Agenda and minutes

There were no Declarations of Interest made.

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 June 2023 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

RESOLVED – (a) That the report be received and noted.

(b) That the actions set out in Staffordshire’s Special Education Needs and Disabilities Accelerated Progress Plan (APP) particularly in respect of Special Provision continue to be endorsed.

(c) That the positive feedback received from the Department for Education following their six-monthly review of progress against the APP be welcomed and that the ‘next steps’ and further actions required by the next review be implemented as necessary. 

(d) That the County Council’s proposed Strategy for Special Provision be endorsed.  

(e) That the Cabinet Member continue his efforts to improve the processing of applications for statutory Educational Healthcare Plans (EHCP) so that pupils with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) might have appropriate additional support, according to their needs, at the required time.

Report of Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport

RESOLVED - (a) That the report be received and noted.

(b) That the proposed new approach to the development of Functional Specifications for the delivery of highway works including the ‘Main Headings’ set out in the presentation, be welcomed.

(c) That the Committee’s concerns regarding the need for improved communication (especially with ‘Local’ Members’), responsiveness of third party contractors to service requests, performance monitoring and enforcement, partnership working with Public Sector Partners and actions to improve sustainability and tackle climate change be addressed in future revised Specifications across the range of Highway Works, as necessary.

(d) That the Committee welcome the opportunity to input into the annual development of revised Functional Level Service Plans and Specifications and that further consideration be given as to what this should involve, at the appropriate time, having regard to their other Work Programme priorities.

Report of Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport

RESOLVED – (a) That the report be received and noted.

(b) That the proposed Enhanced Partnership (EP) and full review of the previously agreed Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) be welcomed having regard to the likely availability of future Government funding for transport.

(c) That the Cabinet Member consider revised ambitions for the new BSIP aimed at ensuring both rural and urban areas in the County are better served by bus services having regard to the feedback received from Government following the previously unsuccessful bid submitted in 2021 and County Council’s Strategic Priorities.

(d) In establishing an EP, the Cabinet Member prioritise Partnership working and communication with ‘Local’ Members particularly in respect of future significant service reconfigurations.

RESOLVED – That the updated Work Programme be approved.

RESOLVED – That the date, time and venue of the next meeting be

noted.