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. 

Independent Futures

(Paragraph 1.2 of the Statement)

Several members spoke in support of the Independent Futures initiative which provided for the introduction of an assessment and brokerage service to improve the outcomes for disabled people of all ages within Staffordshire.  Mr Worthington indicated that the proposals had received the support of the Safeguarding and Public Protection Select Committee

The Leader responded by indicating that the initiative, along with the Council’s Strategy for Disabled People, showed how the Council was working to improve the lives of Staffordshire residents through innovation.

A Volunteering Strategy for Staffordshire

(Paragraph 2.1 of the Statement)

Mr Chapman informed the Council that he had the pleasure of being one of the judges for the Volunteer Staffordshire Awards 2013 which recognised the tireless work of volunteers in supporting the community.  The Awards ceremony took place at St George’s Park FA Centre in Burton-upon-Trent and Mr Chapman expressed his thanks to Mr Corfield and to the officers involved in organising the event.

Several Members commented on the invaluable contribution made by volunteers in helping to improve life for people across Staffordshire.  Mrs Jebb also spoke about the need to improve the support offered by the County Council to volunteers through, for example, the provision of professional advice.

Mr Corfield responded by thanking Members for their comments.  He also stressed the important and vital role played by volunteers in society.

2012/13 Quarter 3 Performance and Finance Report

(Paragraph 3.1 of the Statement)

In response to a question from Mr White, the Leader of the Council outlined a number of matters highlighted in the 2012/13 Quarter 3 Performance and Finance Report including:

• The development of the i54 site in South Staffordshire and Redhill Employment site in Stafford.
• The percentage of roads in Staffordshire which were gritted being higher than the national average.
• The development of the new Waste to Resources (W2R) plant at Four Ashes.
• New and innovative ways of working.
• Joint working with the Health Authority.
• Staffordshire having the lowest Council Tax of all Shire Authorities in England.
• The level of savings achieved by the Authority over the past five years.

Cabinet Member Delegated Decisions

(Paragraph 3.2 of the Statement)

Mr Morrison expressed his support for the decision to Close Steeple View Day Centre following a decline in the number of people using the facility. He also extended his thanks to the Cabinet Member for Adults Wellbeing for the consultation that had taken place prior to the Centre’s closure and for the support given to the affected service users in finding alternative provision.

Mrs Heath stated that she welcomed the news that three of the Council’s farms had recently been let on new business tenancies and she extended her best wishes to the new tenants.

Forward Plan

(Paragraph 3.3 of the Statement)

In response to a question from a Member, the Leader of the Council stated that there was no truth in the rumour that the County Council had plans to increase Council Tax by 8% following the elections in May.  He added that any proposal to increase Council Tax above 2% would require a referendum and that, over the past four years there had been a reduction in the level of Council tax in real terms.

Wave 2 City Deals

(Paragraph 3.4 of the Statement)

Mr Francis welcomed the recent announcement that Staffordshire County Council, in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council and the Local Enterprise Partnership, had been successful in getting through to the next stage of the City Deal process launched by the government.  The Leader of the Council thanked Mr Francis for his comments and indicated that the government was impressed with the ambition of the expression of interest for the Powerhouse central concept making Staffordshire the key European centre for research and manufacturing of advanced materials, including ceramics, metals and polymers, thriving alongside other businesses and growth sectors in the region.

i54

(Paragraph 3.5 of the Statement)

Mr Edwards welcomed the recent announcement of Jaguar Land Rover’s plans to extend their manufacturing facility at i54 creating up to a further 700 jobs in addition to the proposed 750 announced in 2011.  He also paid tribute to those Members and Officers from the County Council who had been involved in the negotiations with JLR which culminated in the company’s decision to choose the i54 site for their new engine plant.  

The Chairman and Mr Adams referred to the other initiatives promoted by the County Council aimed at retaining and attracting employment opportunities in Staffordshire such as the Small Business Loan Scheme and the investment in employment sites such as Redhill.  Mr Adams added that it was the Council’s aim to create 30,000 new jobs in the County over the next ten years.  Mr Marshall referred to increase in house prices in some areas of the County and indicated that this showed that the area was becoming a “magnet” for skilled people.

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