The Economy, Infrastructure and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss community learning, roadworks management, the local transport plan, and the council's environmental strategy. The committee recommended that the cabinet member for strategic highways consider the Network Management Working Group's report, and that the cabinet review and comment on the draft local transport plan and the environmental strategy. The committee also received an update on their work programme.

Network Management

The committee reviewed the report of the Network Management Working Group, which examined ways to reduce disruption from roadworks. Councillor Conor Wileman, Shadow Portfolio Holder for Connectivity, presented the report, highlighting the balance between allowing utility companies access to the road network and managing disruption for residents and businesses.

The report made several recommendations, including:

• Incentivising planned and well-coordinated works
• Reducing the impact of street works on busy routes
• Holding statutory undertakers¹ to account for non-compliance
• Addressing capacity and capability constraints within the traffic and network management team

A key focus was on immediate permits, which allow utility companies to begin work and notify the council up to two hours later. Councillor Wileman explained that this can lead to uncoordinated works and increased disruption, and that the working group had found evidence that some companies were abusing the system by classifying works as 'immediate' when they were not.

The most significant recommendation was the implementation of a lane rental scheme, which would charge utility companies a daily fee for working on the busiest roads. Councillor Wileman stated that the fee would be around £2,400 a day, incentivising them to complete works quickly. He estimated that the scheme could take 12 to 18 months to implement if approved by the cabinet.

Councillor Simon Tagg, Shadow Portfolio Holder for Strategic Highways, asked about the impact of a previous three-month pause on roadworks, and whether it had led to delays or legal challenges from utilities and developers. Councillor Tagg's concern was based on a risk analysis that warned that reducing access to the road network would lead to delays in the start of roadworks, streetworks, third-party developments, such as new housing, fibre broadband rollout, upgrades to power and water infrastructure, and could even cause legal challenges from utilities and developers.

The committee agreed to forward the report to the cabinet member for strategic highways for consideration, asking them to review it alongside existing work and report back within two months.

Community Learning Service Annual Self-Assessment

The committee reviewed the Community Learning Service Annual Self-Assessment for 2024-25. Councillor Martin Murray, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, presented the report, which highlighted the service's provision of education and training for adults across Staffordshire, particularly those who find it difficult to access traditional learning.

The Community Learning Service provides education training for adults across Staffordshire, focusing on those who may find it hard to access more traditional learning methods, for example, college independent learning providers. The adult learners who attend courses tend to be parents and carers, adults with learning difficulties and disabilities, including mental ill health, refugees, asylum seekers in the UK, those with lawful status, the care leavers, adults with low skills in English and maths, adults below a level two in standard education, adults in low income or in receipt of state benefits, unemployed seeking employment, employed looking to develop their career, adults who have not taken part in learning for at least three years.

The service was rated as 'good' by Ofsted in February 2023, and achieved the Matrix standard² for information and advice in February 2024. The self-assessment judged the service as 'outstanding' in leadership and management, quality of education, and personal development, with 'good' ratings for behaviour and attitude, and 'effective' safeguarding.

Key improvements for the year included improved attendance, retention, and achievement, as well as increased participation in essential skills and family learning programmes. The report highlighted the service's effective partnership working, innovative teaching practices (including the use of AI), and strong impact on learners' personal development and community engagement.

Several councillors raised questions about accessibility, safeguarding, and the involvement of men in the courses.

In response to a question about how to improve safeguarding, Claire Roberts, Quality and Performance Manager for the Community Learning Service Adult Skills, clarified that the terminology around safeguarding being effective is an Ofsted terminology, and that the council's safeguarding is outstanding.

In response to a question about how to encourage more men to participate in the courses, it was noted that male intake was 40%, which is far higher than the national average.

The committee recommended that they continue to scrutinise the performance and quality assurance of the community learning service, and offer recommendations for future improvements.

Local Transport Plan

The committee discussed the draft local transport plan, which sets out the strategic direction for highways and transport investment in Staffordshire. Councillor Murray presented the plan, emphasising its reliance on partnerships with National Highways, GB Railways, and local planning authorities. He also highlighted the importance of community engagement and feedback.

The plan includes objectives such as:

• Improving rail and bus travel
• Enhancing road safety
• Managing the movement of people and freight
• Promoting healthy lifestyles through walking and cycling
• Utilising digital connectivity

Councillor Tagg raised concerns about the plan's vision, which includes protecting the natural environment. He questioned whether this was compatible with the need for new roads and infrastructure, which can have a negative impact on the environment. He suggested that the previous administration's focus on net zero and sustainability was more appropriate.

Councillor Bentley suggested integrating apps on all buses, regardless of ownership, and screens at bus stops to improve accessibility of public transport.

The committee agreed to review and comment on the draft plan, as well as the outcome of the public consultation process.

Environmental Strategy

The committee reviewed the draft environmental strategy, which sets out a framework for action to embed environmental considerations across all council services. Councillor Innes presented the strategy, highlighting its vision of protecting and enhancing Staffordshire's environment for current and future generations.

The strategy focuses on eight key priority themes:

• Reducing the council's overall environmental impact
• Ensuring services and communities can adapt to severe weather
• Supporting economic growth
• Local nature recovery
• Waste minimisation
• Supporting access to affordable and reliable energy
• Assisting in the delivery of a multimodal transport system
• Working with partners to deliver innovative actions

Councillor Tuck criticised the strategy for removing references to climate change, net zero, and carbon reduction, and for lacking specific actions, timescales, and monitoring mechanisms. He also questioned the absence of a community impact assessment.

Councillor Tuck stated that the new strategy relies heavily on what's come before, and is just a removal of the climate terminology and the net zero terminology, and that what is needed is more detail on this through an action plan.

The committee agreed to consider and provide comments on the environmental strategy, evaluate the eight key priority themes, and identify opportunities for integrating the strategy into other council plans.

Work Programme

The committee received an update on their work programme from Jacob, noting several changes to the schedule. The environmental action plan is now scheduled for 29 January 2026, and the flood risk management strategy has been moved to a future date to be determined.