Staffordshire County Council met to discuss highways improvements, the financial outturn for 2024-25, and the adult social care team's recent inspection. The council approved the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel, the Overview and Scrutiny annual report, and a memorandum of understanding regarding health services. They also voted to increase the number of cabinet support members from three to four, adding a role for special educational needs and disability (SEND).

Highways and Infrastructure

Councillor Ian Cooper, Leader of the Council, announced that the construction of the M6-M54 link road had been confirmed, which he said would alleviate congestion on the A460. He thanked Sir Gavin Williamson MP for his work in pressing the government and the Department for Transport for the road.

Councillor Cooper also responded to a question about building a link road south of Stafford from the A34 to the M6, and asked Councillor Pete Mason, Cabinet Member for Strategic Highways, to respond in more depth. Councillor Mason confirmed that the council would work on revising the forward plan for highways and transportation.

Councillor Hussain raised concerns about potholes, particularly in Essex Road and Brunstone Road, and asked for reassurance that the cabinet member would look into these matters. Councillor Mason said that pavements had been neglected over time, and that the budget for pavement repairs had been removed by the last administration. He said that the council needed to balance repairing roads with maintaining a functional highways network.

Councillor Ann Edgeller asked if the increase in the number of potholes being filled was due to the Conservative administration buying the JCB Pothole Pro, and if the council planned on buying any more equipment from JCB. She also asked what could be done about utilities companies putting traffic lights throughout the county. Councillor Mason responded that the Pothole Pro had helped speed up pothole repairs, and that a second Pothole Pro had been delivered. He also said that he was working on a strategy to lobby local MPs to take the issue of utilities companies digging up roads back to central government.

Councillor Alex Farrell said that Colesville Street in Faisley had been completely resurfaced as part of a £1.5 million scheme. He asked the Leader of the Council or the Cabinet Member how they would stretch council resources as far as they would go. Councillor Mason responded that the council wanted to make sure that every pound delivered as much value as possible into the ground, and wasn't eaten up by planning, facilitating, or on costs.

Councillor Philip White, Leader of the Opposition, thanked the Cabinet Member for sticking with the Conservative plans for the big structural schemes that were being done around the county this summer.

During question time, Councillor Brew asked Councillor Mason whether the previous Conservative administration had missed the opportunity to audit the Amey contract to ensure quality assurance and financial accountability. Councillor Mason agreed that the opportunity had been missed, and that the council could not obtain records as to how many repairs had been revisited for a re-repair because they had failed. He said that he had asked officers to work up a proposal about how the council could track repairs and make sure they were repaired at the supplier's cost and not at the taxpayer's cost.

Financial Matters

Councillor Philip White commented on the final financial outturn for the budget for the 2024-25 financial year, and congratulated Pete Shakespeare and his team for an excellent budget. Councillor Cooper agreed that the officers were tremendous, and Councillor Lodge congratulated the officers for managing the business of £800 million in very difficult circumstances.

During question time, Councillor Clissett asked Councillor Chris Large, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, if the previous Conservative administration had missed a key opportunity to use a £5.3 million underspend due to the failure of properly allocating previously issued granted funding towards desperately needed projects across Staffordshire, specifically relating to child care placements and social care grants. Councillor Large agreed that they had missed an opportunity, and that the £5.3 million underspend was as a result of careful management by the officers of Staffordshire County Council, despite some of the efforts of the previous administration. He said that three of the Conservative councillors in the previous administration were involved with Entrust¹, and that their roles when they were on the board of this business was to simply get a second revenue stream running. He also said that the previous administration had spent £15 million on highways, but that this was not £15 million at all, and that as a result of that initiative, it went from £62 a square metre to £90 a square metre. He added that the previous administration had failed to spend enough money on IT to enable the system to improve efficiency and reduce headcount, and that there were gaps in protocol and missed paperwork.

Councillor White asked Councillor Cooper to confirm whether the current medium term financial strategy had been properly prepared. Councillor Cooper responded that the net zero plan was where the council was going to get its savings, and that the council was not prepared to spend taxpayers' money on projects where they had no customers and no demand. He also said that Staffordshire County Council's track record of establishing legal entities had cost the council £68 million, and that this was part of the NTFS.

Adult Social Care

Councillor Philip White congratulated the officers who work in the adult social care team on the glowing praise that they had received in the report of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for the inspection that they carried out in March and April. He particularly thanked Dr Richard Harling, the Director of Service, for managing the budget to deliver that quality of service. Councillor Cooper also congratulated the officers for all their work.

Screen Staffordshire Film Agency

Councillor Catherine Brown said that We Are Staffordshire was a fantastic website to showcase everything Staffordshire has for living, business, jobs and tourism, and that it was pleasing to see reform continue with the Screen Staffordshire Film Agency initiative set up by the last Conservative administration. She asked Councillor Cooper to congratulate the Conservatives on this very successful Staffordshire initiative. Councillor Cooper deferred to Councillor Martin Murray, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, who said that We Are Staffordshire was a fantastic base but that it had missed reaching out to the public and the wider audience. He said that he would be changing this, and that he had already started working collaboratively with the officers to make it quite a bit better than what the previous administration did. Councillor White said that We Are Staffordshire was launched in 2021 in the aftermath of the COVID lockdown, and that the focus on that was developing links with the business sector itself, but also with other stakeholders and other organisations. He said that the plan that Councillor Murray had described was always part of the next stage of the evolution of this, to open it out more widely.

Armed Forces Covenant

Councillor Ann Edgeller thanked Beaconside Barracks for increasing the council's knowledge on the army and what it has to offer to the people in Staffordshire. Councillor Graytricks said that the army was desperate to engage and recruit, and that they would do whatever they can to engage with whoever they can. He also said that if anybody's got local groups or voluntary sector that want to have some participation from soldiers, they will join. He noted that Stafford Borough and Litchfield District Council had also signed covenants. Councillor White said that it was important that the council made sure that service personnel were very clear how welcome they are and how appreciated they are in Staffordshire, and that the military covenant works well for those people when they are in service in the county and their families who are living there. Councillor Paul Jones said that as a proud ex-serviceman of the 1st Battalion of the Staffordshire Regiment, it was an honour to be part of Armed Forces Day 2025.

Health Inequalities in Burntwood and Chasetown

Councillor Robin Hall said that he had brought forward a motion to shine a spotlight on the health inequalities in Burntwood and Chasetown surrounding the delay in the healthcare centre, and that he had received firm assurances from the senior leaders that they would be pushing hard for real progress on this matter. He asked that the motion be withdrawn from today's agenda, but said that if he or the residents he represents feel that things are not moving forward with the urgency this issue demands, he will not hesitate to bring it back to the chamber.

Independent Remuneration Panel Report

Councillor Cooper moved the consideration of the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel, and Councillor Murray seconded it. The recommendations contained in the report were approved.

Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2024-25

Councillor Baker moved the consideration of the Overview and Scrutiny annual report 2024-25, and Councillor James seconded it. Councillor Edgeller commented on the amount of good work and effort that was put in by the committee last year, led by the cabinet member and chairman of health and care committee, and that Wallace Quarry was one example that was eventually closed. She also said that mental health was an ongoing issue and will be for many years to come, and that the new crisis centre at St George's is an excellent facility and was so desperately needed within the community. Councillor White thanked all of the councillors who participated in the extensive scrutiny activities of this council, and said that scrutiny is really something for the council to be proud of. He also said that it was notable how quiet this council chamber was, and that he hoped that people would engage in the scrutiny process in those committees.

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

Councillor Fantini recommended that the council consider and approve the memorandum of understanding (MOU) substantial variation or development health services and update the council's constitution accordingly, and also to delegate the authority to the leader of the council in consultation with the monitoring officer to appoint the county council's representative on the joint committee. Councillor Kelly seconded this motion. Councillor Greatrix said that she fully supported the idea of getting a joint scrutiny panel, and that this was a joint working with Stoke City Council. She said that there needed to be political balance, and that she would also expect that one of the five who would represent Staffordshire.

Additional Cabinet Support Member

Councillor Cooper said that he wanted to add an additional support member to help in the department, as areas like SEND are important to the county and take up a huge amount of budget. He said that he felt that it was so important that it does require additional help and support to deliver the kinds of services that the council wants for its children across the whole of Staffordshire, and that he would like to put forward Councillor Alex Hunt, who is a trained psychologist. Councillor Murray seconded that motion. Councillor Wildman asked how much that particular position cost the authority, and what the person was going to do in that role. Councillor Cooper said that he would come back with the detail of the cost, and that he thought that this was such an important area that it does require that extra attention. Councillor White said that councillors are stewards of taxpayers' money, and that this money could be spent on delivering services to children with special educational needs. Councillor Cooper said that it was in the council's manifesto that they were going to try and help and support these children across Staffordshire to the best of their ability, and that they would find the money to do that. Councillor Brown said that she was very disappointed that Councillor Cooper was bringing this all down about children and children's services, and that she thought it was pretty appalling and pretty low to say that the opposition did not believe in everything that should be possible for these children. Councillor Farrell said that he was looking for some detail on what this extra post will do, and that this was taxpayers' money they were talking about spending, which could go into paying for services for children with special educational needs. Councillor Cooper said that he was delighted that he had the opportunity to say that it was in the council's manifesto pledge, and that they would put as much resources into this particular area as they can possibly do. Councillor Chapman asked if the post was advertised beyond this council, or if it was just going in side to a member of the council. Councillor Greatrix said that one of the manifesto pledges was to eliminate waste and cut out unnecessary costs, and examine the homework, and that she was only asking for something that's fairly straightforward. Councillor Hussain said that he felt rather very uncomfortable that people were addressing any councillor through you, and that with due respect, he did not want to mention it could be the second meeting, and that he hoped moving forward, they should be put this one in their mind. Councillor Holland asked if it was the case that Councillor Cooper could not answer the question because he had not done his homework, and if it was the case that it was just jobs for the boys. Councillor Cooper said that it was a cabinet position and it was not a salary, it was a remuneration for doing a role, and that he did think it was important and they were going to use the resources they have are able to actually support as many children across Staffordshire as possible. It was moved and seconded that the number of cabinet support members be increased from three to four by the addition of the role of cabinet support member for SEND, and this was agreed.

Appointment of Chairman and Vice Chairman of Committees

Councillor Cooper moved the consideration of the report, and Councillor Murray seconded the motion. Councillor Chapman asked why Councillor Cooper was giving one person three vice chair chairmanships, and if he did not have enough councillors who have the capability for the roles. Councillor Wileman said that £27,000 on election was being spent today, and £14,307 and one pence was the special allowance that had just been awarded to one of the councillors, and that this particular item was £133. He asked if this was reform's answer, and if they were going to be doing something different in the next meeting. Councillor Cooper said that the three roles of chairman were actually there was no payment for that at all, so there was no extra salary payment. He said that he was sorry that the opposition did not have enough people there to fill all the roles, but that that was the nature of politics since the 1st of May. He said that the council was going through a process, reviewing, listening, looking, and doing internal investigations of where they think that the Conservative Party failed in their duty, and that they would mark their homework and bring back preliminary reports on their homework. It was moved and seconded that the recommendations contained in the report be approved, and this was agreed.

Questions to Cabinet Members

During question time, a number of questions were raised by councillors to cabinet members.

Councillor Wallins asked if Councillor Rogerson agreed that the previous Conservative administration missed key opportunities to consult with the electorates of Litchfield and also to run a cost benefit analysis regarding the Samuel Johnson maternity closure. Councillor Rogerson said that the matter of where they had missed an option was irrelevant, as there was actually work going on at the minute, and that he had put it towards the scrutiny committee. He said that there would be no decisions made until it was fully looked at, and that the consultation did not finish till the 22nd of August at midnight.

Councillor Clissett asked if Councillor Lodge agreed that the previous Conservative administration missed a key opportunity to use a £5.3 million underspend, not because of astute financial management, but due to the failure of properly allocating previously issued granted funding towards desperately needed projects across Staffordshire, specifically relating to child care placements and social care grants, and what is the onset of the impact of those underspends. Councillor Lodge agreed that they had missed an opportunity, and that the £5.3 million was as a result of careful management by the officers of Staffordshire County Council, despite some of the efforts of the previous administration.

Councillor Hales asked if Councillor Coles agreed that the previous Conservative administration missed the key opportunity to clarify why £1.3 million of public funds were spent on Burton Library between March 23 and July 24 under the previous administration of Staff County Council. Councillor Coles said that she had been looking at this because there was only around £4.2 million across all of the 43 libraries, and it was a considerable spend. She said that she thought it did need more vigour, more understanding, and how are they going to spend that.

Councillor Lucar asked if Councillor Screen agreed that the previous Conservative administration actually missed a key opportunity by failing to respond to serious concerns about the funding cuts and the lack of investment in the CSE and missing from home services showed a major disregard for the safety of our most vulnerable. Councillor Screen said that they did, and that the funding cuts and lack of investment in CSE and missing from home service ignoring clear evidence and professional warnings has left exploited children at great risk, and sent a clear message that their safety was not a concern or a priority.

Councillor Bagley asked if Councillor Large agreed that the previous Conservative administration missed a key opportunity to review Staffordshire County Council's growing staff numbers during the cost of the living crisis, particularly at a time when many large private sector businesses were forced to reduce headcount over the same two year period. Councillor Large said that they did miss an opportunity, and that the previous administration allowed the headcount to rise not knowing if it was appropriate or not, because no one on the opposite side the previous administration have ever run a business of this size.

Councillor Doherty asked Councillor Miners what safety protocols and monitoring plans will be implemented during operation and decommissioning of the solar battery farms. Councillor Miners said that maybe they should take some heat out of a potentially very toxic situation and actually work together here, and that she would like to propose they do have a cross party working group to look at the best sites that are appearing across Staffordshire, that's the battery energy storage systems that are next to solar panels.

Councillor Pendleton asked Councillor Murray if he agreed that the previous Conservative administration missed the key opportunity to better promote the county's culture, history, business, industry and leisure, such as the unpublicised LIV golf tournament which was Staffordshire's best kept secret. Councillor Murray said that he absolutely agreed with this, and that in his campaign he said Staffordshire had become the forgotten county of England.

Councillor Brew asked Councillor Mason if he agreed that the previous Conservative administration have missed the key opportunity to audit the Amey contract in order to ensure quality assurance and financial accountability, like marking their own homework in cases of poor workmanship. Councillor Mason said that he did agree that the opportunity was missed, and that he thought in the response to the main question he pointed out that they can't obtain records as to how many repairs have been revisited for a re-repair because they failed in any period of time.

Councillor Brown asked Councillor Mason about the Crown pub in Abbots Bromley, and if the council could actually have a measured constructive response and some actual initiative where they can change this what is not really a proper slip road into something that's productive for the businesses not just of Abbots Bromley, but probably all your other pubs as well, which did take place safely in Covid, so why can't it take safely now. Councillor Mason said that the response he actually agreed there was 12 years where they had these facilities on the road and nobody actually had an issue or complained, however a question was asked of this council and its officers and that was the relationship of that arrangement with the designation of the road.

Councillor White asked Councillor Cooper if he would consider what is included here in that answer and write to all members to confirm whether the current medium term financial strategy has been properly prepared or not. Councillor Cooper said that he was sorry that Councillor White did not like the answers of the fact they mark your homework because they just come into administration, however saying that yeah there's quite a few he'll refer to some of these questions that you actually asked me and regarding finance and why I think some of these points are slightly adulty thinking in what you've put forward I'll just take one you know the net zero plan at the moment that the council is going to do I'm referring to the 95 million pounds that you're talking about so this is where you're going to get your savings you don't like the idea of people replying to the fact of employing one person when anybody.

Councillor Farrell asked Councillor Cooper if it was just the case that under reform UK Staffordshire county council is now becoming a do-nothing council. Councillor Cooper said that this was hilarious, and that he had just got a confirmation in the officers regard it's nice you could actually all bother to turn up we do have an absentee here so you know if we do have a council it'd be nice if all of you turned up I know there's not many of you clarity regarding the fact of council diaries and stuff yeah this was set last year under your administration oh dear I'll just check that with MADS team yeah and it was approved so the calendar dates were actually published in November 2024 so if you don't like the diary dates maybe you should go and have a chat with the MADS team.

Councillor Edgeller asked Councillor Mine that meetings to take place about the EDR, but can I please ask that you arrange the date after the 10th September please. Councillor Mine said that as we spoke previously I realise you're on holiday till that date so that'll be fine as I said to you before as well this situation has been going on for many many many many years and since we were born cycling to school past those houses area and you did mention as well that people are starting to think maybe they should put houses there rather than wait until we decide what to do with the road structure it is a very difficult very tricky situation so I do welcome to come together and work with you on a solution that's the best use of our money and for the businesses and development and free flowing of traffic through the area.

Councillor Greatrix asked Councillor Rogerson how is the county council through its cabinet member or cabinet leader planning to address the significant impact that this will have the stats that are quoted on the local people of the county. Councillor Rogerson said that the chief executive has written to the NHS England regional director and the department of health to raise concerns that the proposals in the NHS operational plan will compromise access to and the quality of local health services and that this might be in a result in additional costs for the council.

Councillor Holland asked Councillor Cooper will the leader confirm that this is factually correct. Councillor Cooper said that it's interesting how they use a timeline since 2009 so you can stretch it as far down into history as possible to try and give the maximum amount of savings isn't it but it comes back to this idea of the 95 million pounds and the financial prudence of this particular set of councillors that were elected these officers are great they do a great job but they are led by shall we say other people there are examples of contracts of business deals companies set up that's cost this council millions and millions of pounds millions you'll watch and yet when we raise anything about finance you cry and scream and make a noise an object we try and bring it to the people of Stafford you have a right to know this is all publicly available information we said when we got into office we would listen for a couple of months we would mark your homework we find bits and pieces happy to publish this happy to give this to the public gallery and see where you have spent millions and millions of pounds more than happy to do that so the savings long history you won't talk about things when it's contracts and money.