Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest on this occasion.??

Decision – That the notes of the meeting held on 17 April 2024 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 launch of the Council’s Post-Winter Highways Recovery Plan, a major drive to tackle highway defects; the celebrations on 1 May where communities came together once again to celebrate Staffordshire Day; plans to invest in our countryside to allow more people to enjoy it, to boost our visitor economy and to ensure generations to come can benefit from the amazing green spaces on their doorstep which will include investment in the Country parks at Cannock Chase and Chasewater, and the 92-mile Staffordshire Way; the launch of the Staffordshire Film Office which will help film and TV production companies raise Staffordshire’s profile on the national and international stage and help play a part in growing the county’s economy; the Council’s new partnership with the Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust to provide alcohol and drug support, which is believed to be the first agreement of its kind in this sector and we are proud to be a trailblazer in this field; and Council employee Stefan Andrusychyn’s, together with his wife Denise, who are both blind, appearance on TV’s Britain’s Got Talent where they were unanimously voted through to the next round; be noted.? 

The Cabinet also paid tribute Rob Salmon, the Council’s Director of Finance, who was to retire in June after 38 years at the County Council.  They also extended their best wishes to him for a long, happy and healthy retirement.

Decision – That the minutes of the meeting of the Property Sub-Committee held on 1 May 2024 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:

·       This month saw a decrease of 85 claimants in Staffordshire, whereas we have seen increases both regionally and nationally. Whilst this is positive news, businesses continue to face challenging economic conditions across the country which is reflected in the overall claimant numbers.  The total number of claimants in the county now stands at 15,805 and the claimant rate has remained the same at 3.0% of the working age population.  It is important to note that the claimant count rate in Staffordshire continues to be one of the lowest in the West Midlands, far lower than the average for the region of 5.0%, and lower than the average for England of 3.9%. We will continue to support those residents that unfortunately find themselves out of work to access employment through our dedicated Jobs Brokerage service.

·       The youth claimant count in Staffordshire also saw a decrease of 40 claimants this month to a total of 3,015 young people. Decreases were also seen regionally and nationally this month.  The proportion of young people in Staffordshire aged 18-24 that are claiming work-related Universal Credit has decreased this month from 4.9% to 4.8%.  Staffordshire continues to be lower than the national rate of 5.2% and far lower than the regional rate of 7.1%. Our focus continues to be to engage with our younger residents and support them to find employment or continue in education and training.

·       GivEnergy is an energy storage and management company that opened its headquarters at Lymedale Business Park in Newcastle-under-Lyme last year, supporting the company’s expansion and creating around 40 new jobs in the process.  This was just the start of the GivEnergy’s plans to help build upon North Staffordshire’s growing reputation as a major renewable energy hotspot.  The company opened the first phase of its new manufacturing facility earlier this month and has clear plans for continued expansion and growth over the coming years.

·            Our Fifty500 programme has highlighted the significant opportunities that exist in supporting the decarbonisation of the A50/A500 corridor, building upon the work of companies like GivEnergy and our research institutions, including Keele University and the continued development of their green energy expertise at the Science and Innovation Park.  Hydrogen will form a key part of delivering upon the UK’s future energy requirements and it has already been highlighted through our work on the Fifty500 that many companies are currently developing hydrogen technologies across the corridor, including JCB who launched their hydrogen combustion engine early last year.

·            Hydrogen presents a particular opportunity to decarbonise the industrial, transport and power sectors, and a huge amount of activity is already taking place.  Much of this activity is coming together through the Hydrogen Valley partnership which is being led by Cadent and National Gas Transmission, with the partnership considering  ...  view the full minutes text for item 135.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills

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Reasons for the Decision – To consider an update on performance across Community Learning and to approve the draft Accountability Statement which lays out our priorities and targets for the 2024-2025 academic year. 

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Decision – (a) That the developments and performance of the service area be acknowledged. 

(b) That the Accountability Statement for the 2024-2025 academic year be approved. 

Cabinet Member for Health and Care

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Reasons for the Decision – To consider the ongoing impact of Walleys Quarry landfill site on communities in Newcastle-under-Lyme and a recommendation that the Council adopt a formal policy calling for urgent and decisive action by Government to reduce emissions. 

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Decision – That it be agreed that the Council calls for urgent and decisive action by Government to reduce emissions from Walleys Quarry landfill site to protect the health and well-being of local residents. 

Cabinet Member for Commercial Matters

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Reasons for the Decision – To consider undertaking a procurement exercise to establish a new framework agreement for the provision of Roofing works. 

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Decision – (a) That officers undertake a procurement exercise in compliance with the requirements of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 (the “Regulations”) for the Framework Agreement for Roofing Works (the “Framework Agreement”). 

(b) That it be agreed that the following shall be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive and Director for Corporate Services: - 

·       Approval of the appointment of the successful providers to the Framework Agreement. 

·       Approval of the entering into the Framework Agreement with successful providers to include approval and execution of the final contractual agreements. 

(c) That it be noted that any instructions in terms of the framework agreement subsequent call-offs will be approved in accordance the council’s Procurement Regulations. 

Cabinet Member for Commercial Matters and Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Change?

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Reasons for the Decision – To consider approval to award under a framework agreement for the disposal of Garden Waste for all Districts and Boroughs across Staffordshire. 

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Decision – (a) That it be agreed that officers undertake two procurement exercises in compliance with the requirements of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 (the “Regulations”) for the Framework Agreements for Staffordshire-wide Garden Waste Disposal (the “Framework Agreement”). 

(b) That following the procurement processes, the successful suppliers be appointed to the Framework Agreements. Agreement of the final contractual agreements being delegated to the Director for Economy, Infrastructure and Services. 

(c) That it be noted that any instructions in terms of the framework agreement subsequent call-offs will be approved in accordance the council’s Procurement Regulations. 

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

??? 

The Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 19 June to 16 October 2024 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)

“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 the Local Government Act 1972 indicated below”.?? 

PART TWO 

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills

(Exemption paragraph 3)?? 

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Reasons for the Decision – To consider an update on developments in Stafford town centre including those of interest to Staffordshire County Council.

Decision – That the recommendations contained in the report be agreed.?