Residents and businesses in Staffordshire continue to benefit from increased investment and well-run council services, including investment in education, highways improvements, economic growth and community services.
The latest quarterly report highlights significant progress across the authority’s core priorities around people, economy, connectivity, communities and value for money.
Achievements over the quarter include:
- Continued progress in expanding specialist and inclusive education provision for children and young people. This included approval of £28.6m in funding for new SEND facilities, which will support the development of a new special school in Rugeley and a primary pupil referral unit in Stafford.
- £33.2 million of government funding has been secured for college expansion and refurbishment projects across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. The Council worked closely with further education partners to make the case for this investment in facilities that will support learners and businesses across the county.
- On the county's roads, highways improvement work remains on track. More than 4,000 potholes were repaired during August, while the council maintained strong performance in repairing the most serious highway defects.
- Digital connectivity continues to improve, with gigabit broadband now available to 89.1 per cent of premises across Staffordshire.
- Communities also continue to benefit from strong engagement with local services. Library visits remain high, with more than 646,000 visits recorded year-to-date.
- Over 85% of Staffordshire businesses visited were compliant with trading practices and legislation, or were brought into compliance during the period.
- Positive outcomes for children and families, with 73.9 per cent of children achieving a good level of development at age five, exceeding the national average.
Martin Murray, Leader of Staffordshire County Council, said:
This report demonstrates the strong progress we are making, delivering improvements that matter to residents whilst maintaining focus on our long-term priorities.
From investing in specialist education and improving our roads to supporting local businesses and expanding digital connectivity, we are making a real difference across our communities.
We recognise that challenges remain, particularly around increasing demand for children's services and the financial pressures facing councils nationally. However, we continue to take action to address these issues while ensuring residents receive the services and support they need."
Sean Bagguley, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources at Staffordshire County Council added:
We continue to deliver for residents while managing our finances carefully in what remain challenging times.
Services are performing well, with good levels of efficiency and control in place and departments continue to deliver on our core priority areas. Our overall financial health remains stable; however, we continue to face challenges in children’s services, largely driven by increasing demand and costs associated with caring for vulnerable children.
We’ll continue to spend what is needed to protect frontline services, grow our economy and invest in our future, whilst making sure every penny counts and we deliver good value for money for taxpayers.”
The report will be considered by Cabinet on 21 October 2026.
