Leaders of nine councils unite to set out key priorities for Staffordshire
THE leaders of nine Staffordshire councils have united to set out key priorities to benefit residents and businesses across the whole county.
The new Staffordshire Leaders Board has pledged to focus on six areas over the next 12 months to maximise opportunities and attract investment.
Alan White, leader of Staffordshire County Council and chair of the board, said: “The county, district and borough councils have a strong history of working together to get things done.
“This new board is a brilliant way to not only build on this and deliver bigger and better success stories, but gives us a collaborative voice to speak to central government on the Levelling Up agenda.
“It will also be the foundation for exploring the potential of a County Deal, when the right time comes to do so, so that we can work with government on how powers are devolved into local hands.”
There board has identified six areas of focus:
■ Climate change
■ Economic development across the county
■ A ‘Single Front Door’ for Staffordshire residents who need to contact their councils
■ Social care and addressing health inequalities
■ A joint approach to waste and sustainability
■ Devolution and a County Deal
George Allen, leader of East Staffordshire Borough Council and vice chair of the board, said: “Promoting public health messages, tackling climate change and of course the regeneration of our towns and high streets are priorities which stretch across all the boroughs and districts.
“The Staffordshire Leaders board will empower local democracy at a regional level, working together to tackle common issues for the benefit of all Staffordshire residents.”
The Staffordshire Leaders Board involves leaders from East Staffordshire Borough Council, Staffordshire County Council, Cannock Chase District Council, Lichfield District Council, Newcastle-under-lyme Borough Council, South Staffordshire District Council, Stafford Borough Council, Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and Tamworth Borough Council.