The Leader will inform the Council about his work and his plans for the Council, and will give an overview of decisions taken by the Cabinet (and Portfolio Holders) since the previous meeting of the Council
Minutes:
The Leader of the Council presented a Statement outlining his recent work since the previous meeting of the Council.
Staffordshire Means Back to Business – Oral Update
(Paragraph 1 of the Statement)
Councillor Smith expressed his thanks for the £20m investment which had been made in his electoral division.
Councillor Afsar referred to the impact of increasing energy prices on businesses across the County and enquired as to whether the County Council, working with the District and Borough Councils, would intervene to offer these businesses support in order so save jobs and livelihoods. In response, Councillor Greatorex indicated that the Government had recently introduced a national scheme to provide subsidies to businesses to help them through the rise in energy prices and that this scheme would run for six months.
Councillor Pert expressed his thanks to local residents for their forbearance whilst roadworks continued along the A34 to the north of Stafford. He also referred to the jobs which would be created by the new Pets at Home European Headquarters at Redhill.
In response to a comment from Councillor Pardesi that she was still awaiting a response to a question she raised at the Council meeting in July, Councillors Philip White and Alan White apologised for the omission and undertook to furnish her with a reply.
In response to a question from Councillor Hussain concerning pre-planning application advice, Councillor Alan White indicated that the County Council, through the Leaders Board, was working closely with the Borough and District Councils, to make services more effective and seamless.
Councillor Sweeney spoke about “Town Deals” and how this acted as seed funding to bring forward new job creation projects such as the development of the Chatterley Valley Business Park in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Councillor Sutherland paid tribute to the Council for the support it made available to businesses across the County. Councillor Philip White added that the Council was committed to working with partners to help people into work and he made particular reference to the Job Brokerage Scheme.
Approval of Staffordshire County Council’s Community Learning Procurement Arrangements 2023 to 2027
(Paragraph 2 of the Statement)
Councillor Philip White paid tribute to the excellent work of the Council’s Community Learning Team.
Integrated Performance Report – Quarter 1, 2022/23
(Paragraph 3 of the Statement)
In response to a question from Councillor Charlotte Atkins concerning filling the additional posts required as a consequence of the Government’s Social Care Reform, Councillor Jessel indicated that the Council was working on the assumption that the current timetable for implementation still stood, however, recruitment and retention was still an issue, both nationally and locally, but the Council was working hard to find local solutions to the problem including increases in the rate of pay in the sector.
Councillor Parry updated Members on the financial position of the Council at the end of Quarter 2 which was to be considered by the Cabinet at its meeting on 19 October 2022. He explained that the latest revenue forecast outturn showed a forecast overspend of £10.908m (1.9%), prior to additional funding for inflationary pressures being taken into account. Once this one-off funding was included and an allocation from the Inflation Reserve was assumed, the overspend reduced to £6.408m (1.1%). This was compared to an overspend of £3.643m reported at Quarter 1. He added workforce capacity, recruitment and demand challenges remained, particularly within Health and Care and Families and Communities.
Contract for the Supply of Electricity and Associated Services (Call off from YPO Framework 791)
(Paragraph 6 of the Statement)
Councillor Smith spoke about the current volatility in energy prices and the need for the Council to explore how it could help Staffordshire’s communities. In response, Councillor Alan White referred Councillor Smith to paragraph 12 of the Leader’s Statement and, in particular, the Council’s Here to Help Campaign.
Councillor Greatorex added that the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy Working Group had been looking at the impact of the increases in energy prices and he also suggested that sharing the contracting arrangements for the supply of the Council’s electricity with the Borough and District Councils could be explored.
Councillor Hussain referred to reference in the news about the risk of power cuts over the winter period and enquired as to whether the Council had in place any contingency plans should these power cuts materialise. In response, Councillor Alan White confirmed that he had been assured that contingency plans were in place.
Councillor Francis spoke about major failings in the UK’s Energy Policy and Councillor Pardesi referred to the need to put an end to corporate greed.
Multiply - National Numeracy programme
(Paragraph 7 of the Statement)
Councillor Afsar indicated his support for the programme and enquired as to which age groups were to be targeted. Councillor Hutton also welcomed the initiative and enquired as to whether “budgeting” was included as part of the Programme. In response, Councillor Philip White confirmed that the programme was aimed at those aged 19 and above and that it did include “household finance”.
Staying Well
(Paragraph 8 of the Statement)
Councillor Northcott spoke about the need for the Council to encourage residents to look after their own health such as by stopping smoking and taking up the offer of Covid Booster vaccinations and the flu jab if they are eligible.
Councillor Charlotte Atkins referred to the need for the Midlands Partnership NHS Trust to improve the coordination of Covid Vaccination walk-in sessions in Leek. In response, Cllr Edgeller and Councillor Jessel indicated that they would raise Councillor Atkins’ concerns with the relevant NHS body.
Councillor Huckfield referred to the excellent arrangements in place at vaccination centres in Newcastle-under-Lyme and both he and Councillor McMahon encouraged everyone who was eligible to get vaccinated.
Enhanced Homecare Service
(Paragraph 9 of the Statement)
Councillor Jessel indicated that the Enhanced Homecare Service was just one example of how the Council was looking at new ways to encourage and foster independence. She added that the service would commence in North Staffordshire and would hopefully be implemented across the whole County in time.
Hearing Aid Rule Changes
(Paragraph 10 of the Statement)
Councillor McMahon welcomed the Integrated Care Board’s decision to widen the offer of hearing aids to all people with mild hearing loss, rather than just some as this would help to tackle issues such as social isolation. He, together with Councillors Pert and Alan White, also paid tribute to Councillor Perry and to her fellow members of the Health Scrutiny Committee for their campaigning on this issue.
Councillors Charlotte Atkins, Tagg and Smith also welcomed the decision which had taken seven years to come to fruition. Councillor Pert added that 343 Staffordshire residents would benefit from the decision per year.
Councillor Alan White also spoke about the need for more democratic participation in NHS decision making.
War in Ukraine
(Paragraph 11 of the Statement)
Councillors Philip Atkins and Cox extended their thanks to those households in the County who had taken in refugees from the war in Ukraine. Councillors Cox and Francis also referred to the need to extend the scheme beyond the initial six month period. In response, Councillor Wilson indicated that there were currently 660 Ukrainians living with sponsors in Staffordshire.
Councillor Philip Atkins also spoke about the impact of the war on the farming community in Ukraine and also how the conflict had adversely affected food and energy prices in the UK.
Councillor Alan White indicated that the war in Ukraine was likely to grind on and on and, at its conclusion, the country would need rebuilding.
Cost of Living
(Paragraph 12 of the Statement)
Councillor Sutton spoke about how Government funding under the Household Support Fund and the Holiday Activity and Food programme was being utilised across the County. He added that the next tranche of the fund, which totalled £1.6m, would be used to support people over the October half-term and Christmas holidays and also to provide support for care leavers. Cllr Sutton also referred to the ongoing work across the County under the Warmer Homes Project.
Councillor Wilson referred to the various initiatives taking place across the County to support Staffordshire residents over the winter period.
Resolved – That the Statement of the Leader of the Council be received.
Supporting documents: