Agenda and minutes

Decision – That the notes of the meeting held on 20 April 2022 be approved.

Oral report of the Leader of the Council

Decision – That the oral report of the Leader of the Council giving an update on a range of issues including the more than 40 events held across the County on Staffordshire Day on 1st May, to celebrate our great county; preparations for the Jubilee celebrations, the annual Staffordshire Ironman event and the Commonwealth Games; proposals over the coming months to distribute £5.5m of support to households most in need in the County; the success of the Ignite programme, under which more than 11,000 final year college students have received training to set up their own business; the commitment of an extra £15.5m this year for road repairs; and the Council’s  thanks to Cllr Johnny McMahon who is to step down from his role as Cabinet Support Member for Public Health and Integrated Care; be noted.

Decision – That the minutes of the meeting of the Property Sub-Committee held on 4 May 2022 be received.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills

• Decision – That the oral report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills giving an update on “Staffordshire Means Back to Business” activity including the following matters be noted:

·       The county is in a very strong and confident place to work through the current climate of uncertainty. Working to support Staffordshire’s economy to grow, generating more and better paid jobs has put us in a position of strength. This strength and confidence is demonstrated by the new Pets at Home HQ and construction work of new houses opposite in Stafford.

·       A key part of a successful economy is the skills of the employees within it.  Over the next few months, Cabinet is to be updated on our activity and success around the skills agenda.  Our drive for improved skills is also mirrored by Governments new Multiply Programme.  I am pleased to say Staffordshire County Council will lead on Multiply in Staffordshire to deliver this £4.2m Programme over 3 years.

·       The proportion of young people in Staffordshire aged 18-24 that are claiming work-related Universal Credit has decreased further and now stands at 4.1%, or 2,665 young people. This is reflective of the record number of job vacancies currently available across the full economy, where Staffordshire saw vacancies increase by 28% between February and March equivalent to over 4,200 more job vacancies.

This decline in young people claiming Universal Credit has contributed to an overall decline in our claimant rate which now stands at 2.9% of the working age population in April, well below the regional rate of 5.1% and national rate of 4.0%.

Cabinet Member for Children and Young People

Reasons for the Decision – To consider the proposed expenditure and delivery arrangements for the Household Support Fund (HSF) in Staffordshire which is required to be fully spent by 30 September 2022.

Decision – (a) That the anticipated receipt of £5,506,547.99 from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), in relation to the HSF, be acknowledged.

(b) That the high-level proposals for the usage of the HSF in Staffordshire be approved.

(c) That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive and Director for Families and Communities, to decide the delivery and eligibility criteria for distribution of the HSF in Staffordshire, and to take all other subsequent decisions to ensure that this support gets to those who need it as quickly as possible. This includes any decisions in respect of extensions to the Scheme or additional funding, ensuring Cabinet are fully briefed on any such extensions or spending.

(d) That it be acknowledged that the delegation to the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People includes authorising the County Council to enter required contractual arrangements with Partners and Providers where required to deliver the HSF in Staffordshire.

(e) That an extension of current commissioning arrangements with Beat the Cold and Community Foundation of Staffordshire for a further 6 months, with effect from 1st May 2022, on existing terms and conditions, to administer the Warmth Project be approved.

Cabinet Member for Health and Care

Reasons for the Decision – To provide an update on the 2021/22 Staffordshire Better Care Fund (BCF) Plan, a summary of arrangements for development and to seek approval of the 2022/23 BCF Plan, and delegation of authority to enter into the legal agreements required to implement the BCF Plans.

Decision – (a) That the progress of the 2021/22 Staffordshire Better Care Fund (BCF) Plan, and the associated funding, be noted.

(b) That the transfer of the 2021/22 Disabled Facilities Grant to the District and Borough Councils, as required by the Government, be noted.

(c) That it be noted that the Health and Well-being Board is required to approve the 2022/23 Staffordshire BCF Plan.

(d) That authority be delegated to the Director of Health and Care to enter into legal agreements under Section 75 of the NHS Act 2006 for 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 in order to implement the respective BCF Plans.

Decision – That the following decisions taken by Cabinet Members under delegated powers be noted:

The Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 15 June to 19 October 2022, which detailed the following issues, was approved:

The Chairman to move:-

“That the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business which involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of Local Government Act 1972 indicated below”.

PART TWO

(All reports in this section are exempt)

Decision – That the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business which involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of Local Government Act 1972 indicated below.

The Cabinet then proceeded to consider the following matters:

(Exemption paragraph 3)

(Exclusion paragraph 3)

Decision – That the exempt notes of the meeting held on 20 April 2022 be approved.

(Exemption paragraph 3)

Cabinet Member for Education (and SEND)

(Exclusion paragraph 3)

Reasons for the Decision – To seek approval for an exceptional inflation uplift on certain home to school contracts and local bus contracts.

Decision – That the recommendations contained in the report be agreed.</AI21>

Note by Clerk: The Chairman of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee has agreed that this matter be exempt from call-in as any delayin implementing the Cabinet’s decision could potentially result in a significant risk of disruption to statutory service delivery.

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Alan White

Leader of the Council