SPCA attends Stone Area Parish Liaison Group and see the work of Stone Community Hub

The Staffordshire Parish Councils’ Association President (Councillor Tony Holmes) and Chief Executive (Robert Pettigrew) attended a meeting of the Stone Area Parish Liaison Group in the Frank Jordan Centre in Stone this afternoon.

The main item of business on the Agenda was a discussion about highways, and a team of officers from the County Council – led by Richard Rayson, the community highways manager – spoke about changes in the arrangements with the authority’s strategic partners which should deliver improvements in the levels of pro-active community engagement and action to address the ongoing concerns of parishes and towns across Staffordshire. A discussion followed in which specific concerns – especially those relating to Yarnfield – were raised with the team and the challenge of deteriorating infrastructure quality alongside straitened financial pressures was explored. The Liaison Group also considered other matters, including the upcoming commemorations in 2024 for the eightieth anniversary of D-Day and several other events of importance.

The visit to the Frank Jordan Centre also provided an opportunity for Councillor Holmes and Mr Pettigrew to call in on the Stone Community Hub, which operates out of the building. This independent charity is dedicated to improving the lives of residents in Stone and the surrounding villages by providing advice in time of need. The Hub provides a warm, supportive environment in which to meet, discuss opportunities and support local people with their concerns. Their work is impressive, and relies on local support, fundraising and small grants: any money raised is dedicated to supporting this invaluable undertaking.