As part of our coverage of the upcoming Staffordshire County Council elections, A Little Bit of Stone invited every candidate standing in the Stone area to complete a standard questionnaire. The questions were shaped by feedback gathered through our recent Stone Matters survey, where local residents told us which issues matter most to them.
We asked candidates to focus their answers on the responsibilities of Staffordshire County Council – highways, education, social care, transport, public health and related services. Their responses appear below unedited, exactly as supplied.
Name
Sharon Reid
Party
Labour
Division
Stone Rural North
Q1: Tell us a bit about yourself. Who are you, and why have you decided to stand for election in the Staffordshire County Council elections?
I live just outside the Division and am married with two older children. I have learnt how to fight for my child to get the help they need and believe I can represent Stone Rural North to get a fresh start for Staffordshire. There is no easy fix but it doesn’t need to be this way, we deserve better services. If elected, I’ll hold the Council to account for their failings.
Q2: Do you live in the Division?
No
Q3: If not, why have you chosen to stand here?
I live in Stafford Borough and just outside the Stone Rural North Division. I have close ties to Yarnfield, both of my children attended Springfields First School and I am a Brownie Girlguiding leader in Yarnfield for 16 years and the Scout treasurer for Yarnfield Scouts for 12 years.
Q4: What relevant experience or background do you bring to the role of County Councillor?
I want to stand as a County Councillor as I have experienced the failings of our County Council. I believe I can make a fresh start for Staffordshire.
Q5: The County Council has declared a climate emergency and committed to a Net Zero target. What does that commitment mean in practice for local residents and businesses? What will you do to support this goal locally?
I am committed to a Net Zero target, the climate crisis is a global challenge. have solar panels on my home and believe that all future new homes should have solar panels installed, and new warehouses should also have solar panels on their rooves. Labour is backing green clean energy by 2030, this will create new jobs, save families hundred of pounds on their energy bills and boost our energy security.
Q6: The Udall Grange estate is nearing completion, and just last month, proposals were announced for a further 500 homes on adjoining land. There has been no mention of improvements to infrastructure, GP capacity or dental services. The County Council is responsible for roads, schools, and medical services, while Stafford Borough Council handles planning. How do you square away this imbalance? What would you do to ensure new developments do not come at the cost of existing residents’ wellbeing?
We need more affordable housing but the right houses built in the right areas. I am committed to preserve our Green Belt. Housing developers need to build homes that local people can afford and invest in new infrastructure and public services so that roads, schools and GP services are not overwhelmed.
Q7: The Aston to Burston Trail has been closed for months following the collapse of a footbridge. A drawn‑out process between the landowner and local authority has left this well‑used route in limbo. Do you think the County Council has done enough to uphold public rights of way in our area? What would you do differently?
I am a keen walker and have walked the Aston to Burston trail many times. The state of our footpaths and bridleways have been neglected, some stiles and footbridges are very dangerous and are in desperate need of repair. The County Council has not done enough to preserve our public rights of way, these are a vital network to let our community enjoy our amazing countryside, we need more investment to maintain these rights of way.
Q8: What is your stance on the enforcement of Stone High Street as a pedestrianised zone? At times, the Market Square resembles a car park. Should access be more tightly restricted or more flexible, and how should this be enforced?
I agree that Stone High Street should be a pedestrianised zone. I think access should be more tightly restricted, and traffic only allowed for special days like market days and events as well as emergency vehicles. Maybe some bollards to restrict access but still allow emergency access.
Q9: Stone and the surrounding area has lost many of its bus routes in recent years. This leaves many residents, especially older people and those without cars, isolated. What would you do to improve public transport options in the division?
The local bus network has been reduced so much in the past few years. The bus network is a vital service especially for those in our community that are unable to drive. We need to make sure we have bus routes that cater to getting workers and students to and from their work or study.
Q10: With transport in mind, what is your view on how the County Council should balance road infrastructure investment with active travel options such as walking and cycling?
Our roads are in desperate need of repair. The maintenance on our roads have been reduced so much that our roads are so damaged and littered with potholes, that are not being fixed. We need to invest in fixing our roads and potholes. Walking and cycling should also be invested in, its not just our roads that need repairing. Our pavements also need repairing and cutting back hedgerows.
Q11: Speeding and dangerous parking, particularly on roads near local schools, is a common concern. What can be done to improve road safety for children and penalise offenders?
More school lollipop patrol officers are needed to make sure children are safe getting to and from school. SIDs installed near speeding blackspots can also help to encourage drivers to slow down. I think we should invest in more Community Speed watch schemes to increase the number of trained volunteers especially in our villages.
Q12: What is your view on the provision of school places and SEND services in Staffordshire? Are local families being properly supported, and what changes would you advocate for at the County level?
I am a parent to two SEND children and local families are being severely let down by our County Council, the Ofsted inspection in 2022 cited that the quality of EHC plans was poor and is a significant weakness. We are one of the worst five Local Authorities in England to issue an Educational Health & Care needs assessment and over 90% are overturned at tribunal leading to a significant delay in our children getting help. We are severely letting our vulnerable children down, and we need a significant investment in our SEND services.
Q13: Devolution is coming down the tracks, with the creation of new combined authorities. What are your views on this shift, and how can we ensure towns like Stone are properly represented in a larger unitary structure?
I believe there is confusion in who delvers which services, Stafford Borough or Staffordshire County Council. A unitary system will solve this confusion, but I am concerned that local councillors will be more stretched delivering to their constituents.
Q14: What is one issue in the division that you believe does not get enough attention at County Council level, and what would you do about it within the remit of the role?
I think we need much more investment in our roads and SEND system, these are the areas i would prioritise.
Q15: Finally, why should residents vote for you on 1st May?
We need a fresh start for Staffordshire County Council. Vote for change, vote for a fresh start for Staffordshire.
