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 9 December 2021 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

Staffordshire residents recognised in Queen’s New Year’s Honours

The Chairman extended his congratulations to Mrs Emily Doorbar, the Council’s COVID Defence Lead, in being awarded a British Empire Medal for public service during the Covid-19 Pandemic in Her Majesty The Queen’s New Year’s Honours.

He also extended the Council’s congratulations to the following Staffordshire residents who had also received been honoured:

•    Professor Helen Jayne Stokes-Lampard DBE, Chair, Medical Royal Colleges and Chair, National Academy of Social Prescribing, for services to General Practice.

•    Ms Laura Manning Shoaf CBE, Lately Managing Director, Transport for the West Midlands, for services to Economic Regeneration for the West Midlands.

•    Mr Adam Peaty OBE, for services to swimming.

•    Mrs Kay McIntyre MBE, Young People Manager at East Cheshire Council, for services to Children and Young People.

•    Mr Patrick Nyarumbu MBE, Executive Director of Strategy, People and Partnerships at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, for services to nursing.

•    Mrs Lianne Jayne Al-Khaldi BEM, for services to the community in Stafford during Covid-19.

•    Mr Ian Derek Mountford BEM, for services to the community in Stoke-on-Trent, particularly during Covid-19.

•    Mr Adam Ralph Prince BEM, for services to the community in Burnham, Buckinghamshire during Covid-19.

Honorary Alderman Len Bloomer

The Chairman informed the Council of the death, on 5 January 2022, of former County Councillor Len Bloomer.  Mr Bloomer represented the Stafford Trent Valley (Stafford) County Electoral Division on the County Council from 2001 to 2017.

Mr Bloomer served on a number of the Council’s Committees including the Audit Committee, Corporate Review Committee, Prosperous Staffordshire Select Committee, Planning Committee and Corporate Parenting Panel.  He also served as Chairman of the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Authority between 2009 and 2016.

Mr Bloomer was appointed as an Honorary Alderman upon his retirement from the County Council in 2017.

Cllr Philip Atkins, Cllr Deaville, Cllr Francis, Cllr Alan White and Cllr Winnington paid tribute to Mr Bloomer following which Members stood and observed a one-minute silence in his memory.

Cllr Alan White presented the draft Strategic Plan 2022 – 26 which details the Council’s ambitions and priorities for the years ahead. It outlines what the Council wants to achieve and how it intends to do so. The Plan is the Council’s primary strategic document that shapes its financial and delivery plans.

The Strategic Plan identifies five priorities:

·       Support Staffordshire’s economy to grow, generating more and better-paid jobs.

·       Fix more roads, and improve transport and digital connections.

·       Encourage good health and wellbeing, resilience and independence.

·       Tackle climate change, enhance our environment, and make Staffordshire more sustainable.

·       Offer every Staffordshire child and young person the best start in life, and the chance to achieve their potential.

The Council were informed that the last four years had brought many challenges and opportunities for local public services, not least the global pandemic. Throughout, the Council has remained ambitious for Staffordshire, and focused on delivery including:

·       The Successful completion of a large-scale Children’s System Transformation programme.

·       The Building Resilient Families and Communities Programme which has achieved successful outcomes for 1,203 families, exceeding its annual target of 784, and helping over 9,000 families since 2015.

·       The launch of the virtual Family Hubs during Covid-19, which have been held up nationally as an example of good practice.

·       The Council being recognised nationally for its response to Covid-19.

·       The Staffordshire Warmer Homes, in partnership with District and Borough Councils, which aimed to better insulate and heat homes to reduce fuel poverty and support our efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

·       Staffordshire has built two Dementia Centres of Excellence in Stafford and Burton, leading the way in delivering care that is person-centred and promotes independence.

·       The Staffordshire Means Back to Business Support Scheme, a £6m partnership with Staffordshire’s District and Borough Councils, providing critical support for small businesses and people whose jobs and employment prospects have been impacted by Covid-19.

·       Since 2014, Staffordshire’s Economic Growth Programme has created or safeguarded more than 10,000 jobs and enabled construction of more than 4,000 new homes.

·       The delivery of a number of key infrastructure projects including the Lichfield Southern Bypass, Stafford Western Access Route and the 60-acre first phase of the i54 Western extension.

·       The Council has achieved a 25% reduction in its carbon emissions in the first year since declaring a climate change emergency.

Cllr Sutherland, Cllr Tagg, Cllr Sutton, Cllr Greatorex and Cllr Winnington expressed their support for the Plan and commended what had been delivered to date.

In response to a question from Cllr Pardesi in relation to Community Managed Libraries, Cllr Wilson confirmed that the libraries had access to a professional Librarian and also cleaning staff.  Cllr Pardesi also indicated that the voluntary sector was meant to complement statutory services, not to replace them. In response, Cllr Wilson indicated the Council’s intention was to allow local communities to do more for themselves, enhancing what was provided by the County Council.  Cllr Greatorex also commented on the vital role played by the voluntary sector during the Covid pandemic.

Cllr  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

Joint report of the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources outlining how the Council will finance its operations over the next five years and recommending a budget to the Council for 2022/23.

NOTE: Members are reminded that, under Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, if they are two months or more in arrears with their Council Tax it is an offence for them to vote on the budget. Members are also required to disclose at the meeting the fact that this Section applies to them.

The Council received a joint report by the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources on Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 20022/27 and 2022/23 Budget and Council Tax proposals.

Cllr Alan White informed Members that the County Council was a well-run, financially stable authority which was investing for the future.  He added that much of the budget was spent on social care for the old and young and that Central Government needed to find a sustainable solution to these funding issues.  He also spoke about the success of the Council’s economic growth programme and the proposed investments going forward.

Cllr Alan White moved, and Cllr Philip White seconded, the recommendations contained in the report before the Council.

Cllr Charlotte Atkins extended her congratulations to officers for putting forward a balanced budget despite the Authority being amongst the most under-funded Councils in England.  She added that the Government’s Levelling-up White Paper did nothing to address this issue, and neither did the Social Care White Paper.  She, together with Cllr Hussain, also referred to the impact on the elderly, disabled and those on low incomes of the anticipated increase in fuel prices alongside increases in National Insurance contributions and inflation above expected levels.  Cllr Hussain also asked that, bearing in mind the issues highlighted above, the Council give further consideration to its proposal to increase Council Tax by 2.99%.  In response, Cllr Jessel indicated that the Council would welcome a long-tern sustainable solution for the funding of social care.  She also extended her thanks to the Government for its response to the Covid Pandemic and indicated that this additional support needed to be paid for.

Cllr Sutton, Cllr Francis, Cllr David Williams, Cllr Deaville, Cllr Winnington and Cllr Philip Atkins expressed their support for the MTFS and Budget proposals.

Cllr Sutherland extended his thanks to the County Treasurer and those other members of staff who had assisted in the development of the MTFS, and also to the Cabinet, for presenting a good and balanced budget.

Cllr Alan White thanked Members for their comments and indicated that Staffordshire still had the fifth lowest level of Council Tax in England.

In accordance with statutory requirements, the Chairman called for a named vote to be taken in relation to the approval of the recommendations contained in the report, the result of which was as follows:

Those Members voting in support of the recommendations:

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

VCSE Capacity Building Recommission

(Paragraph 1 of the Statement)

Cllr Sutton informed the Council of the proposals for investing in VCSE capacity building activity once the current arrangements end on 31st July 2022 in order to ensure that the sector remained strong, sustainable, and had the stability required to continue supporting communities in Staffordshire.  He gave examples of the VCSE work including its hosting of the annual youth camp associated with the German War Graves on Cannock Chase in which young people from both Staffordshire and Germany took part.  Cllr Hussain, Cllr McMahon and Cllr Wilson also paid tribute to the invaluable work of volunteers, particularly during the Covid pandemic.

Burton Town Deal - Proposed Library Move

(Paragraph 2 of the Statement)

Cllr Wilson indicated that she was looking forward to hearing from East Staffordshire Borough Council as to whether their regeneration proposals, which would see Burton Library relocated from its current location to the Market Hall, Market Place, Burton upon Trent as part of the Burton Stronger Town Deal, were to proceed.  Cllr Hussain and Cllr Wileman indicated that they were opposed to the library’s relocation, as were 77% of respondents to the recent public consultation.  Cllr Hussain added that he was also fearful for the livelihood of the market traders if the library was to be relocated into the Market Hall.

Cllr Philip Atkins and Cllr Hudson indicated that they were supportive of the regeneration proposals; and Cllr Jessel added that town centres needed to adapt and modernise if they were to survive.

Cllr Alan White drew a comparison with the recent relocation of Lichfield Library which was opposed by a petition by over 5,000, but, once relocated, had seen a doubling of users.

Home to School Transport - Review of Temporary Vacant Seat Scheme

(Paragraph 3 of the Statement)

Cllr Charlotte Atkins referred to the impact of the review of the temporary Vacant Seat Scheme, how non-school bus services were not required to be fitted with seat belts and the time it will take bus operators to modernise their fleet.  In response, Cllr Price indicated that the review had been brought about due to new regulations from Central Government and would only impact those young people who were not entitled to free school transport.

Cllr Philip Atkins asked for the situation to be kept under review and, in reponse, Cllr Price indicated that the County Council would work with bus operators so try to minimise the impact to those affected by the review.

Formal Report from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman regarding SEND

(Paragraph 4 of the Statement)

Cllr Charlotte Atkins and Cllr Francis referred to the difficulties often encountered by parents in trying to navigate through the SEND process to get support for their child.  In response, Cllr Price referred to the improvement brought about by the Children’s System Transformation Programme, and he also  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

Mr Tagg to move the following motion:

This council acknowledges that:

Nature is in long term decline. With 41 per cent of wild species in decline nationally, and 15 per cent facing extinction. The requirement to take action to reverse this is urgent. We recognise that:

A) Nature provides us with vital support systems [‘ecosystem services’], and severe declines in biodiversity are undermining nature’s productivity and adaptability, posing excessive uncertainty for our economies and wellbeing;

B) A thriving natural environment underpins a healthy, happy, prosperous society;

C) The impacts of climate change are driving nature’s decline, while restoring and protection of natural habitat provides a wide variety of cost-effective benefits to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

D)  Many areas of work of local authorities across the county of Staffordshire have an impact on nature, and we have responsibilities to make decisions to protect and enhance it.

In order to support the recovery of nature across Staffordshire, and in recognition of new obligations under the Environment Act 2021, this council commits to:

1. Work with partners and stakeholders to develop and deliver a Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) that sits within the national Nature Recovery Network and underpins planning, development and land management decisions. As part of this, we will:

a) improve and protect the landscape and flora and fauna’s resilience to climate change, providing natural solutions to reduce carbon and manage flood risk, and sustaining vital ecosystems;

b) prioritise the restoration of peatland habitats and other high quality natural habitats, and adopt a peat-free policy wherever possible for all council contracts and supplies; 

c) formulate a tree policy and strategy which is underpinned by Nature Recovery Network mapping across the local authority area, pursuing a “right tree, right place” approach;

d) after satisfying safety and visibility priorities and the Highway Code, develop highways verge cutting regimes that maximise potential for carbon storage, sequestration and biodiversity;

e) seek to manage council-owned land for the benefit of wildlife by 2030 (in line with UK Government’s national and international commitments);

f) meet the Environment Act requirement of 10% biodiversity net-gain commitment across all council-owned land, aspiring to increase this wherever possible;

h) carry out a carbon audit of our key landholdings to establish how carbon storage/sequestration could be improved.

2. Embed nature’s recovery into all strategic plans and policy areas, not just those directly related to the environment. Ensure the LNRS is well understood across the authority and complements other relevant plans and strategies.

3. Working with partners, demonstrate leadership by supporting and engaging with businesses, communities and the wider public to take action to put nature into recovery.

4. Build tackling the nature crisis into Cabinet’s environmental portfolio to provide a designated lead.  

5. The Council designates a lead officer to coordinate the council operations in relation to the ecological emergency.

6. Integrate the targets, objectives and outcomes of this motion with those outlined in the existing Climate Emergency Declaration to ensure measures to tackle climate issues do  ...  view the full agenda text for item 51.

Cllr Tagg moved, and Cllr Wilson seconded, the following motion:

“This council acknowledges that:

Nature is in long term decline. With 41 per cent of wild species in decline nationally, and 15 per cent facing extinction. The requirement to take action to reverse this is urgent. We recognise that:

A) Nature provides us with vital support systems [‘ecosystem services’], and severe declines in biodiversity are undermining nature’s productivity and adaptability, posing excessive uncertainty for our economies and wellbeing;

B) A thriving natural environment underpins a healthy, happy, prosperous society;

C) The impacts of climate change are driving nature’s decline, while restoring and protection of natural habitat provides a wide variety of cost-effective benefits to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

D)  Many areas of work of local authorities across the county of Staffordshire have an impact on nature, and we have responsibilities to make decisions to protect and enhance it.

In order to support the recovery of nature across Staffordshire, and in recognition of new obligations under the Environment Act 2021, this Council commits to:

1. Work with partners and stakeholders to develop and deliver a Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) that sits within the national Nature Recovery Network and underpins planning, development and land management decisions. As part of this, we will:

a) improve and protect the landscape and flora and fauna’s resilience to climate change, providing natural solutions to reduce carbon and manage flood risk, and sustaining vital ecosystems;

b) prioritise the restoration of peatland habitats and other high quality natural habitats, and adopt a peat-free policy wherever possible for all council contracts and supplies; 

c) formulate a tree policy and strategy which is underpinned by Nature Recovery Network mapping across the local authority area, pursuing a “right tree, right place” approach;

d) after satisfying safety and visibility priorities and the Highway Code, develop highways verge cutting regimes that maximise potential for carbon storage, sequestration and biodiversity;

e) seek to manage council-owned land for the benefit of wildlife by 2030 (in line with UK Government’s national and international commitments);

f) meet the Environment Act requirement of 10% biodiversity net-gain commitment across all council-owned land, aspiring to increase this wherever possible;

h) carry out a carbon audit of our key landholdings to establish how carbon storage/sequestration could be improved.

2. Embed nature’s recovery into all strategic plans and policy areas, not just those directly related to the environment. Ensure the LNRS is well understood across the authority and complements other relevant plans and strategies.

3. Working with partners, demonstrate leadership by supporting and engaging with businesses, communities and the wider public to take action to put nature into recovery.

4. Build tackling the nature crisis into Cabinet’s environmental portfolio to provide a designated lead.  

5. The Council designates a lead officer to coordinate the council operations in relation to the ecological emergency.

6. Integrate the targets, objectives and outcomes of this motion with those outlined in the existing Climate Emergency Declaration to ensure measures to tackle  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

(a)      Future of Local Public Audit

The Council were informed that the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 brought to a close the Audit Commission and established transitional arrangements for the appointment of external auditors and the setting of audit fees for all local government and NHS bodies in England. When those transitional arrangements ended on 31 March 2018 the Council was able to move to local appointment of the auditor. There were three broad options open to the Council under the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 (the Act); a) to make a stand-alone appointment; b) set up a Joint Auditor Panel/local joint procurement arrangement; or c) opt-in to a sector led body arrangement. The Council, via decisions taken by the Audit & Standards Committee and Full Council, decided to opt into the sector led body procurement process administered by PSAA in order to appoints its External Auditor for the 5-year period ending 31st March 2023. 

Once again there were three ways for a principal Local Government Body to appoint its auditor for the five financial years from 2023/24 namely:

•       Option a) Undertake an individual auditor procurement and appointment exercise as laid down in the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014

•       Option b) Undertake a joint audit procurement and appointing exercise with other local bodies: or

•       Option c) Join the Public Sector Audit Appointment (PSAA) sector led body national scheme.

The Council noted that Option C i.e. to participate in the PSAA Ltd led procurement initiative would offer the best value for money. This was approved by the Audit & Standards Committee at their meeting on 14 December 2021. In order to accept the option to opt into the 2023 procurement exercise being undertaken by PSAA, the Council must formally accept the invitation by 11 March 2022.

Cllr Worthington moved, and Cllr Trowbridge seconded, the recommendations contained in the report.

RESOLVED – That the Council accepts Public Sector Audit Appointments’ invitation to opt into the sector-led option for the appointment of external auditors to principal local government bodies for five financial years from 1 April 2023.

(b)      Re-Appointment/Appointment of Independent Persons under Localism Act 2011

The Council were informed the County Council has a Code of Conduct for members which complies with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011.  That Code requires the involvement of Independent Persons (IPs) in considering alleged breaches of the Code. An Independent Person has to be consulted by the Monitoring Officer at various stages of the complaint handling process. Separately, if the complaint is pursued, the member complained about has the right to seek the views of an Independent Person.

Additionally, the Employment Rules for the Head of Paid Service, the Monitoring Officer and the Chief Financial Officer require Independent Persons to be included in the membership of any special committee which might make recommendations to Council on any disciplinary action against the holders of those posts.

In 2017 the Council agreed to add to its then list of 2 Independent Persons by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

In response to a question from Cllr Charlotte Atkins in relation to the closure of the Community Rooms at the Community Fire Stations as a result of the Covid pandemic, Cllr Peters indicated that he was awaiting a response from the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner on the proposals for their reopening and would respond in writing to Cllr Atkins once he received the information.

In response to a question from Cllr Pardesi in relation to the why the Citizens Panel no longer existed, Cllr Peters indicated that he would make enquiries and respond to Cllr Pardesi in writing.

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 Communities and Culture whose reply is set out below the question:-

Question

Tamworth Public Footpath No.4 runs from Station Fields mobile home park, under the West Coast Main Line (on land owned by Network Rail) and alongside the River Anker to meet the new Anker Valley housing development in Tamworth.

With the influx of new residents to the area, this path offers an alternative and increasingly popular walking route to Tamworth town centre from the Anker Valley development. However, the path is being badly eroded in places and it is very muddy when wet. It is totally unsuitable for those who are less able or parents with prams. Network Rail are unwilling to hard surface the path in their ownership, so I ask if there is anything Staffordshire County Council can do to hard surface the path and provide residents with a much-needed traffic free route to Tamworth town centre?

Reply

Thank you for your question.? The path in question is a public right of way that runs between the mobile home park, beneath the railway and across to the new housing development. From a recent inspection of the route, it is clear that the path has received increased use since the development was constructed and the surface was wet and muddy in places, symptomatic of both the time of year and the increased usage.? The section of unsurfaced path is just under 400 metres in length.

The Council’s Principal Rights of Way Officer has been in contact with Tamworth Borough Council on this matter as it seems strange that the path was not surfaced as part of the new development. I understand that there was discussion about extending the tarmac pathway to link in with Stationfields, however (as we understand it) there was a dispute between the landowners, one of which was Network Rail.? 

The Council’s Principal Rights of Way Officer is continuing to liaise with Tamworth Borough Council, and it is hoped that the issue can be resolved through planning measures. 

It is possible to report issues relating to public rights of way via our website.

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

Question

In a recent environment survey at www.TamworthConservatives.com/survey the number one concern of residents is litter and fly tipping, following a number of recent incidents near to and in Tamworth.  Could the relevant portfolio holder inform the council as to what is being done to stop criminals fly tipping on our highways especially when highways are physically blocked by this activity?

Reply

Dealing with the abhorrent behaviour of fly-tipping requires partnership working between local authorities so as not just to move the problem from one location to another.

Across Staffordshire all the local Waste Collection Authorities monitor flying-tipping incidents and if appropriate this information can be requested and discussed at the Joint Waste Management Board (JWMB).

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

(a) Reopening of the Minor Injuries Clinic at Cannock Hospital

Cllr Hewitt presented a petition from residents of Cannock and the surrounding area requesting the Council to lobby the NHS Trust to secure the reopening of the Minor Injuries Clinic at Cannock Hospital

(b) Request for 20 mph Speed Limit in Leek Town Centre

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