The last Borough Council?
Our Christmas present from the Government was the news that the Borough Council is to be abolished. A new single tier council is to be formed, possibly covering the whole of South Staffordshire. Above that will be a new Strategic Authority, probably with an elected mayor.
This makes it all the more important to win seats in the forthcoming County elections as the County Council will have a major influence on the electoral changes. Please consider helping on the campaign days – 11 Jan, 8 Feb, 15/16 March and 12/13 April.
The plan is being spun as devolution whereas it will take power further away from voters. What is urgently needed now is a town council for Stafford. We will be pressing for this in the forthcoming discussions.
Double the number of houses being built
Just before announcing the abolition of local councils like ours, the Government ordered us to increase the number of houses in the local plan by 100%
In the Council’s response to the consultation on this, we pointed out that there are hundreds of thousands of empty homes, that developers buy up land but then do not build unless they can make a good profit, so deliberately slow down the housebuilding rate.
Councils are required to have a 5 year supply of building land identified in the Local Plan. With the previous housing numbers, we had sufficient land identified until the new Local Plan is produced. Now we do not and will run out of available land probably some time next year. After that, developers can put in applications wherever they wish.
Our position is that we accept the need for more housing but that needs to be social rented accommodation and can be created by repurposing empty buildings and using brownfield sites.
Wildlife Matters in Stafford
This is the name of a new group formed in the wake of the successful Bee Friendly Town bid.
The new group will link together the various community groups in the Town that are involved in wildlife – friendly projects as well as promote new initiatives to support species that are under threat.
Stafford Brooks project nears completion
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust have been working with the Borough Council to improve a number of sites in the town including four of the Borough’s 7 Local Nature Reserves.
Not only will they be made more attractive to and supportive of wildlife but the Wildlife Trust will be maintaining them for a number of years to come.
Flats to replace shops in Town Centre
Work will start soon on demolishing the former Co-op department store and the rear of the Guildhall shopping centre in order that they can be replaced with accommodation. The Council is also looking at using new legislation to get empty shops back into use.
New nature-friendly mowing and growing plan for open spaces
The Council has developed a strategy for all its public open spaces whereby areas will be left to grow during the Summer to benefit bees and other insects. Many birds feed on insects so it will help them too. Some areas will have wildflower seeds sown and there will be some tree planting.
It will mean buying new mowing equipment as the longer grass is more difficult to cut and needs to be collected after.
This approach is already happening in some areas thanks to support from local residents. Rising Brook is a good example of this.
Council to give grants for climate action and nature – friendly projects
A new grant scheme for climate action and nature – friendly projects is about to be launched. Groups will be able to apply for schemes which help combat climate change and/or improve an area for wildlife. Details will be made available soon. Staffordshire Wildlife Trust has been given a grant to enable them to continue with the Nextdoor Nature project which brought together groups in a number of communities to tackle neglected areas, making them better for wildlife and people.
Talks to begin on making taxis emission – free
Discussions are to be held with taxi operators about how they can be helped to convert to using electric vehicles.
Press statement on planning changes
Stafford Borough Green Party councillors have condemned the new house building requirements announced by the Government as bad for the people of Stafford, bad for nature and bad for efforts to reduce global warming.
The Council will be immediately required to allow double the number of houses to be built, from 360pa to 750pa. If the new local plan is for 20 years, the target will be 15,000 new houses with extra employment land to match.
Councillor Scott Spencer, a member of the Council’s planning committee said, ‘ These requirements will immediately reduce the Council’s 5 year supply of housing which, once exhausted, puts developers in the driving seat and enables them to put in applications for development wherever they choose. The green belt north of Stone is under threat and the massive increase in building will contribute to global warming.’
Councillor Jack Rose said, ‘ There are many empty houses throughout the country including second homes and houses for leisure use. What’s really needed is more sustainable, low carbon homes to rent. These plans will do nothing to address homelessness and overcrowding but will put money in the pockets of developers and land owners.
Cannock Chase National Landscape (AONB) facing cuts
The Cannock Chase Joint Committee has been told there will be no increase in funding for 25/26 so have had to make cuts in next year’s budget. There will be no one to comment on planning applications in or near the Chase which could adversely affect it.
There are rumours of deeper cuts which would have drastic effects.