded from the meeting whilst the next items of business are discussed on the grounds that publicity would be prejudicial to public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the debate.

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

The Committee considered the report* of the Town Clerk which had been enclosed with the agenda for the meeting.

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.