Catherine Mann

Economy, Infrastructure and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee Officer

Economy, Infrastructure and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Thursday 23rd October 2025 2:00pm

The Economy, Infrastructure and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss Staffordshire County Council's economic strategy, the Get Britain Working plan, and digital infrastructure in the county. The committee endorsed the approach being taken to improve digital infrastructure and passed on a recommendation to amend the target for 100% gigabit broadband coverage from 2030 to 2032, in line with the government's revised national target. The committee also endorsed the approach and progression made in developing the Get Britain Working (GBW) plan and approved the priorities and initial actions proposed.

Safeguarding and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee Officer

Safeguarding and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Thursday 16th October 2025 10:00am

The Safeguarding and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan, the pressures on the High Needs budget, and future work programmes. Councillor Janet Higgins, Cabinet Member for Education and SEND, presented an update on the progress and priorities of the Area SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan. Members expressed concerns about early years intervention, the complexity of the EHCP process, and the increasing High Needs deficit.

Economy, Infrastructure and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee Officer

Economy, Infrastructure and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Thursday 25th September 2025 10:00am

The Economy, Infrastructure and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss a petition to build a pump track in Burntwood, and to review the Joint Archives Service Annual Report. The committee agreed to refer the petition regarding the pump track to the cabinet for consideration. The committee also commented on the Joint Archives Service Annual Report, and requested an update in a year's time.

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.

Safeguarding and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee Officer

Safeguarding and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Thursday 24th July 2025 10:00am

The Safeguarding and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss deprivation of liberty safeguards, and a new online referral form for adult safeguarding. The committee agreed to add updates on both of these topics to the work programme for the April meeting. The committee also discussed safeguarding standards in extracurricular activities, elective home education, alternative education, and DBS checks for school visits.