Decisions

Reasons for the Decision – To consider an update from the COVID-19 Member Led Local Outbreak Control Board including the country entering in a third national lockdown following a rapid and substantial rise in the number of cases of Covid-19 in large part due to the emergence of a new and more infectious strain of the virus; the number of cases in Staffordshire during the first half of January 2021 being higher than at any point during the pandemic; the increased pressure on the NHS with almost half of hospital beds given over to care of Covid-19 patients; the rolling out of the Covid-19 vaccination (with the priority groups for vaccination being people over 70, care home residents and staff; all other health and care workers, and people deemed ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’); and the Council’s continuing efforts to prevent and control the spread of the virus including testing for people without symptoms being available to all residents with at least one site in each district and borough.

Decision – That the report be received.

Following discussions with District and Borough Councils it was agreed that there could be an opportunity to pool small amounts of the recently received Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) to enable some complementary countywide offers to be developed, yet which were also bespoke to a particular locality. This report sets out a programme of activity that is deliberately designed to allow a number of authorities to pool funding as required. The programme is a combination of opportunities to top-up existing Countywide programmes, therefore working to guarantee outputs in certain localities and delivering new schemes that support skills development and businesses to “thrive” as we transition between lockdown and new Tier System, and face the ongoing challenges presented by Covid-19.

Reasons for the Decision – To consider the delivery of further investment in our economy, by the County Council and its partners, most notably through enhanced two tier working.

Decision – (a) That it be agreed that £862,000 of Staffordshire County Councils resources are made available to support the following activities:

·       Staffordshire 500, Apprentices Wage Support (£500,000)

·       Nil Cost Training for Employers Top Up Project (£104,000)

·       Small Business “To Thrive” Financial Support (£150,000)

·       Additional Capacity (up to £108,000)

(b) That authority be given to the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, in consultation with the Director for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills and the Director for Corporate Services, to amend the proposed allocations and capacity, in light of ongoing discussions with Staffordshire’s Districts and Boroughs within the envelope of resources allocated in (a) above.

The Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 17 February to 16 June 2021, which detailed the following issues, was approved:

Decision – That the following decisions taken by Cabinet Members under delegated powers be noted:

Decision – That the minutes of the meeting of the Property Sub-Committee held on 6 January 2021 be received.

Decision – That the oral report of the Leader of the Council giving an update on a range of issues including the nationwide Covid-19 vaccination roll out, commencing with people over 70 and the clinically extremely vulnerable;  the opening of eight new testing centres across the county for people without symptoms; the Council’s on-going work to support Staffordshire businesses, safeguard jobs, creating new apprenticeships and helping people back into the workplace;  progress on the Lichfield Southern Bypass and Stafford Western Access Routes – two major schemes that will reduce congestion and unlock land for new business and housing; the recent announcement by Asos that they will be building a new £90m distribution centre in Lichfield, creating up to 2,000 jobs; and the outstanding work our teachers, school staff and early years providers are doing to care for the youngest children in Staffordshire and keep schools open for the children of key workers as well as vulnerable children, at the same time as supporting the majority of children to keep learning at home; be noted.

Reasons for the Decision – To consider proposals for Cannock Chase Special Area of Conservation (SAC) to mitigate impacts of recreational pressure associated with a growing resident population. The plans include a range of on-site measures across the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) to reduce pressure on the most sensitive habitats, improve infrastructure and facilities in more robust locations and raise public awareness of the sensitivity of the site.

Decision – (a) That the proposed mitigation plans for Cannock Chase Special Area of Conservation (SAC) be noted.

(b) That the recommended approach and proposed scheme of delegation (as follows) be agreed:

(i)             Operational delivery to be overseen by the Assistant Director - Culture, Rural and Safer Communities; and

(ii)            Agreement of options appraisal / feasibility study outcomes for Chase Road and Marquis Drive by delegated decision by the appropriate Cabinet Member in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive and Director for Families and Communities.

Approval to passport the additional monies received from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for the Disability Facility Grant
to the district/borough councils and to enter into agreements with district/borough councils regarding the transfer of the additional monies.