Councils across Staffordshire have jointly agreed a refreshed set of pledges that set out how they will work together to reduce waste and protect the environment whilst improving efficiencies for residents.
The updated Vision and Pledges for 2026, developed through the Staffordshire Sustainability Board, brings together Staffordshire County Council, district and borough councils and Stoke-on-Trent City Council around a shared framework for collaborative working on sustainability, waste and environmental priorities.
Rather than taking a one size fits all approach, the joint declaration provides a flexible framework that allows each council to deliver the priorities in a way that reflects local needs, ambitions and policies, while contributing to countywide outcomes for the benefit of Staffordshire residents.
The refreshed pledges focus on delivering practical improvements in how services are run, with a commitment to work more closely on waste reduction, recycling and resource efficiency. By sharing expertise and exploring joint approaches where appropriate, the councils aim to minimise waste, improve services and ensure public money is used efficiently.
There is also a commitment by the county council and partners to tackle environmental crime which impacts on communities and landowners. It can place significant pressure on local services and resource, affecting urban and rural areas. The SSB provides a forum for sharing intelligence and coordinating enforcement action.
The Staffordshire Sustainability Board provides a forum to align priorities, coordinate activity and provide consistent delivery across the county. Decisions on funding and policy remain with individual councils.
Andrew Mynors, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Connectivity, said:
The refreshed pledges drawn up by the Staffordshire Sustainability Board show how councils can work together in a practical way that delivers value for money while respecting local priorities. By collaborating on waste reduction, efficiency and environmental protection including tackling crime, we can make a real difference for our communities across Staffordshire.”
The revised pledges also strengthen the county’s collective voice when lobbying government and funding bodies, helping councils to position Staffordshire for future investment opportunities which can help boost the local economy.
The joint Vision and Pledges document will be taken to each council’s cabinet and then presented to the Staffordshire Leaders Board for collective approval. It will be discussed by the county council’s cabinet at its meeting next Wednesday 20 May.
