Agenda item

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

Retirement of Sally Rees

The Leader of the Council informed Members the Sally Rees, the Council’s Director of Children’s Services, was to retire on 31 August 2011.  Members paid tribute to Mrs Rees and wished her well in her retirement.

Staffordshire Prosperity Update

(Paragraph 1 of the Statement)

Mr. White referred to recent County Council initiatives to support the local economy and commented on the positive news stories that were appearing in the press.

Keele University Science and Business Park – IC5

(Paragraph 2 of the Statement)

Mr. Tagg stated that he welcomed the County Council’s decision to invest in the development of the proposed IC5 site at Keele University Science and Business Park.  Mr. Adams thanked Mr. Tagg for his comments and referred to the work that was ongoing with partner organisations to attract businesses into Staffordshire including the recent announcement by Amazon that it was to create 900 jobs at its new distribution centre at The Towers Business Park in Rugeley.  He also referred to the proposal to create an Enterprise Zone in Staffordshire and asked Members that, if they had any contacts within the business community they pass the details to him in order that he can seek their support to the creation of the Enterprise Zone.  Mr. Atkins also referred to the recent announcement by Defence Secretary Liam Fox that MOD Stafford was to become home to two additional signal regiments of 1,200 troops in addition to the units already based there, thus securing the future of the base.  It was anticipated that the move would bring an extra 600 new families to the town.

In response to a question by Mrs. Maxfield in relation to the currently vacant Blue Planet Distribution Centre in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Mr. Atkins indicated that the County Council was doing its best to promote all businesses in Staffordshire.

Staffordshire Families and Communities Update

(Paragraph 3 of the Statement)

Mrs. Perry referred to the recent Accountability sessions with the Primary Care Trusts in Staffordshire, which she felt were working well, and enquired as to what progress was being made in relation to engagement with local communities.  In response, Mr. Ellis indicated that this was a major challenge for the County Council, particularly following the well publicized issues surrounding Stafford Hospital.  He added that the County Council was working with the PCTs to “knock down the barriers” between those services provided by the County Council and those provided by the health sector.  He also indicated that all of the Trusts had “signed-up” to “Engaging Communities Staffordshire”, a project to set up a viable, independent and community led social enterprise which would bring together engagement, consultation, complaints and consumer advice and insight services into one place, which was to be launched in January 2012.

Members also welcomed the decision by Mr. Winnington to write to Bob Neil MP to seek his endorsement to the County Council’s approach to aggregate mineral extraction in Staffordshire which focused on meeting the County’s needs rather than those of the Region.  Several members spoke about difficulties in securing restoration works once quarrying of a site had been completed.  In response, Mr. Winnington indicated that restoration works following the completion of quarrying were normally laid down as conditions in the planning consent for the quarry.  However, the planning conditions governing the restoration of older quarry sites tended to be less stringent than for modern ones.  Mr. Finn cited the creation of the National Memorial Arboretum as an excellent example of what could be done with a site with an ex-quarry site.  Mr. Atkins thanked Members for their comments and suggested that where quarrying took place within their respective County Electoral Divisions they should engage with their local quarry liaison committee.

Burton upon Trent – Primary School Place Strategy

(Paragraph 4 of the Statement)

In response to a question from Mrs. Lamb, Mrs. Staples indicated that the consultation on the proposals for meeting the demand additional school places in Burton upon Trent was due to commence on 27 July 2011.  She also added that no decision had yet been taken in respect of the proposed location of the new Primary School.  Mr. Davies referred to the need to locate the new school in the locality where there was the greatest demand for new school places so as not to exacerbate the traffic problems in the area.

School Organisation in Codsall and Perton

(Paragraph 5 of the Statement)

Mrs. Staples indicated that the consultation relating to review of school places in Codsall and Perton ended on 18 July 2011.  To allow time for the alternative proposals to be considered, Mrs. Staples stated that she intended to hold in abeyance the Cabinet’s decision to commence the statutory consultation on the proposal to close Bilbrook CE(C) Middle School on 31 August 2012.

Determination of Statutory Proposal to Discontinue Blake Valley Technology College

(Paragraph 6 of the Statement)

Mr. Bernard expressed disappointment that the name “Blake” had not been retained as the name for the new Academy which was to replace the school.  In response, Mrs. Staples indicated that this was a conscious decision so as to give the Academy a new start.

Staffordshire Alcohol and Drugs Strategy 2010-2015

(Paragraph 7 of the Statement)

Mrs. Lamb stated that she welcomed the publication of the Staffordshire Alcohol and Drugs Strategy 2010-2015 and asked that her thanks be extended to all those who had been involved in its preparation.  Several Members spoke about the good work that was ongoing at the addiction centres in the County and the impact they were making in turning around peoples’ lives.  Mr. Francis referred to the need to review licensing laws so that supermarkets and other outlets were subject to the same rules as public houses as to the hours between which alcohol could be sold. 

In response to a question from Mr. Sweeney, Mr. Marshall outlined the progress in relation to the various pilot projects that were taking place in Newcastle, Stafford and Tamworth and how the County Council was working with partners such as the Police to tackle alcohol and drug related problems.

High Speed Rail: Response to Consultation

(Paragraph 9 of the Statement)

Several Members spoke in support of the County Council’s response to the consultation on High Speed Rail (HS2) as they felt that proposals would have a detrimental impact on Staffordshire and that the business case did not “stack-up”.  Mr. White indicated that an independent firm of consultants had now questioned the business case for HS2 and Mr. Maryon added that the Institute of Economic Affairs had issued a “damning report”.  Members expressed the view that the proposed expenditure on HS2 would be better spent improving the existing highway and rail networks or in increasing air capacity.

Portfolio Holder Delegated Decisions

(Paragraph 10 of the Statement)

Mrs. Heath welcomed the decision to postpone the proposal to close Flash CE (VC) School and informed the Council that the School had agreed to enter into Federation arrangements in with St. Bartholomew’s CE (VC) Primary Scholl in Longnor.

In response to a question from Mr. Tagg relating to the closure of Hillport House in Newcastle, Mr. Ellis outlined the Council’s policy of helping to support people in their own homes including the proposals to increase the number of flexi-care places available.

In response to a question from Mrs. Cornes relating to the Newcastle Countryside Project, Mr. Winnington indicated that the new visitor centre at Apedale would be opening in the near future.

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