Government confirms North-South future for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire

The city council has welcomed the Government's decision to support a North-South model for local government reorganisation across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

The decision best reflects local communities, strengthens public services and creates the strongest foundation for economic growth.

It will see the creation of a new unitary council covering Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire Moorlands - built around established communities, travel patterns, public service footprints and economic relationships.

The remaining parts of the south of the county will form a new south Staffordshire unitary.

Elections to the new shadow unitary authorities are expected to take place in May 2027, with the new councils formally taking responsibility for services from April 2028.

The decision forms part of the Government's programme of local government reorganisation (LGR), which aims to replace existing county, district, borough and unitary councils with a smaller number of unitary authorities responsible for delivering all local government services.

These changes are intended to create councils that are simpler, more efficient, financially sustainable and better able to support future devolution.

The city council has consistently argued that north Staffordshire functions as a single economic area, with residents already sharing housing markets, travel-to-work patterns, education and healthcare services. It believes the new arrangement will enable more effective planning for jobs, homes, transport and regeneration while protecting local identity and accountability.

Eight out of the 10 existing councils covering Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire supported some form of north-south split.

Jane Ashworth, Leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “We warmly welcome the government’s decision to back the North-South proposal.

“It is the option that most closely reflects the reality of how people live, work and travel across our area and provides the strongest basis for future success.

“The North-South model works with the grain of our communities rather than against them. It keeps North Staffordshire together as a single economic area, aligns with the way key public services already operate and creates a council that is large enough to be resilient while remaining rooted in the communities it serves.

“Most importantly, this decision gives us the opportunity to unlock growth, attract investment, accelerate regeneration and create more opportunities for local people. It will ensure north Staffordshire has a stronger voice and can compete more effectively for jobs, funding and investment in the years ahead.

“Today's announcement is a significant milestone, but the focus now turns to delivery. We will work closely with our partners, residents, businesses and staff to ensure a smooth transition and to build a new authority that delivers excellent services and a brighter future for north Staffordshire."