Stone Parish Council is the closest level of government to a population of around 11,000 residents in an area of high growth at the heart of Thames Gateway in Stone, Dartford, Kent. Consisting of 12 council members and a similar-sized workforce, the council is an active and hard-working team that strives to address local issues and bring value to the local area. It provides a host of community-level services such as quality venues for hire, services for youth and seniors maintenance of over 50 acres of public realm, parks, gardens and allotments, and over 40 annual events, including a summer festival and Christmas lights switch on. The council is a statutory consultee on planning matters and also represents residents on local issues and community forums. The council is preparing a Neighbourhood Development Plan and has a number of capital infrastructure projects in the pipeline. The council is a forward-thinking, progressive authority that embraces digital technology to support innovation and service delivery. It is highly regarded for the quality of its services and communication with local residents and stakeholders. The council offices based at Stone Pavilion provide an accessible, contemporary working environment at the heart of the community. The council operates a local apprenticeship scheme and is a Living Wage employer.