This week in Staffordshire:

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

Children and Families Strategic Partnership Board - Tuesday 29 April 2025

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

Unknown committee - Thursday 01 May 2025

An unknown committee met, but no transcript or summary is currently available.

This week in Staffordshire:

• The Audit and Standards Committee approved the internal audit strategy and plan for 2025/26 and discussed the code of conduct for members.
• The Children and Families Strategic Partnership Board met, but no transcript or summary is currently available.

Audit and Standards Committee - Tuesday 22 April 2025

The Audit and Standards Committee met to discuss the external audit plan, the code of conduct for members, the internal audit strategy and plan, the annual information governance report, the annual civil contingencies report, and the forward plan for the committee. The committee approved the internal audit strategy and plan for 2025/26 and accepted the annual information governance and civil contingencies reports. They also noted the information contained in the report on the code of conduct for members.

External Audit Plan

Robert Fenton, engagement manager for the external auditors, KPMG, presented an interim update on the external audit plan for the year. A full plan is expected to be presented at the July meeting. The key risks identified were valuation of land and buildings, valuation of post-retirement benefit obligations, management override of controls, and adoption of IFRS 16¹. Mr Fenton noted that the risk profile was consistent with the year-end findings for the 23-24 audit. He also noted that there would likely be an additional fee for the value for money assessment, due to the significant weakness identified in the prior year relating to the Ofsted² report.

Code of Conduct for Members

Simon Humble, Governance and Support Manager, presented the annual report on the Code of Conduct for Members. The report covered the period from June 2024 to March 2025. Between June and December, one complaint was received, which was concluded to have no breach. From January to March, six complaints were received relating to five members. Two of these cases have been concluded with no breach of the code found. Some cases are still outstanding. Mr Humble noted that a few of the complaints related to communications between councillors and constituents, with some instances of communications being very sadly lacking. He emphasised the importance of elected members keeping open and active communication channels with the people they represent. Councillor Janice Silvester-Hall raised concerns about a new quarantine system through Microsoft 365 that is causing emails to go into quarantine. She also suggested that there should be more support for councillors, especially new ones, given the number of councillors standing down at the upcoming election. The committee noted the information contained in the report and made a recommendation to assist in respect to the management of member complaints.

Internal Audit Strategy and Plan 2025/26

Debbie Harris, Chief Internal Auditor, presented the internal audit strategy and plan for the 2025/26 financial year. The plan was developed in consultation with the senior leadership team and operational managers. It is designed to be flexible and responsive to emerging risks. Ms Harris stated that the main aim of the presentation was to demonstrate that there is a robust strategy for formulating the audit plan and also to provide comfort to you all that internal audit resources are focusing on the key risks faced by the authority at the moment. The top risk reviews for the year were identified as: Children’s Services – Ofsted Improvement Plan, New Care System, Devolution & Local Government Reorganisation, Adult Social Care – NHS Reforms, Cyber Assurance, Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) – High Needs Block, SEND – Enhanced Assess-Plan-Do Review Pathway; and Education, Health & Care Plans (EHCPs), Entrust Future Contract Arrangements, Digital Innovation, and Skills & Employability – Connect to work project support. Ms Harris noted that the plan includes an emphasis on strong financial management and controls, a continued focus on key digital innovation projects, a full programme of ICT audit reviews, and several audits directly aligned to the council’s delivery plan for 2025/26. The plan also includes a counter-fraud plan, which focuses on preventing and detecting fraud, and a programme of continuous controls monitoring. Councillor Silvester-Hall asked about sufficient resources and whether there was allowance for any additional work that might come up. Ms Harris responded that it was a balancing act, and that some audits may naturally fall by the wayside. She also noted that the team was hoping to recruit an audit manager and were supporting staff through various qualifications. Councillor Richard Cox raised concerns about the capacity of the council to manage some of the top risk areas, such as devolution and NHS reforms. Ms Harris responded that the council was fortunate to have a number of very senior auditors with a lot of experience, and that they could also draw upon the expertise from their internal audit framework contracts. Councillor Tom Loughbrough-Rudd asked about external reviews for South Staffordshire Council and Newcastle. Ms Harris responded that the council was under contract to undertake their internal audit service and needed to provide assurance to those organisations that they have their systems in place. The committee approved the internal audit strategy and plan for 2025/26.

Annual Information Governance Report

Tracey Thorley, Assistant Director for Corporate Operations & Data Protection Officer, presented the annual information governance report for the period April 2024 to March 2025. The report provided assurances that information governance practices are appropriate, current, adhered to consistently, well communicated, and under regular surveillance. Ms Thorley highlighted that there had been an increase in subject access requests, especially in the children's world, which had slightly affected the response rate. She also noted that there had been an increase in reported security incidents, but the majority were low-risk. Ms Thorley reported that the council had successfully completed the Data Security and Protection Toolkit, giving them continued access into the NHS patient data. She also noted that the risk to information security continues to grow for all local authorities and especially their suppliers, and that there is a lot of work being done to strengthen some of the areas. Councillor Silvester-Hall asked for more specific information about the increase in subject access requests in the children's world. Ms Thorley responded that it was in both social care and SEND. Councillor Silvester-Hall also raised concerns about the timeframes for responding to subject access requests and suggested that something needed to be put in place to make sure that the council could meet the deadlines. Ms Thorley responded that a new system had been put in place to help staff with redaction, which is the bit that takes a lot of time. Councillor Loughbrough-Rudd asked about the drop in the percentage of freedom of information requests responded to within 20 days. Ms Thorley responded that it was for a two-month period at the end of the reporting period, but it was back on the levels now. The committee reviewed and accepted the report.

Annual Civil Contingencies Report

Tracey Thorley, Assistant Director for Corporate Operations & Data Protection Officer, presented the annual civil contingencies report for the period April 2024 to March 2025. The report provided assurances that the emergency planning arrangements are fit for purpose, up to date, are routinely complied with, have been effectively communicated and are monitored. Ms Thorley highlighted the changes that are currently underway to the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and the accompanying guidance and standards. She also noted that a recent independent effectiveness and efficiency review had demonstrated the value for money of the Civil Contingency Unit Secretariat and that Staffordshire were operating at a best practice level. Ms Thorley reported that the council had been developing a new business continuity framework, which was following feedback from service users. She also noted that the council had responded to several specific incidents during the year, including Wally's quarry, flooding, and adverse weather. Councillor Loughbrough-Rudd asked how local government reorganisation was going to affect the local authorities that the council works with. Ms Thorley responded that they would work through that as they understand of which proposal they go for. Councillor Loughbrough-Rudd also suggested that internet capacity should be included in the forward plan, as well as transport. The committee considered the report and the assurances provided within it, accepting that the emergency planning arrangements are fit for purpose, up to date, are routinely complied with, have been effectively communicated and are monitored.

Forward Plan for the Audit and Standards Committee 2025/26

Lisa Andrews, Assistant Director – Internal Audit & Financial Services, presented the forward plan for the Audit and Standards Committee for 2025/26. The plan includes regular reports that form part of the assurance arrangements that get contained within the annual governance statement, as well as any forward items that have been requested to go on future meetings of the committee from audits that have previously come through for review. The committee approved the forward plan for the next reiteration of this particular committee.

Children and Families Strategic Partnership Board - Friday 25 April 2025

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

This week in Staffordshire:

• The Special Committee Re: Appointment of Children and Families Posts met to conduct interviews for key positions in Children and Families services.
• The Cabinet approved a revised climate change action plan and a highways and transport capital investment programme.
• The Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel meeting was cancelled.

Special Committee Re: Appointment of Children and Families Posts - Monday 14 April 2025

The Special Committee Re: Appointment of Children and Families Posts met to conduct interviews for three key positions within the Children and Families services. The committee then moved to exclude the public to discuss exempt information relating to those interviews, as defined in the Local Government Act 1972¹.

Appointments to Children and Families Services

The main purpose of the meeting was to conduct interviews and make appointments for the following positions:

• Deputy Director of Children and Families
• Assistant Director for Children in Care and Care Leavers
• Assistant Director for Family Help and Safeguarding

The agenda for the meeting indicates that after the interviews, the committee moved to exclude the public to discuss exempt information related to the appointments. This is permitted under the Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12A, Part 1, paragraph 1, which allows for the exclusion of the public when discussing information relating to individuals.

Cabinet - Wednesday 16 April 2025

Staffordshire County Council's Cabinet met on 16 April 2025, approving a revised climate change action plan, a highways and transport capital investment programme, and an apprenticeship strategy. The cabinet also agreed to recommission supported living care services[^12] and to procure new framework agreements for security services and fencing. Additionally, the cabinet received updates on the Staffordshire Means Business initiative, the Doxey Road levelling up project[^11], and the Connect to Work programme.

Highways and Transport Capital Programme

The Cabinet approved the Highways and Transport capital investment proposal for 2025/26, including a one-off Local Transport Grant of £15.626 million from the Department for Transport (DfT).

Councillor Mark Deaville, Cabinet Member for Strategic Highways, said:

Good roads affect everyone in this county, which is why having a strategic plan of maintenance and improvements is key to keeping our highways in a decent condition and safe for all users.

The funding will be allocated as follows:

• £5 million for pothole and patching repairs, including funding for a second JCB Pothole-Pro crew.
• £3.6 million to accelerate new major maintenance schemes and contribute to the completion of the A34 Radford Bank / Queensville Island maintenance and transport improvements.
• £2.5 million to extend the carriageway preventative treatments programme.
• £1.2 million for investment in bridge structures, including completion of future phases of Branston Bridge maintenance works and a feasibility study to support a future funding bid for a replacement bridge.
• £1 million to double the hot-spot allocation for local resurfacing schemes.
• £0.9 million to extend the footway preventative treatments programme.
• £0.9 million to increase the drainage dig-down repairs and improvements programme.
• £0.5 million for traffic signal refurbishment and non-PFI lighting improvements.
• £0.026 million for road safety investigations.

It was also agreed that £5 million of the council’s reserve draw-down for highway investment would be moved to the 2026/27 financial year.

Climate Change Action Plan 2025-2030

The Cabinet approved the revised climate change action plan for 2025-2030. The plan builds on previous achievements for reducing emissions and identifies new actions, including building climate change resilience into council services.

Councillor Simon Tagg, Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Change, said:

The council made a commitment to tackling climate change in 2019. Good progress has been made, achieving a 52% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in five years.

We know that reduction in emissions alone is not enough. We also need to be prepared for the changing climate that will affect our communities, infrastructure and natural environment.

The plan lists key climate change mitigation and adaptation actions for the next five years and includes a climate change risk assessment.

Community Learning Accountability Agreement 2025-26

The Cabinet approved the Community Learning Accountability Agreement for the 2025-26 academic year. This agreement forms the basis of the council’s Adult Skills Fund agreement with the Department for Education. The council receives approximately £1.4 million annually from the Department for Education through the Adult Skills Fund[^22].

The agreement sets out the expectations of providers and the local authority in delivering post-16 education and training. It also outlines outcome targets for Community Learning, reflecting how the council contributes to the priorities outlined in the Local Skills Improvement Plan[^28].

Connect to Work

The Cabinet delegated authority to the Director of Economy, Infrastructure & Skills and the Director of Finance to enter into a grant funding agreement with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) as the Accountable Body for the delivery of Connect to Work, and a separate funding agreement with Stoke-on-Trent City Council as the additional delivery area member.

The Connect to Work programme will provide funding to local areas to support disabled people, people with health conditions, and those with complex barriers to employment. Staffordshire County Council is the Accountable Body for the programme in the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent area, working in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

Procurement of Security Services

The Cabinet approved undertaking a procurement exercise for a framework agreement for the provision of security services, including mobile patrol security cover, open and lock-up services, external and internal patrolling, alarm activation and emergency response, control access to premises out of normal office hours, CCTV monitoring, static guarding, and office building and reception security.

Following the conclusion of the procurement, authority was delegated to the Director of Finance and Resources or the Assistant Director for Commercial and Assets to approve the award of the framework agreement and subsequent call-off contracts to the successful suppliers, and to approve any framework agreement extensions.

Framework Agreement for Fencing

The Cabinet approved undertaking a procurement exercise for a framework agreement for the provision of supply and installation of new, and repair of existing, fences and associated services.

Following the conclusion of the procurement, authority was delegated to the Director of Finance and Resources and the Assistant Director for Commercial and Assets to approve the award of the framework agreement and subsequent call-off contracts to the successful suppliers, and to approve any framework agreement extensions.

Doxey Road, Stafford - Levelling Up Fund Update

The Cabinet noted the progress being made on the Doxey Road project in Stafford and the award of Levelling Up Fund (LUF) funding by the government. They also approved Staffordshire County Council entering into a Funding Agreement with Stafford Borough Council as the accountable financial body for the LUF funding.

Councillor Philip White, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, said:

The Stafford Gateway scheme will play an important role in the county town’s ongoing regeneration bringing investment, new homes and employment opportunities.

Apprenticeship Strategy 2025

The Cabinet approved the proposed Apprenticeship Strategy for Staffordshire County Council.

Councillor Alan White, Leader of the Council, said:

We have achieved great success with our apprenticeship programme so far, but there is much more we can do as we move into the next phase of the programme.

Recommissioning of Supported Living Care Services

The Cabinet approved the revised Commissioning Plan for Supported Living care services in Staffordshire, including the Commissioning Objectives and summary of the Service Specification. They also delegated authority to the Director for Health and Care to settle and refine the procurement and terms of the Framework.

Councillor Jeremy Pert, Cabinet Member for Health and Care, said:

Supported Living offers people with disabilities, autistic people and people with mental health conditions greater independence whilst providing the care and support they need.

Staffordshire Means Business

The Cabinet noted the oral report of Councillor Philip White, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, giving an update on Staffordshire Means Business activity. This included:

• Tourism in Staffordshire: 2023 was the county’s busiest year for visitors since the pandemic, with more than 37 million people visiting, generating more than £2.3 billion and supporting more than 24,000 jobs.
• His Majesty The King's visit to JCB's World Headquarters as part of the company’s 80th birthday celebrations.
• A roundtable discussion at the House of Commons regarding investment to help develop detailed plans for economic growth and transport schemes along the A50[^4]/A500[^4] corridor.
• The return of the LIV Golf tournament to JCB’s Golf & Country Club in July.
• The Staffordshire Funding Festival, which brought local businesses, support organisations and investors together.
• The extension of the Green Solutions Programme[^6], which delivers energy assessments and grants to small and medium-sized businesses.
• The opening of South Staffordshire College’s[^7] Net Zero Energy Training Centre[^8].

Other Decisions

The Cabinet also:

• Approved the minutes of the Property Sub-Committee meeting held on 2 April 2025, which included approval for the sub-lease of Great Wyrley Library to Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) and the lease of premises at Peel and Walton Buildings in Stafford to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
• Noted decisions taken by Cabinet Members under delegated powers, including the approval of a reduction in the proposed lease term of Staffordshire Place 2 to Walton Hall Academy/Shaw Education Trust for the provision of post-16 education.
• Approved the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 19 March to 16 July 2025.
• Agreed the recommendations contained in a report regarding the NHS Outwoods Project, after excluding the public from the meeting to discuss exempt information.

This week in Staffordshire:

• The Health and Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting was cancelled.
• The Special Committee Re: Appointment of Children and Families Posts met in private to discuss appointments to key positions in the Children and Families Directorate.
• The Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting was cancelled.
• The Safeguarding and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting was cancelled.
• The Countryside and Rights of Way Panel meeting was cancelled.

Special Committee Re: Appointment of Children and Families Posts - Monday 07 April 2025

The Special Committee Re: Appointment of Children and Families Posts met to appoint a Chairman and then exclude the public to discuss the shortlisting of candidates for several key positions within the Children and Families Directorate. Councillor Mark Sutton, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, was appointed as Chairman of the Committee. The committee then moved into a closed session to discuss the shortlisting of candidates for the positions of Deputy Director of Children and Families, Assistant Director for Children in Care and Care Leavers, and Assistant Director for Family Help and Safeguarding.

Appointment of Leadership Posts

The Special Committee considered reports regarding the shortlisting of candidates for the following positions:

• Deputy Director of Children and Families
• Assistant Director for Children in Care and Care Leavers
• Assistant Director for Family Help and Safeguarding

These discussions and decisions were made in a closed session, as they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972¹.

The committee also discussed interim arrangements for appointments to wider leadership posts in the Children and Families Directorate.