Thousands of Staffordshire residents are already seeing the benefits of targeted investment in council services, from improved roads and stronger digital connectivity to increased support for vulnerable people.
In the first quarter of the financial year, additional council investment is already having an impact on its priorities across the core areas of People, Economy, Connectivity, Communities and Value for Money.
In recent months, highlights have included:
- Highways teams delivered 100% of emergency repairs within timescale.
- More than 9,600 health checks now completed to support better long-term health outcomes.
- The Jobs and Careers Service continues to help residents into employment and the Start Up and Step Up programmes are supporting increasing numbers of local businesses to grow and succeed.
- Libraries, archives and heritage services continue to attract growing numbers of volunteers, up by 6.8% compared to last year
- Customer satisfaction score remains high at 90%, reflecting the quality of services being delivered.
- Progress remains on track to deliver additional places for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), including a new Post-16 Centre for Walton Hall Special School in Stafford due to open in September.
- Publication of community safety strategy and the prevention of £23m of detriment and harm by Trading Standards over the last year.
Martin Murray, Leader of Staffordshire County Council, said:
“This update shows that our work is now making a real difference to people’s everyday lives.
“Whether it’s better and safer roads, good access to health checks, support into jobs or stronger community services, residents are seeing the benefits of what we are delivering.
“We are proud of the progress being made, and while there are challenges, particularly around demand in some services and national funding issues, we remain focused on delivering for Staffordshire and ensuring we are in the strongest position possible for when the expected Local Government Reorganisation is announced this month.”
Sean Bagguley, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources at Staffordshire County Council, added:
“We are delivering strong results for residents while managing our finances in what remain challenging times.
“Services are performing well, with good levels of efficiency and control in place and our overall financial health remains stable.
“However, financial pressures remain, particularly in children’s services, and we will take action to address the in-year overspend and account for this as part of future years planning. Every decision we make is about ensuring value for money and protecting frontline services for Staffordshire communities.”
This year, the council’s capital programme includes an extra £15m in improving roads, £1m for a campus for children with SEND in Stafford and over £10m on improving recycling centres.
The council’s latest Integrated Performance Report is due to be discussed by Cabinet on Wednesday 15 July.
