Agenda and minutes

“Staffordshire taxpayers rightly expect us to spend their money wisely and well to make the greatest possible difference in communities across the county. It is also our duty to live within our means, keep a tight grip on our finances and deliver value for money, and we have therefore included this pledge in our new strategic plan, approved earlier this year.

This report shows on the face of it a positive financial picture over the past 12 months. As part of a well-run council, officers have managed budgets carefully to balance the books overall and by not spending our contingency, allow us to put money back in to our limited reserves.

However, significant financial challenges remain. Our population is ageing and growing, and more children are coming into the care system, meaning that year-on-year we are spending record amounts on social care. Inflation is also increasing our running costs”

Philip Atkins, Leader of the Council

“In the past 12 months we have utilised money from the Government’s improved Better Care Fund and the proceeds of council land and property sales to help balance the books. This is in addition to changes in the way we work over the past eight years that have reduced our running costs by £240million. We need to find a further £37million of cost reductions to balance the books next year.

So while the council is in safe financial hands, the current ways of working and the current way the council is funded need to change. We will continue lobbying the Government hard over the coming months on the need for local government funding reform. As a well-run council, we have also started our budget planning process for 2019-20 six months earlier than usual. At July’s Cabinet meeting we will be bringing a report on the work to date and to discuss the difficult steps we may need to take to balance the books next year.”

Mike Sutherland, Cabinet Member for Finance

“It is important that as a county council we have robust plans in place to help us respond swiftly and effectively in an emergency situation, such as severe flooding.

The priority for ourselves and our partners is to ensure we keep Staffordshire people safe and we have measures in place to maintain critical services.”

Philip Atkins, Leader of the Council

“Good roads are important for the council, for communities and for businesses, not just for getting from A to B safely, but for supporting economic growth and better access to jobs, education and learning.

However, maintaining and investing in our huge 6,000km road network, at a time of enormous pressure on council budgets, remains an issue and we need to be realistic about what can be achieved, particularly following prolonged bad weather at the start of the year.

We are spending an extra £5m to help repair weather-related road damage but we are also spending more than ever on care and it is about striking the right balance with the budget we have available.”

Helen Fisher, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport

“Across Staffordshire, 3 in 100 people are currently living with a learning difficulty and 11 in 100 people with a physical disability.  While drafting this strategy, we have spoken to many of these people and their families and carers.

What has become clear is that ‘disability’ is a label that is unhelpful. The way we support people in the future needs to be about ability, not disability, about focussing on what people can do and building on these strengths so that they can live full and independent lives for as long as possible.”

Alan White, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Wellbeing

“In partnership with our families and communities, we intend to do everything we can to prevent, reduce and delay the need for people to have a long-term reliance on social care services, and instead help them to achieve the independence that many people with disabilities have told us they want.

Where people are eligible for services we will meet their needs, and we will do this in a way that taxpayers can afford.  By working within the budgets we have available, we want to provide services that give people the independence they want, while also ensuring that we protect services for those who need them in the future.”

Mark Sutton, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People

Subject Matter

Contact

Enlargement of Holy Trinity CE (C) Primary School, Burton-upon-Trent

Name: Andrew Marsden

Tel: (01785) 278787

First Quarter Integrated Performance Report

Name: Rachel Spain

Tel: (01785) 854455

Strategic Plan and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2019-2024

Name: Rachel Spain

Tel: (01785) 854455

Adult Learning Disability Community Offer 2022 Programme

Name: Amy Evans

Tel: (01785) 277160

JNC For Coroners Pay Review

Name: Helen Riley

Tel: (01785) 278580

Residential Housing Development Joint Venture

Name: Ian Turner

Tel: (01785) 277228

Treasury Management Report for the Year Ended 31 March 2018

Name:  Johirul Alam

Tel: (01785) 276011

Future Model of Libraries Service

Name:  Janene Cox

Tel: (01785) 278368

Greenwood House, Burntwood

Name: Wayne Mortiboys Tel: (01785) 276578

i54 Western Extension Project Update

Name: Anthony Hodge

Tel: (01785) 277204

Modernising Adult Social Care Programme – Blueprint and Business Case

Name: Andrew Sharp

Tel: (01785) 276841

New Schools proposed across Staffordshire in the next five years up to the academic year 2022/2023

Name: Andrew Marsden

Tel: (01785) 278787

Modernising Social Care Pathway - Carers Pathway Review

Name: Andrew Sharp

Tel: (01785) 276841

Approval for Staffordshire County Council to Join Midlands Connect Sub-National Transport Body as a Constituent Member

Name: Clive Thomson

Tel: (01785) 276522

Annual Review of Penda Property Partnership Plan and SAMP

Name: Ian Turner

Tel: (01785) 277228

Outturn Report for Treasury Management for half year ended 30 September 2018

Name:  Johirul Alam

Tel: (01785) 276011