Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, has praised the work undertaken by Staffordshire County Council, after the body was selected ‘champion council of the week’ on Government Minister Brandon Lewis’ column in Conservative Home.
In his weekly column, Mr. Lewis highlights examples of Conservative councils who are taking big steps to ensure that council tax is kept down and public money is spent efficiently.
In support of his selection, Mr. Lewis pointed out that Staffordshire County Council has saved £133m over the past four years, while ‘still delivering great services and freezing Council Tax’.
He also said that the council has ‘taken a number of impressive steps to encourage private sector investment into the area, creating jobs for local people and economic growth for the region’.
The council has played a significant role in attracting new investment to the area. It recently signed a contract with Capita officially creating a new joint venture company for education support services, which is set to bring over £50 million of new investment into Staffordshire. The partnership is expected to protect around 4,000 jobs and create an extra 1,600.
Furthermore, the council has teamed up with the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent NHS Partnership Trust to form the biggest integration between Health and Social care services of its kind in the country, enabling people to receive more treatment at home, thereby freeing up hospital beds and creating savings of around £30 million a year.
On Staffordshire County Council being selected ‘Champion Council of the Week,’ Gavin said: “I am delighted to see the council recognised by Mr. Lewis and consider his choice to be a brilliant testament to his good sense.
“The work that Staffordshire County Council does on a daily basis cannot be praised enough. As someone who has been privileged to work with them on numerous campaigns in support of my constituents, I am fully aware of the excellent job that they do. I think they set a wonderful example to other councils as to what can be achieved through a lot of hard work and some forward planning.”