NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2019 COUNTY COUNCILLOR JULIA JESSEL

I hope you will find the information in my newsletter of interest and that it gives an indication of the work I and Staffordshire County Council (SCC) undertake on your behalf. Earlier in the year SCC Children’s Services received a “Good” Ofsted Inspection and is 1 of only 3 councils in the to achieve such a high rating. The Special Educational Needs service has received a report recommending improvements to increase the life chances of these children. The Community Education Service has also received good reviews. There is a new 4-year strategy which will focus on improving skills and employability.

Locally, I have been keen to promote the further roll-out of improved broadband to rural locations and am pleased that , Newborough and Hadley End are now online and hopefully Woodhouses will also be able to access high- speed broadband. For more information visit: http://www.superfaststaffordshire.co.uk/

SCC has again committed an additional £5M for highways repairs and central government have awarded SCC £8.7M. This is a significant increase in much needed investment in our roads. As always, it is important that defects are reported and all of us can use the online system at https://apps2.staffordshire.gov.uk/web/reportfault/#divSelectionHeader

Each County Councillor has been allocated £20,000 for local priorities and I have identified with Parish and Borough Councillors some of the pavements in Yoxall and Barton under Needwood as areas in need of urgent repair.

After raising the problem of the very poor condition of 5 Lanes End Island, repair works will now commence in June 2019.

The problem of HGVs has been acknowledged for many years and I am delighted to say that working in concert with local Parish Councils and campaign groups, experimental road traffic orders have been implemented. A detailed traffic survey will be conducted later in the year to accurately assess the impact these have made and whether to make the orders permanent. A few concerns have been raised by local businesses and these will be considered before any final decision is made. Initially, the impact, particularly at night, has been significant and has been welcomed by all local residents. Enforcement of the orders is key to their ongoing success and the police, together with the Community Speedwatch Groups in Kings Bromley and now in Yoxall, are doing their part.

Road traffic orders have been put in place in Rangemore and to mitigate the additional traffic arising from the new John Taylor School and Branston Locks development. I have also requested a weight limit and 50mph speed limit on the C18, Forest Road to complete the restrictions required to properly manage traffic in the area.

Further good news is that £160K of capital has been allocated by SCC towards Phase 2 of the Better Barton Scheme. As before, close working with Barton Parish Council will deliver a scheme to improve Station Road, outside the primary school, including traffic calming.

In the past year I have supported several groups and projects with financial help from the Councillors Community Fund. These include, the Riverside Project at Goose Green, Yoxall, paving repairs at Yoxall Bowling Club, Transforming the Trent Valley Project and the community broadband project in Dunstall. The fund is changing this year and is called “The People Helping People Fund”. Information about the fund and application forms are available on the SCC website https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Your-council-and- democracy/People-Helping-People-Fund/People-Helping-People-Fund.aspx

My focus for the forthcoming months will be to pursue financial support from Network Rail for a scheme to improve pedestrian access over the railway bridge, Main Street, Branston. I will also be exploring how to present a strong case to Highways to improve traffic management on the A38. As we all know, when either an accident or road repairs are taking place on the A38 between and Toyota Island, traffic spills out onto local roads, causing severe disruption.

The Needwood Division Forum, whose members represent the 7 parish councils in the division, together with the Borough Councillors, met in January in Branston. A presentation was made by PC Richard Lymer on how to prevent theft from keyless cars, their plan to address anti-social behaviour in the area, prevention of number plate thefts and the community engagement plan. A further presentation was given by Nicola Swinnerton, SCC Rural Access & Development Manager on the future management of Staffordshire’s 5000km of footpaths. The actions agreed were: • Parish Council Volunteers to send their names to N. Swinnerton for Rights of Way Training • Parish Clerks to circulate information about the Police Smart Alert System. • Horse Rider warning signs to be made available to Parishes on request. • Community Speedwatch volunteers required for Yoxall – alert to be put on Smart Alert System.

In addition to this work, I will continue to provide support and advice to all local residents as required and to pursue my role in an open and dedicated manner.

Cllr Julia Jessel

Staffordshire County Councillor for Needwood Division. (Parishes of Barton-u-Needwood, Branston, Dunstall, , Newborough, Rangemore & Tatenhill & Yoxall.) [email protected] 01543473671/07966342019

Printed and published by Cllr Julia Jessel, Clermont Cottage, Morrey Lane, Hadley End DE13 8PF