The Staffordshire Council Cabinet met on Wednesday 15 April 2026, approving a new Traffic and Network Management Plan and the Capital Programme for Schools for 2026/27. The meeting also included an update on the local economy and a review of the forward plan.

Leader's Update

Acting Leader of the Council, Martin Murray, began the meeting by expressing his thoughts with the residents of Leek following a significant fire at the historic Big Mill. He acknowledged the distress caused to the community and highlighted the building's importance to Staffordshire's industrial heritage. Mr Murray also praised the community's resilience and thanked the Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, emergency services, and council staff for their efforts.

He then turned to the council's activities during the Easter holidays, noting the success of library events, the Staffordshire History Centre's programmes, and the work of countryside and country park teams in encouraging families to enjoy the county's landscapes. Mr Murray also congratulated the winners of the County Tourism Awards, recognising their contribution to Staffordshire's visitor economy. Ahead of Staffordshire Day on 1 May, he announced the upcoming launch of THE STAFFY and the Staffy Trail, a public art trail featuring sculptures across Stafford, Tamworth, and Stoke-on-Trent, designed to promote local exploration and businesses. Mr Murray reiterated the council's commitment to making Staffordshire the beating heart of the country through practical decision-making focused on strong places, active communities, and a county where people are proud to live, work, and visit.

Staffordshire Means Business

Robin Hall, Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, provided his first update in his new role, focusing on efforts to support the growth of Staffordshire's economy. He reported a decrease of 245 Universal Credit claimants in Staffordshire over the past year, bringing the total to 15,620, which represents 2.9% of the working-age population. This claimant rate remains lower than both the regional (5.3%) and national (4.1%) averages.

However, Mr Hall noted an increase of 320 young claimants (aged 18-24) over the year, bringing the total to 3,410, or 5.4% of this age group. This increase mirrors a national trend, which some commentators attribute to a squeeze on entry-level jobs due to higher business taxes and minimum wage increases. Mr Hall stressed the importance of supporting job creation and ensuring residents have the necessary skills, highlighting the role of the Jobs and Careers Service. He also mentioned upcoming updates on regeneration projects, business support, and employment and skills programmes.

Mr Hall expressed his passion for Staffordshire's business and investment opportunities, particularly in light of Staffordshire Day. He highlighted the innovative work of Lucideon at Stone Business Park, which is involved in an international programme for sustainable titanium production, contributing to advanced materials development and low-carbon manufacturing. He also commended the success of local tourism businesses recognised at the annual Tourism Awards, with 15 businesses set to represent the county at the national awards.

Traffic and Network Management Plan

Peter Mason, Cabinet Member for Strategic Highways, presented the Traffic and Network Management Plan (TANMP), which was approved by the Cabinet. This plan provides a strategic and operational framework for managing traffic, roadworks, events, and incidents across Staffordshire's highway network. It aims to balance essential maintenance and infrastructure investment with the need to keep the county moving, addressing concerns about disruption that arose in September 2025.

The plan acknowledges the significant increase in vehicle mileage on Staffordshire's network, which now stands at 6 billion vehicle miles annually. It also considers the growing size and weight of vehicles, including electric vehicles, and the challenge of facilitating access for approximately 70,000 permit holders each year, over 60% of whom are utility or third parties not directly controlled by the council.

Key themes of the plan include understanding and managing the network hierarchy, coordinating activities, protecting highway assets, managing traffic demand and congestion, and minimising disruption from both planned and unplanned events. The plan integrates existing duties and practices into a clear framework, aiming to improve coordination, communication, and reduce disruption, thereby maintaining confidence that Staffordshire is open for business and for getting around. Councillor Mason thanked Councillor Mayes and council officers for their work on the plan.

During the discussion, Councillor Martin asked about managing conflicts that may impact the network outside of planned approaches. Councillor Mason stated that future responses would be proactive, focusing on minimising disruption by rescheduling works, adjusting timelines, or diverting traffic management where possible. Councillor Anthony Screen questioned how the Keep Staffordshire Moving approach would prevent a repeat of past chaos. Councillor Mason explained that the plan aims to coordinate different types of works within the same period and, where congestion is anticipated, may defer some works to maintain network functionality, with flexibility built into the capital programme to move works around.

Councillor Janet Higgins raised challenges in implementing the revised approaches, particularly concerning the 60% of work not directly controlled by the council (utilities and third parties). Councillor Mason acknowledged the need for greater collaboration with utilities to integrate their forward programmes with the council's plans, noting that initial conversations have been challenging. He also mentioned efforts to secure legislative changes to enforce cooperation and the aim of achieving a 12-week notice period for works on the network. Councillor Hayley Coles commended the scale of the work and the shift towards prioritising residents' needs, while Councillor Andrew Mynors highlighted the cross-departmental collaboration involved in developing the plan, linking it to ongoing bus network reviews and local transport plans.

Capital Programme for Schools 2026/2027

Janet Higgins, Cabinet Member for Education and SEND, presented the Capital Programme for Schools for 2026/27, which was approved by the Cabinet. The programme aims to invest in schools to provide a safe, warm, and dry environment for pupils, supporting attendance, behaviour, and wellbeing. While awaiting confirmation of the Department for Education's maintenance allocation, the programme is based on previous funding levels and will be reviewed once the final figure is announced.

Key priorities include planned maintenance, investment in resource bases to support children with high needs in mainstream schools, strengthening STEM provision, and continuing the programme of toilet refurbishments. The programme also supports long-term planning for school places, including feasibility work for a new all-through SEND school in Rugeley.

During the discussion, Councillor Patrick Allen asked how the programme supports full engagement within mainstream schools. Councillor Higgins explained that investing in resource bases is a key part of the new SEND and Alternative Provision Strategy, enabling more children with high needs to be supported in their local mainstream schools. Councillor Marie Shortland inquired about the benefits of the toilet refurbishment programme, with Councillor Higgins stating that well-designed, modern toilets have a significant positive impact on behaviour, wellbeing, and a sense of safety for pupils. Councillor Andrew Mynors asked for examples of where money is being spent, and Councillor Higgins referred to an appendix detailing expenditure, mentioning investments in flooring, heating, roofing, toilet refurbishments, and nursery extensions, all planned to ensure best value and school maintenance. Councillor Colle added a statement of support, highlighting the importance of nurturing children and noting the inclusion of energy efficiencies and building management systems.

The Cabinet approved the Schools Capital Programme 2026/27 investment proposal, delegated authority for progress monitoring and in-year alterations, and authorised the Director of Finance & Resources to enter into build contracts for projects valued at £2,000,000 or above. Authority was also delegated to the Assistant Director for Commercial and Assets for legal agreements related to projects on sites where the council is not the sole owner.

Forward Plan of Key Decisions

The Cabinet reviewed and approved the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 20 May to 16 September 2026. This plan outlines upcoming matters for cabinet decisions, including the Skills for Growth Plan, services supporting adults with social care needs, the Implementation of the Best Start Strategy, the Staffordshire Sustainability Board's Revised Vision and Pledges, the recommissioning of support for victims of domestic abuse, the sale of properties at Mount Road Leek, the Post Street Lighting PFI Contract Model, the Crisis and Resilience Fund, School-based Nurseries Capital Grant, End User Device Provision, the Final Financial Outturn 2025/26, the Integrated Performance Report - Quarter 1, 2026/27, the Local Nature Recovery Strategy, and the Protection of Highway Alignments.

Exclusion of the Public

The Cabinet resolved to exclude the public from the meeting for the final item, the Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) Infrastructure Contract, due to the likely disclosure of exempt information. The recommendations contained within the report for this item were agreed.