Agenda item

The Leader of the Council presented a Statement outlining his recent work since the previous meeting of the Council.

 

Uttoxeter Town Master Plan

 

Cllr Brookes referred to the proposed Uttoxeter Town Master Plan and expressed concern at the way in which the public consultation on the Plan had been conducted by the East Staffordshire Borough Council.  He indicated that he had not been consulted prior to the Plan’s approval and that the public consultation had only lasted for twelve days.  He urged that the Borough Council be requested to review the Plan and also properly consult the residents of Uttoxeter.  In response, Cllr Alan White indicated that he noted Cllr Brookes’ concerns.

 

Communities Principle – Update and Delivery Plan

(Paragraph 1 of the Statement)

 

Cllr Robinson expressed the view that, his opinion, the Community Cabinet Support Member (CCSM) roles did not provide value for money and he asked that they be subject to an appraisal.  In response, Cllr McMahon, Cllr Peters and Cllr Wilson stated that the CCSM’s in their areas had provided an outstanding service and had been very proactive.  Cllr Wilson added that she would ask all Members to continue to engage with their CCSM, their parish councils and volunteering groups, and also stated that the Council had a strong record of working with its communities.

 

Cllr Edgeller referred to the good work going on in communities to support those with mental health care needs.

 

Cllr Woodward referred to partnership working with Parish Councils and indicated that little had happened in this respect in her area and that she would like to see a roadmap as to how this may be taken forward.  Cllr Jessel responded by indicating that Members should take up the challenge of leading on the establishment of partnership working in their area as it was not just a matter for the CCSMs.

 

Cllr Sutton highlighted the work taking place regarding children and families and the adoption of a “place based approach” led by the Families Strategic Partnership.  He also referred to the three-tier working taking place in South Staffordshire. 

 

Cllr Jessel referred to the Council’s Climate Change action plan and the work which had been done to date.  She also added that the Climate Change Action Fund had proved to be a great success with local communities and had seen many innovative schemes.  Cllr Greatorex indicated that he supported the comments made by Cllr Jessel.

 

North Staffordshire Local Air Quality Plan (NSLAQP) – Outline Business Case

(Paragraph 2 of the Statement)

 

 

Cllr Tagg extended his thanks to the Council for the work it had done, in partnership with Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, to tackle the issue of excessive vehicle pollution in one part of Newcastle-under-Lyme.  He requested that the Council permits low emission vehicles, and possibly those vehicles up to seven years of age, to utilise the bus gate.  He also referred to odour issues arising from Walley’s Quarry in Silverdale.  In response, Cllr David Williams indicated that he would be happy to work with Cllr Tagg to see what could be done in respect of the odour issues arising from the quarry.

 

Cllr Brookes referred to the need to address the issues around the Ashbourne and Derby Road junctions on the A50 as they were in need of improvement in order to cope with the amount of vehicles using this corridor.  In response, Cllr David Williams indicated that he was aware of the issues on the A50 and that the Council would work with Ministers with regard to securing the funding of the necessary improvements.

 

West Midlands Rail Ltd Governance Evolution

(Paragraph 3 of the Statement)

 

Cllr Charlotte Atkins enquired as to what influence the County Council has had over the provision of rail services.  In response, Cllr Philip White indicated that the Council had benefitted from the influence that its officers had been able to exert over the inner workings of West Midlands Rail Ltd.  He also paid tribute to Cllr Winnington for the valuable contribution he had made during the time he had served as past chair of West Midlands Rail Ltd.

 

Cllr Eagland referred to the impact of HS2 on her Division and in particular the amount of parking to be made available at the Cappers Lane Depot and the proposals by Cemex for a new quarry to supply concrete for the high speed rail project.  In response, Cllr Alan White indicated that any comments in relation to the current consultation on HS2 should be forwarded to Cllr Jessel who was co-ordinating the Council’s response.

 

Cllr Brookes spoke about the importance of East Midlands Rail to the area and the need for improvements to services, for example, those serving Uttoxeter on Race days.  In response, Cllr Philip White indicated that he supported the comments made by Cllr Brookes as there was a need to improve services on the line serving Uttoxeter, particularly at weekends and on Race days.

 

Update from COVID-19 Member Led Local Outbreak Control Board

(Paragraph 4 of the Statement)

 

Cllr Charlotte Atkins and Cllr McMahon commended the work of the Member Led Local Outbreak Control Board and also the briefings provided by Council’s Director for Health and Care.  Cllr Alan White highlighted the good partnership working taking place between the County Council and the eight District/Borough Council’s in responding to the Covid pandemic.  He also informed the Council of the progress with regard to the roll-out of the vaccination programme.

 

Staffordshire Means Back to Business – Investing in our Economy

(Paragraph 5 of the Statement)

 

Cllr Brookes extended his thanks to the Cabinet for the support they had given in relation to the recent highway improvements in Uttoxeter amounting to around £600,000.

 

Cllr Flunder and Cllr Winnington paid tribute to the support provided by the Council through its Business Support Scheme.  Cllr Lawson also expressed thanks to the council for the support it had provided to local communities and voluntary groups through its Community Fund and also its Covid Fund.

 

Cllr Flunder requested the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills to confirm that, not only would there be investment in encouraging more Tourism and Manufacturing, but there would also be a focus on skills including apprenticeships and innovation, for example, in ‘green’ industries, providing better paid jobs for those who worked and lived in Staffordshire.

 

Cllr Jessel extended her thanks to those “unsung heroes” of the pandemic including teaching staff, refuse workers and sole traders for the contributions they had made in supporting their communities during very challenging times.  Cllr Winnington also referred to the vital role played by the farming community in keeping the country fed.

 

Cllr Philip White extended his thanks to Members for their comments.  With regard to the question raised by Cllr Flunder, he referred to the Council’s “Staffordshire Means Back to Business” Strategy and the vital role it played in supporting local businesses throughout the pandemic.  He added that the Strategy would be refreshed as necessary including support to be provided to the tourism sector, the green economy and the extension of apprenticeships.

 

Protecting Cannock Chase Special Area of Conservation for Future Generations

(Paragraph 6 of the Statement)

 

Cllr Charlotte Atkins enquired as to what plans the Cabinet Member had for the Council’s Countryside Rangers.  In response, Cllr Wilson explained that, in 2016 “Rural County” committed to MTFS savings of £786,000 to be spread over a five-year period.  To date, £446,160 of savings had been delivered.  This had been achieved through a management review, leaving vacant posts unfilled and halting non-essential spend. In 2019/20 a restructure of the Service commenced and the consultation raised fears around capacity, particularly at the “front line”.  In March 2020, all restructures were put on hold due to the Covid pandemic.  The MTFS savings had been reprofiled and the actual savings required from the “Rural County” were to be reduced.

 

Cllr Francis, Cllr Hewitt, Cllr Bryan Jones, Cllr McMahon, Cllr Smith and Cllr Snape expressed their support for the Council’s mitigation measures to protect the Cannock Chase Special Area of Conservation and expressed the view that the proposals were measured and were necessary in order to protect this valuable asset for future generations. Cllr Wilson thanked Members for their comments and for the resilience they had shown during the onslaught of objections submitted in relation to the proposals.

 

Cllr Bryan Jones stated that he wished to dispel some of the myths around the proposals and confirmed that there were no plans to tarmac the green at Marquis Drive and that the funding from the proposed car parking charges would be re-invested in maintaining Cannock Chase.

 

Covid Testing

(Paragraph 7 of the Statement)

 

Several Members extended their thanks to the Council in respect of its provision of Covid testing across the County including extensions to the hours of operation to include evenings and weekends and the roll-out of pop-up testing sites.  Cllr Oates referred to the need for additional testing provision in Tamworth.  In response, Cllr McMahon referred to the roll-out of additional pop-up testing which was now visiting seven to nine sites each day.  He also added the Council was looking to extend its lateral flow testing offer to businesses with 50 or more employees to replace the current offer to businesses of 200 or more employees.

 

Cllr Woodward expressed concern that those persons who were least able to self-isolate may be deterred from getting themselves tested.  She added that nationally, around 70% of those applying for self-isolation payments were being refused and she asked the Cabinet Member as to how this issue may be addressed.  In response, Cllr McMahon stated that he, together with the Council’s Director for Health and Care would look into this issue further.

 

Roll out of the Covid Vaccine

(Paragraph 8 of the Statement)

 

Cllr Charlotte Atkins and Cllr Hood referred to the long-term challenges imposed on individuals due to the Covid pandemic such as the learning gap between pupils from different backgrounds.  Cllr Charlotte Atkins enquired as to what plans the Council had to assist those from disadvantaged backgrounds to catch-up with their learning and also how the Council would work with the NHS to address mental health distress amongst schoolchildren.  In response, Cllr Edgeller referred to the need for there to be a mental health Champion in every school.  Cllr Price added that every school had a staff and pupil welfare representative on their governing body.  Cllr Sutton also informed Members that there was a comprehensive guide to the pathways available to support mental health amongst schoolchildren on the Council’s website and he would ensure that, if it had not already been done, a copy would be circulated to all Members.  Cllr Price added members that, with regard to the need for schoolchildren to catch-up on their education, the Government had appointed an Education Recovery Czar who would be responsible for drawing-up proposals as to how pupils would be helped to catch-up.

 

Cllr Winnington extended his thanks to all those NHS staff and volunteers who were assisting with the vaccination programme across Staffordshire. 

 

Cllr Brookes also paid tribute to Uttoxeter racecourse and the local GP practices with regard to their support for the roll out of the Covid-19 vaccines to the people of Uttoxeter and the surrounding area.  He, together with Cllr Woodward, referred to the role which Members could play in relation to being ambassadors for the testing and vaccination programmes.  Cllr Woodward, Cllr Deaville Cllr Edgeller and Cllr Perry also referred to the vaccination centres which had been set up in their areas and expressed their thanks to those involved.  Cllr McMahon added that, in addition to vaccination centres, the NHS had made arrangements for the vaccination of those who were housebound and also the homeless.

 

Cllr Alan White indicated that the Council was talking to its MPs about going forward and living with Covid.  He also added that, unlike some authorities, the County Council was strictly adhering to JCVI guidelines with regard to the vaccination programme.

 

Economic Recovery

(Paragraph 9 of the Statement)

 

Cllr Philip Atkins referred to the recent good news that JCB were to recruit an additional 400 people.  He also spoke about the impact of new technologies such as electric cars and 5G, and also how town centres would need to change if they were to remain viable.

 

In response to a question from Cllr Woodward regarding the Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, Cllr Philip White informed the Council that details of the Fund were still awaited but it was understood that the Fund would be launched in March 2021.  Cllr Alan White added that the Council was working closely with the Local Enterprise partnership to ensure that when new funds were released the Authority was ready to take advantage of them.

 

The Dignity in Care Awards

(Paragraph 10 of the Statement)

 

The Chairman encouraged Members to submit nominations for the 2021 Dignity in Care awards.  Cllr McMahon indicated that this was the seventh year of the awards.  He added that the profile of the care sector had been raised substantially during the Covid pandemic.

 

Winter Grant Fund

 

Cllr Woodward indicated that she had been informed that the ability to submit on-line applications under the Winter Grant Fund had been put on hold due to the volume of applications which had been received and she enquired as to when the applications were likely to be processed.  In response, Cllr Sutton indicated that monies made available by Central Government under the Winter Grant Fund was finite and it was likely that, very shortly, the Council would have allocated all of the available funding.

 

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