'Care for elderly residents and potholes repairs are putting Staffordshire budgets under pressure'

Staffordshire's Reform UK group leader Councillor Ian Cooper said these were national issues which were creating unsustainable pressure on the council and he would ask Whitehall to address them as the country marks one year since the general election.

He said support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), funding for a growing ageing population and long-term investment in roads still needed to be addressed 12 months after Labour swept to power in Downing Street.

Councillor Cooper said: “These are key national issues which are putting unsustainable pressure on the budgets of councils like Staffordshire. A national review of care is now long overdue and urgently needs to be addressed by Government.

“We also want to see meaningful investment in our roads. 

This is a top priority for the new cabinet as better roads and transport links are important to families and crucial to attracting investment and supporting businesses to flourish.

“To add further to the budget pressures local councils are also having to deal with the expense and uncertainty on Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution – neither of which were highlighted in the Government’s plans before its election.”

He said that the one-year anniversary marked changes to three major decisions by the Government since the election - on the winter fuel allowance, a national inquiry into grooming gangs and welfare reforms.

“It is important that any Government, national or local, stays in step with the people they serve. We have made our priorities for Staffordshire clear and we will be making taxpayers’ money work as hard as it can to deliver the maximum benefits for residents, businesses and our amazing county.

“But now is the time for Government to listen too to local government and address those key national priorities which ultimately risk crippling councils without urgent action," Councillor Cooper added.