Dr Richard Harling MBE

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.

Cabinet Officer

Cabinet - Wednesday 15th October 2025 10:00am

The Staffordshire County Council Cabinet met on Wednesday 15 October 2025, and among the items discussed were the rescinding of the climate change emergency declaration, a new approach to delivering the Levy Fund[^2], and an update on business in Staffordshire. The cabinet approved the recommendations for the Integrated Performance Report, the LEVI Fund, and the Forward Plan.

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.

Health and Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee Officer

Health and Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Monday 15th September 2025 10:00am

The Health Care and Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss a new choice policy for adult care, and to receive an update on the Freedom to Speak Up guardian scheme. Councillors recommended that the consultation period for the choice policy be extended by four weeks.

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.