This week in Staffordshire:

Police Funding Priorities Spark Debate

The Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel met this week, and a proposed £20.6 million investment in a new firearms training facility ignited a debate about resource allocation. You can find the full details of the meeting here. With independent inspections revealing areas where Staffordshire Police require improvement, some panel members questioned whether this capital project aligns with the public's immediate needs.

• Councillor Anthony Screen, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Resilience, challenged Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Ben Adams, asking if he would delay the firearms project until core police performance improves, roads are made safer, and frontline units are fully staffed.
• Commissioner Adams defended the project, stating that the current firearms facility is completely unacceptable and that the new facility is absolutely the right investment. He noted that most other forces will need to upgrade their facilities in the next 10 years to meet training obligations.
• Councillor Charlotte Atkins, Leader of the Opposition, raised concerns about the core responsibilities of the police, stating, It just seems to me that these core areas should be absolutely top priority, you know, flashing lights in people's heads if this is not getting right.

This debate highlights the ongoing tension between investing in infrastructure and addressing immediate service delivery challenges within the police force.

Crime Reduction Claims Face Scrutiny

During the same meeting, the panel discussed the annual report from Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Ben Adams, which showed a reduction in crime, anti-social behaviour and calls to the emergency services. You can find the full details of the meeting here. However, some panel members questioned whether these figures accurately reflect the experiences of residents.

• Councillor Majid Khan sought clarification on the figures in the report, asking whether the decrease in crime was due to less reporting of cases or a genuine fall in crime levels.
• Commissioner Adams assured him that the numbers were genuine and that he would provide more detailed data. He also encouraged residents to report all incidents to the police.
• Councillor Screen argued that the public don't feel safe, things aren't being met as they should do, and resources are being channeled elsewhere.

This exchange underscores the importance of transparency and public trust in crime statistics.

Independent Review Proposed for Police Oversight

Councillor Screen proposed commissioning an independent piece of work to review how the panel holds the commissioner and chief constable to account. You can find the full details of the meeting here. He argued that the recent HMICFRS report and case review stressed the need for visible independent scrutiny and restoring community trust in policing structures.

• Councillor Chris Elliott asked whether this was not already the role of the panel.
• Following discussion, it was agreed that Councillor Richard Cox would take the proposal away and bring it back to the next meeting with more information.
• Commissioner Adams offered to contribute his thoughts on how the panel could demonstrate a level of assurance to the public.

This proposal suggests a potential shift towards greater independent oversight of policing in Staffordshire.

Battery Storage Safety Concerns Raised

The panel also discussed fire safety concerns related to the increasing number of solar and battery farms in Staffordshire. You can find the full details of the meeting here.

• Councillor Screen asked what training is currently being carried out by the Fire and Rescue Service to address the unique hazards presented by energy storage systems, particularly those using lithium-ion batteries.
• Commissioner Adams said that the Fire and Rescue Service should be involved in the consultation around every application, but that the service does not have the resources to do so.
• He also expressed concerns that these sites are typically being proposed for greenfield sites or even greenbelt, and that there is a risk that those sites become considered to be brownfield when they are end of life.

This discussion highlights the need for careful planning and resource allocation to ensure the safety of residents and the environment as renewable energy infrastructure expands.

Other Matters

• Councillor Richard Cox was appointed chair of the Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel, and Councillor Charlotte Atkins was appointed vice chair. You can find the full details of the meeting here.

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a list of meetings scheduled for the next week:

• The Countryside and Rights of Way Panel will meet on Friday 08 August 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Special Committee Re: Appointment of Children and Families Posts will meet on Monday 04 August 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.

This week in Staffordshire:

Road Closure Coordination Under Scrutiny

The Economy, Infrastructure and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee convened this week, establishing a working group to investigate the coordination between Staffordshire County Council and its stakeholders regarding road closure permits. You can find the full details of the meeting here. This comes after repeated complaints from residents and businesses about the length and frequency of road closures, impacting daily commutes and local commerce.

• The Network Management Working Group, chaired by Councillor Conor Wileman (Conservative), will examine the permit duration for road closures and the overall management of the road network.
• Councillors Thomas Baker (Reform UK), Su Beardmore (Reform UK), Jon Pendleton (Reform UK), and Simon Tagg (Conservative) will also serve on the working group.
• The committee aims to improve communication and minimize disruption caused by roadworks.

The establishment of this working group signals a response to public frustration and a commitment to improving the efficiency of road network management.

Delays and Demands: Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Under Pressure

The Safeguarding and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee addressed the ongoing challenges surrounding Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), which protect vulnerable individuals who lack the capacity to consent to their care arrangements. You can find the full details of the meeting here. While progress has been made in reducing the backlog of applications, increasing demand and complexity continue to strain resources.

• Staffordshire Council has reduced its DoLS application backlog from 2,500 to below 1,000, bringing assessment times within 35 days of the deadline.
• The council receives approximately 800 DoLS applications each month, with referrals increasing by 19% annually.
• The committee discussed strategies to manage the increasing demand, including training additional staff and streamlining assessment forms.
• The committee agreed to revisit the topic at their April meeting.

Ruth Martin, Principal Social Worker and Safeguarding Lead for Adults, explained the factors driving the increase in applications:

The numbers do increase, actually, because of the ageing population in the main. It also is to do with increasing complexity of need, increasing rates of dementia...

Councillor Ann Edgeller (Conservative) inquired about the types of complaints received, highlighting the real-world impact of DoLS on vulnerable individuals:

I mean, I'm just interested in what sort of complaints you get, you know, what type of things people are complaining about. Could there be an idea of that?

The discussion underscores the critical need for adequate resources and efficient processes to protect the rights and well-being of vulnerable adults in Staffordshire.

Safeguarding Referrals Go Digital: Streamlining the Process

The Safeguarding and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee also received an update on the new online referral form for safeguarding concerns. You can find the full details of the meeting here. This initiative aims to improve efficiency and accessibility for care providers, who make the majority of safeguarding referrals.

• The online referral form is primarily intended for care providers, who account for approximately 70% of all referrals.
• Currently, 10% of all referrals are being made through the online form.
• Future plans include expanding the form to all professionals, including health colleagues and the police.
• The online form includes a system for providing feedback to providers on the outcome of their referrals, addressing a previous area of improvement identified by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Anthony Screen, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Resilience, emphasized that the online form is not intended for urgent safeguarding concerns:

So we do put on there that there isn't to be used for urgent safeguarding so if somebody needs an immediate response the online form is not going to give you that.

The implementation of the online referral form represents a step towards modernizing safeguarding processes and improving communication between the council and its partners.

Other Matters

• The Safeguarding and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee discussed a request for safeguarding support from the Dance Sport Association, and agreed to gather more information on current regulations and their implementation. You can find the full details of the meeting here.
• The Health and Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting scheduled for Monday 21 July 2025, was postponed. Here is a link to the meeting page.

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a list of meetings scheduled for the next week:

• The Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel will meet on Monday 28 July 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee will meet on Tuesday 29 July 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Children and Families Strategic Partnership Board will meet on Tuesday 29 July 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Health and Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee will meet on Thursday 31 July 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Countryside and Rights of Way Panel will meet on Friday 08 August 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• A Special Committee Re: Appointment of Children and Families Posts will meet on Monday 04 August 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.

This week in Staffordshire:

Tamworth Youth Centre Sale Proceeds to Benefit Local Youth

The Charities and Trusts Committee reaffirmed its decision to sell the Tamworth Youth Centre to Tamworth Borough Council and use the proceeds to establish a grant programme for children and youth in the area. You can find the full details of the meeting here. This decision, initially made in June 2021, aims to better serve the charity's objectives after the County Council ceased delivering youth services in 2014.

• The Tamworth Youth Centre, located in the Gungate area of Tamworth, has been largely vacant, with only a table tennis club and Tamworth Radio using the facilities.
• Tamworth Borough Council plans to redevelop the area with future High Streets funding.
• The committee has delegated authority to the Assistant Director for Commercial and Assets to finalize the sale documents and establish the grant programme.
• The committee requested to see a plan for how the money will be spent before it is delegated, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the funds benefit children and youth in Tamworth.
• The grant programme will be for those under 25 in the Tamworth area.

An officer, whose name was not provided, explained the rationale behind the sale:

The County Council is not involved in the purchase and that the valuer had considered the synergistic value of the sale to Tamworth Borough Council.

Councillor Byrne raised concerns about communication efforts to find alternative uses for the building and potential conflicts of interest. An officer responded that the consultation process included advertising the property, the County Council's website, and through Skivvies, Staffordshire Council for Voluntary Youth Services¹. They added that the Charity Commission was satisfied with the consultation's outcome.

The committee discussed the proposed use of funds, with members emphasizing the importance of ensuring the money is used for the benefit of children and youth in Tamworth. The proposal is for Skivvies to distribute the funds, initially on a request basis.

Stafford Education Centre Charity Receives Funding Boost

The Charities and Trusts Committee approved the updated business plan for the Stafford Education Centre Charity (SEC) and its associated funding requests for the next two years. You can find the full details of the meeting here. The SEC aims to promote education for individuals aged 14 to 19, and for children under 14 who reside or are educated in Stafford.

• The funding request for 2025-26 is £161,076, a slight increase of £888 from the amount previously approved.
• The anticipated value of the request for 2026-27 is £159,993.
• The committee approved the continuation of the Assistant Director for Skills and Employability's authorisation to release the funds, subject to successful delivery of the 2025-26 element of the business plan.
• The 14-19 partnership is currently formed of five local secondary schools: Blessed William Howard, King Edward VI, Sir Graham Balfour, Stafford Manor and Western Road.

Matthew Mason, head teacher at Sir Graham Balfour School in Stafford, and chair of the 14 to 19 partnership, spoke about the benefits of the partnership for young people in Stafford, including a broader curriculum, high-quality pastoral care, and careers advice.

Councillor Byrne asked about the reasons for the increase in the funding request. An officer clarified that the charity's income is around £160,000 to £170,000 per year, generated from investments, and that there was a surplus of around £125,000 in reserves.

Other Matters

• The Pensions Panel met on Tuesday 15 July 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page. No video was provided.
• The Cabinet met on Wednesday 16 July 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page. No video was provided.
• The County Council met on Thursday 17 July 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page. No video was provided.
• The Countryside and Rights of Way Panel met on Friday 18 July 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page. No video was provided.
• The Pensions Board met on Tuesday 15 July 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page. No video was provided.

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a list of meetings scheduled for the next week:

• The Economy, Infrastructure and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee will meet on Tuesday 22 July 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Safeguarding and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee will meet on Thursday 24 July 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel will meet on Monday 28 July 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee will meet on Tuesday 29 July 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Children and Families Strategic Partnership Board will meet on Tuesday 29 July 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Health and Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee will meet on Thursday 31 July 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.

This week in Staffordshire:

External Auditors Flag Risks to Council Finances

The Audit and Standards Committee convened this week, focusing on external audit plans, corporate governance, and risk management. You can find the full details of the meeting here. A key takeaway was the identification of significant risks to the council's financial statements, including the valuation of land and buildings, potential management override of controls, and the valuation of the pension scheme.

• KPMG, the external auditor, set a materiality level of £29 million, meaning errors above this threshold could affect the audit opinion.
• The audit will scrutinize the valuation of land and buildings due to the judgements and estimates made by valuers.
• Auditors will also be on the lookout for management manipulating accounts through journals.
• The valuation of the pension scheme will be closely examined due to the magnitude of the pension numbers.
• Councillor Simon Tagg (Conservative) voiced concerns about rising audit fees set by the Public Sector Audit Appointments Limited (PSAA), noting increases way above inflation.

Richard Lee, a director at KPMG, explained the concept of materiality, stating:

So for the council, it's a big number. It's 29 million pounds. But in the context of that 1.3 billion pound of expenditure, clearly much smaller value. And that level of materiality is what we determine to be whereby somebody picking up the accounts cold, if there was a mistake in there for 29 million pounds, they might form a different opinion of what the council's activities and performance is like.

The identification of these risks underscores the importance of robust financial oversight and accountability within the council.

Corporate Governance Code Approved Amidst Doge Effect Concerns

The committee approved the updated Code of Corporate Governance for 2025, aligning with principles of accountability, transparency, and integrity. However, Councillor Tagg raised concerns about a potential external audit of council finances by a political party, referencing the doge effect. He questioned how corporate governance would be safeguarded during such a process.

Kate Loder, the county solicitor and monitoring officer, responded that no formal request or notification of such an audit had been received.

The updated code aims to ensure the council meets the highest standards of governance, with key changes highlighted to indicate strengthened areas and additional controls.

Risk Management Policy Updated to Cover External Contracts

The committee also approved the updated Risk Management Policy Statement and Strategy Update for 2025. Lisa Andrews, the Assistant Director for Internal Audit, Risk Management and Insurance and also Adult and Children's Financial Services, stated that the updated policy aims to strengthen risk management arrangements within the council.

Councillor Matthew Wallens (Reform UK) questioned whether risk identification covered external contracts, such as those with Amey and adult social care contracts. Lisa Andrews clarified that the policy covers risks related to service delivery, including those undertaken by external providers. This clarification is particularly important given the council's reliance on external providers for key services.

Other Matters

• The Staffordshire Leaders Board met on Thursday 10 July 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page. No video was provided.
• The Schools Forum met on Thursday 10 July 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page. No video was provided.
• The Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting scheduled for Monday 07 July 2025, was cancelled. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Countryside and Rights of Way Panel met on Friday 11 July 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page. No video was provided.

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a list of meetings scheduled for the next week:

• The Charities and Trusts Committee will meet on Monday 14 July 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Pensions Panel will meet on Tuesday 15 July 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Pensions Board will meet on Tuesday 15 July 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Cabinet will meet on Wednesday 16 July 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The County Council will meet on Thursday 17 July 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Countryside and Rights of Way Panel will meet on Friday 18 July 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Economy, Infrastructure and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee will meet on Tuesday 22 July 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Safeguarding and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee will meet on Thursday 24 July 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.