Staffordshire council awards grants to community groups

Five community organisations have been awarded grants by Stone Town Council – but requests for funds in the latest round exceeded the annual budget.

Nine organisations in total put in bids for the summer round of the town council grant scheme and each requested £500.

The council has a £4,000 grant budget for 2026/27, members were told at their meeting on Tuesday (July 7). And a second round of grants is due to be awarded in February.

Councillor Rob Kenney, chairman of the General Purposes Committee, said: “Given the amount of grant (applications) we have got, and the fact we have got further applications to come throughout the year, I think we are going to have to be a bit strict on decisions this evening.”

First Oulton BP (Baden-Powell) Scouts was awarded £250 towards buying tents and equipment for camping trips. Councillor Jill Hood said: “The majority of the youngsters who go to the BP Scout group are Stone children.”

Man Time, a weekly support group for men which meets at Stone’s Wetherspoons branch every Monday, has been given the full £500 it requested. The funds will be used to expand its outreach and early support activity in Stone.

Councillor Jason Metters said: “They’re quite well known in the town now. I imagine, with them being a Mayoral charity, awareness has been raised.”

Councillor Kerry Dawson said: “Their membership has expanded over the past couple of months, from a handful of people to managing to fill a 90-minute slot at Wetherspoons. It’s testament that something like this is needed in Stone.”

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Town Mayor Andrew Best has chosen to support the group, which offers men space to talk to each other about mental health concerns and other issues, during his civic year. He told fellow councillors: “I know they are working really hard to get members to come and talk.”

Stone Choral Society was awarded £500, which will support the costs of hall hire for rehearsals, music score sheets, booklets and use of professionals such as a director, accompanist and musicians.

Councillor Jim Davies said the group’s latest concert and its last Christmas event were both sell-outs. He added: “It is very high profile and it does good for the town.”

Councillors agreed to grant £350 to Stone Scout and Guide Band, for refurbishment of drum line and to buy new lightweight smaller cymbals. Councillor Philip Leason said: “I think the Scout and Guide Band are a tremendous ambassador for Stone.

“They not only perform in Stone but in other areas as well. It shows young people at their best and they are always very smart and well turned-out.”

Councillor Hood said: “I have nothing but admiration for this group. They get young people who wouldn’t necessarily have the opportunity to play a musical instrument.”

Stone Traders Group was given £250 towards hosting a Halloween fun day in the town centre for families later this year. The group said in its application: “In previous years, the event received partial funding through a SBC (Stafford Borough Council) grant, which helped us provide free children’s activities during the day.

“As these grants are no longer available, we are keen to retain the free children’s activities as part of the event. Without additional support, STG would be unable to fund them and would have to deliver a reduced version of the event instead.”

Requests from four organisations were turned down however. Their existing level of reserves prompted the decision for Stafford and District Bereavement and Loss Support, Stone Common Plot and U3A Stone and District, while First Yarnfield Scout Group was considered to be not predominantly Stone-based.”

The deadline for the next round of grant applications is January 13 2027. For more information and application forms visit https://www.stonetowncouncil.gov.uk/grants