Infrastructure is one of the key facilitators of economic growth – and  is undoubtedly crucial in creating the right conditions to attract investment and create jobs.

In Staffordshire, we have found it is not just about delivering a programme of infrastructure projects, but is as much about changing mindsets about how and why we do business.

Reduced finance settlements, mean we have had to be creative, resourceful and ambitious. In  2014, while we are Conservative by administration, it is true to say as a county council we are completely unrecognisble from the "conservative" authority we once were.