Matthew Wallens

Health and Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Monday 15th September 2025 10:00am

The Health Care and Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss a new choice policy for adult care, and to receive an update on the Freedom to Speak Up guardian scheme. Councillors recommended that the consultation period for the choice policy be extended by four weeks.

Safeguarding and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Thursday 11th September 2025 10:00am

The Safeguarding and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Annual Report 2024-25, and to review their work programme for the coming year. Councillors requested more detail on specific data points in the annual report, and suggested that future reports include information on the impact of financial pressures and staff shortages on safeguarding capacity, as well as a lessons learned and impact tracker. The committee agreed to form a working group to examine elective home education.

Health and Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Thursday 31st July 2025 10:00am

The Health and Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Staffordshire Council met to discuss the Integrated Care Board's (ICB) plan to make £306 million in efficiency savings, and a proposal to consolidate cardiac catheter services at the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton. Councillors expressed concerns about the lack of detail in the ICB's report, the potential impact of cuts on frontline services, and the effect on residents in rural areas. The committee noted a report on district and borough health scrutiny activity and discussed the committee's work programme.

Safeguarding and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Thursday 24th July 2025 10:00am

The Safeguarding and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss deprivation of liberty safeguards, and a new online referral form for adult safeguarding. The committee agreed to add updates on both of these topics to the work programme for the April meeting. The committee also discussed safeguarding standards in extracurricular activities, elective home education, alternative education, and DBS checks for school visits.

County Council - Thursday 17th July 2025 10:00am

Staffordshire County Council met to discuss highways improvements, the financial outturn for 2024-25, and the adult social care team's recent inspection. The council approved the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel, the Overview and Scrutiny annual report, and a memorandum of understanding regarding health services. They also voted to increase the number of cabinet support members from three to four, adding a role for special educational needs and disability (SEND).