Town Borough and County Councils

We fully understand that Stone Town Council must work together with Stafford Borough Council, who are responsible for a number of facilities in the town, and with Stafford County council, who deliver county wide facilities. It is a constant battle to get these councils to deliver what is best for the town within the financial constraints in place. The government is reducing its grants to local councils which impacts on everyone's ability to deliver. The Council Tax, that we all pay, goes to the borough and county councils, who give back to the town a precept payment, which enables the town some flexibility to provide some services such as events. In addition, the Borough Council is able to charge a Community Infrastructure Levy (previously Section 106) on planning applications to pay for new services where increases in housing or commercial activity require it. The services delivered by each council are:

Stone Town Council

 Advise on planning applications
Prepare Neighbourhood Plan
Crown Wharf and Northesk St car parks
Community Centres jointly with SBC
Crown Meadow
Council Allotments
Christmas Lights
Town Market
Public conveniences (Station Road)
Grants to voluntary bodies
Remembrance Parade (with British Legion)
Tourism and town development
Litter and dog bins (some)
War memorials
Joules clock
Benches

Stafford Borough Council

Consider and determine most planning applications
Planning enforcement
Historic buildings/conservation areas
Tree preservation orders
Stafford Borough Plan
Main car parks
Street Cleansing
Litter and dog bins
Street naming
Sports and leisure centres:
Parks and open spaces:
Refuse collection/recycling
Housing
Building regulations
Economic development
Tourism development
Food safety
Licensing
Crown St public convenience
Dog and pest control
Noise abatement
Grants to voluntary bodies
Council Tax and Business Rates collection
Housing and Council Tax benefits

Stafford County Council

Consider and determine specific planning applications
Strategic planning
Minerals and waste planning
Historic buildings
Public highways
On-street car parking
Traffic management
Street lighting
Passenger transport and transport planning
Parks & open spaces
Libraries
Education
Personal Social Services
Refuse disposal/recycling
Economic development
Tourism development
Consumer protection
Trading standards
Public health
Registration of births, marriages and deaths
Grants to voluntary bodies
Concessionary travel