Stone Parish Council
Minutes
Tuesday 13 Jnauary 2025, 7pm, Stone Parish Rooms
Present:
Councillors Mrs Pauline Hill Chairman, Mr Derek Killingworth, Mr Alan Wakeman, Mrs Hilary Baxter, Mr Doug Hine and Mr John Aston.
In attendance:
Mr S Clee (Clerk) and Councillor Marcus Hart, Mr Malcolm Goff, WPC Kate Eastwood and PC Jamie Guest.
Apologies:
Everybody was present
475 Confirmation of the last parish meeting minutes:
The minutes of the last meeting held on 10 September 2024 as previously circulated were approved and signed by the Chairman.
476 Declaration of Interest for a) The Meeting and b) Any changes to be notified to the Registers of Interests and Gifts and Hospitality.
- None declared.
- There were none.
477 Public participation
Mr Goff addressed Council and gave his strong views on the Community Governance Item. He stated that he was strongly opposed to parts of Stone Parish Boundary being transferred to Kidderminster. As a former Chairman of Stone Parish, he believes the Parish should campaign to strongly oppose this proposal.
478 Planning matters:
The Council noted the current list of Planning Applications approved and pending by Wyre Forest District Council.
479 County and district reports:
A written report had been received and circulated from Councillor Hart. Councillor Hart then gave a verbal report on the Community Governance Review that had been requested by Kidderminster Town Council.
He stated part of Kittiwake Drive Cir 30 dwellings that as always been within this parish had been requested to transferred to Aggbrough and Spennells Ward in Kidderminster Parish. He also elaborated on the Woven Oaks site where again approximately Cir 45 proposed dwellings would be transferred into Offmore and Comberton Ward.
Councillor Hart stated he was totally opposed to the transfer of the Parish Boundary into Kidderminster Parish Council. He then gave a report on the Governments desire to replace all 21 County Councils in England with new Unitary Councils. In Worcestershire’s case this would see all 6 district councils abolished and combined into a new Unitary Council. The County Council have embraced this proposal and have written to the Secretary of State asking for this years County Council Elections to be deferred so they can focus on a County submission to enable a Unitary Worcestershire to work.
480 Community Governance Review
The Clerk elaborated on the Kittiwake Drive and Woven Oaks proposals. He stated financially it would have a dire consequence on this Parish Councils Budget should it go forwards with the likely removal of Cir £4,400 in losses from our precept PA. He reminded Council Parish Boundaries are used as building blocks by the Education Department when drawing catchment area boundaries together with Church Boundaries and Health Authority Boundaries. This could have a major effect on our residents School Catchment, Church and Doctors Surgery. Not to mention Household Insurance covers going up due to moving from a low crime area into a high-risk area. Council debated this proposal and strongly opposed this proposal Council RESLOVED to write to the Chief Executive and residents in Kittiwake Drive and alerting them to this Consultation.
481 Finances:
- It was noted the bank balance currently stands at £28,110.93 (Current Account) and £15,302.39 (Reserve Account).
- The council noted the current income and expenditure spreadsheets circulated with the agenda.
- Council considered the Clerks Budget Paper and RESOLVED to set a precept for 2025-2026 at £17,570.
482 Date of the next meeting:
There being no other business the meeting ended at 8.20pm. The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 11 March 2025 at Stone Parish Rooms.
Chairman Tuesday 11 March 2025