Bernie Brown

County Council Officer

Special County Council Meeting, County Council - Thursday 9th October 2025 12:00pm

The Staffordshire County Council convened for a special meeting to bestow honours upon Sir Ian Dudson and sixteen former councillors. Sir Ian Dudson was granted the title of Honorary Freeman, and each of the sixteen former councillors were granted the title of Honorary Alderman, all in recognition of their distinguished service to Staffordshire.

County Council Officer

County Council - Thursday 9th October 2025 10:00am

Staffordshire County Council met to discuss a range of issues, including the adoption of a new approach to environmental policy, the appointment of political assistants, highways maintenance, and the Community Fund. The council voted to rescind its climate emergency declaration made in 2019, but rejected a proposal to include percentage impact alongside financial impact in budget changes. Councillors also approved changes to the constitution regarding political assistant posts.

Children and Families Strategic Partnership Board Committee Member

Children and Families Strategic Partnership - Tuesday 30th September 2025 2:00pm

The Children and Families Strategic Partnership Board convened to discuss and approve the draft Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP) Strategy for 2026-2029, receive the Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP) Annual Report 2024-25, and review the Children and Young People's Plan. The board approved the SEND and AP Strategy, subject to minor amendments, and accepted the SSCP Annual Report.

Cabinet Officer

Cabinet - Wednesday 17th September 2025 10:00am

Staffordshire County Council's cabinet met to discuss local government reorganisation, the visitor economy, and funding for local schools. The cabinet reluctantly voted to approve a proposal for local government reorganisation, and also voted to approve funding for an expansion of Thomas Alleynes High School. They also approved the creation of a framework for the appointment of political assistants.

Safeguarding and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee Officer

Safeguarding and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Thursday 11th September 2025 10:00am

The Safeguarding and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Annual Report 2024-25, and to review their work programme for the coming year. Councillors requested more detail on specific data points in the annual report, and suggested that future reports include information on the impact of financial pressures and staff shortages on safeguarding capacity, as well as a lessons learned and impact tracker. The committee agreed to form a working group to examine elective home education.