Agenda item

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.  In introducing his Statement, Mr Atkins informed Members that, later that day, he along with the Leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council and the Chief Executives of the County Council and the City Council, would be signing the City Deal which included plans to supply locally-produced, sustainable energy to major employers.  It was anticipated that that the Deal would see more than £113m invested in the local economy and give rise to 20,000 new jobs over the next 10 years.

Infrastructure+

(Paragraph 1.1 of the Statement)

Mr Greatorex welcomed the recent announcement by Central Government of additional funding to local authorities to help tackle repairs to roads arising as a result of the damage caused by the recent adverse weather conditions.

Mr Jenkins sought an assurance that any “windfall” arising from the contract with Amey would be reinvested on repairing Staffordshire’s roads.  He also enquired about the implications of the contract on staff.  In response, Mr Tagg indicated that the highways maintenance teams were carrying out repairs to approximately 300 potholes per week and he encourage local members to report any highway defects so that remedial action could be taken.  He also indicated that staff had been consulted and had been involved in shaping the contract with Amey.

In response to questions from Members, Mr Atkins indicated that the County Council spent approximately £25m per annum on highway maintenance and, over the last four years, had invested an additional £50m on Staffordshire’s roads.  He confirmed that savings arising from the contract with Amey would be reinvested in County Council services

Centralisation of County Archive Service and William Salt Library Collections

(Paragraph 1.3 of the Statement)

Several Members spoke in support of the proposal to extend Staffordshire Record Office to enable the two record offices at Stafford and Lichfield as well as the William Salt Library collection to be brought together onto one site.  In response, Mr Atkins indicated that the proposals would lead to an improvement in the quality of service offered and would ensure that the County’s historic records were correctly conserved.

Approval of Revised Statement of Community Involvement when dealing with Planning Applications and Producing our Minerals and Waste Local Plans

(Paragraph 1.4 of the Statement)

In response to a question from Mr Worthington, Mr Atkins indicated that Staffordshire supplied around 60% of the West Midland region’s sand and gravel requirements and that the Statement of Community Involvement would ensure that, for any future applications for mineral extraction, appropriate consultation took place with the communities which would be affected.

Supporting People Review

(Paragraph 2.1 of the Statement)

Several members paid tribute to the Chairman and Members of the Corporate Review Committee for the robust manner in which they had dealt with the recent call-in of the Cabinet’s decision on the “Supporting People Review”.  They also thanked Mr White for the assurances he had given and the concessions he had made.

In response, Mr White thanked Members for their constructive comments during consideration of the call-in.

Mid-Staffordshire NHS Trust

(Paragraph 3.5 of the Statement)

Mr Adamson welcomed the proposals to transfer Cannock Hospital to the Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust as this would safeguard the future of the hospital.  He also sought an assurance from the Leader of the Council that the County Council would engage fully with the Trust.

Mrs Rowlands referred to the issues which still needed to be addressed in relation to the future of a number of services provided at Stafford Hospital including accident and emergency, critical care, paediatrics, and maternity and hoped that these matters would be resolved quickly.

In response to questions from Members, Mr Atkins assured Members that the County Council was working hard to ensure that the health economy in Staffordshire was fit for purpose.

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