A year ago a seismic change took place across Staffordshire in polling stations and vote counting halls.

The electorate cast an established administration out of Staffordshire County Council in favour of a new order – and elected many new representatives who had previously never sat in Stafford's County Buildings.

Reform UK swept to power at the authority in a wave that took many by surprise. Overnight and into the morning, stalwart councillors who had represented their areas for several years – and in some cases, decades, were ousted as voters decided to give a relatively new party a chance at running an authority that oversees the county's roads, social care, schools and many other vital services.

Reform UK came in promising big changes at Staffordshire County Council in May 2025, with national leader Nigel Farage suggesting that staff in areas such as climate change and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) should 'go look for another job'.

Newly-appointed council leader Ian Cooper – who was later kicked out of the party after failing to disclose a social media account – said the new administration would 'forensically investigate' the council's finances and root out any 'profligate' spending.

They also committed to improving SEND services and support for children with special educational needs and disabilities, halting the sell-off of county farms and changing the way the council approaches highway repairs to ensure a better service in the long-term.

In the County Town this week however, shoppers and traders alike reported seeing very little change over the past year.

There was one difference outside County Buildings on Thursday lunchtime however – a security guard in high-vis at the public entrance.

Security has been beefed up at the historic meeting place in recent months following a noisy protest inside the council chamber in December 2025.

Protestors brought proceedings to a halt, calling for Reform UK councillors who were accused of making racist comments online – including Cllr Cooper – to resign, and since then some of the protesters have been banned from entering County Buildings, while members of the public who wish to watch meetings have to use a separate entrance to get inside, and surrender their bags and coats on entry.

Away from County Buildings, the town centre is relatively quiet and peaceful in the spring sunshine.

Uttoxeter residents Mandy Bostock and Julia Bostock are visiting for the day – and their journey to the town revealed an issue which will become a common theme amongst residents and visitors.

Mandy said: "There's too many potholes on the roads.

"They've got worse near the roundabout at Tesco in Uttoxeter, it's terrible.

Julia said: "We like coming to Stafford because there's not a great deal in Uttoxeter at all.

"There's not much for the kids to do either."

Other shoppers are reluctant to give their names – such is Stafford's reserved nature but they all seem to agree to not seeing much difference since the change in administration at the county council – and one says: "I don't think there have been any improvements, has there?"

A customer at a Mill Street shop says: "I believe the roads have got worse.

"They're not repaired, they don't do them properly.

"They do a quick fix and then with a bit of bad weather it gets worse.

"When it was the old Staffordshire County Road, there was no problem."

The trader said "They need to get the roads sorted across the town.

"I cycle in, but my customers can spend up to an hour coming into town and that's very off-putting."

In recent years, roadworks coinciding in Stafford have led to gridlock at peak times as drivers attempt to get in and out of town.

Last year, the new Reform UK administration put a three-month freeze on new non-essential roadworks already affected by disruption.

At the latest cabinet meeting, members approved a Traffic and Network Management Plan which aims to improve management of roadworks in the county.

But on Thursday a closure of a stretch of the M6 north of Stafford, coupled with roadworks and closures on the outskirts of Stafford, led to long vehicle queues along key routes out of town.

One recent addition to the town centre was welcomed by Shez Tucker, who has run Magic By Candlelight for 20 years.

She highlights the Staffy sculptures that have arrived to celebrate Staffordshire Day, in a promotion of the county's heritage and attractions involving the county council and Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Local Visitor Economy Partnership.

From her shop opposite St Mary's Church she has seen the demolition of the nearby Guildhall Shopping Centre, as part of ambitious plans to regenerate the town centre being led by Stafford Borough Council.

Staffordshire County Council is also involved in regeneration work in the county town, including proposals to transform sites in the Eastgate area to provide new homes and a hotel.

Shez says: "People that are coming into Stafford think the place is beautiful and we have a lot of history.

"But it's hard – people aren't coming into town like they would have done.

"I think we need more CCTV cameras because it's been terrible during the past half term, there was a lot of trouble with kids. and the roads are worse, with more potholes, and then there's the roadworks."

Another facility being called for at the nearby Bird in Hand Pub is a defibrillator.

Last month a customer required defibrillation there, but the nearest one was at the Ancient High House.

Thankfully the customer is now said to be recovering, following the quick response of pub staff, but they are now raising funds to provide a life-saving facility within closer reach if it is needed again in the future.

Sarah Airlie, daughter of landlord and landlady Dee and Terry Cope, says she would also like to see more support for businesses from the county council.

"Reform UK have their meetings here once a month – we have all the parties come here", she said.

"As for seeing much of a difference in the past year?

"Not really.

"Less tax would be a good thing.

"Stop upping the prices because it affects everyone."

While traders and shoppers have noticed little difference – apart from the state of the roads – the council's Conservative group, ousted from the administration a year ago, was far more scathing this week however.

Opposition group leader Cllr Philip White – previously the authority's deputy leader – said: "Last year Reform promised huge change if they were elected to run Staffordshire County Council but people can now see the reality that they have kept none of their promises.

"The waste they claimed existed never did and they have broken their pledge to cut council tax by putting it up by 3.99%.

Reform have changed almost nothing significant from the plans we left them other than deciding to pause new pothole repairs last summer, which has left the roads in a terrible state.

"I don't blame the electorate at all for giving Reform a try when they promised so much but we can now see that all they have delivered is a wasted year of chaos, broken promises and toxic behaviour.

"Their latest leader needs to get a grip and start delivering the people of Staffordshire or he and his group should accept they are not up to the job and step down."

Martin Murray is now council leader, having been elected to the role in March following a period as the interim leader.

He said he would 'come down hard' on anyone who acted in a racist way.

Following his appointment, he called on members to "get on with the job" of running the authority.

"It is about working together, not only as a group but as a county and as a country", he added.

Speaking at last month's cabinet meeting, following the approval of the Traffic and Network Management Plan, he said: "I am very confident now that when we revisit this next year, we will have seen improvement.

"The people and businesses of Staffordshire will see a noticeable improvement in those highways we took over."