Agenda and minutes

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

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting of the County Council held on 22 July 2021 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

Honorary Alderman Brian Edwards MBE

The Chairman informed the Council of the death on 13 August 2021 of Honorary Alderman Brian Edwards MBE.  Mr Edwards represented the Kinver (South Staffordshire) County Electoral Division on the County Council between 1989 and 2017.  He served on a number of the Council’s Committees including the Audit and Standards Committee, Planning Committee, Policy and Resources Committee, Waste Disposal Committee, Corporate Review Committee, Prosperous Staffordshire Select Committee (of which he served as Chairman), and the Charities and Trusts Committee.

Mr Edwards was awarded the MBE in 2015 for Services to the Community. He was also appointed as an Honorary Alderman in 2017 in recognition of the contribution he had made to the work of the Council.

Cllrs Wilson, Philip Atkins, Winnington and David Williams paid tribute to Mr Edwards following which Members observed a one minute silence in his memory.

Honorary Alderman Terry Alec Dix

On behalf of the Council, the Chairman extended congratulations to Honorary Alderman Terry Dix of Tamworth on his recent award of the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (German equivalent of the OBE).

The award was presented at the German Embassy in London by Ambassador Andreas Michaelis and was in recognition Terry’s work to help establish the town twinning between Bad Laasphe and Tamworth, Staffordshire and his selfless interest, in the name of peace and understanding, in the Cannock Chase German Military Cemetery and memorial.

The Ambassador said: “Town twinnings create vibrant links between our societies. Now, especially, they are more important than ever. Each one of the more than 480 twinnings between German and British communities builds bridges between our countries and brings people closer together. Your outstanding commitment to supporting the twinning between Bad Laasphe and Tamworth over decades and indeed to this day is impressive and an example to us all.”

Cllrs Oates, Charlotte Atkins and Clements paid tribute Mr Dix for the valuable contribution he had made in establishing and maintaining the town twinning between Bad Laasphe and Tamworth and also for his work in relation to the German War Grave Cemetery on Cannock Chase.

Retirement of Andrew A Haigh, HM Senior Coroner Staffordshire (South)

The Chairman informed the Council of the proposed retirement on 31 October 2021 of Andrew A Haigh, HM Senior Coroner Staffordshire (South).  The Council extended their thanks to Mr Haigh for his services to the County and wished him well in his retirement.

Cllr Ross Ward

On behalf of the Council, the Chairman extended congratulations to Cllr Ward on his forthcoming marriage.

The Leader of the Council presented a Statement outlining his recent work since the previous meeting of the Council.

Intensive Support for Staffordshire Children with Disabilities

(Paragraph 1 of the Statement)

Cllr Charlotte Atkins enquired about impact of the proposals on the provision of Youth Clubs for children with Special Educational Needs.  In response, Cllr Sutton offered to meet with Cllr Atkins to discuss her concerns.

Child Exploitation and Missing Children & Young People Service

(Paragraph 3 of the Statement)

Cllr Sutton informed the Council that this issue was a priority for the Council and that the new contact would address all forms of child exploitation.

Public Health Commissioning Plans

(Paragraph 4 of the Statement)

Cllr McMahon informed the Council that, during the Covid pandemic, Public Health alcohol services provision had been increased by 10%, not only to help those described as “problem drinkers” but also those referred to as “hazardous drinkers”.  He extended his thanks to Human Kind, the providers of the service.

In response to concerns expressed by Cllr Charlotte Atkins in relation to reductions in Government funding for Public Health over the past five years, Cllr Alan White confirmed that he had recently met with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to discuss the need for adequate funding for the County Council.

Recommission of Staffordshire Integrated Advocacy Service

(Paragraph 5 of the Statement)

Cllr Northcote indicated that he was pleased to see the Cabinet’s commitment to the provision of advocacy services.  In response, Cllr Sutton indicated that there was a statutory requirement for the Council to provide such services.

UK Community Renewal Fund - Priority Projects

(Paragraph 6 of the Statement)

In response to a question from Cllr Huckfield about the level of deprivation in the area he served and his hope that the Council would look carefully at what support could be provided to the villages in Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough, Cllr Philip White indicated that Newcastle Borough had been identified as a priority area to receive funding under the scheme.

Integrated Performance Report - Quarter 1 2021/22

(Paragraph 8 of the Statement)

Cllr Winnington indicated that he was pleased to see the planned overspend on capital projects and he enquired as to what type of schemes were coming forward.  In response, Cllr Parry indicated that the Capital Programme would fund a wide range of projects including spending on schools, roads and other infrastructure schemes.

Cllr Francis referred to traffic issues at Beaconside in Stafford arising from new housing developments.  He also expressed the view that more needed to be done with regard to Section 106 monies being used to improve the infrastructure in Stafford. Cllr Smith also referred to similar traffic issues in Lichfield as a consequence of new developments in the city.  In response, Cllr David Williams referred to the planning restrictions as to how Section 106 monies could be utilised.  He added that Members should contact him directly if they had any concerns as to how Section 106 monies were being used in their area.

Cllr Alan  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

The Council considered a report of the Director for Corporate Services recommending that paragraph 8.3 of Section 12 (Procedural Standing Orders) of the Council’s Constitution is amended to limit the maximum number of questions that may be submitted by a member to one rather than the current two.  This change would ensure that each member had a better chance of being able to successfully put forward a question at each meeting.  It would guarantee that 15 members would be allowed to submit a question at each meeting whereas under the current maximum the number of members able to submit a question could be limited by those members who choose to submit two questions.

The change was presented to the Audit and Standards Committee on the 13 September whereby the recommendation was approved.

Cllr Charlotte Atkins indicated that she was opposed to the proposed changes  and expressed the view that Members of the Audit and Standards Committee were misled on 13 September when they were told that she was ‘more than happy’ with this change; which was not true.  She added that there was no evidence that the change was necessary as only once over the past five years had the maximum allowable number of fifteen questions been reached; and that this was an attempt to close down Opposition voices.  In response, Cllr Alan White indicated that following the County Council elections in May, 92% of the Council Chamber was Conservative with only 6% being Labour (and 2% Independent).  He added that the number of questions being asked by Members of the Labour Group was disproportionate and that the proposed change to the Constitution was necessary to address this.

Following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED – That paragraph 8.3 of Section 12 (Procedural Standing Orders) of the Council’s Constitution be amended to limit the maximum number of questions that may be submitted by a member to one rather than the current two so that the wording of paragraph 8.3 will then read:

“Each Member may submit a maximum of one question each, however only the first 15 questions received by the Director for Corporate Services before the deadline will be dealt with at the meeting. All other questions will receive a written answer.”

Cllr Greatorex moved consideration of the Scrutiny Annual Report 2020 - 2021. 

Cllrs Greatorex, Clements, Burnett and Pert outlined some of the work their Committees had undertaken over the year and how this had been impacted by the Covid pandemic.  They also outlined some of the areas which were going to be scrutinised over the forthcoming yea, and expressed their thanks to their fellow Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees and also to the officers who supported them.

Cllrs Sutton, Philip White and Alan White also paid tribute to the work of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees and highlighted the valuable contribution they made in challenging the Council’s Executive.

RESOLVED – That the Scrutiny Annual Report 2020 - 2021 be received.

Cllr Pardesi referred to the on-going recruitment of additional police officers, after years of reducing their numbers; and also expressed surprise that the report before members did not mention the action being taken to tackle violence against women.  In response, Cllr Edgeller indicated that she had raised the issue of violence against women with the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable at a recent meeting.

Cllr Tagg referred to the work being done by Councils and the Police to make town centres safer.

Cllr Sweeney welcomed the appointment of Rob Barker as Chief Fire Officer following Becci Bryant’s announcement of her retirement.

Cllr Peters also informed the Council of the appointment of Chris Noble as the Chief Constable for Staffordshire.

RESOLVED – That the report be received.

Questions to be asked by Members of the County Council of the Leader of the Council, a Cabinet Member, or a Chairman of a Committee.  The question will be answered by the relevant Member and the Member asking the question may then ask a follow up question which will also be answered

Cllr Pritchard asked the following question of the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport whose reply is set out below the question:-

Question

The Governments On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme has allocated £20 million of funding in 2021 to 2022 financial year for local authorities to install on street EV charging points. The scheme covers 75% of the capital costs of procuring and installing the chargepoint infrastructure.

Will the Cabinet Member inform me how many applications the council is looking to submit, and would Staffordshire County Council look favourably at developing a bid for the Leys in Tamworth?

Reply

I am aware of the Governments On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme and this Council is currently developing its own EV strategy to determine how it can best support the growth of electric vehicles in the future.

The installation of charge points on residential streets, to service homes that do not have off street parking, is a matter that is being carefully considered by many Local Transport Authorities and potential energy providers at the current time.

The availability of charging points in Staffordshire is slowly increasing due to many retailers making provision at end destination points.  Before introducing additional street furniture, on certain roads in Staffordshire, we need to think carefully about the future considering the change to different vehicle fuels including electric vehicles and particularly the possible provision of a rapid charging infrastructure.

Supplementary Question

Tamworth Borough Council are meeting with the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles from the Department for Transport.  May invite the Cabinet Member, along with relevant officers from the County Council, to attend this meeting? 

Reply

I would be happy to attend if I am available.

Cllr Charlotte Atkins asked the following question of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills whose reply is set out below the question:-

Question

What assessment has Staffordshire County Council made of the numbers of people in the County affected by the removal of the £20 uplift in Universal Credit and the  impact this will have on them, with the rising costs of living, particularly of energy and food?  What additional plans are in place to support vulnerable families struggling to make ends meet after this substantial cut in their household incomes?

Reply

Many people in Staffordshire have received the temporary uplift in Universal Credit and we are working with partners to understand the impact of ending this support.  This includes the announcement last week from the Government that a new Household Support Fund (HSF) grant will be made available to County Councils and Unitary Authorities in England to support those most in need this winter. This new grant will run from 06 October 2021 to 31 March 2022 and totals over £5.5 million for Staffordshire.

At least 50% of the total funding must be spent on families with children. In terms of type of support, the expectation is that the Household Support Fund should primarily be used to support households in the most need with food, energy and water  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

(i) 20 mph Speed Limit in Leek Town Centre

Cllr Atkins presented a petition from local residents requesting the introduction of a 20 mph speed limit in Leek Town Centre together with safe crossings.

(ii) Provision of Stop Signs and Road Markings at the Junctions of Crowborough Road, Horton with Lask Edge Road and Blackwood House Lane

Cllr Worthington (on behalf of Cllr Heath) presented a petition from local residents seeking the provision of “Stop” Signs and road markings in place of the current “Give Way” signs at the junctions of Crowborough Road, Horton with Lask Edge Road and Blackwood House Lane.

(iii) Improvements to the junction at Grange Lane/Eastern Ave, A5192, Lichfield

Cllr Silvester-Hall presented a petition seeking improvements to the junction at Grange Lane/Eastern Ave, A5192, Lichfield.