Staffordshire County Council appointed Councillor Martin Murray as its new Leader and Councillor Hayley Coles as Deputy Leader. The meeting, which was called as an extraordinary session, also saw discussions regarding the council's recent performance, including issues of scandal and council tax.

Appointment of the Leader of the Council

Councillor Martin Murray was appointed as the Leader of Staffordshire County Council. The decision was made following a proposal by Councillor Coles and a second from Councillor Bagguley. Councillor Murray, who had previously served as Acting Leader since December, expressed his honour and pride in leading the council, acknowledging that he would likely be the last leader due to upcoming local government reorganisation. He also congratulated Councillor Hayley Coles on her appointment as Deputy Leader.

During the debate on the appointment, Councillor Philip White, Leader of the Opposition, and Councillor Richard Holland expressed their disappointment that an extraordinary meeting was necessary, incurring additional expense when the council had met just two weeks prior. Councillor White also raised concerns about unresolved scandals, particularly those involving racism within the council, stating that it was difficult for the council to move forward while these issues remained. He questioned how Councillor Murray's stated intention to come down hard on racists was compatible with his reported desire to move on from the Peter Mason scandal.

Councillor Alex Farrell, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, criticised the controlling group for failing to fulfil election promises regarding waste reduction and lowering council tax, noting that council tax had increased by 3.99%. He also commented on the deteriorating state of the roads.

Councillor Bernie Brown reiterated her offer to work collaboratively with the controlling group for the benefit of Staffordshire residents. Councillor Jill Hood expressed a strong desire for all members to work together respectfully going forward, calling for an end to disruptive behaviour and a focus on the work of officers and councillors. She stated she would not be voting for Councillor Murray, apologising for this, and urged him to make the removal of Councillor Peter Mason a priority.

Councillor Murray, in his acceptance speech, thanked members for their support and acknowledged the work being done in their communities. He emphasised the importance of stability, getting the job done, and working together, particularly in light of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and the opportunities presented by devolution. He expressed hope that devolution would give Staffordshire a stronger voice and help to reintegrate Stoke-on-Trent into the county.

The motion to appoint Councillor Martin Murray as Leader of the County Council was carried by a majority vote.