Agenda item

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 Charlotte Atkins enquired about the progress of the Council’s Employment and Skills Strategy and how it would support small businesses. In response, Councillor Philip White indicated that the Strategy was currently out for public consultation and there were therefore opportunities for Members to submit their views and comments.  Councillor Alan White added that, in due course, the Skills Hubs would be coming back to the County Council from the Local Enterprise Partnership.

 

Councillor Smith spoke about the employment opportunities available to the County through promoting the “Green Agenda”.   In response, Councillor Philip White indicated that he would be bringing an update on the Green Agenda to a future Cabinet Meeting. Councillor Alan White added that Councillor Smith may wish to meet with Councillor Tagg to discuss his thoughts on the opportunities available through the “Green Agenda”.

 

Councillor Yates requested that the Leader of the Council fully engages with the Staffordshire Leaders’ Board following changes in the political leadership of some partner authorities following the recent local elections, so as to maximise the opportunities to unlock sites for development.  In response, Councillor Alan White indicated that the County Council and the District and Borough Council’s working together under the auspices of the Staffordshire Leaders’ Board was the best way of securing their future with Central Government.  He added that, since the recent local elections, he had met with all of the new District/Borough Council Leaders across the County.

 

Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) Consultation Feedback, Policy Changes, Re-use and HWRC Network Improvements to Date

(Paragraph 2 of the Statement)

 

Councillor Yates referred to the announcement, on 18 June by the Environment Minister, that charges for disposal of DIY materials by households were to be abolished.  He also spoke about the opportunities for the Council’s Household Waste Recycling Centres to take trade waste so as to offset the loss of income from the disposal of household DIY materials. In response, Councillor Tagg indicated that the Council was awaiting the publication of the relevant legislation changes in relation to the abolition of the charges.

 

Councillor Thompson indicated that she welcomed the proposed introduction of a permit scheme for Staffordshire residents with vans or trailers and that, in future, sites would only accept trade waste from within Staffordshire.  She also welcomed the decision to allow parish councils to dispose of hedge trimmings etc at no charge.

 

Household Support Fund (HSF)

(Paragraph 3 of the Statement)

 

Councillor Sutton informed Members about how the £27.5m awarded to the County Council under the Household Support Fund over the last two and a half years had been distributed, together with the plans for this years’ funding of £11m.

 

Volunteering for Staffordshire County Council

(Paragraph 4 of the Statement)

 

Councillor Charlotte Atkins and Councillor Yates welcomed the Council’s nine new ‘volunteering principles’ together with practical guidance documents for staff, and expressed the hope that other local authorities would follow in the County Council’s footsteps.

 

Councillor Trowbridge paid tribute to fellow Members for the voluntary work they undertook, for example as school governors and as Parish Councillors. She added that the electorate did not recognise the voluntary work that elected members did.  Councillor Alan White also paid tribute to those unpaid volunteers who cared for family members.

 

Councillor Snape also paid tribute to those organisations who had been recognised under the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

 

Councillor Flunder indicated that there was still work to do in supporting new volunteering groups.

 

Councillor Cox spoke about the health and wellbeing benefits which could be derived from volunteering.

 

Councillor Wilson thanked Members for their comments and indicated that there were 4,600 volunteer hours working within the Council’s Archives and Heritage Team; 9,944 volunteer hours working in the Council’s Countryside Estate; and 500 regular volunteers across the Council’s services.

 

Joint Coroners Service - Legal Framework and Financial Protocol

(Paragraph 5 of the Statement)

 

Councillor Pardesi enquired as to how the new Framework/Protocol would help to reduce the backlog of cases.  In response, Councillor Alan White indicated that he would look into this issue and that the Council would work closely with the Coroner’s Office to see what could be done to expedite matters.

 

Community Learning Ofsted Inspection and Accountability Agreement 2023-2024

(Paragraph 6 of the Statement)

 

Councillor Philip White extended his congratulations to the Community Learning Team on the outcome of the Inspection and the achievement of the “Good” rating. 

 

Framework Agreement for Maintenance and Minor Works

(Paragraph 8 of the Statement)

 

In response to a question from Councillor Charlotte Atkins concerning the scope for local procurement under the Framework Agreement, Councillor Alan White indicated that, where possible, services were procured from local providers.

 

Centre for Asylum Seekers in Stafford

(Paragraph 9 of the Statement)

 

Councillor Wilson spoke about how she was proud to live in this Staffordshire and how the County welcomed those fleeing persecution. 

 

Councillor Pardesi enquired as to what evidence there was to suggest that the Centre would house young single adults.  In response, Councillor Trowbridge stated that this had been highlighted by the King’s Counsel during the three-day public inquiry.

 

Councillor Spencer referred to the difficulties in managing the sensitivities around emotive issues such as this and asked his fellow Members to exercise control when discussing the matter.  Councillor Loughborough-Rudd added that it was important that Members remembered the responsibilities placed on them as elected members.

 

Councillor Trowbridge referred to the Council’s past experiences in helping to settle refuges but indicated that she was opposed to the proposed Centre for asylum seekers in Stafford due to the unsuitability of the proposed location.  Councillor Francis added that he supported Councillor Trowbridge’s views.

 

Councillor Greatorex indicated that it was not for the Council to debate the Planning Inspector’s decision but to consider how the Authority could best work with Serco, Stafford Borough Council and other partners to ensure local services could manage and that the asylum seekers received the support they needed during their time in the county.

 

Councillor Winnington spoke about the need to keep local residents informed.

 

Councillor Alan White referred to the need for the Council to reflect on the implications of the opening of the Centre on local residents including matters such as ensuring access to local services.  He also added that he was working hard with the Home Office regarding the importance of all parts of the UK carrying their fair share in accommodating those seeking asylum.

 

Ironman 70.3 Staffordshire

(Paragraph 10 of the Statement)

 

Councillor McMahon expressed his disappointment at the Ironman Group’s decision to discontinue the event in Staffordshire and suggested that the County may wish to put on its own “homegrown” event.  He also spoke about the public health legacy arising from such events.  Councillor Parry also expressed his support for Councillor McMahon’s suggestion.

 

Councillor Alan White spoke about the positive impact of the Ironman event on the local economy and expressed the hope that the County would attract similar events in the future.

 

Armed Forces Day and Windrush 75

(Paragraph 12 of the Statement)

 

Councillor Clements referred to the events which had taken place in Tamworth in celebration of Armed Forces Day.  She also expressed her thanks to the County Council and the District/Borough Councils for signing-up to the Armed Forces Covenant. 

 

Fostering Communities

(Paragraph 13 of the Statement)

 

Councillor Flunder, Councillor Wilson and Councillor Edgeller paid tribute to the County’s Foster Carers for the vital work they did.  They also stated that they would encourage anyone who had an interest in becoming a foster carer to come forward.

 

Councillor Sutton spoke about the recent Foster Carer Awards which celebrated the contribution made by the County’s Foster Carers who, collectively, had 651 years of experience.  He also referred to the Council’s “Mockingbird” programme whereby experienced Foster Carers provided advice and support to those new to fostering.

 

School Crossing Patrols

(Paragraph 14 of the Statement)

 

Members extended their congratulations and thanks to the school crossing patrol service which celebrated its 70th year this year.  Councillor Parry spoke about the difficulty in recruiting school crossing patrols in some areas and also encouraged anybody interested in working for the service to come forward.

 

Councillor Tagg and Councillor Williams asked that their congratulations and thanks also be extended to all those in the School Crossing Patrol Service.

 

The Samaritans

(Paragraph 15 of the Statement)

 

Councillor Edgeller, Councillor Yates, Councillor Philip White and Councillor Alan White paid tribute to the Samaritans who would be celebrating their 70th Anniversary in November this year.  Councillor Edgeller suggested that, in order to show appreciation and recognition of their work in Staffordshire, she would encourage all Members to work with their local communities to plant a tree in all 60 of the County’s Electoral Divisions.

 

Resolved – That the Statement of the Leader of the Council be received.