• Winners at this year's Visit Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Tourism Awards have been announced

• 400 guests attended as gold, silver and bronze awards were given out across 20 categories

• Winners in 15 categories will represent the county at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence later this year

• New economic strategy for Staffordshire approved

• Five delivery priorities set out to shape county's growth

• County council will lead, collaborate and advocate projects to build resilient economy

• sben celebrates 1000 member milestone

• Family-run artisan fudge producer joins network

• Businesses can increase profitability and improve environmental performance

• The county council has agreed a £138 million investment to fix roads, tackle potholes and improve public transport, with more than half of the funding focused on maintaining the county’s highways.

• The programme shifts the focus to preventative maintenance, helping to reduce disruption, deliver longer lasting repairs and make better use of public money.

• It also includes major transport improvements, investing in better buses, safer walking and cycling routes, and more reliable journeys across Staffordshire

• Reform UK members have elected Martin Murray as their new Leader in Staffordshire.
• Martin will remain in his existing post until the county council's Leader is formally selected at Full Council.
• Hayley Coles has been appointed as Deputy Group Leader.

• Country park visitors are being reminded to stick to paths and keep their dogs on leads to protect wildlife.

• Cannock Chase is one of the region’s most important strongholds for adders, which have declined sharply across the UK.

• Protecting rare species such as adders is a key part of the council’s refreshed Natural Environment Strategy.

• Amy Stokes, 16, from Tamworth has won the Staffy art trail design competition.

• Her winning design will be painted onto one of the Staffordshire Day art trail's Staffy sculptures, with the help of a professional local artist.

• With English Tourism Week launching today, Staffordshire celebrates its growing visitor economy which has seen overnight visitors rise by more than 5%.

• Cycleway works are continuing, with a small change to the order of construction phases

• The schedule has been adjusted due to unexpected utility issues under the road

• The project remains on track, with crews working efficiently to avoid delays

• Cabinet will consider a new five-year Environmental Action Plan (2026–2030) next week.

• The plan sets out practical actions to tackle environmental challenges and support economic growth.

• Eight priorities include reducing waste, supporting access to affordable and reliable energy, strengthening resilience to flooding, and supporting biodiversity.

• A pilates instructor has opened the town’s first fully equipped pilates studio at the Stafford Business Innovation Centre.

• Emma Davey retrained after Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ended her dance career, with pilates central to her recovery.

• Supported by the county council’s enterprise centre network, the studio offers specialist sessions for a wide range of health needs.