Town Clerk: Les Trigg

15 Station Road, STONE, ST15 8JP

Tel: 01785 619740
Email: clerk@stonetowncouncil.gov.uk
28 May 2025

Dear Councillor,

A meeting of the GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE will be held in the Council Chamber at 15 Station Road, Stone, on TUESDAY 3 JUNE 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 20 May 2025, Minute Numbers GP26/001 – GP26/017 (attached).

There are no Sub-Committee draft Minutes.

To consider the following request for a grant from a local organisation which meets the criteria within the Council’s grants policy:

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

To consider an update on the Stone Heritage Centre.

To receive a list of payments made by the Council during the period 1 to 30 April 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 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.

To receive the report of the Town Clerk (attached).

PRESENT: Councillor R. Kenney in the Chair, and Councillors: J. Battrick, A. Best, J. Davies, L. Davies, I. Fordham, J. Hood, T. Kelt, J. Metters, A. Mottershead, J. Powell and C. Thornicroft

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

ABSENT: Councillors: A. Burgess, K. Dawson, B. Kenney, P. Leason, N. Powell and R. Townsend

Apologies were received from Councillors: K. Dawson, B. Kenney, P. Leason, N. Powell and R. Townsend. Where a reason for absence is given, this reason was approved for the purposes of Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972.

None made

County Councillor Jill Hood: Councillor Hood advised the Committee that she had joined her new County Council colleagues for an induction day. She reported on the County Chairman’s suggestions about managing parking in Stone High Street and her meeting with Councillor Mynors.

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

Councillor Fordham advised that Councillor Jenny Barron had been appointed Borough Mayor. Councillor Hood informed the Committee that the ‘Land at Downing Gardens’ planning application had been refused.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the General Purposes Committee meeting held on 1 April 2025 (Minute Numbers GP25/139 – GP25/158), be approved as a correct record.

RESOLVED: That the Terms of Reference for the Council’s Sub-Committees, Steering Groups and Working Groups, with the suggested amendments made by the Town Clerk, are accepted.

RESOLVED: To appoint Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and Members to the Sub Committees for the municipal year 2025-26, including Tourism & Town Promotion (Cllr J. Hood), Environment (Cllr R. Townsend), Estates (Cllr A. Best), and Mayor’s Charity (Cllr J. Metters).

The Town Clerk reviewed the current Financial Regulations against NALC models and concluded current regulations were more appropriate for a larger council. RESOLVED: That the Standing Orders and Financial Regulations, with suggested amendments, are accepted.

RESOLVED: To note the list of Town Council payments made during the period 1 to 31 March 2025.

Stone Area Parish Liaison Group: Cllr J. Davies advised a meeting would be called to discuss the impact of Local Government reorganisation.

Stafford & Stone Access Group: Cllr Kelt reported on discussions regarding wheelchair access and electric taxi legislation.

Stone Common Plot Trustees: Cllr Thornicroft reported that the play Plot lease had been agreed and repairs to the plot house had depleted reserves.

West Midlands Railway: Cllr Kelt noted station volunteers had received a Silver Community Rail award.

Amount: £500 (Total Project Cost: £825)

Purpose: To purchase a heavy-duty cordless strimmer (Stihl FSA 60R), a cordless blower (Stihl BGA 60R), and appropriate PPE. The equipment is needed to maintain several miles of unadopted footpaths and hedgerows on the Aston Lodge estate.

Benefits: Keeps pedestrian routes clear for walkers and schoolchildren, encourages community spirit through volunteer activity, and maintains local habitats.