Stone residents in Band D properties are set to pay £61 per year to the town council, as less than 24p per month rise agreed.
Stone Town Council’s budget plans for 2024/25 include £10,000 towards measures to prevent parking on Market Square and £5,000 extra for the Tourism and Town Promotion pot to stage an event in late summer, following the Olympic Games in Paris.
The proposed precept rise will mean Band D households paying £61 for the year to the town council, members heard at their latest meeting. A proposed 10% allotment fee rise is expected to generate an additional £100 per year for the council’s environment budget.
Councillor Rob Kenney said the installation of benches and planters was being considered to tackle a long-running safety concern about vehicles parking in Market Square.
“The idea is to put them at the front and side so people can’t park there”, he added.
“At the same time it will hopefully deter people from driving down the High Street. At the same time people often ask about benches halfway up the High Street.”
Councillor Jill Hood said:
“The one-off increase in the events budget is to provide for a late summer music event. We’re hoping that some of our very talented kayakers and paddlers will bring home a gold medal to the town.
“I think the Tourism and Town Promotion group is sometimes viewed as frivolous. But in my experience, when we hold events in the town, it brings people into the town, and they see what a splendid place it is.
“Yes, we have got a few empty shops in the High Street, but all the time, there is someone coming into them. The tourism and town promotion budget is extremely important.”
Councillors are also reviewing the wording that appears on the council tax literature issued to residents with their bills, for 2023-2024, it read:
“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, allotment sites at Newcastle Road and Mount Road, and the Crown Meadow Nature Reserve and amphitheatre.
The 2023-24 budget, despite having to deal with excessive levels of inflation, especially in respect of energy costs, includes additional funding to provide further improvements at Crown Meadow and support for the King’s Coronation event. This is in addition to the development and operation of a new Heritage Centre within the exciting redevelopment at Crown Wharf.
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 Music Festival, Stone by the Sea, 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 newly refurbished noticeboards and fingerposts throughout the town.
The Council provides bus shelters, benches, litter bins 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, supports various festivals, 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 the approval of its Neighbourhood Plan in May 2021 will help the Council to shape and protect the future of Stone for years to come.
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.”
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