Leader hits back after Tory’s jibe at ‘do-nothing’ council

Meetings gap sparked spat in chamber

- Kerry Ashdown

STAFFORDSHIRE County Council's new Reform UK administration has been accused of being a ‘do nothing’ authority by Conservative members - because of a 12-week gap between full council meetings.

The next full council meeting is not scheduled to take place until October, sparking a question from Councillor Alex Farrell, deputy leader of the opposition Conservatives, to new council leader Ian Cooper.

There was also a 12-week gap between full council meetings during summer and autumn 2024, and in the same period in 2023, when the council was under Conservative administration, however. And cabinet and scrutiny committee meetings are scheduled to take place within the next 12 weeks.

Councillor Farrell said: “The next full council meeting is scheduled for 9th October 2025 - that’s nearly three months away. Could the leader of the council tell us why there is such a large break between meetings - does he not have enough work going on to require a meeting sooner, or does he just want to give his councillors a very long summer holiday?”