Latest news with #Stoke-on-TrentCityCouncil
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Social care set for £7m boost to meet rising costs
Stoke-on-Trent City Council is set to approve an extra £7m for adult social care services to help suppliers meet rising costs. Care homes and providers - some of whom challenged the previous settlement at the High Court - have told the authority increases in National Insurance and the National Living Wage have pushed their costs up. The council's previously suggested fee rises of 2-4% would typically increase to 5-7% under the revised plans for the coming year. The proposal will be discussed by the authority's cabinet on 29 April. In January, the High Court ordered the council to reconsider its 1.4% fee rise for the 2024-25 financial year, after Staffordshire Care Association challenged how the decision was reached. Although the rise was later confirmed, council officers warned that "members should read this judgement in full" before considering this year's fees. In a consultation in December and January, providers from different sectors told the council that staffing costs would rise by up to 10% because of changes announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in October's budget. The Labour-run authority has assessed those rises, along with general inflationary pressures, to come up with new rates for firms providing residential and at-home care. Despite the council's own financial challenges, cabinet members have been warned they have to follow government guidance and maintain a "sustainable" care market. The authority's budget for this year had initially allowed for a planned increase of about £6m for social care. The report to councillors said that while an additional £1.1m would be provided centrally, the service would have to "actively work to reduce expenditure and mitigate the additional costs over the course of the financial year". Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Council approves budget with 4.99% tax rise Social care sector 'will struggle' to cover costs Listen: All your questions answered about adult social care in Stoke-on-Trent Stoke-on-Trent City Council
BBC News
18-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Social care set for £7m boost to meet rising costs
Stoke-on-Trent City Council is set to approve an extra £7m for adult social care services to help suppliers meet rising homes and providers - some of whom challenged the previous settlement at the High Court - have told the authority increases in National Insurance and the National Living Wage have pushed their costs council's previously suggested fee rises of 2-4% would typically increase to 5-7% under the revised plans for the coming proposal will be discussed by the authority's cabinet on 29 April. In January, the High Court ordered the council to reconsider its 1.4% fee rise for the 2024-25 financial year, after Staffordshire Care Association challenged how the decision was the rise was later confirmed, council officers warned that "members should read this judgement in full" before considering this year's fees. Sustainable care market In a consultation in December and January, providers from different sectors told the council that staffing costs would rise by up to 10% because of changes announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in October's Labour-run authority has assessed those rises, along with general inflationary pressures, to come up with new rates for firms providing residential and at-home the council's own financial challenges, cabinet members have been warned they have to follow government guidance and maintain a "sustainable" care authority's budget for this year had initially allowed for a planned increase of about £6m for social report to councillors said that while an additional £1.1m would be provided centrally, the service would have to "actively work to reduce expenditure and mitigate the additional costs over the course of the financial year". Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
10-04-2025
- BBC News
Three men jailed for Stoke-on-Trent bin worker attacks
Three men have been jailed for two separate attacks on refuse workers in bin worker was punched and a lorry was damaged with a metal pole during an attack at about 11:15 GMT on on Fairhaven Grove, Birches Head on 21 March 2023, police half an hour later, three other refuse workers on Birches Head Road were attacked with tools including an axe, and a modified pistol was Corden, Jack Spackman and Kyle Worthington were each given sentences of up to six and a half years at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Thursday. All three had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to a string of charges including 29, was described by the judge as having played a "leading role" in the attacks, using an axe and a metal pole. He was sentenced to 80 months in Spackman, 21, did not take part in the physical attack on the workers, his actions still had a psychological affect on his victims, the judge said. He was sentenced to four years and 10 21, admitted possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, while the other two pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in public. He was jailed for a total of six attacker, who cannot be named due to his age, was sentenced at an earlier hearing to a three-year youth rehabilitation order on 30 June 2023. In a victim impact statement read out in court, one of the victims said he had suffered two cuts to his head, a wound above his collarbone and a laceration to his left eye .The man, who had 28 years' experience as a refuse collector, said he still suffered double vision and had been unable to return to work because of the trauma. He said he just wanted "to be able to forget" the attack. Another of the bin workers, who had 38 years of service, said he had been diagnosed with PTSD since the said that on the day the sound of the gunshot had caused him to ask "is this the end". Following the attack, he added that he had lost his love for motorbikes and cars, and had felt unable to go on holiday since or mix in large crowds."They need to learn this is wrong," he said. "Life shouldn't be like this." A third man, who was driving one of the refuse lorries, said his nose remained misshapen following the attack and he sometimes still found it difficult to eat because of injuries to his said he also suffered headaches and tinnitus, and had trouble trying to return to work, he said he had been unable to due to suffering panic attacks."My wife, family and friends feel like they've lost the old me," he said. Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said the attacks were "shocking and completely unprovoked"."We hope today's sentencing will bring some comfort to the victims and their families and send a clear message: we will not tolerate violence or abuse against our staff in any circumstances," she said. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Events venue plan for former town library building
A historic former library building in Stoke-on-Trent could be brought back into use as an events venue. Plans have been submitted to turn the old Stoke Library on London Road into a private hire venue for weddings, corporate events and community gatherings. The Grade II listed building, known for its circular windows and William Shakespeare mosaic, is currently empty having last been used as a meditation centre. The library service moved to a site on South Wolfe Street in 2008. According to a planning application submitted by local resident Tariq Hussain, the plans would create a new "stylish and versatile" space while preserving one of the city's best-loved buildings. The proposals, which also require listed building consent, would see the main hall on the ground floor serve as the primary event area. There would also be a bar, lounge and dedicated catering area, with other rooms available for smaller events. The lower ground floor, which has a separate entrance, could eventually be turned into a cafe. According to the plans, the venue could have a maximum capacity of about 150 people, and be available for hire seven days a week between 09:00 and 23:00. Alterations proposed included the division of the first-floor balcony room and the addition of a disabled toilet. No external structural changes were planned, but fans would be added to the rear wall and front door and fencing repainted. "The use of the building will ensure its longevity and preservation as funds raised from hiring out the hall will be used to help restore any historic elements," the application stated. The applicant also said they would work with heritage bodies to "preserve and adapt" the building to its original design. Planners at Stoke-on-Trent City Council are due to make a decision on the proposals in the coming weeks. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Former library could be turned into flats Views sought on plans to revamp Victorian library Library development plans resubmitted Stoke-on-Trent City Council Local Democracy Reporting Service
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Two new factories expected to create up to 100 jobs
An engineering company has been granted planning permission for two new factories that are set to create up to 100 jobs. Goodwin International, a subsidiary of Hanley-based Goodwin Group, will build the production units at the Newstead Industrial Estate, where it currently employs 400 people. It said the new development represented a huge opportunity and would support young people through its apprenticeship scheme. Stoke-on-Trent City Council's planning committee backed the proposals, but concerns were raised over the impact of the development on wildlife, in particular great crested newts. "We're really excited about this development at Goodwin, it's a big moment for us as a company, but equally it's a big moment for Stoke-on-Trent," said Paul Root, a director at the firm. He added: "We're really proud of what we've achieved as a company during our long-standing tenure in Stoke-on-Trent." Councillor Faisal Hussain raised concerns over the impact of the development on wildlife, in particular great crested newts. "I've always been a big supporter of greenbelt and I know the government's recent changes to the areas are something that personally doesn't sit right with myself, and it opens the gates for other developments across the city," he said. Officers said the land constituted "grey belt land" and that the development would not be considered inappropriate. Councillor Laura Carter said: "I think it's really difficult to be sympathetic with such a huge build, but I'm really pleased with this planning application. "I think for me it ticks all the boxes as far as planning goes. I'm particularly pleased with the jobs it's going to create and the impact it'll have on the city's economy. I think it's a great thing for the city." This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Hundreds of jobs set to be created with new lab Is there a way to successfully build on the green belt? Is greenbelt at more risk from move to protect it? Stoke-on-Trent City Council Local Democracy Reporting Service
