Hello.. I'm new here and relatively new to Stafford - lived in the area fora few years now. I don't work in Stafford, nor do I work in the public sector but wanted to join in this conversation. I am however quite familiar with the County Council
There are some good points made. The difference between the Borough Council and County Council has been highlighted and really is an important distinction. Two tier local government like this really is a bit old fashioned and is usually replaced with unitary authorities. However this can't really work with Staffordshire, least of all due to the absence of any real significant urban areas, outside of Stafford itself. When the only remaining "city" in administrative county of Staffordshire is Lichfield, you see my point. So unfortunately this two tier approach will have to continue and that means that some area will need to be the base for the County Council - therefore Stafford has both.
County buildings will still be the "administrative home" of the County Council, the elected members themselves will still be based there, so the main building will remain in use. All the other buildings though, split between the Town Centre, Riverway, Beaconside and elsewhere should be closed, and sold off. Employees will work together in SP.
In regards to home-working and hot-desking, this is a necessity. SP does not have enough space for ALL employees to work there at the same time. In regards to provision of car parking, all Council employees have had their free parking passes withdrawn I believe, to some outrage. There are limited amounts of subsidised spaces available to staff who need them, but not all staff will be getting them. I'm used to paying 8-12 quid a day to park in a City all day, so frankly I fine the outrage of having to pay upto 4 quid a day slightly humorous.
And finally the concrete balls stuff is a joke - they didn't cost that much. They need to have security measures in place so you might as well use some that fit in with the look and feel of the development. Our resident communist Councillor Tom Harris might object, but he just likes the sound of his own voice. He seems to think the solution to all Stafford's problems is a Bus Station. At a time when bus services are being withdrawn as no one is using them, I don't really see his point.
My final point, as a relative newcomer to Stafford is that the town is tired and in desperate need of a new lease of life. This development really helps this goal and the Council should be congratulated on investing in such a project in these times.
Anyway, sure that is too long for my first post....