Agenda and minutes

The following Member declared an interest in accordance with Standing Order 16.5:-

Decision – That the notes of the meeting held on 15 September 2021 be approved.

Decision – That the oral report of the Leader of the Council giving an update on a range of issues including the UN Climate Change Summit, COP26 and Council’s pledge to become carbon neutral by 2050; how we can all do our bit to help make Staffordshire sustainable; national shortages in social care staff and the Council’s new campaign to show the value and opportunities that come with a career in care; the need to do our bit to protect the most vulnerable this winter including the need for people to get their covid jab or booster and book a flu jab as soon as possible; the opening of the final section of the Lichfield Southern Bypass;  and progress on other major schemes including the forthcoming opening of the Stafford Western Access Road and extensions of i54 South Staffordshire and Redhill business park in Stafford, be noted.

Decision – That the minutes of the meeting of the Property Sub-Committee held on 6 October 2021 be received.</AI3>

Reasons for the Decision – To consider an update from the COVID-19 Member led Local Outbreak Control Board including:

·       The number of new cases of Covid in Staffordshire remaining high, about 50% above the England average with nearly half of all new cases being in 5-18 year olds.

·       Schools were experiencing large outbreaks which had been substantially disrupting education as large numbers of pupils and teachers were off sick. The Council was providing schools with advice about measures they could implement at their discretion to prevent and manage outbreaks and reduce the impact on education and the wider economy.

·       Vaccination was limiting the number of hospitalisations and deaths from Covid. However, the NHS and social care were experiencing considerable pressure from Covid and other conditions.

·       The need for people to exercise personal responsibility and continue to take sensible precautions to prevent the spread of infection.

·       Progress with Covid vaccination had slowed. More than 1.3 million doses had now been administered. In adults over 50 more than 90% had received two doses and a booster vaccination programme had now commenced. In younger adults uptake of two doses was lower. A programme of vaccination of 12-15 year olds in schools had started, and vaccination of 16 and 17 year olds was ongoing.

Decision – That the report 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 challenges facing the economy in relation to supply chain, energy and labour shortages.

• The claimant count in Staffordshire saw a further decrease between August and September.  This rate of decrease is a higher proportional decline than seen regionally and just below the decline seen nationally.Encouragingly for the sixth month in a row Staffordshire has seen a decrease in the youth claimant count with a decline of 80 over the last month.

• Staffordshire saw vacancies increase by 10% between August and September, equivalent to over 2,600 more job vacancies, this was higher than the increase of 6% seen nationally.  

• Together with our District and Borough partners our Staffordshire Means Back to Business Programme continues to deliver:

- We are now supporting 209 apprenticeships

- We have approved grants to support 231 companies with free training enabling them to work in a post Covid competitive environment

- Nearly 300 people have benefitted from our business start up programme.

Cabinet Member for Health and Care

Reasons for the Decision – To consider proposals to extend and refurbish the Hawthorn House lower building to accommodate up to 15 residents, to ensure that adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities can be cared for in an environment that best suits their needs.

Decision – (a) That the extension and refurbishment of Hawthorn House lower building to accommodate up to 15 residents, as detailed in the report, be approved.

(b) That the disposal of the Hawthorn House upper building, once the new lower building development is complete, be approved.

(c) That authority be delegated to thee Director for Health and Care to procure and award contracts for the construction works.

Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Change

Reasons for the Decision – To consider  feedback from the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee where Members commented on the Council’s first Climate Change Annual Report; and to  seek approval of the Climate Change Action Plan 2 (CCAP 2) which contains specific actions to be undertaken by the Council prior to 2025 which will assist in our journey to become net carbon zero by 2050.

Decision –(a) That the Council’s Climate Change 2021 Annual Report, which records the positive progress that has been made on our target to become net carbon zero by 2050, be noted.

(b) That the comments of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee, at paragraphs 13 to 16 of the report, when they considered both the 2021 Annual Report and the draft Climate Change Action Plan 2, be noted.

(c) That the Climate Change Action Plan 2 (CCAP 2), which lists our key climate change mitigating actions over the next 4 years, be approved.

Cabinet Member for Education (and SEND)

Reasons for the Decision – To consider a Formal Report by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman in relation to Post 16 travel for a SEND child.

Decision –(a) That the contents of the Formal Report from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) in relation to Post -16 transport for a SEND child, be noted.

(b) That the finding of “Report issued: upheld; maladministration and injustice” be noted and the recommendations made as part of the investigation report be implemented.

Leader of the Council

Reasons for the Decision – To consider the high-level priorities which have been identified for recovery from the impact of Covid-19 across the County Council and the continued progress against these; together with the on-going approach to the leadership, influencing and monitoring of the recovery process moving forwards.

Decision – (a) That the impact of Covid-19 on Staffordshire since October 2020 be noted.

(b) That the progress being made towards resetting the Corporate Strategy be noted.

(c) That the progress made towards delivering the high-level priorities and plans from each recovery area be noted.

(d) That the County Council’s approach to the leadership, influencing and monitoring of the Recovery process moving forward, be endorsed.

Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources

Cabinet Member for Commercial Matters

Reasons for the Decision – To consider an update on the activities and Performance of Nexxus during 2020/2021.

Decision – That the Nexxus Care Annual Report 2020/2021 be noted.

Cabinet Member for Education (and SEND)

Reasons for the Decision – To consider the Capital Programme for Schools Phase 2 for 2021/22 which provides an increased amount of Central Government funding for the upkeep of the Council’s maintained schools.

Decision – That the Schools Capital Programme Phase 2 2021/22 investment proposal, as set out in the report and supporting

Appendices, be approved

(b) That the Assistant Director for Commercial and Assets monitors progress and makes any necessary in-year alterations in agreement with the Cabinet Member for Education (and SEND).

Cabinet Member for Education (and SEND)

Reasons for the Decision – To consider the acquisition of land and the development of a 2-form entry primary school at Branston Road, Burton on Trent to be known as Branston Locks Primary School under the Department for Education’s wave programme.

Decision – (a) That the completion of a Transfer of the school land at Branston Locks to Staffordshire County Council in accordance with the terms of the section 106 agreement dated the 14th April 2015 between Nurton Developments (Quintus) Limited (1) Staffordshire County Council (2) East Staffordshire Borough Council (3) Lloyds Bank PLC (4) (‘the Section 106 Agreement’), be approved.

(b) That the completion of a Capital Contribution Letter with the Secretary of State for Education, or such other party as they shall so direct, for the payment of £6,400,000 of the primary school contribution received by Staffordshire County Council under the terms of the Section 106 Agreement, be approved.

(c) That the completion of an Agreement for Lease and Lease with the  Secretary of State for Education, or such other party as they shall so  direct, to enable the construction of the 2 form entry primary school and  thereafter the use of the primary school for up to 125 years, be approved.

(d) That permission be delegated to the Assistant Director for Commercial and Assets to agree the final terms of the Transfer, Capital Contribution Letter, Agreement for Lease and Heads of Terms.

Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport

Reasons for the Decision – To consider the approval of the key elements of the Staffordshire Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) which has been developed in partnership with the public bus providers operating in Staffordshire. 

Decision – (a) That the comments and suggestions of the Prosperous Overview and Scrutiny Committee when they reviewed the emerging priorities of the BSIP at their meeting held on the 16 September 2021, be noted.

(b) That the key issues highlighted by the BSIP public engagement exercise be noted.

(c) That the key asks of Staffordshire Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) as outlined in the report be approved and that the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport be authorised to finalise the required documentation and make any final minor changes prior to the 31 October 2021 deadline.

(d) That the Director of Economy, Infrastructure and Skills be authorised to submit the final BSIP to the Department of Transport by the deadline of the 31 October 2021.

Note by Clerk: The Chairman agreed to add this matter to the agenda as an urgent item of business.  In addition, in accordance with The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2000) (Regulation 16), the Leader of the Council has sought the approval of the Chairman of the Prosperous Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the Key Decision to be taken.

Reasons for the Decision – To consider the proposed expenditure and delivery arrangements for the Household Support Fund in Staffordshire which is required to be fully spent by 31st March 2022.

Decision – (a) That the anticipated receipt of £5,506,547.99 from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), in relation to the Household Support Fund (HSF) be acknowledged.

(b) That the proposals for the usage of the HSF be approved.

(c) That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive and Director for Families and Communities, to decide the eligibility criteria for distribution of the HSF in Staffordshire, and to take all other subsequent decisions to ensure that this support gets to those who need it as quickly as possible.

(d) That it be acknowledged that the delegation to the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People includes authorising the County Council to enter required contractual arrangements with Partners and Providers where required to deliver the HSF in Staffordshire.

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

The Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 17 November 2021 to 16 March 2022, which detailed the following issues, was approved:

Decision – That the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business which involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of Local Government Act 1972 indicated below.

PART TWO

(Exemption paragraph 3)

Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Change

(Exclusion paragraph 3)

Reasons for the Decision – To proposals for a change in the collection arrangements for Dry Mixed Recyclate post-April 2022.

Decision –That the recommendations contained in the report be agreed.

(Exemption paragraph 3)

Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport

(Exemption paragraph 3)

Reasons for the Decision – To consider the award of a Highways Construction Contract Award associated with the Pets at Home development at Redhill, Stafford.

Decision – That the recommendations contained in the report be agreed.