Tuesday, February 18th, 2014
The UK’s inflation rate, as measured by the consumer prices index, fell to 1.9% in January, for the first time in more than four years and the fall is likely to underline the Bank of England’s message that there is no rush to raise interest rates.
Inflation as measured by the Retail Prices Index rose to 2.8% from 2.7% in December, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.
The lower inflation was in large part due to a fall in the cost of recreational and cultural activities, including falling DVD prices and lower entrance fees to attractions. Discounts on furniture and household goods, and also lower alcohol and tobacco prices, also had an impact, the ONS said.
The Prime Minister tweeted that the figures support the Government’s economic strategy. Mr Cameron said, “Today’s fall in inflation is more evidence our long term economic plan is working. We want to ensure a secure future for hard-working people.”
Bank of England Governor Mark Carney indicated earlier this month that interest rates would not rise for some time and according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), the fall in inflation is likely to help bolster this message.
Tuesday, February 18th, 2014
On Thursday 13th February, a meeting of Conservative controlled Staffordshire County Council once again agreed to freeze council tax as members agreed the budget for next year and that means there has been no rise for four years.
Being able to freeze council tax will keep more money in everyone’s pockets, including those staff who live in the county. This in turn will help further boost Staffordshire’s economic recovery, which is already heading in the right direction.
Demand for council services, particularly for adult social care, people with learning disabilities and vulnerable children, has continued to increase. As people live longer, the health and social care demands will only grow. In addition, the substantial reduction in funding from Government in recent years has focussed our minds very clearly on exactly how we, as officers, use public money to the very best advantage. With increasing demand and reducing income it’s undeniably challenging to achieve the right balance and we must continue to adapt and embrace doing things differently.
We must support those who need us most, invest in our economy to support jobs, and find the savings to balance our books. We are determined to do the ‘right thing’ for our residents.
This determination is reflected in the new strategic plan and the associated five-year financial plan. Together they set out how we will invest and create the right conditions for the economy to grow and new jobs to be created.
Underlying all is a continuing refinement in the way we must now work together. Whatever our role, we can all contribute to creating a connected Staffordshire where everyone has the opportunity to prosper, be healthy and happy.
Whether it’s working together across teams, with partner organisations or with the private sector, we will all become more connected to deliver the necessary efficiencies and savings. With your help, we will always be able to put the people of Staffordshire first and do the right thing.
You can see more information about Staffordshire County Council share of the council tax here.
Saturday, February 15th, 2014
Tackling hate crime in Staffordshire is playing an integral part in making the county a safer place for everyone, the County’s Community Safety Leader said this week.
Speaking after a joint event to understand hate crime better and how it can be tackled, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Support Member for Community Safety, Cllr Mark Sutton, said addressing the issue was everyone’s responsibility.
Hate crime is defined as when an offender targets the victim because they believe they are different in some way, be that because of their sexuality, a disability, their race, religion, gender or even because of the way they look or dress. Yesterday’s event, held at Staffordshire University, brought together a range of organisations from across the county and Stoke-on-Trent. Its aim was to bring better understanding of the issue both in Staffordshire and nationally and to draw up a joint plan to tackle it.
Cllr Sutton said, “It is hugely encouraging to see the positive force we have in Staffordshire across a range of organisations to stop hate crime. This type of crime has a devastating impact on people and communities and can have tragic consequences.
“It is hard to understand why anyone would commit this type of crime and it is important that perpetrators are brought to justice. However, it is vital that easily accessible support to victims is in place and that we are working to prevent this crime from happening in the long-term by addressing root causes.
“Staffordshire people should be confident that we have a committed team who are already doing a great deal to tackle hate crime. We know there is a lot to be done, but we are continuing to strengthen our partnership to make this county a safer place which is a priority to us.”
The event was organised by Staffordshire County Council and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, both of which are currently controlled by Conservative Party elected politicians. The event was also supported by Staffordshire Police, Challenge North Staffordshire (CNS), Chase Against Crimes of Hate (CACH) and Partnership Against Crimes of Hate (PACH).
Tuesday, February 11th, 2014
Yesterday in the House of Commons, Christopher Pincher called on the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to put pressure on the Environment Agency to allow farmers to clear and manage the watercourses that cross their land to avoid flooding from nearby rivers.
During the debate on flooding Mr Pincher said, “The River Mease in my constituency has regularly flooded near Elford, Haunton and Harlaston, partly because the Environment Agency, with other agencies, has refused to allow farmers to clear and manage their watercourses.
“May I echo others by asking my right hon. Friend to encourage the practitioners of conventional orthodoxy to pay close attention to the concerns and advice of farmers, who are as expert at managing their fields and watercourses as anyone in the EA?”
The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles MP, replied, “We have looked to farmers and those in similar professions to help us out during this whole process and their local knowledge has often made the difference. As I have said from the Dispatch Box, my right hon. Friend the Environment Secretary believes in that principle passionately, and I believe that good management is operated, if only by acting as an agency for the agency.”
Friday, February 7th, 2014
An innovative scheme delivered by Conservative controlled Staffordshire County Council is continuing to help hundreds of people get a foot on the career ladder.
The Open Door programme, which was introduced in 2009, helps prepare people for the world of work by offering them a twelve-week work experience placement. Over 350 people from across the county have already benefited from the programme so far.
The scheme focuses on helping people who face difficulties and barriers in finding work, and includes people with disabilities, mental health issues, ex offenders, Children leaving care, school leavers, and graduates.
The scheme provides work placements within Council departments and also with external organisations depending on the candidates preferred area of work. During the placement, people get valuable work experience, which they can put on their CV, a reference from their manager, as well as access to certain training courses. People also get the opportunity to apply for any internally advertised jobs with the Council.
Staffordshire County Councillor, Ben Adams, Cabinet Member for Learning and Skills said, “A key priority for us as a Council is to ensure that people get the opportunity to access good quality jobs and that we have a skilled workforce to grow our economy. This is a vital part of our strategy to bring growth and prosperity to Staffordshire.
“Our Open Door project is a great scheme that offers people a twelve week voluntary work experience placement within a wide variety of job roles. The scheme, which was launched in 2009, has already helped over 350 people, with some securing full time employment.
“We are making sure that people who need that extra bit of support to get into their chosen careers get the help they need. Open Door, along with other initiatives including our highly successful apprenticeship programme is helping people get into work.”
For further information on the Open Door Staffordshire scheme please contact Vicky Perry on 01785 854486 or email Vicky.Perry@staffordshire.gov.uk.
Wednesday, February 5th, 2014
Residents are set to have their council tax bills frozen again in April after a vote by Conservative controlled Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet today (Wednesday 5th February).
The recommendation to freeze council tax will now go to a meeting of full council next Thursday, 13th February. If approved, the county council’s share of council tax bills will be unchanged for the fourth year running.
Cabinet this morning discussed budget plans that will see the county council make £19.3m of savings in 2014-15, while continuing investing in Staffordshire’s economy and working ever closer with partners to improve people’s quality of life.
Cllr Ian Parry, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Transformation on Staffordshire County Council, said, “This important decision once again protects the finances and living standards of Staffordshire residents. The national and local economy has turned a corner but it is not right for us to ask people to pay any more at a time when the recovery remains fragile.
“Instead we need to continue being really clear what local people’s priorities are, from creating more quality jobs, to improving health. We have less money to spend so it is vital that we find new, better ways of working, and encourage greater responsibility and independence where we so that people are less reliant on our services.
“The recommendation to freeze bills will not go to members for approval at next week’s full council meeting.”
The new strategic plan and medium term financial strategy – which sets out the local authority’s vision for the county, alongside draft investment and savings plans for the next five years – will go to a meeting of the full council for final approval on Thursday 13th February.
Wednesday, February 5th, 2014
Conservative controlled Staffordshire County Council has launched its new sports grant scheme and is encouraging young athletes to make an application.
The Staffordshire’s Talented Athlete Fund (STAF) has been set up to support some of the county’s most promising young sports people. The scheme offers awards of up to £1000 to help young people meet the costs associated with training and competition. Awards are made to young people in three categories, Gold, Silver and Bronze, in selected sports to reflect the broad range of talent in the County.
Cllr Gill Heath, Cabinet Support Member for the Environment and Rural Affairs with Staffordshire County Council said, “We have a wealth of young sporting talent here in Staffordshire and as a council we want to do what we can to nurture this talent.
“STAF is just one of the initiatives being delivered by the Council and ‘Sport-Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent’, to provide talented young people with opportunities to fulfil their sporting potential. We have already had some applications come through but I would like to see even more people applying before the closing date on 2 March.”
The STAF awards are delivered in partnership with Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. The fund is looking for applications from athletes who are committed, driven and proud to represent Staffordshire.
Applicants must either live, or go to school in Staffordshire and have a date of birth that falls between 1 September 1993 and 31 August 2002. Athletes with a disability may have a date of birth that falls between 1 September 1986 and 31 August 2002.
For full details on the fund or to download an application pack, please visit www.sportacrossstaffordshire.co.uk or www.youthbox.info/GetInvolved/Staffordshire-Talented-Athlete-Fund.aspx. The closing date for applications is 2 March 2014.
Wednesday, January 29th, 2014
Tamworth’s MP, Christopher Pincher, is backing the ‘Let’s Talk Jobs’ initiative run by Conservative controlled Staffordshire County Council. The programme, aimed at 14-24 year olds, brings together a range of organisations that can help to make a difference to people wanting to improve their skills and join the towns growing labour market.
Mr Pincher said, “This is an excellent initiative set up by Staffordshire County Council which aims to get more people properly trained and equipped with the right skills to meet the demands of local growing businesses.
“With an additional 200 new jobs expected at Birch Coppice, along with the growing companies in our retail and industrial parks, we need young people with the right skills to fill these vacancies. I hope that many young people use this service, increase their skills and add themselves to the growing number of hardworking people in Tamworth who are in work, raising living standards for them and their family.”
Latest figures show the number of JSA claimants in Tamworth is down to 946 or just 1.9% of the working age population. Unemployment has fallen 41.6% in the last twelve months whilst youth unemployment has plummeted by a massive 48.9% since December 2012. Local unemployment has seen the largest annual drop in Staffordshire and represents the lowest level on JSA claimants in Tamworth since 2004.
There are a range of experts across Staffordshire providing impartial advice and Let’s Talk Jobs will help to signpost people to the right organisation. Click here for more information.
Wednesday, January 29th, 2014
Staffordshire’s Conservative elected Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis will call for fundamental change to the way mental health crisis services are delivered across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent when he meets with senior decision-makers this week.
Mr Ellis will hold the meeting following a conference in December which saw more than 200 local practitioners, third sector bodies and senior police officers come together to focus on making the system work better.
The catalyst for national change was a report commissioned by Mr Ellis in April 2013, which showed that around 20 per cent of total police time in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent is spent dealing with mental health-related incidents. The ‘Staffordshire Report’ also made clear that a lack of the right support for people suffering from mental illness is a key reason why individuals end up in police cells instead of more appropriate facilities. It highlighted too that some individuals end up in the courts unnecessarily when they are ill, not criminals.
In 2012/13, 169 people with a suspected mental health condition were held in police cells rather than more appropriate facilities because none were available and a total of 659 individuals were Sectioned under the Mental Health Act and detained by police.
The ongoing work in Staffordshire comes at the same time as the Government published a mental health action plan containing 25 priorities for change called ‘Closing The Gap’ last week. The Commissioner has appointed a mental health lead to take the work forward in Staffordshire and increase the pace of business in this crucial area.
Mr Ellis will meet with leading figures from the NHS, Ambulance Service and local authorities on Friday, 31 January.
He said, “The system across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent needs to work more collaboratively if we are to stop seeing people who are simply ill locked up in cells and also health and social care professionals, rather than police officers, looking after the needs of often highly vulnerable people.
“I hope this meeting will be a chance to look for changes that are needed so that money is used more efficiently in the right part of the mental health system to make sure people are supported better. It’s about ensuring the system fits better the needs of individuals with mental health challenges wherever they are in Staffordshire.
“This is not just about freeing up police time, although that’s important, but is about ensuring individuals don’t find themselves locked up in cells just because other more appropriate places are not available. Current arrangements are failing individuals who need support rather than being criminalised and it is costing more than needed because of inadvertent cost shunting from one public agency to another.
“Addressing the fundamental problems with the system as it is now could free up more resource to widen the support available for people and deal with issues earlier and more effectively for the individuals and for tax payers.
“Front line professionals are trying hard to make a system work on the ground that is obviously flawed at the highest design level locally. Funding for mental health sits with numerous different agencies including local authorities, different parts of the NHS and local GP groups.
“This is a challenge which is not being addressed as it needs to be. My plea is to join up ways of working and to use the funding available as a more integrated sector rather than in silos.”
As well as looking at how to change the system, the meeting will get the latest update on a new approach for mental health triage in Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire. The Community Triage pilot is being funded by money from the PCC’s budgets and sees Staffordshire Police and North Staffordshire NHS working together to stop criminalising people who are mentally ill. Mental health professionals are on hand to give advice to police officers dealing with people in crisis who may have underlying mental health problems. It will lead to savings in police time, as it will mean people are given the support they need at the earliest point rather than having to go through the criminal justice system.
Councillor Alan White, Cabinet Member for Care with Staffordshire County Council said, “Mental health and wellbeing are everyone’s responsibility and the County Council is working to ensure that mental health is embedded in everything we do to deliver our aims that people in Staffordshire are able to access opportunities that allow them to lead healthy and independent lives, all of which help to improve mental wellbeing.
“However, where people do need support it is essential they are able to access the right response at the earliest possible stage to prevent problems escalating into a crisis, early intervention is always better. Mental health problems can be complex and we are working with all of our partners to bring together a shared vision that people will be able to access services when they need them.”
Wednesday, January 29th, 2014
Conservative run Staffordshire County Council is set to freeze council tax for the fourth consecutive year under budget plans going before cabinet on Wednesday 5th February.
The County Council will be making £19.3m of savings in 2014-15 but has pledged to continue investing in Staffordshire’s economy and working ever closer with partners to improve people’s quality of life.
Inflation and greater demand for services including care for the elderly, care for people with learning disabilities and services for vulnerable children will see the county council’s costs increase next year.
To help manage rising costs and reducing funding, and in the context of the changing needs of local people, the county council has pledged to work even closer with Staffordshire’s public and private bodies to meet the needs of residents in key areas such as health, education and crime.
If agreed by cabinet, the new strategic plan and medium term financial strategy, which sets out the local authority’s vision for the county, alongside draft investment and savings plans for the next five years, will go to a meeting of the full council for final approval on Thursday 13th February.
Ian Parry, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Transformation on Staffordshire County Council, said, “While our economy and job creation is moving in the right direction we do not want to place any extra demands on Staffordshire people’s finances, so we are looking to freeze council tax for the fourth year in a row.
“However, our income is considerably reducing, so we need to be really clear about priorities and find new, better ways of doing things. We will therefore promote greater responsibility and independence where we can to reduce sensibly the demand for public services.
“Over the last five years, the County Council has made £130m of savings while freezing council tax, investing in our economy to create jobs and working closer with partners to get the maximum impact from the £7.5 billion of taxpayers’ money spent in Staffordshire every year.
“The Medium Term Financial Strategy sets out our spending plans for the next five years. There are more tough challenges ahead for all of us and the council will continue to change in that time, to ensure we meet the needs of people in the future and support those who need our help most.
“This will not be easy and we will only succeed by working with communities and our partners to rise to the challenges ahead.”
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The UK’s inflation rate, as measured by the consumer prices index, fell to 1.9% in January, for the first time in more than four years and the fall is likely to underline the Bank of England’s message that there is no rush to raise interest rates.
