COUNTY council chiefs are calling for the Autumn Budget to deliver the tools needed to build communities.
The Government will set out its financial plans on 28th October.
Chancellor John Healey will come under pressure to deliver growth against a backdrop of global and national financial challenges.
Cllr Sean Bagguley, Staffordshire County Council's cabinet member for finance and resources, said the Government needed to address "long-standing issues" and invest in the future.
He explained:
"Central government controls large proportion of a county council’s income, so if we are going to deal with persistent problems and invest in Staffordshire’s future, then we need recognition of the reality on the ground.
"First, and foremost, the cost of protecting vulnerable children continues to soar, despite recent additional investment in the service and targeted support for early intervention.
"Add the continuing cost of supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and the gap between the funding provided by Government and the actual amount spent delivering front line services continues to grow.
"Not only do we need a significant and sustained increase in highways maintenance funding that reflects the needs of Staffordshire and other counties like it, but there also need to be a long-term funding solution for repairing aging structures, such as bridges, which are now carrying more. and heavier vehicles than originally intended.”
The county council is also lobbying for substantial investment in providing further education and employment support to expand post-16 provision in areas experiencing the greatest pressures.
Cllr Bagguley said:
"Staffordshire is a great county with a history of innovation and delivery.
"With the right resources to promote business and longer-term certainty, we can continue investing in essential services, supporting economic expansion and creating opportunities for residents and businesses."
Lichfield Live has been keeping local communities informed for almost two decades – but as a Community Interest Company we can only continue reporting with your support.
