1.         Authority Details

a.     The Borough Area

Stafford Borough is situated in the West Midlands region, in the county of Staffordshire. It is located between the Black Country Authorities to the south and Stoke City Council and Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough to the north, to the west are rural parts of Shropshire and to the east rural areas of East Staffordshire and the southern fringes of the Staffordshire Moorlands. It covers some 240 square miles of mixed urban and rural areas of mid-Staffordshire and is geographically the largest authority in Staffordshire. The largest urban area Stafford, is the County Town and sub-regional seat of government.

The Borough contains a number of attractive and award winning town and village centres, a range of schools, colleges, various leisure centres, shopping centres and business parks. The main Staffordshire University campus, the District General Hospital and the Psychiatric Hospital, the headquarters of various health agencies, Fire, Police, Probation and Ambulance Services, two prisons, Crown and County Court and the headquarters of the County Council are also located in the Borough.  The area is a major manufacturing, distribution and services centre for Staffordshire with 25.3% of the workforce engaged in these trades.

The majority of the Borough's area however is rural in character, with a range of settlements varying from suburban areas on the fringes of the Potteries conurbation, to large freestanding villages and more isolated small settlements. 

b.  The Population

The population of just over 120,000 is split between Stafford (57,000), Stone (14,000) and 35 rural parishes (49,000).  Over the past 10 years there has been a decrease in the population of 1%.

Both nationally and locally the population is ageing with the proportion of people over 65 expected to increase over the next ten years.

c.   Housing

There are approximately 50,000 households in the Borough, 76% of domestic properties are owner occupied.  More people live in detached houses (38.4%) than for England and Wales as a whole (22.8%) and fewer people live in flats (10.1% compared to 19.2%).

A 2002 condition survey has exposed evidence of unfitness and disrepair in the private housing sector (owner and rented). A Housing Needs survey has demonstrated that there is a high level of demand for affordable housing from people unable to buy, with a specific shortage of one and two bedroom units.

The number of households is expected to rise, because more people - both young and old - want to live independently.  Average house prices in Stafford Borough are below the national average for England and Wales but are above the regional average.

d.  Prosperity

Stafford Borough is a thriving and developing industrial and commercial centre.

Stafford has a relatively low deprivation (DTLR index 234 out of 354 local). However there are within the Borough areas of deprivation, notably in the Highfields, Common and Cotton wards in Stafford.

e.  Employment

The Borough has higher levels of employed people and lower levels of unemployed or economically inactive than England as a whole.  However, new employment opportunities will be needed to meet demand, widen choice and replace jobs lost as traditional industries continue to decline or re-shape themselves in the face of regional, national and global competition.

2.6% of residents between the ages of 16 and 74 are unemployed with 0.7% of these being long-term unemployed.

The Authority is active in economic development.  It has an SRB6 Programme and a Market Towns Regeneration Initiative in Stone.  It works in partnership with Advantage West Midlands and the North and Southern Staffordshire Partnerships with the aim of diversifying the economy and attracting high wage employment.  The economy is generally low waged - 10% below the national average.  The Borough does not qualify for most EU or UK public sector investment programmes.

f.  Travel and Transport

Stafford Borough has good motorway, inter-city rail links and easy access to Manchester, Birmingham and East Midlands airports.  The area should benefit from the Birmingham Northern Relief Road.  69.5% of people aged 16-74 in employment travel to work by car (higher than the national average) with 5.2% travelling by public transport (lower than the national average).  This probably reflects deficiencies in the public transport network and the rural nature of parts of the Borough. Local transport opportunities also include an improving cycle route network.

g.  Access to Services

Few areas within Stafford Borough have poor access to services, measured by geographical access to post offices, food shops, GP and a primary school; in Staffordshire as a whole 95% of the population live within 0-2km of a post office and a primary school, 67.1% within 0-2km of a food shop and 71.9% within 0-2km of a GP.

The Authority is a member of the Staffordshire E-Government Partnership; which aims to improve electronic access and delivery of seamless public services to meet Government targets.

The proposed Local Development Framework will highlight the importance of monitoring accessible services for local communities.

h.  The Natural Environment

The Borough contains several internationally important sites.  There are 2 National Nature Reserves, 16 Sites of Special Scientific Interest in the Borough and 135 grade 1 Sites of Biological Importance and Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

There are increasing species of note in the locally including the otter, buzzard, polecat, nightjar and woodlark.

The Borough has relatively low air pollution. The current survey for harmful contaminants indicates that only 1 to 2% of the area may have contaminants.   Kerbside collection of dry recyclables and organic waste (one of the most extensive in the County and Family Group) significantly reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill.

i.  Health

Health is generally slightly better than average for England as a whole with fewer people describing their health as 'not good' or saying they have a long-term illness, health problem or disability which limited daily activities or work.  The Council seeks to ensure that its strategies make a proper contribution to improving health locally.

17.6% of residents have a limiting long-term illness and 8.3% of residents stated that their general health was 'not good'.  Progress is being made in improving the health of the local community and this work needs to continue.

Stafford has the lowest rate of teenage pregnancy in Staffordshire.

Drug related problems are below the national average.

j.  Black and Minority Ethnic Communities

The proportion of residents describing themselves, as from a white background is 97.4%; above the national average of 91.3%.  The largest ethnic minority group is Indian (0.6%). (Mixed race 0.8%, Asian or Asian British 1.0%, Black or Black British 0.5%, Chinese or other 0.3%).

k.  Faith

The religion of the residents of the Borough can be broken down as follows:

·        Christian - 79.9%

·        Buddhist - 0.1%

·        Hindu - 0.2%

·        Jewish - 0.1%

·        Muslim - 0.4%

·        Sikh - 0.3%

·        Other - 0.2%

·        No religion  - 12.1%

·        Religion not stated - 6.6%

l.  Community and Voluntary Sector

There are over 300 voluntary and community organisations and groups Borough wide.

The percentage of people who provided unpaid care to family members, neighbours or others, because of long-term physical or mental ill health or disability, or problems related to old age was 11% (slightly higher than the national average).

m.  Crime and Community Safety

Crime levels are generally lower than for England and Wales as a whole, but continuing effort is needed to sustain and improve on this.  Fear of crime is a local issue and we work with the Community Safety Partnership to address this.

n.  Education and Learning

The Borough has 7 High Schools, 51 Primary Schools, 3 Special schools and 1 Sixth Form Centre.

The Stafford campus of the Staffordshire University is at Beaconside and in the Town Centre is Stafford College.

Further training and learning opportunities for adults and young people are provided by a wide range of agencies.

o.  Culture and Leisure

The Borough has a range of hotels, B&B's, guesthouses, self-catering units, caravan and camping sites and canal boats to rent. There are many attractions in the area including the Gatehouse Theatre and the annual Stafford Festival.  The Council provides 3 leisure centres, parks and open spaces including sports pitches and playgrounds.  There are also a number of privately owned sports facilities. The Borough has 3 heritage sites; the Ancient High House, the Castle and Izaak Walton's Cottage.

p.  The Financial Position

The Council's revenue budget faces considerable pressures and these will affect the funding of services in the future.

In 2005/06 the budget requirement for the General Fund resulted in an average Borough Council Tax (band D equivalent) of £131.79, an increase of 3.0% over the previous financial year. 

q.  Our Political Structure

The Council has 59 Members who are elected every four years.  Local elections on 1 May 2003 resulted in a majority Conservative administration with 40 seats out of 59, Labour have 14 seats and Liberal Democrats 5 seats.

The Council has appointed a Leader (Councillor Judith Dalgarno) and approved a Cabinet of five portfolios; Resources, Leisure, Environment & Community Safety and Planning & Regeneration.  The portfolios have corresponding Scrutiny Committees.  In addition to this there is a Health Scrutiny Committee and Regulatory Committees dealing with Development Control, Licensing and Appeals.

r.  Our Management Structure

The Senior Management Structure of the Authority reflects the changing democratic arrangements and the need to provide specific support for the Cabinet and Scrutiny Committees.  The Council's Chief Executive and its two Executive Directors have responsibility for ensuring that the strategic role of the Council is met, that Scrutiny is supported and that crosscutting issues are effectively addressed. 

Operational services are managed by nine Heads of Service, these are:

The Chief Executive, Executive Directors and Heads of Service comprise the Corporate Management Group.

2.         Overall context of procurement

a.     Community Strategy

The Local Strategic Partnership is currently working on the next Community Plan to run from 2006 to 2020.   This Community Plan is for the whole community of Stafford Borough. It is about steps we need to take together to bring about real improvements that will change lives for the better. In particular we must set about achieving real progress in six priority areas that are set out clearly in this Plan relating to:

·        Economic Development

·        Prosperity

·        Community Safety

·        Health

·        Community and Voluntary Capacity

·        Biodiversity and Environment

The objectives of the Partnership are to:

·        Identify a Vision for a successful Stafford Borough area up to 2020 in terms of economic, social and environmental wellbeing.

·        Identify the various communities within the Borough area and engage with them to ascertain need, aspirations and opportunities

·        To promote and champion the interests of the area regionally, nationally and internationally

·        To create a Community Plan in line with the Vision based on recognised needs and aspirations of the community

·        To encourage joint working and co-operation between agencies, organisations and communities

·        To undertake appropriate action to encourage and facilitate the development and utilisation of community capacity

The Executive of the LSP has agreed a number of sustainable objectives against which projects contained within the Plan can be assessed.  They are divided into three areas.

Economic objectives

·        To create high, stable and equitable levels of employment

·        To ensure high and stable levels of economic diversity and competitiveness that recognises social and environmental issues

·        To sustain the vitality and viability of Stafford Borough's towns and villages, and their communities

·        To support the needs of the local rural economy and communities

·        To reduce vulnerability to the effects of climate change such as risk of flooding, on public well-being, the economy and the environment.

Social objectives

·        To ensure that everyone has the opportunity of a decent and affordable home

·        To improve opportunities for access for all to work, education, health, and local services

·        To reduce and prevent crime and reduce the fear of crime

·        To reduce the impact of noise and light pollution

·        To improve health, safety and well-being across the whole community

Environmental objectives

·        To reduce societal contributions to climate change

·        To protect and enhance biodiversity

·        To protect and conserve soil

·        To protect and enhance water quality of the Borough's rivers whilst maximising their carrying capacity and achieving sustainable water resource management

·        To protect, enhance and, where necessary, restore designated landscape areas and town character, scenic beauty, local distinctiveness and historic and cultural character.

Community Objectives

·        To create a sense of community identify and belonging

·        To ensure tolerance, respect and engagement with people from different cultures, backgrounds and beliefs recognising their rights and responsibilities

·        To ensure that all individuals and groups in society have the opportunity to effectively engage in issues relating to their community

·        To encourage a strong, inclusive, community and voluntary sector

·        To engender a sense of civic and neighbourhood values, responsibility and pride.

By 2020 we want Stafford Borough to:-

·        Have a thriving economy, where businesses are supported in their development, a culture of enterprise is nurtured and new businesses enjoy every opportunity to develop and grow. 

·        Be an area where all members of the community can share in its prosperity to include appropriate decent housing, educational and training opportunities together with personal development to take advantage of economic and social opportunities that arise and are able to access services and benefits, which enhance quality of life.

·        Be an area where all members of the community are safe in their homes, in the street, in Town Centres while pursuing leisure activities and while at work and that they feel safe and free from the fear of crime.

·        Be a community that is healthy, where all its members live longer through the promotion of healthy life styles and reduced health inequalities.

·        Be a place where there is a strong community and voluntary sector, which enhances quality of life and enables people to be active and participate fully in society.

·        Be a place where the environment is protected and enhanced and a sustainable way of life for the community promoted.

In terms of procurement there are specific links into the following areas:

To promote Stafford Borough as a location for business investment

Support to develop businesses

To provide adequate infrastructure for both new and existing organisations

And generally:

Development and support of local businesses especially those from small and medium sized enterprises

Working with suppliers who have appropriate policies in terms of the environment, employment, equalities etc

b.     CPA rating

The Council received a fair rating following its Comprehensive Performance Assessment in 2004. 

A summary of the assessment scores is given below:

c.      Core values of the authority

The values of Stafford Borough Council are:

·        Work together as one team

o       Promote collective working

o       Take responsibility and ownership for issues

o       Show respect and support for each other

o       Share knowledge, information and good practice

o       Have an understanding of each other's roles and responsibilities

·        Focus on customers

o       Listen to people and treat them with respect

o       Ensure that people understand what is happening

o       Treat people consistently, courteously leaving them with a good impression

·        Positively promote the work of the whole Council

o       Celebrate our success

o       Act as ambassadors for our area

·        Aim for excellence and continuous improvement

o       Be innovative and proactive

o       Embrace the need for change

o       Search for solutions to problems

o       Perform to our best

·        Be open, honest and fair

o       With everyone

o       By listening, explaining, encouraging participation and providing feedback with clear reasons for decisions

o       Thinking of our impact on others

·        Be caring employer with high expectations of our Stafford

o       Achieve a supportive and constructive workplace

o       Have clear expectations of behaviour and performance

o       Recognise high performance

o       Foster individual development

In terms of vision and corporate aims the following were adopted in 2003 for the period 2003/2007:

We will concentrate on the cores services and responsibilities of the Council set to locally determined standards within a framework of robust financial and business management.  Our vision is to lead a community and Borough which; is Prosperous, Safe, Healthy, Clean and Green.

Key priorities - within the overarching aim we propose to adopt four key priorities for the 4-year term.  These will contribute to sustaining the community's quality of life and our environment now and in the future.

Prosperity - We place very great importance on ensuring that throughout Stafford Borough, its communities and its citizens have and maintain the best available prospects for prosperity, choice and quality of life.  Where we have the land and property holdings necessary to be a full partner in inward investment, we shall seek every opportunity to identify prospective employers and investors and be proactive in engaging with them.

We aim to:

P1             Work with the business community to support the local economy and secure competitive advantage for the Borough

P2             Ensure that the development of the Borough as a destination for inward investment is support by provision and encouragement of services, choice within the housing market, leisure opportunities and an environment that also improves the quality of life for residents

P3             Ensure that the new Local Development Framework (Local Plan) identifies and brings forward new employment sites for the next 10 years

P4             Pursue a 'fast track' approach to key planning applications, adopt a more proactive stance to pre-application advice prior to submission of planning applications and ensure that recent improvements in the Planning Service are sustained

P5             Work with the Local Strategic Partnership to support the development of the whole Borough as a destination for visitors, retails, culture and tourism purposes

P6             Support and encourage the Stafford Regeneration Budget Board to provide support for existing businesses to grow and develop, address Youth Unemployment and include the provision of specialist business support services for key sectors including technology, tourism and creative industries

P7             Renew the Stafford Town Centre Forum to create a positive and continuing focus for commercial, retail and leisure businesses

P8             Support the rural economy through the Market Towns Initiatives and other measures

P9             Maintain an active role in the North and Southern Staffordshire Partnerships to ensure that Stafford Borough benefits from sub-regional strategies and encourage Advantage West Midlands to invest in the area

P10            Ensure that people within our community have the appropriate advice and assistance to improve their quality of life

Community Safety - We recognise that this is a very important for people.  The primary role rests with Staffordshire Police who have our full backing.  We believe that we can play important support roles.

We aim to:

CS1            Play our role within Stafford Borough Community Safety Partnership to fully support the Police, Fire Service and Ambulance Service in their community safety role, together with other appropriate agencies in reducing crime and the fear of crime

CS2            Use our planning responsibilities to guide and support physical development which discourages unlawful activity

CS3            Use of our licensing duties to assist the maintenance of an orderly community

CS4            Use our services involved in the cleaning, presentation and maintenance of the street scene to support a quality environment, which encourages pride and respect

CS5            Exercise community leadership, discourage anti-social behaviour and promote and encourage a tolerant and harmonious community

CS6            Provide exciting and physically active services that engage young people and ensure that their enjoyment is compatible with the needs of the wider community

CS7            Provide older people with access to activities that increase their confidence, independence and sense of well-being

The Management of Public Space - People rightly associate the Local Council with the built environment. We share our duties for the management of the street scene with Staffordshire County Council; which has responsibility for highways and grass verges.

We aim to:

PS1            Work with Staffordshire County Council and encourage them to invest in highways, transportation and public space to the advantage of our local communities

PS2            Pay particular attention to our role in street cleansing, litter, graffiti and fly tipping from public spaces

PS3            Continue to provide a high quality service in managing and maintaining an attractive landscape

PS4            Pay particular attention to our role in partnerships with others in maintaining quality town centres

PS5            Ensure our green spaces are protected and enhanced using the local development framework and other strategies

Waste Management - We recognise that people regard refuse collection as the single premier service provided by their local Council.  Any changes need to carry support.

We aim to:

WM1            Ensure that our community continues to receive a high quality refuse collection service

WM2            Bring forward a new Waste Management Plan to meet increasing expectations for waste recycling

WM3            Outline proposals within our Waste Management Plan to increase the support of local people to take part in doorstep recycling initiatives

WM4            Work with the Staffordshire local authorities and others to seek ways of developing waste management in the most cost effective manner

WM5            Remain committed to environmental protection and the pursuit of sustainability; where practical