The Staffordshire County Council meeting on Thursday 16 July 2026 addressed a wide range of issues, including significant debate on local government reorganisation, the council's financial performance, and highway maintenance. Key decisions included the approval of changes to the council's constitution and the appointment of vice-chairpersons for Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the announcement of the local government reorganisation (LGR) for Staffordshire. The plan, revealed just hours before Parliament's summer recess, will see the county split into two unitary authorities: North Staffordshire (comprising Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire Moorlands, and Stoke-on-Trent) and South Staffordshire (comprising East Staffordshire, Lichfield, Tamworth, Cannock, and Stafford). Councillors expressed widespread concern and disappointment, with many arguing that the decision lacked democratic mandate and would negatively impact residents and services. Leader of the Council, Councillor Martin Murray, stated that despite opposition, the council had a duty to deliver the changes with minimal damage. The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Philip White, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for collaboration to ensure the best possible outcome for Staffordshire residents.

Financial Performance and Budget

The council's financial outturn for the 2025/26 financial year was discussed, with a reported underspend of just over £6 million. However, this was largely attributed to the use of £11.3 million from reserves, leading to a debate about whether this constituted a true saving or an overspend. Councillor Jeremy Pert argued that it was an underspend covered by reserves, not genuine savings, while Councillor Mike Broom contended that spending less than budgeted, even if from reserves, represented a saving through efficiency. Councillor White highlighted that the underspend was due to factors like lower gas and electricity bills and a pause on recruitment, rather than structural savings. The council also approved the establishment of an earmarked reserve to support future costs associated with LGR.

Highways Maintenance and Investment

The council's approach to highway maintenance, particularly pothole repairs, was a prominent topic. Councillor Peter Mason, Cabinet Member for Strategic Highways, detailed the Staffordshire Highways Roadmap to a Better Network, which aims to move from reactive, short-term fixes to proactive, preventative treatments. This includes a £15 million investment over two years to address lower-level defects and innovative repair methods. While some councillors praised the increased activity, others expressed concerns about the quality of temporary repairs and the long-term effectiveness of certain methods. The council also confirmed that major works funding remained unaffected by the pothole blitz investment.

Notices of Motion

Several notices of motion were debated and voted upon:

• Puberty Blockers and Gender Identity: A motion moved by Councillor Hayley Coles, expressing concern about the PATHWAYS clinical trial into puberty-blocking hormones for children with gender incongruence. The motion reaffirmed the council's commitment to corporate parenting responsibilities, safeguarding, and the welfare of children, and stated that the council would give due consideration to the potential implications of the trial. The motion was agreed.
• Peak Cluster Pipeline: A motion moved by Councillor Su Beardmore, expressing concern about the proposed Peak Cluster carbon capture pipeline. The motion resolved that the council would continue to engage fully with the consultation process, raise concerns raised by the Economy, Infrastructure and Communities Scrutiny Committee, and that the Leader would write to the government and the scheme promoter to ensure local voices are heard. The motion was agreed.
• Principles of Equality: A motion moved by Councillor Martin Murray, advocating for equality based on five principles: formal equality before the law, individual dignity and merit, proportionality, legal compliance and common sense, rejection of compelled conformity, and transparency and public trust. The motion was agreed, with a named vote requested and supported by a significant majority.

Changes to the Constitution

The council approved several changes to its constitution:

• Procedural Standing Orders: Amendments were made to Procedural Standing Order 14.10 to give the Chairman authority to ask members to desist from disruptive behaviour, including mobile phone use, and potentially retire from the meeting. Procedural Standing Order 14.26 was amended to allow members to request their voting position be recorded in the minutes for non-named votes. Procedural Standing Order 8.2 was amended to clarify that questions to statutory officers would receive a written response within five working days.
• Councillor Dress Code: A dress code was adopted, outlining expectations for smart casual attire at council meetings and civic events, with unacceptable attire including sportswear, shorts, and political messaging. Reasonable adjustments for health, disability, religious, or cultural reasons were included.
• Vice-Chairpersons of Overview and Scrutiny Committees: The council agreed to reduce the number of vice-chairpersons for each Overview and Scrutiny Committee to one, resulting in an annual efficiency saving of £12,344.48.
• Delegated Authority for Constitution Changes: The Monitoring Officer was given delegated authority, in consultation with the Leader, to approve minor changes to the titles and role descriptions of Cabinet Support Member Portfolios.

Other Key Discussions

• Staffordshire Means Business: The Leader of the Council, Councillor Martin Murray, highlighted progress on various initiatives, including the success of the Staffy Trail in promoting tourism and the local economy, and ongoing efforts to support businesses and address youth unemployment.
• SEND Reform: Councillor Janet Higgins, Cabinet Member for Education and SEND, discussed Staffordshire's response to the government's SEND reform proposals, emphasizing a commitment to earlier support, improved accessibility, and co-production with families.
• Community Fund: The 2025 Community Fund report was received, detailing how £144,211.00 had been allocated to 234 groups, generating over £800,000 in project value.
• Peak Cluster Pipeline: The council debated a motion concerning the proposed Peak Cluster carbon capture pipeline, with councillors expressing concerns about environmental impacts, disruption, and the need for local voices to be heard.
• New Councillors: Councillor Jonathan Pike was welcomed following his election as the new Councillor for Stretton and Horninglow.

The meeting concluded with the Chairman thanking members for their contributions and declaring the meeting closed.