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
Minutes:
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.
“Living My Life, My Way” – A Strategy for Disabled People 2013 - 2018
(Paragraph 1.3 of the Statement)
In response to a question from Mr Taylor in respect of consultation on the strategy, Mr White indicated that there had been twice as many people responding to the consultation on the strategy than there were users of the service. He added that the strategy proposed a shift in focus from “service based” to “outcome based”. Mr Atkins added that the proposals would give service users more choice and would bring about a shift away from the traditional method of service delivery whereby the County Council dictated what services it would provide as opposed to what service users wanted.
Keeping Staffordshire Moving: Highway Permit Scheme
(Paragraph 2.1 of the Statement)
Mr Wileman indicated that he welcomed the proposals set out in the review and added that this was another example of the County Council listening to, and responding to, residents’ concerns.
In response to questions from Mr Jenkins and Mr Hollinshead relating to year on year reductions in the budget for highway maintenance, Mr Parry indicated that, over the past four years, there had been an additional investment of £30m in highway maintenance in Staffordshire. Mr Tagg added that the County Council was continuing to take steps to improve the condition of the County’s roads and that the proposals set out in the review would be implemented within 12 months. Mr Atkins also indicated that that a recent audit had highlighted a 10% improvement in the condition of the County’s highway network and that Staffordshire was now in the top quartile of authorities with regard to the condition of its roads. He also referred Members to the Divisional Highway Programme through which local members were able to prioritise highway works within their respective districts.
Keeping Staffordshire Moving: Civil Parking Enforcement Review
(Paragraph 2.2 of the Statement)
In response to a question from Ms Woodward, Mr Tagg confirmed that Members at both County and District levels would be kept informed of progress during the review. He also indicated that he welcomed the recent announcement by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire regarding measures to tackle obstructions on the highway. Mr Lawrence added that it was intended that the new parking enforcement arrangements would be more cost effective than the current system and less of a burden on the Council Tax payer
Changes to Cabinet Member Portfolios
(Paragraph 3.1 of the Statement)
Mr Taylor informed the Council that he had appointed Charlotte Atkins as an additional Member of his Shadow Cabinet (as Shadow Cabinet Member for Care).
Recommendation for Member Seat on the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Partnership Trust
(Paragraph 3.5 of the Statement)
In response to a question from Mr Taylor as to whether, if the Council were to be successful in gaining a seat on the Partnership Trust, that seat would be allocated to a Cabinet or a non-Cabinet Member, Mr White and Mr Atkins indicated that this was still to be determined but it was likely that the seat would be allocated to a Member of the Cabinet.
RESOLVED – (a) That the Statement of the Leader of the County Council be received.
(b) That the announcement by the Leader of the Labour Group indicating that he had appointed Charlotte Atkins as an additional Member of his Shadow Cabinet (as Shadow Cabinet Member for Care) be noted and that the position receive a special responsibility allowance.
Supporting documents: