Staffordshire Councils unite to propose two unitary authorities for region

Cannock Chase District Council, East Staffordshire Borough Council, and Stafford Borough Council have jointly issued a proposal for the creation of two new unitary authorities in Staffordshire, in response to the Government’s invitation under Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

The proposed structure would see the formation of a Southern and Mid-Staffordshire Unitary Council, complementing and supported by Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s separate proposal for a North Staffordshire Unitary Council.

A two-unitary solution to Staffordshire is supported by the majority of Council’s in Staffordshire and aligns with the priorities of local residents who, in a recent consultation exercise, placed local services, value for money/saving money, and improved infrastructure at the top of the priority list when creating a new Council.

Importantly, the Southern and Mid-Staffordshire proposal meets all of the Government’s LGR criteria and offers the highest level of ongoing financial savings among the options under consideration.

Serving a sustainable population of 656,800 residents, the model is projected to deliver recurring annual savings of £30 million by Year 3, twice the savings estimated under a three-unitary model, supported by a minority of councils.

Additionally, the implementation costs for this proposal are significantly lower, with no requirement to disaggregate existing County or City Council services, all of which enables greater investment in the delivery of quality services for residents.

This joint submission represents a bold and pragmatic vision for the future of Local Government in Staffordshire; one that is financially responsible, operationally efficient, and rooted in the needs and aspirations of the communities it will serve.

Speaking on the proposal for a Southern and Mid-Staffordshire Council, Cllrs Steve Thornley, Mick Fitzpatrick, and Aidan Godfrey, Leaders of the three proposed Councils, have said: “Our shared ambition is to create a modern, efficient, and resilient Unitary Council that delivers high-quality services, strengthens local democracy, and unlocks the full potential of Southern & Mid-Staffordshire.

“Our proposal has been designed to complement a second strong Unitary Council for the North of Staffordshire, covering Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme, and Staffordshire Moorlands.

“We recognise the challenges facing local government; rising demand, constrained resources, and increasing complexity, and we believe that this proposal demonstrates a clear way forward.

“By coming together under a single structure, we can remove duplication, streamline decision-making, and build an organisation that is capable of responding to the evolving needs of our communities with agility and confidence.”

More information on the proposal can be found in the proposal, available on the websites of Cannock Chase District Council, East Staffordshire Borough Council, and Stafford Borough Council.

The proposal will be debated at the three Council’s Full Council and Cabinet meetings in November, before a submission is made to Government later in the month.