Town Clerk: Les Trigg

15 Station Road, Stone, ST15 8JP

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

10 September 2025

Dear Councillor,

A meeting of the ENVIRONMENT SUB COMMITTEE will be held in the Council Chamber at 15 Station Road, Stone, on TUESDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2025 at 7:05pm, or on the rising of the Tourism & Town Promotion Sub-Committee, if later.

The agenda is set out below and I trust you will be able to attend.

Les Trigg, Town Clerk

Councillors: R. Townsend (Chairman), T. Kelt (Vice Chairman), J. Battrick, A. Burgess, B. Kenney, J. Metters, J. Powell, N. Powell and C. Thornicroft.

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 Environment Sub-Committee held on 15 July 2025, Minute No’s ENV26/001 – ENV26/009 (attached)

To receive an update on the work being undertaken by the Council’s Grounds Maintenance contractor (update attached) and to consider any variations required.

To receive an update from the Chairman

• • Environmental Working Group (Co-ordinator: Councillor R. Townsend)

Will any Councillors who wish to speak at this meeting, but are not members of the Sub-Committee, please inform the Chairman before the start of the meeting.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the Environment Sub-Committee Meeting as observers and/or to make representations to the committee in accordance with the Council’s scheme of public participation. Details of this scheme are displayed on the Town Council’s noticeboards and website.

The Council Chamber is accessed from the rear of the building.

Minutes of the meeting held in the Council Chamber at 15 Station Road, Stone, on Tuesday 15 July 2025

PRESENT: Councillor R. Townsend in the Chair and Councillors: T. Kelt, B. Kenney, R. Kenney, J. Metters, and C. Thornicroft

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

By Chairman’s Invitation: A. Best

ABSENT: Councillors: J. Battrick, A. Burgess, P. Leason, J. Powell and N. Powell

Councillors: J. Battrick, J. Powell and N. Powell

None made.

None received.

None received.

The minutes of the Environment Sub-Committee meeting held on 18 March 2025 (Minute Numbers ENV25/036 – ENV25/045), were approved as a correct record.

The Chairman drew the Sub-Committee’s attention to the Grounds Maintenance Works Update which had been enclosed with the agenda for the meeting.

The Chairman pointed out that the report had reduced in size as several of the previously listed items had been completed. He said the team were largely on top of outstanding projects and the new footpath improvement project had been added which is intended to alleviate surface water from settling on the path. The Chairman reported that he was hopeful the work would be completed before the wetter weather set in.

The Chairman provided the Sub-Committee with a further update on Crown Meadow:

Crown Meadow (General)

The Town Council was well underway with its marketing/publicity of Crown Meadow with its first article featured in the June/July edition of the Stone & Eccleshall Gazette. The article had also been published on the Town Council’s Facebook page and website, and on ‘A Little Bit of Stone’.

Numerous comments have been made by members of the public demonstrating the information had been noted and was well received. A second article was recently published on the Town Council’s Facebook page and website but would not feature in the Stone & Eccleshall Gazette this time due to a lack of editorial space. The Chairman said that he would be meeting with the Town Clerk and the Marketing and Events Organiser to look at a schedule for publishing articles about Crown Meadow over a twelve-to-eighteen-month time frame.

Site Visit with Biodiversity & Ecology Officer

The Chairman reported on a recent site walkabout with Stafford Borough Council’s Biodiversity & Ecology Officer. The overall conclusion drawn from the meeting was that the maintenance and renovation work done by the Town Council on Crown Meadow had been successful.

The Scrapes – A good amount of work had been undertaken on both scrapes one and two, involving removal of the invasive Willow saplings and a huge dig out of Scrape Two to reinstate depth. The Sub-Committee discussed the health and safety aspects of deepening the scrape and agreed this was an important consideration.

The Sub-Committee discussed introducing new species of wetland flowers to the renovated scrapes. The Chairman said consideration would be given to suitable flower varieties and costs before reporting back.

Himalayan Balsam – The Chairman reported that four Himalayan Balsam pulling sessions had taken place on the Meadow and a significant area had been cleared.

Woodland between carpark and amphitheatre – The Chairman advised that work may be needed to improve tree health and safety. The Sub-Committee explored grant aid opportunities and the possibility of inviting members of the public to sponsor a tree.

Connecting the Meadows – The Chairman reported that the Biodiversity & Ecology Officer discussed the idea of connecting the flood plain meadows with a nature walkway. This would require footbridges and access through private land. The Sub-Committee acknowledged the need to future proof planting to take account of climate change.

RESOLVED: To make the following appointments to the Environment Sub-Committee Working Group for the municipal year 2025-26:

Environmental Working Group
All Members of the Environment Sub-Committee
Co-ordinator: Councillor R. Townsend

Environmental Working Group
The Chairman advised that the main activity had been coordinating the removal of Himalayan Balsam through volunteer pulling sessions which had been very successful.

Job Description: Remove and dispose of asbestos. Asbestos survey confirmed issues as low risk and requires monitoring.

Current Status: Asbestos pile from plot 2A has been removed and stacked. MP will add to the pile as he clears other plots. Professionally removal by a specialist will be quoted once finished. March 2025: No immediate prospect of being able to remove asbestos sheeting from Plot 13 until an affordable option for new boards is reached.

Job Description: Cut back/prune existing shrubs & ivy to promote new growth. Insert new shrubs where required.

Current Status: March 2025: Pruning and cutting back has been completed. Mick recommends that new plants are not necessary at this stage. Remaining budget to be used towards restoration of other town borders.

Job Description: Cut back/prune existing shrubs & trees to promote new growth. Insert new shrubs where required.

Current Status: ongoing. MP has indicated that work will be completed by 31.03.25. Several areas for replanting were agreed with the aim of getting this done by end of current Financial Year.

Job Description: Replace damaged lock gate on Walton Roundabout.

Current Status: 03.09.25 – CRT have promised to source a lock balance arm.

Job Description: Raise the level of the diagonal foot path so that floodwater runs off it rather than into it.

Current Status: Budget approved for 2025/26. Work to commence in late Summer / early Autumn.