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.

Minute Numbers C26/074 – C26/083 (attached).

• a) Planning Consultative Committee meeting held on 17 February 2026, Minute Numbers PC26/049 – PC26/054 (attached).

Members of the public are welcome to attend the Town Council meeting as observers and/or to make representations to the committee in accordance with the Council’s scheme of public participation. Details of the scheme are displayed in the Council’s notice boards and website. Please access the Council Chamber from the rear of the building.

PRESENT: Councillor J. Metters in the Chair and Councillors: A. Burgess, J. Davies, L. Davies, B. Kenney, P. Leason and C. Thornicroft

ABSENT: Councillors: J. Battrick, A. Best, K. Dawson, I. Fordham, J. Hood, T. Kelt, R. Kenney, A. Mottershead, J. Powell, N. Powell and R. Townsend

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

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

Apologies were received from Councillors: A. Best, K. Dawson, I. Fordham, J. Hood, T. Kelt, R. Kenney, A. Mottershead, J. Powell, N. Powell and R. Townsend

None made.

None received.

None

RESOLVED:

• a) That the minutes of the meeting of the Town Council held on 9 December 2025 (Minute Numbers C26/065 – C26/073), be approved as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

• a) The minutes of the General Purposes Committee meeting held on 9 December 2025 (Minute Numbers GP26/092 – GP26/103), were noted.
• b) The Minutes of the Planning Consultative Committee meeting held on 9 December 2025 (Minute Numbers PC26/037 – PC26/042), were noted.
• c) The draft Minutes of the Planning Consultative Committee meeting held on 13 January 2026 (Minute Numbers PC26/043 – PC26/048), were noted.
• d) The draft Minutes of the General Purposes Committee meeting held on 3 February 2026 (Minute Numbers GP26/104 – GP26/118), were noted. The recommendations included in Minute GP26/113 were considered as part of agenda item 7 (Minute Number C26/080).

The Town Council considered the Town Clerk’s budget report, which reflected the recommendations of the General Purposes Committee on 3 February 2026. The Town Council considered a Proposal on the ‘Revenue Budget 2026-27 to 2028-29’ including the budget, precept and Council Tax for 2026-27, indicative budgets for 2026-27 and 2028-29, and recommendation for the wording of the Council Tax leaflet.

RESOLVED: In respect of the Town Council’s budget for 2026-27 to 2028-29:

• 1. The Budget recommended by the General Purposes Committee on 3rd February 2026, as included in the draft minutes at Council agenda item 6(d) and set out in the Clerk’s report to this meeting, is agreed.
• 2. The 2026-27 Council Tax for this Council’s purposes should be £66.99 for a Band D property, an increase for the year of £3.00, with indicative Council Tax levels of £70.27 and £73.71 for the following two years. This would result in a precept on Stafford Borough Council for 2026-27 of £431,362.01. Local Council Tax Support Grant of £29,184.05 would be added to this.
• 3. The wording for the 2026-27 Council Tax leaflet should be:

“Stone Town Council provides services for the people and town of Stone. These services include the provision of community facilities, such as the Frank Jordan and Stone Station community centres, Stone Heritage Centre, allotment sites at Newcastle Road and Mount Road, and the Crown Meadow Nature Reserve and Amphitheatre.

The 2026-27 budget includes additional funding to provide support further improvements at Crown Meadow, the replacement of outdated Christmas Light decorations, additional support for the summer children’s event and improvements to the Frank Jordan Centre car park.

Investing in and working to promote a vibrant town and encourage visitors is a key Town Council priority. In order to support this, the Council organises regular events such as the Town Market and monthly Craft Market together with town centre events such as the Summer Street Party, the Classic Car event and the St Georges Day celebration. Christmas lights are provided in the High Street and at Walton, with the Council’s annual switch-on event being one of highlights of the town year. The High Street environment is enhanced by the Council’s provision of hanging baskets and bunting along the High Street, and noticeboards and fingerposts throughout the town.

The Stone Heritage Centre has seen an encouraging start, with well over 2,500 visitors to date. Exhibitions have included Remembrance Sunday, VE Day, VJ Day and Railway 200, alongside a number of art exhibitions and a number of well attended talks.

The Council provides bus shelters, benches and dog bins throughout the area and takes responsibility for the upkeep of many local amenities and planted areas. It also provides grants and other support to help charitable and community organisations such as the Stone Community Hub, organises remembrance events, and Council staff supply regular support and advice to local residents.

By considering the impact of every planning application, the Council seeks to develop and conserve the town, and its approved Neighbourhood Plan helps the Council to shape and protect the future of Stone.

At its monthly meetings the Council welcomes questions from the public and sets aside time to listen and respond. Assistance with public questions will gladly be given by the Council’s staff.”

• 4. The Town Clerk is authorised to seek tenders/quotations, place orders and make payments in accordance with this budget, the Council’s policies, and Financial Regulations.

The information for Quarter ending 31 December 2025 was noted.

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

The Deputy Town Mayor’s reports of engagements, which had previously been circulated, were noted. The Town Mayor’s report will be issued with the agenda for the next Council meeting.

PRESENT: Councillor C. Thornicroft in the Chair, and Councillors: A. Burgess, J. Davies, L. Davies, B. Kenney, P. Leason and J. Metters

ABSENT: Councillors: J. Battrick, A. Best, K. Dawson, I. Fordham, J. Hood, T. Kelt, R. Kenney, A. Mottershead, J. Powell, N. Powell and R. Townsend

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

Apologies were received from Councillors: A. Best, K. Dawson, I. Fordham, J. Hood, T. Kelt, R. Kenney, A. Mottershead, J. Powell, N. Powell and R. Townsend

Councillor C. Thornicroft declared a pecuniary interest in planning application 25/41467/HOU – 141 Lichfield Road.

None

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Planning Consultative Committee meeting held on 13 January 2026 (Minute Numbers PC26/043 – PC26/048), be approved as a correct record.

Application Number – 25/41303/FUL
Applicant – Mancot Limited
Location – Unit 2 TDG Logistics Cold Store, Stone Business park, Opal Way, Stone
Development – Side extension to warehouse, internal alterations and external fire escapes to offices with elevations alterations and replacement cladding to building.
Observations: No objections

Application Number – 25/41479/HOU
Applicant – Mr & Mrs Hadley
Location – Stoneygate House, 14 Eccleshall Road, Stone
Development – Two storey side/rear extension
Observations: No objections

Application Number – 25/41467/HOU
Applicant – Mr J. Hunt
Location – Harwood House, 141 Lichfield Road, Stone
Development – Two storey extension to the rear of the house with two Juliet balconies. Demolition of existing garage. Single storey side extension to the house to include replacement garage. Internal alterations.
Observations: The Town Council objects to this planning application on the grounds that residents of neighbouring homes have raised some legitimate concerns which it asks the Local Planning Authority to consider carefully. Town Councillors believe the maintenance and preservation of the street scene to be extremely important.

Application Number – 25/41505/HOU
Applicant – Ms J. Eames
Location – 24 Airdale Road, Stone
Development – Replacement of flat roof with pitched roof. Demolish existing rear lean to building.
Observations: No objections

Application Number – 26/41647/HOU
Applicant – Mr & Mrs W. & E. Flanagan
Location – 19 Oakleigh Court, Stone
Development – Two storey part single storey extension at rear, porch extension to front together with internal remodelling
Observations: No objections

Application Number – 26/41683/POTH
Applicant – Plantcare Foliage Display Specialists Limited
Location – Unit 4 Stone Enterprise Centre, Emerald Way, Stone
Development – Prior Approval: 6kw roof solar installation
Observations: No objections

Application Number – 25/41421/FUL
Applicant – Bright Stars Education & Training Ltd
Location – 1 – 3 Radford Street, Stone
Development – Change of use from a drinking establishment/restaurant (Use Class E(b)) to an education and examination centre for special educational needs (SEN) and home-schooled (F1)
Observations: No objections

Application Number – 25/41347/FUL
Applicant – George Developments Limited
Location – Land off A34, Opposite George and Dragon PH, Stone Road, Meaford
Development – Creation of an Electric Vehicle Charging Hub comprising 31 charging bays equipped with solar panels and a substation (Sui Generis), picnic areas and a drive-through restaurant (Use Class E), with associated access, car and cycle parking, and landscaping.
Observations: The Town Council wishes to submit its previous objections in response to planning application 24/39125/FUL.

• • The proposed development will have a harmful effect on the openness of the Green Belt and the natural environment.
• • The proposal constitutes inappropriate development in the Green Belt.
• • There is no Environmental Impact Assessment identifying, evaluating and mitigating the environmental impacts.
• • There are many alternative and more suitable brownfield sites.
• • The application site is within Flood Zones 2 and 3 with risk of flooding from the River Trent.
• • Concerns are expressed about the impact of light on the river ecosystem.
• • The development will create a significant increase in traffic volumes on the A34.
• • The application is presented as a green project when its purpose appears to be opening another fast-food restaurant.

Town Mayor

• Thursday 5 March – Stone Trefoil Guild Annual General Meeting
• Saturday 7 March – Texas Flag Raising in Stone High Street
• Saturday 21 March – Newcastle under Lyme Mayor’s Ball at Keele University
• Tuesday 31 March – Girlguiding Stone Division: 50th Anniversary Production
• Wednesday 1 April – St Dominic’s Priory School Play
• Saturday 4 April – Town Mayor’s Street Collection & Easter Egg Trail

Deputy Mayor

No engagements on this occasion

The Stone Scout Group performed some lovely nativity and carol songs at Saint Michael’s. It was entertaining to see the parents and leaders allowing just the right amount of mischief to ensure that the scouts had big grins on our faces!

I had the great pleasure of attending St Michael’s again for this year’s Civic Carol Service. I took the opportunity to thank our community for making it the “happiest town in Staffordshire”.

I had the nice opportunity to visit Little Stoke Cricket Club for a drink and nibbles with the Stone Stroke Club. I really appreciated their lively personalities.

The Stone Choral Society have become my “new favourite band” this year. The Crown Wharf Theatre was the perfect venue for their wonderful acoustics.

Stafford’s Court Opening was a real insight into our country’s traditions as it pertains to the judiciary. It was wonderful to see The High Sheriff, Tim Gillow.

Jonathan Powell was the star of the show hosting this year’s pub quiz event at the Frank Jordan Centre. We managed to raise roughly £800 on the night.

The Deputy Town Mayor attended a number of Advent Window Openings during December 2025.