Decision details

(a)        That the Council modify its stance to offer  support for the principle of HS2 as long as the potential economic benefits for North Staffordshire can be demonstrated to outweigh the environmental consequences, in particular whether such benefits would be derived from a local station being provided to serve this area.

(b)        That the Economic Development and Enterprise Scrutiny and Overview Committee be asked to continue to scrutinise the plans for HS2 with the Task and Finish Sub Group reconvening when the Government Consultation commences, with a particular focus upon whether the provision of an intermediate station in the North Staffordshire area would strengthen the case on economic grounds sufficiently to outweigh potentially adverse environmental consequences.