City council approves vision for the future of local government

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has today confirmed its proposals to reshape local government in Staffordshire.

The plans – contained in a document called Delivering a Stronger Staffordshire: A Case for Change – were approved unanimously today (THURS) by all three political groups (Labour, Local Conservatives and Reform UK) and non-aligned members at special meetings of the ruling cabinet and full council.

The council’s plans would see two new local authorities created, covering North Staffordshire and Southern & Mid Staffordshire.  

They will now go forward to government for a period of consultation, alongside alternative options presented by other councils in Staffordshire.

The government announced in December their plan to scrap existing county and district councils - as well as smaller unitaries that sit beside them - and replace them with a single tier of evenly-sized councils with a population of around 500,000. Councils were asked to assess options and suggest solutions – having been clearly told that “no change” was not an option.    

Final proposals must be submitted to government by 28 November.  

The council’s proposals, can be read here, alongside supporting documents including independent financial analysis and wide-ranging public consultation.

The document argues that a North-South split presents the best economic prospects, bests fits the way people currently live and work, and has the best prospects for delivering what people say they want: cost-effective services and protected local identities.

The government is expected to make a decision on which proposals it wants to take forward in May-August next year. Whatever model is chosen, the new councils are not expected to be up-and-running until April 2028.