There were no declarations of interest on this occasion.

Decision – That the notes of the meetings held on 18 and 25 January 2023 be approved.

Oral report of the Leader of the Council

Decision – That the oral report of the Leader of the Council giving an update on a range of issues including the many businesses and employees talking about the benefits of apprenticeships during National Apprenticeship Week; the launch of the Staffordshire Dignity in Care Awards, now in their ninth year;  the commencement of works near Saredon in South Staffordshire and on the A34 near Stone, part of the County Council’s £5.2 million investment into improving eight major gateways into the county’s towns; the support available from the County Council for businesses, including new businesses start-ups; the commencement of work on the new Stafford History Centre, a £5.4m project funded predominantly by the Heritage Lottery Fund; and the Council giving away 5,000 trees to residents to encourage more tree planting in gardens across Staffordshire; be noted.

Decision – That the minutes of the meeting of the Property Sub-Committee held on 1 February 2023 be received.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills

Decision – That the oral report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills giving an update on “Staffordshire Means Back to Business” activity including the following matters be noted:

• The claimant count which this month saw a further increase of 265 claimants, with the total number of claimants in the county now standing at 14,700.  This increase is higher than the rise seen nationally, with the claimant rates for Staffordshire increasing from 2.7% to 2.8%. However, the rate in Staffordshire remains one of the lowest rates in the West Midlands and far lower than the average for England of 3.7% of the working age population.

• The youth claimant count in Staffordshire saw a slight increase of 45 to a total of 2,685 young people. The proportion of young people in Staffordshire aged 18-24 that are claiming work-related Universal Credit has increased this month from 4.2% to 4.3%, although this remains lower than the national rate of 4.7%.

• The publication of the Council’s Economic which sets out the Council’s economic priorities in the coming years, namely:

o   Working with our partners to regenerate our town centres.

o   Enabling people to benefit from higher paid, higher skilled and high social value jobs.

o   Supporting people to start and grow a business.

o   Encouraging greater levels of innovation activity.

o   Developing those investment-ready projects that will be vital to the future of the county.

o   And, developing our A50 / A500 and A38 strategic corridors for transformational economic growth of national significance.

• The Council’s success in supporting innovation, including the delivery of multiple business premises on Keele University Science & Innovation Park that are now home to many high-value, highly skilled companies. 

• The Government’s granting of permission for JCB’s hydrogen-powered backhoe loaders to be used on UK roads.  JCB’s hydrogen project has already led to the creation of 150 new jobs with the promise of hundreds of more to come.  We are now driving forward plans to consider how the county council and our partners can best support our businesses and institutions to further increase innovation activities, improve connectivity and ultimately support growth in highly paid jobs.

• The Council’s successful bid for £20 million of Levelling Up Funding.  This will be used to improve a number of major roads around the county, reduce journey times, put greener, cleaner buses on main roads, improve walking and cycling routes and, as part of the delivery of our Strategic Infrastructure Plan, support the substantial growth in jobs and housing planned to be delivered in the county. 

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s success in securing £17.1 million to redevelop Leek town centre, including substantial investment in the Nicholson Institute, home to Leek’s library, museum and art gallery.  Together with Cannock Chase District Council’s success in round one, this means that the Staffordshire local authorities have secured over £57 million for the county from the Levelling Up Fund alone.

Leader of the Council

Reasons for the Decision – To consider progress in 2022 and proposed areas of focus for 2023/24 to further strengthen the Council’s approach to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion both within the organisation and across Staffordshire.

Decision – (a) That the progress of the Council’s work to further strengthen its approach to equality, diversity and inclusion, including delivery of the delivery plan be noted.

(b) That the Council's Gender Pay Gap report and Workforce profile as reported in April 2022 be noted.

(c) That the emerging priorities for 2023/24 as part of the Council’s continued commitment to promote equality, diversity and inclusion, be approved.

Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture

Reasons for the Decision – To consider the Communities Position Statement which reviews progress in 2021/22, provides a clear and detailed delivery plan for 2023, and sets out the Council’s intention to develop a long-term, innovative, and aspirational Communities Strategy for Staffordshire

Decision – (a) That the Communities Position Statement, including a review of the progress made with partners and communities in 2021/22, be approved.

(b) That the Communities Delivery Plan for 2023 be approved.

(c) That the proposal to engage with partners and communities to develop a long-term, innovative, and ambitious Communities Strategy for Staffordshire, be approved.

Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources

Reasons for the Decision – To consider an overview of Staffordshire County Council’s progress, performance, and financial position in delivering against the Council’s Strategic Plan and Delivery Plan

Decision – (a) That the report be received.

(b) That the use of the remaining £4m of Contingency plus £1.189m of earmarked reserves be approved.

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

The Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 15 March to 19 July 2023, which detailed the following issues, was approved:

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Alan White

Leader of the Council