June 2025

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Update from Leader, Ian Cooper

Now that I’ve stepped into the role of Leader of Staffordshire County Council, I wanted to share a little more about myself.

I’ve lived in Staffordshire for about 30 years, and it’s very much my home. I live in the Tamworth area with my wife. Our children have grown up and moved away, but this county is where we’ve built our life together.

I’m originally from Nottinghamshire, so of course I support Nottingham Forest. But my real passion is rugby. I played when I was younger, though not very well! These days, I’m a proud Leicester Tigers fan.

After some time away from politics, I’ve found myself back again. I’m excited to be leading the County Council at such an important time.

What drives me now more than ever is making a real difference for Staffordshire. I’ve met some brilliant council officers and teams, all committed to doing their best for our communities. That’s the kind of energy I want to build on.

Right now, it’s business as usual while we review and plan the bigger picture for where the council should head next.

We’re passionate about the people of Staffordshire, and we’re here to make every penny count.

Lights, Camera, Staffordshire 

Staffordshire’s new film office, Screen Staffordshire, officially launched this week at Hoar Cross Hall. Its goal is to attract more film and TV productions to the county.

Did you know that when productions film on location, they bring real benefits? They spend money on local services and hire local people, which is great news for residents and business owners alike.

Having an established film office in Staffordshire means we can now properly manage filming requests — and grow film tourism in the future. The UK’s film tourism industry is already worth an estimated £892 million a year. That figure shows just how valuable it can be when visitors come to see the places they’ve seen on screen.

Screen Staffordshire has been set up by We Are Staffordshire, and is funded by Staffordshire County Council.

Staffordshire tenant farmer couple mark five year's business success

Richard and Rachel Moss are marking 5 years as one of our farming tenants by expanding their operation — growing their herd to 180 cows and taking on 180 acres of land.

They’ve invested in tech like a robotic scraper to clean sheds and an automated system to wash cows after milking. Our business grants also helped them make other improvements.

Both come from farming roots — Rachel grew up on a farm and Richard got his first farm job at 14. A county farm tenancy gave them the foothold they needed to start their own business.

We’ve been backing new farmers like the Mosses since 1908, offering access to land and opportunity — with 63 farms covering around 6,500 acres.

Our Care Quality Commission results have been published

• All 9 areas assessed rated ‘Good’

• Strong partnerships and person-centred care

• Staff praised for dedication and professionalism

• Positive outcomes for residents and carers

Adult social care supports older people, adults with disabilities, and those with mental health needs to live independently, safely, and with dignity. It includes services like helping to organise care, recommending equipment or community services and support for unpaid carers – all tailored to help people live the best life possible.

Putting SEND first in Staffordshire

We are committed to making Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) a top priority. Janet Higgins, our new Cabinet lead for Education and SEND, knows from personal and professional experience how important this issue is.

Janet said: “Improving SEND provision is one of our four core priorities. I understand the pressures families face every day and want to make sure children get the right support as early as possible to help them reach their full potential.”

To help manage costs, we are set to approve a new contract with The Haven School in Stafford. This contract will block-book 25 full-time places for children needing specialist support closer to home. It will save us around £450,000 in the first year alone, compared to buying places individually.

We remain dedicated to improving SEND support and making sure every child gets the help they need.

Upcoming events in Staffordshire

There’s plenty happening across Staffordshire this month. Whether you’re into music, food, art or getting outdoors, there’s something for everyone.

• Trentham Summer Concerts (27 June-26 July) -  Enjoy five weekends of live music and summer fun at Trentham Gardens - perfect for a picnic and a dance.
• Pick Your Own Strawberries - Pick fresh strawberries and enjoy family fun at Manor Farm Fruits with play areas, bouncy castles and a farm shop full of local goodies.
• Castle Food & Drink Festival (21 June) - Tuck into tasty treats, enjoy chef demos, live music and family fun from 10am to 4pm in the Newcastle-under-Lyme's town centre.
• Don’t forget your local library - Your local library offers groups for arts and crafts, book lovers, poetry fans and language learners.