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

Ukraine

(Paragraph 7 of the Statement)

Cllr Alan White referred to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and indicated that Staffordshire stood ready, with open arms, to welcome those fleeing the conflict.  He also referred to a letter sent to the Prime Minister recently jointly form the leaders of the County Council and the eight Borough and District Councils showing the strength of the Councils’ support and combined efforts to assist those fleeing Ukraine.  He added that many residents of the County had already offered to open their homes to the refugees.

Cllr Charlotte Atkins added that she welcomed the joint letter from the leaders of the County Council and the eight Borough and District Councils and added that she was sure that the tremendous generosity of the British people would be shown towards the Ukrainian people.  She also indicated that there was a need to ensure that those fleeing the trauma of war were not exploited by the few who sought to make a financial gain from trafficking and enquired as to whether the County Council had sufficient staff to carry out the necessary checks to ensure the safety of both those fleeing Ukraine and those residents opening-up their homes to the refugees.  Cllr Atkins also referred to the existing Ukrainian communities in Staffordshire and to the vital role they would play in supporting the refugees.

Cllr Smith and Cllr Deaville spoke about the people of Ukraine living in fear, and particularly the impact of the conflict on young children. Cllr Smith called on the Council, and the residents of Staffordshire, to do everything they could to provide the necessary support to those fleeing the conflict and, once the war had ended, to enable them to return to Ukraine if they so wished.

Cllr Hood referred to the need for the Council to lobby the Government to ensure the availability of the necessary resources to provide counselling and therapy to those fleeing the conflict.  She also referred to the impact on the mental health of young people in this County who had been following the war in the Ukraine on the news and on social media, and the need for counselling to be available in all Staffordshire schools.

Cllr Winnington spoke about all those who were suffering under Putin’s regime, not just those from the Ukraine.  He, together with Cllr Phillip Atkins, also referred to the impact of the war on food production and how the sanctions imposed on Russia would have an impact on the price of many commodities in the UK.

Cllr Tagg indicated that, in times of crisis like this, it was fantastic so see the good in society and how communities came together to support those in need.  He, together with Cllr Wilson, Cllr Sutherland, Cllr Oates and Cllr Phillip Atkins, referred to many examples, across the county, where individuals and groups had come together to appeal for donations of provisions and other goods to support those still living in Ukraine and also those fleeing the country.

Cllr Hussain referred to the community of 400 Ukrainians residing in East Staffordshire, and he commended the work of local charities and groups who were sending essential supplies to those living in Ukraine.  He also paid tribute to those Ukrainians fighting to defend their country from the Russian invasion.

Cllr Loughborough-Rudd expressed his thanks to the leaders of the County Council and the eight Borough and District Councils for their joint letter to the Prime Minister showing the strength of support and combined efforts to assist those fleeing Ukraine.  He also indicated that the West needed to maintain its readiness to defend Europe.

Cllr Alan White thanked Members for their comments.  In response to the point raised by Cllr Charlotte Atkins regarding the costs associated with find homes for Ukrainian refugees, Cllr White indicated that local authorities were to be allocated around £10,500 per refugee.  He added that safeguarding services in Staffordshire were commencing the planning of the support they would need to provide to the refugees, and that the Resilience Forum was also gearing up.

The Chairman then led the Council in a minute of reflection.

COVID-19

(Paragraph 1 of the Statement)

Cllr Charlotte Atkins expressed her thanks to Dr Richard Harling for so effectively leading the County Council’s response to the Covid pandemic.  She added that Public Health played a vital role but did not get the recognition it deserved.  In response, Cllr McMahon indicated that the Council would do all it could with the funding made available to Public Health.  He also updated the Council on Covid rates in the County, including the positive impact of the vaccination programme.  He added that the Council remained ready to deal with any outbreaks which occurred.  Mr McMahon also expressed his thanks to those scientists who had developed the vaccine and to residents of the County who had supported each other during the pandemic.

Cllr Alan White referred to the need for people to take personal responsibility and to lead healthy lives.  He also highlighted the impact of the pandemic on people’s mental health.

Staffordshire Means Back to Business – Oral Update

(Paragraph 2 of the Statement)

In response to a question from Cllr Hussain relating to insolvency rates in the County, Cllr Philip White indicated that company insolvencies were a normal part of commercial activity as some businesses ceased to be viable.  He added that, in November 2021, in Staffordshire, there were approximately 15 – 20 insolvencies.

Cllr Hussain also referred to the number of people on housing waiting lists and the need to press for Government action on the provision of more affordable housing in the County.

Cllr Sutherland indicated that he welcomed the report and he spoke about the positive impact of the various regeneration initiatives.  Cllr Hudson also spoke about the regeneration proposals in Uttoxeter and Burton Town Centres.

In response to a question from Cllr Charlotte Atkins concerning the tangible benefits of the County Council’s attendance at the four-day MIPIM Real Estate Conference in Cannes, Cllr Philip White indicated that he would respond to Cllr Atkins in writing.  Cllr Winnington added that MIPIM played a valuable role in marketing investment sites, such as i54, on an international stage.

Cllr Philip White also informed the Council of the launch of the consultation of the County Wide Economic Strategy and invited Members to submit their views.  He added that this would be followed by a Rural Economic Strategy to be launched in about a month’s time.

Potential Joint Coroners Service, Business Case

(Paragraph 5 of the Statement)

Cllr Greatorex indicated that the business case for the potential Joint Coroners Service had been examined by the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee who were supportive of the proposals and the benefits they would bring.  He enquired as to whether the restructuring of the service would bring about cost savings.  In response, Cllr Wilson indicated that she did not have the relevant information to hand and would therefore respond to Cllr Greatorex in writing following the meeting.

Cllr Hussain spoke about the need for the service to be mindful of the needs of all sectors of the community.  In response, Cllr Wilson requested Cllr Hussain to write to her regarding his concerns.

Major Improvements to A50/A500 Corridor

(Paragraph 6 of the Statement)

Cllr Philip Atkins, Cllr Flunder and Cllr Hudson expressed their support for the proposed improvements to the A50/A500 corridor and highlighted the benefits the proposals would bring.  Cllr Flunder and Cllr Hudson also referred to the need for a full consultation on the proposals at an early stage.  In response, Cllr Philip White indicated that this was a nationally significant project which, it was estimated, would create around 12,000 new jobs.  Cllr Alan White added that the local authorities along the corridor would be involved in delivering the project and that the County Council would continue to push hard to bring the project to fruition.

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

(Paragraph 8 of the Statement)

Cllr Tagg outlined some of the events taking place in Newcastle-under-Lyme, and also across Staffordshire, as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Cllr Smith enquired as to whether the Members’ Community Fund could be brought forward so as to enable Members to support events associated with the Jubilee celebrations.  In response, Cllr Wilson indicated that the Fund would be launched in early/mid-April.

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