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

The Leader of the Council presented a Statement outlining his recent work and an overview of decisions taken by the Cabinet (and Portfolio Holders) since the previous meeting of the Council.  He also informed the Council of the following changes in respect of his Cabinet:

(i) That Mr Ben Adams had been appointed as the Deputy Leader of the County Council in place of Mr Ian Parry.

(ii) That Mr Pat Corfield’s Portfolio had been changed to “Cabinet Member for Culture and Communities.”

Education Support Services Project

(Paragraph 1.2 of the Statement)

In response to questions from Members in relation to the governance arrangements for the Education Support Services Project, Mr Parry indicated that two of the Council’s Select Committees would have responsibility for scrutinising the arrangements and that there would also be update reports to Full Council.

Burton upon Trent Primary School Places Strategy: proposals to create additional school places

(Paragraph 1.3 of the Statement)

Whilst acknowledging that there were issues which would need to be addressed, such as increased traffic in the area, Members welcomed the proposals to provide 1,000 new Primary School places in Burton upon Trent.  Mrs Staples thanked members for their comments and Mr Maryon confirmed that a solution was being sought to the issue of traffic generation around the proposed new schools.

Partnership for Care: Rural Premium to Reflect Additional Costs of Social Care in Rural Areas

(Paragraph 1.4 of the Statement)

In response to a question from Mr Huckfield in relation to the shortage of skilled staff in the domiciliary care sector, Mr Ellis indicated that the County Council was attempting to address this issue through a number of measures including the creation of apprentiships and trying to raise the status of jobs in the sector.  Mr Ellis also stated that the County Council was proposing to publish a “Green Paper” aimed at addressing a range of issues in relation to “care” and raising standards.

Improving Equipment and Adaptations Services

(Paragraph 1.5 of the Statement)

In response to a question from Mrs Downes in relation to proposed changes to the aids and adaptations service, Mr Ellis indicated that the proposals to enter into pooled budget arrangements would result in a more “joined-up” service for those needing support in order to remain in their own homes.  He also accepted an invitation from Mr Francis to meet with the Chairman of Cerebral Palsy Mid Staffs to discuss how the charity and the County Council could work together to improve the lives of those suffering from the disease. 

Staffordshire County Council Tourism Strategy 2012 - 2014

(Paragraph 2.1 of the Statement)

Members welcomed the County Council’s Tourism Strategy 2012 – 2014 which identified the means whereby the visitor economy may be developed, with resultant increases in employment and cultural opportunities.  Mr Philip E Jones also made reference to how initiatives by the County Council, such as “A Taste of Staffordshire”, had a positive impact on the local economy.  Mr Adams thanked Members for their positive comments and added that approximately 25,000 people were employed in the tourism and leisure sector in Staffordshire.

Superfast Broadband for Staffordshire

(Paragraph 2.3 of the Statement)

Several Members expressed their support for the decision by Cabinet to make a capital contribution of £7.44m towards the costs of improving local broadband infrastructure in Staffordshire.  This contribution would be matched by the Government, and would lever investment totalling £93m.  Mr Winnington thanked Members for their comments and indicated that the intention was that, by 2015, at least 90% of premises in Staffordshire would have broadband services with speeds of a minimum of 24 megabits per second (mbps) with the remaining 10% having access to a minimum connection speed of 2 mbps.  Mr Winnington also indicated that details of the “roll-out” of the proposals would be circulated to Members as soon as it was finalised.

Corporate Property Strategy – Public Services Strategic Property Review

(Paragraph 2.4 of the Statement)

Mr Heenan suggested that, before finalising the disposal of surplus parcels of land, consideration should be given as to whether there was a need to retain any of that land for future road improvement schemes etc.

NOTE: The meeting was adjourned at 12:00 noon.

Leader’s Update – HS2

(Paragraph 3.1 of the Statement)

Members spoke in support of the County Council’s stance in continuing to oppose HS2 whilst, at the same time, attempting to negotiate mitigation measures for local communities in case the line was eventually constructed.

2011/12 Quarter 4 Outcome, Performance and Finance Report

(Paragraph 4.1 of the Statement)

Members referred to the positive effects that the forensic marking of personal property (using “smart water”) had on crime levels and asked whether there were any proposals to roll this out more generally across the County.  In response, Mr Marshall indicated that the County Council was working closely with Staffordshire Police to extend the use of “smart water” and that Members may wish to consider using part of their Staffordshire Local Community Fund monies to support such projects in their area.

RESOLVED – (i) That the Leader’s Statement be received.

(ii) That it be noted that Mr Ben Adams has been appointed as the Deputy Leader of the County Council in place of Mr Ian Parry.

(iii) That it be noted that the title of Mr Pat Corfield’s Portfolio has been changed to “Cabinet Member for Culture and Communities.”