The Staffordshire County Council met on 11 December 2025, and the meeting was dominated by discussion of recent scandals involving council members, and the implications for the council's reputation and ability to deliver services. Councillors also debated a motion on renewable energy, agreeing to support renewable energy production on spaces with limited agricultural value, and to investigate renewable energy production on council-owned sites. The council also approved changes to its constitution and the appointment of chairmen and vice chairmen of committees.

Leader's Statement and Councillor Conduct

The meeting was overshadowed by recent events, including the resignation of Councillor Ian Cooper as Leader of the Council due to a racism scandal, and offensive comments made by other cabinet members. Councillor Martin Murray, Deputy Leader of the Council, condemned racism and hate speech, and pledged to ensure the council continues to deliver services without disruption. Councillor Philip White, Leader of the Opposition, called for action against cabinet members who had made offensive comments, and said that the council could not move forward until these issues were dealt with. Councillor Jack Rose also criticised the extremist views of some councillors and called for their resignation.

Councillor Colin Greatorex, Shadow Portfolio Holder for Health and Care, raised concerns about the impact of the scandals on the council's ability to set a budget, and said that the media was searching out people like Councillor Large . Councillor Murray responded that complaints should go through due process. Councillor Alex Farrell, Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Portfolio Holder for Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution, said that a shame and a shadow has come upon this council because of the behaviour .

During question time, Councillor White asked Councillor Murray whether Councillor Peter Mason's views as expressed in his social media posts were consistent with Reform UK's values. Councillor Murray responded that due process had been followed and that apologies had been made, and that the council must move forward.

Councillor Catherine Brown raised a point of order about Councillor White leaving the chamber to do an interview.

Renewable Energy Motion

The council debated a motion regarding renewable energy technologies and their implementation in Staffordshire. Councillor Andrew Mynors, Cabinet Member for Connectivity, moved the motion, which recognised the importance of renewable energy but raised concerns about the distribution of renewable energy infrastructure, particularly in rural areas and on farmland. The motion supported the cabinet's decision that the council would not allow renewable energy production and battery energy storage systems on farmland within its property portfolio if it significantly impacted agriculture, dairy, or livestock farming. The motion also called for the government to produce a coherent policy and strategy plan for England, and for a strategic relationship with Great British Energy¹ to be considered through devolution discussions.

Councillor Rose proposed an amendment to the motion, calling for the cabinet to further investigate renewable energy production and initiatives, such as solar panels, on council-owned car parks, buildings, and other suitable sites. Councillor Jill Hood questioned who owned the car parks being discussed. Councillor Simon Tagg, Shadow Portfolio Holder for Strategic Highways, supported the intention of the motion and the amendment, but said that partnership working was needed, and that the council should work with the Sustainability Board, which involves all the councils across Staffordshire and the city of Stoke-on-Trent. Councillor Matthew Wallens said that Councillor Rose was barking up the wrong tree and should reconsider his amended motion.

The amendment was put to a vote and was defeated. The original motion was then put to a vote and was approved, with some abstentions.

Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution

Councillor Tagg spoke about local government reorganisation, saying that he shared the acting leader's views on the issue, and that the whole council had written to the government asking for the procedure to be cancelled. He also raised concerns about elected mayors being attached to the devolution agenda, and about the fact that precepts² for elected mayors would have no cap on them. Councillor Syed Hussain said that he had not had a chance to read the letter before his name was put on it. Councillor Murray responded that everyone had received a copy of the letter.

SEND Funding

Councillor Chris Paird welcomed the fact that the government was looking to provide funding for SEND³ centrally, and asked whether the Cabinet Member for Health and Care was lobbying for social care to receive the same central funding. Councillor Murray declared a conflict of interest on the SEND issue, and said that any specific points should be sent to him in writing.

Changes to the Constitution

Councillor Murray moved the consideration of recommendations to ensure consistency between the amended shareholder agreement of Nexus and the constitution of Staffordshire County Council. The change would remove the risk of ambiguity regarding authority to approve or remove directors on the board of LATCO⁴. The motion was seconded and approved.

Appointment of Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of Committees

Councillor Sean Bagguley moved the consideration of changes to the committees for vice chair and chair. The motion was seconded and approved.

Questions

During the meeting, councillors asked questions of the cabinet members. Here is a summary of some of the questions that were asked:

• Councillor Farrell asked Councillor Murray about links between Lichfield District Council and Birmingham City Council. Councillor Murray responded that Lichfield had sectioned itself off from Staffordshire.
• Councillor Rose asked Councillor Murray about specific initiatives for local investment, efficiency, and economic development. Councillor Murray responded that the role of political assistance was normal across the country.
• Councillor White asked Councillor Murray whether Councillor Mason's views as expressed in his social media posts were consistent with Reform UK's values. Councillor Murray responded that due process had been followed and that apologies had been made, and that the council must move forward.
• Councillor Su Beardmore asked Councillor Hayley Coles, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture, about steps to ensure future investment decisions are properly scrutinised and delivered for value for money. Councillor Coles responded that she had commissioned a due diligence review and was looking at low-cost alternatives.
• Councillor Mark Nixon asked Councillor Coles whether she would be looking at closing any libraries. Councillor Coles responded that she was waiting to reply from standards.
• Councillor Patrick Allen asked Councillor Mynors about tackling nitrous oxide canisters littering the streets. Councillor Mynors responded that a new campaign would be launched in the new year.
• Councillor Michelle Woods asked Councillor Coles how she planned to tackle the backlog on rights of way cases. Councillor Coles responded that she had commissioned an efficiency review and was looking at technology and AI solutions.
• Councillor James Hodges asked Councillor Nicholas Lakin, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, to highlight the results of previous inspections. Councillor Lakin responded that there were three persistent themes within those inspections: cuts to the budget, repeat failures, and ineffective leadership.
• Councillor Lynn Dean asked Councillor Chris Large, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, whether the resultant cuts and spending brought by the previous administration had seriously damaged children and families. Councillor Large responded that children and families were in crisis because of the previous administration's poor leadership and fiscal responsibility.
• Councillor Sonny Edwards asked Councillor Large to confirm that the previous Conservative administration wasted taxpayers' money on a CIC⁵ organisation and why the service mysteriously appeared in house. Councillor Large responded that he had requested several times from a number of departments.
• Councillor Matthew Wallens asked Councillor Janet Higgins, Cabinet Member for Education and SEND, what had been done to reduce the costs of home to school transport and what alternative models were being considered. Councillor Higgins responded that she was looking at bringing in better sharing of taxis and improving provider standards.
• Councillor Antonia Orlandi-Fantini asked Councillor Large to confirm Reform's strategy on borrowing and what other savings could be expected to be seen. Councillor Large responded that the administration wanted to lower the debt, lower the costs, improve efficiency, and where possible lower council tax increases.
• Councillor Rhys Machin asked Councillor Higgins how section 106 developer contributions were being utilised to support education infrastructure. Councillor Higgins responded that she had found that the s106 funding could be used for SEND placements and that she was looking into recruiting a worker to concentrate on looking at s106 funding for education provision.
• Councillor Craig Humphreyson asked Councillor Lakin why the previous Tory administration proceeded with even more cuts when they could see they were failing the children of Staffordshire. Councillor Lakin responded that the previous administration had deluded themselves that the service was good despite findings by independent experts to the contrary.