Agenda and minutes

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

(a)  Meeting held on 14 October 2021

(b)  Special Council Meeting held on14 October 2021

RESOLVED – (a) That the minutes of the meeting of the County Council held on 14 October 2021 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

(b) That the minutes of the Special meeting of the County Council held on 14 October 2021 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

Honorary Alderman Terence Alec Dix

The Chairman informed the Council of the death, on 16 November 2021, of Honorary Alderman Terence Alec Dix.  Mr Dix represented the Watling (Tamworth) County Electoral Division on the County Council from 1981 to 2009.  He was Leader of the Council from 1996 to 2007 and Chairman of the County Council from 2007 to 2009.

Mr Dix served on a number of the Council’s Committees including the Cultural and Recreational Services Group Committee, Development Services Group Committee, Planning Committee, Education Group Committee, Policy and Resources Group Committee, Social Services Group Committee, Fire and Emergency Planning Committee, Enterprise and Economic Committee and the Highways Committee (on which he served as Chairman).

Mr Dix was appointed as an Honorary Alderman in 2009.

Former County Councillor Kenneth Gordon Gant.

The Council were also informed of the recent death of former County Councillor Kenneth Gordon Gant. Mr Gant represented the Perrycrofts (Tamworth) County Electoral Division on the County Council between 1985 and 1993.

Mr Gant served on a number of the Council’s Committees including the Fire and Public Protection Committee, Social Services Committee, Highways Committee and the Libraries, Arts and Archives Committee.

Cllr Charlotte Atkins, Cllr Philip Atkins, Cllr Clements, Cllr Oates and Cllr Alan White paid tribute to Mr Dix and Mr Gant for the contributions they had made to the work of the Council, following which Members stood and observed a one-minute silence in their memory.

The Leader of the Council presented a Statement outlining his recent work since the previous meeting of the Council. In moving consideration of his Statement, the Leader made the following statement:

Arthur Labinjo-Hughes

“I know every member of this council will have been shocked and appalled when reading media coverage of the trial of the father and step-mother of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes last week. A truly terrible, awful case.

This tragic case is a solemn reminder of the county council’s vital role, working alongside our partners to keep the most vulnerable young people in Staffordshire safe from harm and neglect. Our social workers do an outstanding job every day, often in hugely challenging circumstances.

We will be looking very closely at the outcomes of the inquiries into Arthur’s death, to make sure that we are doing everything possible in Staffordshire to protect and support the children who need our care.”

Cllr Charlotte Atkins enquired as to what was being done in Staffordshire to ensure that the Council’s more experienced Social Workers shared their experience about failings with newer Social Workers so that the service could learn from them.  She also enquired as to what the Council was doing to track “ghost” children who had disappeared from teachers’ line of site due to the Covid pandemic.

Cllr Philip Atkins indicated that there would be lessons to be learnt for all Councils from the serious case review.  He, together with Cllr Philip White, also referred to the improvements to Children’s Services in Staffordshire in recent years through its transformation programme and, for example, the establishment of the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub. Mr White paid tribute to Cllr Sutton and to the Council’s Director for Children and Families for driving forward the improvements.  Mr Atkins added that Children’s Services in Staffordshire were currently rated as “good” and he reminded Members of their important role as Corporate Parents for those children in the Council’ care.

Cllr Parry stated that Ofsted ratings alone did not keep children safe and it was professionalism of Social Workers that played a major factor.  He, together with Cllr Hudson, spoke about the difficulty in recruiting Social Workers both locally and nationally and the need to ensure that all of society shared in the role of keeping children safe.  Cllr Hudson also referred to the particular shortage in male Social Workers and their importance as role models

Cllr Edgeller spoke about past failings in the care system and the need for the Council to do everything in its power to keep children safe.  Cllr Philip White and Cllr Hudson referred to the important role residents could play in reporting cases where they suspected abuse may be taking place.

Cllr Sutton thanked Members for their comments and informed the Council of some of the measures being taken by the authority to improve its approach to safeguarding, including the implementation of the restorative practice model, the recruitment of 31 more frontline social workers, seven SEND workers, twelve new “front door”  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

(a) Financial Regulations

The Council considered a recommendation of the Audit and Standards Committee that the County Council approves revisions to the Council’s Financial Regulations for inclusion within the Constitution.  Members noted that a detailed review had been undertaken to reflect the changes that had occurred since the regulations were last reviewed in 2018 following the introduction of the My Finance and MyHR financial systems, together with minor amendments reflecting changes to job titles of relevant officers.  The main areas of change were as follows:

·     Financial Regulation B – updated to include specific reference to the requirement to obtain Cabinet approval in all instances where the County Council wished to undertake the formal role of Accountable Body for a partnership and that the partnership would follow SCC financial policies and practices as standard practice.

·     Financial Regulation E – updated to include arrangements for the receipt and payment of invoices electronically. Order approval limits had been amended in line with the revised procurement regulations. In addition, the purchase card guidance had been strengthened to state that the purchase of food and drink for staff social events was prohibited.

·     Financial Regulation F had been updated to include reference to the use of direct debits as the preferred payment method for those services that were provided frequently.

·     Financial Regulation H – the section on the disposal of supplies had been updated to include the need to speak to a procurement advisor regarding the best way forward including any potential sale process.

RESOLVED – That the recommendation from the Audit & Standards Committee that the County Council approves the revised Financial Regulations for inclusion within the Constitution be agreed.

(b) Change to the Constitution - Amendments to the Council’s Procurement Regulations

The Council considered a report of the Director for Corporate Services proposing changes to the Council’s Procurement Regulations.   Members noted that the Regulations were reviewed periodically, minor changes were made by the Monitoring Officer, but more fundamental changes were made by full Council following recommendation by the Audit and Standards Committee.  The main areas of change were as follows:

·      To adjust the Officer approval levels for contracts to facilitate greater control and ownership amongst Band B and C Officers.

·      To ensure that the spend value of a particular contract ‘variation’ triggered the appropriate Officer approval rather than the spend of the source contract being varied.

·      To adjust the Officer approval levels for Exception Forms to facilitate greater control and ownership amongst Band B Officers.

·      To introduce minor amendments to the Procurement Regulations.

In response to a question from Cllr Charlotte Atkins in relation to sustainable procurement, Cllr Deaville confirmed that the Council endeavoured to procure locally by encouraging local suppliers to submit tenders for goods and services.  He added that he did not have information to hand on the percentage of goods and services which were procured locally but that he would make enquiries and respond to Cllr Atkins in writing.

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

(a)        12 October 2021

(b)       25 October 2021

Cllr Hussain extended his congratulations to Mr Noble on his appointment as Chief Constable for Staffordshire.  He also extended his thanks to Mr Adams, the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, for his recent visit to his Division.

Cllr Deaville extended his congratulations to Mr Barber on his appointment as Chief Fire Officer and also paid tribute to Becky Bryant for the contribution she had made during her time as Chief Fire Officer.

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 Leader of the Council whose reply is set out below the question:-

Question

Thanks to the Future High Street Fund, Staffordshire County Council, South Staffordshire College and Tamworth Borough Council, Tamworth town centre is about to undergo a huge re-development. This near £100M re-development will offer residents of my division an improved shopping, retail and visitor experience.

Can I take this opportunity to ask the Leader of the Council to recommit publicly, on the record, the council’s support for this exciting project and its desire to help create a vibrant town centre in Tamworth for future generations to come?

Reply

Can I thank Cllr Pritchard for talking the time to ask such an important question and one that is so relevant to the vibrancy of all our towns and city centre going forward?

Tamworth town centre is one of a number of places that is receiving unprecedented levels of support from central government.  This includes Town Deals in Newcastle, Kidsgrove and Burton that represents over £60M of government investment.  We are also seeing investment through the Future High Streets fund in Stafford and again Newcastle totalling nearly £50M.

I am delighted to put on record our support for not only Tamworth, but all our Boroughs and Districts who are working so hard to regenerate their town centres. This is reflected in the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills having as one of his key priorities over the period of this administration, to support the regeneration of our town centres.

These centres are an important part of our Staffordshire community and working with our partners it is vital we find solutions to their regeneration. Whilst the investment from government is welcomed, we cannot underestimate the task that we all face, and each must play a part. We are already investing significant sums in our urban areas and considering how we use our existing assets in the most positive way to help our partners, but to also allow us to continue to deliver our mainstream activity. In addition, I would suggest that we consider the involvement, support and assistance of our respective members and officers on local delivery boards to add further capacity and to aid the sharing of local knowledge. I look forward to further detailed proposals coming forward for this Cabinet to consider.

Cllr Oates asked the following question of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture whose reply is set out below the question:-

Question

During the pandemic Tamworth community stepped up and showed its heart and spirit.

One group that delivered fantastic support for the community was Community Together CIC. This wok has continued with the group currently on working to bring a visit by Santa Clause to local children who are in economic hardship.

Would the Leader/Cabinet Member join me in congratulating the organisation on this fantastic work?

Reply

We are immensely proud of the work that the voluntary sector has delivered during the pandemic.

We  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

Request for 20 mph Speed Limit in Leek Town Centre

Cllr Charlotte Atkins presented a petition from local residents requesting a 20 mph Speed Limit in Leek Town Centre.

Chairman