Issue - meetings

The Leader will inform the Council about his work and his plans for the Council, and will give an overview of decisions taken by the Cabinet (and Portfolio Holders) since the previous meeting of the Council

The Leader of the Council presented a Statement outlining his recent work; his plans for the Council; and an overview of decisions taken by the Cabinet (and Portfolio Holders) since the previous meeting of the Council.

Future of FlashCE (VC) Primary School

(Paragraph 4 of the Statement)

Mrs. Heath referred to the decision of the Cabinet to commence a formal statutory consultation on a proposal to close Flash CE (VC) Primary School on 31 August 2011 and asked that this be held in abeyance whilst the proposed review into the sustainability of primary education in the North Moorlands was undertaken.  In response, the Leader of the Council indicated that, currently, the School only had 9 pupils on its roll.  It was difficult to envisage pupil numbers rising significantly, particularly when the building of new homes in the area was discouraged by the Peak Park authority.  Such low numbers raised a real concern about the school’s ability to deliver, and continue to deliver, a good quality education now and in the future.  It also had a direct impact on the school’s ability to attract and retain the high quality leadership needed for it to be viable in the longer term.

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)

(Paragraph 7 of the Statement)

In response to a question by Mrs. Downes, Mr. Lawrence gave an overview of the establishment and work of the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Local Enterprise Partnership.  He indicated that, recently, the LEP had successfully co-ordinated bids to the Regional Growth Fund and had also hosted an event at Keele University which had provided an opportunity for the wider Staffordshire business community to be involved in shaping the county’s future.    

Building Staffordshire’s reputation for excellence

(Paragraph 8 of the Statement)

Mrs. Lamb referred to the way in which the County Council was coping with the current economic situation and expressed the view that not all local authorities within Staffordshire were managing to plan as effectively for the reduction in Government grant etc.  In response, Mr. Adams stressed that it was important to listen to local communities in order to understand their needs and also to be transparent when taking decisions.

RESOLVED – That the Statement of the Leader of the Council be received.