Agenda item

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

 

Intensive Support for Staffordshire Children with Disabilities

(Paragraph 1 of the Statement)

 

Cllr Charlotte Atkins enquired about impact of the proposals on the provision of Youth Clubs for children with Special Educational Needs.  In response, Cllr Sutton offered to meet with Cllr Atkins to discuss her concerns.

 

Child Exploitation and Missing Children & Young People Service

(Paragraph 3 of the Statement)

 

Cllr Sutton informed the Council that this issue was a priority for the Council and that the new contact would address all forms of child exploitation.

 

Public Health Commissioning Plans

(Paragraph 4 of the Statement)

 

Cllr McMahon informed the Council that, during the Covid pandemic, Public Health alcohol services provision had been increased by 10%, not only to help those described as “problem drinkers” but also those referred to as “hazardous drinkers”.  He extended his thanks to Human Kind, the providers of the service.

 

In response to concerns expressed by Cllr Charlotte Atkins in relation to reductions in Government funding for Public Health over the past five years, Cllr Alan White confirmed that he had recently met with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to discuss the need for adequate funding for the County Council.

 

Recommission of Staffordshire Integrated Advocacy Service

(Paragraph 5 of the Statement)

 

Cllr Northcote indicated that he was pleased to see the Cabinet’s commitment to the provision of advocacy services.  In response, Cllr Sutton indicated that there was a statutory requirement for the Council to provide such services.

 

UK Community Renewal Fund - Priority Projects

(Paragraph 6 of the Statement)

 

In response to a question from Cllr Huckfield about the level of deprivation in the area he served and his hope that the Council would look carefully at what support could be provided to the villages in Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough, Cllr Philip White indicated that Newcastle Borough had been identified as a priority area to receive funding under the scheme.

 

Integrated Performance Report - Quarter 1 2021/22

(Paragraph 8 of the Statement)

 

Cllr Winnington indicated that he was pleased to see the planned overspend on capital projects and he enquired as to what type of schemes were coming forward.  In response, Cllr Parry indicated that the Capital Programme would fund a wide range of projects including spending on schools, roads and other infrastructure schemes.

 

Cllr Francis referred to traffic issues at Beaconside in Stafford arising from new housing developments.  He also expressed the view that more needed to be done with regard to Section 106 monies being used to improve the infrastructure in Stafford. Cllr Smith also referred to similar traffic issues in Lichfield as a consequence of new developments in the city.  In response, Cllr David Williams referred to the planning restrictions as to how Section 106 monies could be utilised.  He added that Members should contact him directly if they had any concerns as to how Section 106 monies were being used in their area.

 

Cllr Alan White added that he was pleased to see the wide range of infrastructure projects taking place in the County.

 

Framework Agreement for the Provision of Asbestos Removal and Encapsulation Services

(Paragraph 9 of the Statement)

 

Cllr Price referred to the additional £5.5m allocation for the Schools Capital Programme in Staffordshire and how important it was to ensure that appropriate framework agreements were in place to so that works, such as asbestos removal from school buildings,  were carried out in a timely manner and at a reasonable cost to the taxpayer.  In response, Cllr Deaville indicated that all proposals to enter into Framework Agreements were scrutinised to ensure they offered value for money.

 

COVID-19

(Paragraphs 10, 17 and 18 of the Statement)

 

Cllr Charlotte Atkins asked the Leader as to whether he was aware that school pupils who attained the age of 16 were no longer eligible to have a Covid vaccine given to them in school and that they needed to obtain one elsewhere.  She, together with Cllr Francis, also referred to shortages of the Flu vaccination in Leek and Stafford.  In response, Cllr McMahon undertook to raise with the NHS the issue of those school pupils who attained the age of 16 not being able to obtain their vaccination at their school.  He also indicated that there had been a short delay in the roll-out of the Flu vaccination which was why there had been a temporary shortage in some areas.  He added that the Flu vaccination was available in pharmacies as well as at GP practices.

 

Cllr Smith indicated that he was delighted with the success of the Covid vaccination programme across the County.  He also expressed his concern and disappointment with regard to those individuals who were spreading false information about the vaccine and those who were protesting outside schools.  In response, Cllr McMahon indicated that the issue of anti-vaccine protests outside schools was being raised with the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and also with the Chief Constable.  Cllr Cox expressed his thanks to Cllr McMahon for the action being taken in relation to the anti-vaccine protests outside the Friary School in Lichfield.

 

Cllr Price referred to Covid levels in schools and indicated that, in some areas, the rates had plateaued and were now starting to fall.

 

Cllr Francis expressed concern about difficulties some of his constituents were encountering in getting face-to-face appointments with their GPs.  In response, Cllr Alan White indicated that this issue was being considered by Central Government.

 

Cllr Pardesi expressed the view that Covid was not over and could be with us for a very long time as vaccine rates in some countries remained low.

 

Staffordshire Means Back to Business – Oral Update

(Paragraph 11 of the Statement)

 

Cllrs Oates, Winnington, Northcote, Sweeney, Burnett, Waring and Sutherland referred to development and regeneration schemes currently taking place in Tamworth, Stafford, Newcastle and Cannock including those schemes aimed at regenerating town centres.  Cllr Sutherland also asked that the County Council work with Cannock Chase District Council to develop additional spaces for new business start-ups. 

 

Cllr Smith referred to young enterprise and the support available to them.  He also highlighted the importance of apprenticeships.

 

Cllr Deaville also referred to the bounce-back of the hospitality sector following the lifting of Covid restrictions.

 

Cllr Philip Atkins spoke about the important role played by the Midlands Engine and Midlands Connect and how the Council was working with neighbouring authorities on regional development schemes such as improvements to the A50. He also enquired as to whether any progress had been made regarding the proposed North Midlands Manufacturing Corridor. In response, Cllr Philip White and Cllr Alan White indicated that the Council was engaging with relevant Authorities including the Midlands Engine on pursuing the concept of the North Midlands Manufacturing Corridor.

 

Developing Family Hubs in Staffordshire

(Paragraph 13 of the Statement)

 

Cllr Edgeller referred to the vital role played by Children’s Centres during the Covid pandemic and expressed the hope that the proposed new Family Hubs would include the provision of mental health support for young people.  Cllr Charlotte Atkins added that she hoped that the development of the Family Hubs would not loose focus on early years provision.  Cllr Flunder stated that he would also like to see the Family Hubs expanding to form Community Hubs.  In response, Cllr Sutton indicated that the proposals would build upon what Children’s Centres were already doing.  He also confirmed that the concentration on early years provision would not be lost and that the Hubs would provide support in respect of Mental Health and Wellbeing.

 

Cllr Pardesi referred to the role of the Family Hubs, including its preventative work/early intervention, and enquired as to why the Council had previously decided to close many of its Sure Start and Youth Centres.  In response, Cllr Alan White indicated that we could lament over what had happened in the past but that did not serve any purpose whatsoever.  He added that the Council was coming up with solutions to issues it was facing today, not looking backwards.

 

High Needs Provision Capital Allocation Funding

(Paragraph 14 of the Statement)

 

Cllr Price referred to the Council’s commitment to the SEND agenda.  He also commended the Council’s SEND Strategy to all Members.

 

Strategic Review of the Care Home Market in Staffordshire 2021

(Paragraph 15 of the Statement)

 

Cllr Pardesi and Cllr Charlotte Atkins referred to the impact of the Covid on the care home market and also how, early in the pandemic, the failure to test patients for Covid when discharging them from hospital back into care homes had resulted in additional deaths.  They, together with Cllr Parry, also referred to the lessons which needed to be learned as highlighted in the Parliamentary report.

 

Cllr Winnington referred to the important role played by Nexxus Cares in providing reablement services and in plugging the gaps in the Care Home market provision.  Cllr Deaville also invited Cllr Pardesi to see first-hand the work of Nexxus Cares.  Cllr Hood also paid tribute to the commitment of the employees of Nexxus Cares and the need for the work of all those working in the Care Sector to be recognised and properly remunerated. In response, Cllr Alan White agreed that the point about pay was a fair one which needed to be addressed.

 

Cllr McMahon highlighted the support provided by the Council during the pandemic including ensuring that no Care Home went without PPE.

 

Olympics and Paralympics

(Paragraph 19 of the Statement)

 

Cllrs Oates, Peters, Charlotte Atkins, Hudson and Worthington paid tribute to the Staffordshire Olympians and Paralympians who took part in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.  They also referred to the inspiration they gave to others, including those with disabilities.  Cllr Oates also paid tribute to the parents and carers of young athletes for the support they provided.  He also extended his thanks to the National Lottery for the financial support it provided to Sport.

 

Afghan Evacuees

(Paragraph 20 of the Statement)

 

Cllr Tagg expressed his thanks to the staff of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and the County Council for the work they had done in finding temporary accommodation, at very short notice, for the large number of families fleeing Afghanistan.  Cllr Edgeller and Cllr Trowbridge also paid tribute to those, individuals, groups and charitable organisations who had offered assistance to the evacuees, including the provision of food and clothing.

 

Holiday Activities and Food Programme

(Paragraph 21 of the Statement)

 

Cllrs Clements, Silvester-Hall and Sutherland paid tribute to the success of the Summer Holiday Activities and Food Programme.  Cllr Sutton thanked the Members for their comments and indicated that, in Staffordshire, the Programme offered over 20,000 places over the four weeks it ran.  He added that over 600 children with disabilities were also able to attend.

 

Staffordshire Mental Health Strategy Refresh

 

Cllr Edgeller encouraged all Members to take part in the survey on the refresh of the Staffordshire Mental Health Strategy and added that a link to the survey would be emailed to all Members at the conclusion of the Council meeting.

 

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