Staffordshire councils given six weeks to come up with initial unitary proposal
All two-tier councils in England are set to be abolished
Last updated 8th Feb 2025
Councils in Staffordshire have been given six weeks to come up with initial proposals to change the county’s political map forever.
The government announced in December that all two-tier councils in England would be abolished and replaced with a single layer of unitary authorities.
In Staffordshire local services are currently split between the county and district councils – except in Stoke-on-Trent which already has a unitary council. Ministers say the reorganisation will make local government more effective and efficient, and councils were invited to come up with their own proposals for the new unitaries.
Local Government Minister Jim McMahon has now written to the leaders of all 10 councils in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, setting out in further detail what is expected of them.
The letter says that the councils should submit an interim plan for reorganisation by March 21, with a November 28 deadline for the full proposal.
The letter states:
“We expect there to be different views on the best structures for an area, and indeed there may be merits to a variety of approaches. Nevertheless, it is not in council taxpayers’ interest to devote public funds and your valuable time and effort into the development of multiple proposals which unnecessarily fragment services, compete against one another, require lengthy implementation periods or which do not sufficiently address local interests and identities.”
Cash-strapped councils receiving exceptional financial support – such as Stoke-on-Trent – will be expected to demonstrate how reorganisation could help put them on a ‘firmer footing’. Mr McMahon says that areas should be able to meet the transition costs from existing budget, and there are no plans to write off council debts as part of the reorganisation.
Councillor Alan White, the leader of the county council, said the public would be kept informed through the reorganisation process.
He said:
“The minister’s letter gives extra clarity around the expectations of the government which is helpful as we consider the options with our neighbouring councils. We are focussed on maximising the benefit of any change for our residents and businesses and will update and involve people as we move through the process.”
Since the government announcement, a number of local politicians have voiced their opposition to the move to unitaries.
Concerns have been raised in Newcastle and Staffordshire Moorlands that the reorganisation will result in their areas being swallowed up by a ‘Greater Stoke-on-Trent’ council.
Councillors in Newcastle last month voted in favour of a motion defending the ‘historic independence’ of the borough.
Borough council leader Simon Tagg told this week’s cabinet meeting, held prior to Mr McMahon’s letter, that nearly 2,000 people had signed a ‘Save Our Borough’ petition.
He said:
“Hopefully the government are using this time to think again so areas like Newcastle with our historic independence and a good local council delivering for local people can continue to do that for the foreseeable future.”