Agenda item

The Leader of the Council presented a Statement outlining his recent work since the previous meeting of the Council.  In introducing his statement, the Leader also informed the Council of the following additional matter:

 

HS2 Gets Green Light

 

While the Prime Minister’s announcement that HS2 will go ahead may not have been the news many wanted to hear, including here in Staffordshire, it does bring to an end years of uncertainty surrounding the future of the scheme.

 

From the outset our priority has been to get the best deal for this county and our communities in terms of mitigation, meaningful compensation, a share of any economic benefits and the offer of swifter, shorter rail journeys for Staffordshire residents.

 

In Phase One we secured some significant wins including the lowering of 8km of the line in Lichfield and the inclusion of the Handsacre Link in the Hybrid Bill to allow Staffordshire and neighbouring areas to access HS2 compatible trains via Stafford, improving connectivity to both the North and South

 

Although the Oakervee Review has recommended not proceeding with the link, to be clear this would require fresh legislation, would lead to further delays and legal challenges,  Not to mention that in response to a question by Bill Cash MP, Boris Johnson gave his personal backing to Handsacre this week.

 

We welcome the Government’s commitment to keep a tighter rein on the scheme, including the appointment of a dedicated HS2 Minister.  And while the future of High Speed Rail was never in this council’s gift we will remain focused on ensuring the voice of Staffordshire continues to be heard loud and clear along every step of the 45 miles that HS2 will now definitely run through this county.

 

Improving the Emotional Health and Wellbeing of Children and Young People in Staffordshire

(Paragraph 1 of the Statement)

 

Mrs Atkins enquired as to how the new contracts for the Emotional Health and Wellbeing services would be integrated with the “School Traiblazers”. In response, Mr Flunder indicated that an All Party Working Group was looking at the “Trailblazers” project and would be reporting their findings to Cabinet in due course.

 

Mrs Edgeller informed the Council of the responses she had received from a group of looked after children when she met them recently and asked them about the negative and positive things which impacted on their mental health.  She also asked Members to check with their local schools as to whether they provided a “quiet room” and also a dedicated individual children could talk to about mental health issues.

 

Mrs Woodward expressed concern that schools were not embedded in the Emotional Health and Wellbeing strategy.  In response, Mr Sutton indicated that the Strategy aimed to ensure that children and young people could live independently and well and that their aspirations were met.  He added that the model hade been developed jointly by the County Council and Clinical Commissioning Groups, with input from the young people themselves and also Scrutiny.  Mr Sutton also explained that the Trailblazer project was not available in all schools but that he would let Members know how it would be integrated in the new contractual arrangements.

 

Mr Philip White also encouraged Members to become School Governors.

 

Regional Permanency Arrangement Development (Phase One)

(Paragraph 2 of the Statement)

 

Mr Sutton informed Members of the progress which had been made to date with regard to the development of the Regional Permanency Arrangements between the County Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Shropshire Council and Telford and Wrekin Council.

 

Award Approval for the Provision of a Framework to Provide a Driver Training Panel to Deliver the National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme (NDORS) in Staffordshire

(Paragraph 3 of the Statement)

 

Mr Tittley indicated that he welcomed the arrangements to deliver the National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme in Staffordshire and indicated that in those areas of the Country where the scheme did not operate, Magistrates were often left with no opportunity to offer rehabilitation in place of a fine or other form of sentencing.

 

2020 – A New Decade

(Paragraph 5 of the Statement)

 

Mr Robinson welcomed the various transport projects which were being developed across the County and indicated that he would welcome the support of the Leader of the Council in bringing pressure to bear on Network Rail in relation to the slow progress being made by them on improvements to Kidsgrove Railway Station.

 

Mr Smith referred to the pace of change and the need to ensure that training was available on new technologies to enable Staffordshire residents to be able to take advantage of job opportunities which may arise in the future.  Mr McMahon indicated that he echoed the comments made by Mr Smith as, with changes in technologies, there would be “winners and losers” and that it was important that the County Council supported the “losers” by making available opportunities for re-training.

 

Mr Brookes referred to recent speculation on funding for an additional junction on the A50 at Uttoxeter and indicated that he supported the proposal.

 

Mr Sutherland referred to the success of the Kingswood Lakeside development in Cannock and explained that the business park stood on land which was previously part of an opencast coal mine but now provided office space for a range of businesses.

 

Mrs Trowbridge referred to the Council’s investment in the Stafford Western Access Route (SWAR) and indicated that work on the Burleyfields development, which lay adjacent to the SWAR and would provide 1,500 new homes, was to commence today.

 

Official opening of Keele Business School and Smart Innovation Hub

(Paragraph 6 of the Statement)

 

Mr Tagg, Mr Dave Jones, Mr Wileman, Mr Philip White and Mr Northcote referred to the success of the Keele Business Park/Science Park and outlined some of the benefits it had brought to the area and the local economy.

 

Holocaust Memorial Day

(Paragraph 7 of the Statement)

 

Members welcomed the Council’s proposal to join those local authorities who had agreed to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism.  Mr Worthington also highlighted the need to ensure that the younger generations were encouraged to learn about the holocaust and other acts of genocide.  Mrs Woodward added that, in her opinion, the Council’s commemorations to mark Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January were a missed opportunity to communicate with the public and to provide more information about the Holocaust and antisemitism.

 

Mrs Woodward also referred to the Members Code of Conduct and a question she had asked at the December 2019 Council Meeting as to what the Leader of the Council intended to do in order to show that the misuse of social media by Members would not be tolerated.  She indicated that she had not received a response from the Leader.  In response, Mr Atkins stated that he deplored the misuse of social media.

 

Dignity in Care Awards

(Paragraph 8 of the Statement)

 

Mr Alan White and Mr Pert praised the valuable contribution made by carers across the County and asked Members to raise awareness of the Dignity in Care Awards and nominate those unsung heroes in their area.

 

Coronavirus

(Paragraph 9 of the Statement)

 

Mr Alan White outlined ways in which to limit the spread of the Coronavirus and also highlighted the need for businesses and public services to have continuity plans in place.

 

Mrs Atkins enquired as to, if there was to be a pandemic, did the Council and the NHS have the necessary plans in place to tackle the issues which arose.  In response, Mr Atkins confirmed that the necessary plans were in place and were being kept under review and revised as required.

 

Ironman 70.3 Staffordshire

(Paragraph 10 of the Statement)

 

Mr Alan White indicated that there were still entry places available for the Ironman event and added that it was a lovely course which high-lighted the beauty of Staffordshire.

 

Mrs Woodward referred to cost of hosting the Ironman event including the clean-up costs following the event, which often included removing human waste. She requested that the organisers of the event be asked to take steps to educate competitors not to leave such waste.  Mr Atkins responded by indicating that he was sure that officers would notify the organisers of the event accordingly.

 

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