This week in Staffordshire:

Food Waste Framework Approved: Savings and Sustainability on the Horizon

The Staffordshire County Council Cabinet has approved a new framework for food waste disposal, a move that could save taxpayers between £500,000 and £1 million annually. You can read the full report here.

• By April 2026, every local council authority in England will need to collect food waste from households on a weekly basis, as part of new government strategy requirements.
• Currently, most Staffordshire households, except those in Newcastle and the Moorlands, dispose of food waste in their main bins.
• A 2019 Keele University analysis revealed that food waste comprises 31.5% of Staffordshire's residual waste¹.
• This change could divert approximately 20,000 tons of waste per year from incinerators at W2R in the south and Hansford in the north of the county.

Councillor Andrew Mynors, Cabinet Member for Connectivity, emphasized the financial and environmental benefits:

The gate fee per tonnage for disposing of waste at the incinerator is higher than the gate fee of the tonnage of food waste. So again, money can be saved there. So we're increasing the recycling, and we're also hopefully giving some money back to the residents and tax and save money.

The council opted for a framework agreement rather than a single contractor to foster competition and flexibility. The Cabinet also delegated authority to the Director for the Economy, Infrastructure, and Skills to approve the contract, and to the Office of Legal Services to execute it.

SEND Contract Secured: Continued Support for Vulnerable Students

The Cabinet has approved a contract with The Haven School Limited to secure 25 full-time equivalent day placements for pupils with education, health and care plans (EHCPs). More details are available in the meeting report.

• The Haven School Limited, an Ofsted-registered independent special school, is approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
• Staffordshire County Council has been securing placements at The Haven School since it opened in 2016.
• The new contract ensures continued provision for young people aged 11 to 19 with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs.
• The contract runs for two years, from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2027, with options to extend until August 31, 2029.

Councillor Janet Higgins, Cabinet Member for Education and SEND, highlighted the importance of this agreement in providing necessary specialist provision for children with EHCPs.

Financial Underspend Reported: Prudent Management Amidst Pressures

Staffordshire County Council reported a £5.3 million underspend for the 2024-25 financial year. You can find the full financial outturn in the meeting documents.

• Councillor Chris Large, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, attributed the underspend to savings across all directorates, despite pressures in children in care placements and support for older people with physical disabilities.
• These services were partially funded by additional social care grants.
• The £15 million contingency budget remained unused and will be contributed to the Capital Reserve Fund for future capital investments.
• The Capital Programme saw £151.6 million spent on school places, highways, property, and economic regeneration.

Councillor Ian Cooper, Leader of the Council, expressed concern over the government's delayed white paper on SEND funding, emphasizing the need for adequate resources to support these critical services. He also noted that the council spends £7 in every £10 on caring for people of all ages.

Boosting Staffordshire's Economy: Film Office and Global Events

Councillor Martin Murray, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, outlined efforts to stimulate economic growth in Staffordshire. Read more in the meeting report.

• The number of people claiming universal credit in the county has increased to 16,045, or 3% of the working age population.
• The youth claimant count also rose to 3,160, representing 5% of the population aged 18 to 24.
• The launch of Screen Staffordshire, the county's first film office, aims to attract more film and television productions to the area.
• The JCB Golf and Country Club will again host the Live Golf Tournament in 2025, drawing tens of thousands of fans from around the world.

Councillor Murray stressed the importance of engaging with younger residents to encourage education and training, and highlighted the potential economic benefits of attracting investors and visitors to Staffordshire.

Other Matters

• Councillor Nicholas Lakin, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, approved the expenditure, volumes, and delivery arrangements for the Round 7 Household Support Fund in Staffordshire, providing essential support to vulnerable households. You can read the full report here.
• The Countryside and Rights of Way Panel met on Friday, June 20th, 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page. No video recording of the meeting was provided, so the details of the discussion are not available.

Upcoming Meetings

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

• The Audit and Standards Committee will meet on Tuesday 24 June 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Children and Families Strategic Partnership Board will meet on Tuesday 24 June 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Coroner Area Joint Committee will meet on Wednesday 25 June 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education will meet on Wednesday 25 June 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Joint Archives Committee will meet on Thursday 26 June 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Health and Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee will meet on Monday 30 June 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Property Sub-Committee will meet on Wednesday 02 July 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Pensions Committee will meet on Friday 04 July 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.

This week in Staffordshire:

Assistant Director Appointed

A Special Committee RE Appointment of Assistant Director for Strategy and Transformation met on Monday, June 9th, 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page. The committee was formed to appoint an Assistant Director for Strategy and Transformation. No video recording of the meeting was provided, so the details of the discussion are not available.

Rights of Way Under Discussion

The Countryside and Rights of Way Panel met on Friday, June 13th, 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page. No video recording of the meeting was provided, so the details of the discussion are not available.

Other Matters

• The Charities and Trusts Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 10th, 2025, was cancelled. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Staffordshire Health and Wellbeing Board meeting scheduled for Wednesday, June 11th, 2025, has been cancelled. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, June 11th, 2025, has been cancelled. Here is a link to the meeting page.

Upcoming Meetings

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

• The Cabinet will meet on Wednesday, June 18th, 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Countryside and Rights of Way Panel will meet on Friday, June 20th, 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Audit and Standards Committee will meet on Tuesday 24 June 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Children and Families Strategic Partnership Board will meet on Tuesday 24 June 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Coroner Area Joint Committee will meet on Wednesday 25 June 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education will meet on Wednesday 25 June 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Joint Archives Committee will meet on Thursday 26 June 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.

This week in Staffordshire:

Planning Decisions Under Scrutiny

The Planning Committee met on Thursday, June 5th, 2025, but no video recording of the meeting was provided, so the details of the discussion are not available. Here is a link to the meeting page.

Other Matters

• The Property Sub-Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, June 4th, 2025, was cancelled. Here is a link to the meeting page.

Upcoming Meetings

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

• The Special Committee RE Appointment of Assistant Director for Strategy and Transformation will meet on Monday, June 9th, 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Countryside and Rights of Way Panel will meet on Friday, June 13th, 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Staffordshire Health and Wellbeing Board meeting scheduled for Wednesday, June 11th, 2025, has been cancelled. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, June 11th, 2025, has been cancelled. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Charities and Trusts Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 10th, 2025, has been cancelled. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Cabinet will meet on Wednesday, June 18th, 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.
• The Countryside and Rights of Way Panel will meet on Friday, June 20th, 2025. Here is a link to the meeting page.

This week in Staffordshire:

• The Children and Families Strategic Partnership Board met, but no transcript or summary is currently available.
• At the County Council meeting, Councillor Paul Williams was appointed Chairman, Councillor Gordon Munro was appointed Vice-Chairman, and a motion on improving roads failed.

Children and Families Strategic Partnership Board - Tuesday 20 May 2025

The Children and Families Strategic Partnership Board met, but no transcript or summary is currently available.

County Council - Thursday 22 May 2025

The Staffordshire County Council meeting on 22 May 2025 saw Councillor Paul Williams appointed as Chairman of the County Council, and Councillor Gordon Munro appointed as Vice-Chairman. Councillors also debated a motion on improving roads, which ultimately failed to pass. The new Reform UK led administration responded to questions from the previous Conservative administration by promising to review past work before making any decisions.

Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman

Councillor Paul Williams was elected as Chairman of the council, proposed by Councillor Gary Hales and seconded by Councillor Warwick McKenzie. Councillor Williams thanked the council and paid tribute to the outgoing chairman, Councillor Hewitt, and his consort Adrienne, for their service. Councillor Jill Hood also spoke, praising Councillor Hewitt for his kindness, compassion, and sense of humour.

Councillor Gordon Munro was appointed as Vice-Chairman of the County Council, nominated by Councillor Charlotte Kelly and seconded by Councillor Matthew Wallens. Councillor Munro thanked the council and acknowledged the service of the outgoing Vice-Chairman, Councillor Colin Greatorex, and his wife Donna. Councillor Philip White, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, also thanked Councillor Greatorex and Donna for their service.

Tributes to Retiring and Non-Re-elected Members

The council paid tribute to members who were not re-elected or had retired. Councillor Philip White paid tribute to the outgoing leader, Councillor Alan White, for his service and leadership. Councillor Syed Hussain, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, acknowledged the contributions of several councillors, including Councillor Philip Atkins, Susan Woodward, Councillor Ellen White, Councillor Charlotte Atkins, the late Derek Davies, Gillian, Arshad, Mark Duval, Nigel, Simon, Connor, Colin, Victorious, Gill, and Councillor Philip White. Councillor Conor Wileman paid tribute to former councillors from East Staffordshire, including Councillor Philip Atkins, Bernard Peters, Julia Jessel, and Philip Hudson. Councillor Victoria Wilson, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture, spoke of the dedication of former cabinet members. Councillor Ann Edgeller, Vice-Chair (Scrutiny) of the Health and Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee & Mental Health Champion, thanked Councillors Jeremy Pert, Jonathan Price, and Mark Willington for their work. Councillor Colin Greatorex mentioned General Sylvester Hall and Richard Cox, noting their attendance at meetings.

Appointment of Leader and Cabinet

Councillor Ian Cooper was appointed as the Leader of the Council, proposed by Councillor Tracey Dougherty and seconded by Councillor Rhys Mandry. Councillor Cooper addressed the council, thanking them for the opportunity to lead and outlining his vision for Staffordshire. He emphasised the need for change, a fresh start, and a focus on delivering essential services. He also highlighted the importance of working with partners and challenging national issues such as funding for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Councillor Philip White congratulated Councillor Cooper and offered his support.

Councillor Cooper proposed setting the cabinet membership at nine members plus the leader, which was agreed.

Motion on Improving Roads

Councillor Jack Rose introduced a motion focused on improving roads, particularly in rural areas. He expressed disappointment that Councillor Peter Mason and the new cabinet member had not engaged with him on the motion. Councillor Angela argued that potholes were exacerbated by recent severe weather and that the county was already investing significantly in roads. Councillor Syed Hussain acknowledged the importance of addressing potholes and highlighted government funding for road repairs. Councillor Philip White supported the sentiment of the motion but stated that the Conservative group could not support the detail, arguing that the proposals would worsen the situation. Councillor Ian Cooper also expressed support for the sentiment but stated that the Reform group could not support the motion. Councillor Rose acknowledged the lack of support and stated his intention to revise and resubmit the motion in the future. The motion ultimately failed to pass.

Questions to the Leader and Cabinet

Councillors posed questions to the Leader of the Council and cabinet members. The new administration responded to each question by stating that they were treating their legal obligations seriously and would review the work of the previous administration before making any decisions. This approach was criticised by some councillors, including Councillor Victoria Wilson, who expressed concern that urgent cases were not being addressed promptly, and Councillor Philip White, who likened the responses to a broken record. Councillor Richard Holland asked why the Leader of the Council had apparently changed his mind about scrapping net zero initiatives. Councillor Alex Farrell asked why the new administration was sticking to the financial plans of the previous Conservative administration, given Reform's claims that the council was badly run and wasteful. Councillor Val Chapman questioned why diversity, equality, and inclusion was one of Reform's election pledges. Councillor Ann Edgeller asked what the council would do to reduce immigration. Councillor Bernie Brown asked the Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture to commit to retaining libraries. Councillor Philip White asked the Leader of the Council to apologise for the cost of a by-election caused by Reform UK's failure to properly vet a candidate who had made obscene social media posts. Councillor Cooper responded that the candidate had resigned for personal reasons and that the Conservatives were being hypocritical in complaining about the cost of the by-election, given the number of costly by-elections caused by Conservative MPs in the last Parliament.