'It seems to me the council is shooting itself in the foot'

FEARS COUNTY COULD LOSE £4.5M FOR EV CHARGE POINTS

- By PHIL CORRIGAN Local Democracy Reporter

CONCERNS have been raised that Staffordshire could lose £4.5 million of government funding for electric car charging points.

Staffordshire County Council was allocated the cash earlier this year as part of a national programme aimed at improving electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

But the county council's new Reform UK leaders are now carrying out a review of the scheme, after questioning whether it will offer taxpayers good value for money.

Green county councillor Jack Rose, below, fears the review could put the government funding in jeopardy, and potentially leave Staffordshire residents worse off.

He quizzed council leaders on their approach during a meeting of the corporate overview and scrutiny committee.

But council leader Ian Cooper insisted that the authority has a duty to ensure taxpayers’ money is spent wisely.