Stafford councillors back plans for new unitary authority - here's why

The new council, which would replace the current two-tier local authority system, would cover six current district and borough areas if plans are approved by the Government.

Existing authorities are required to submit business cases for proposed new councils to central Government by November 28. Stafford Borough Council’s cabinet is due to make a final decision on the authority’s preferred option at a meeting on Tuesday (November 18), following an extraordinary full council meeting held this week (November 11).

The authority’s preferred option would be for the new council to cover the areas of Stafford Borough, Cannock Chase, East Staffordshire, Lichfield, South Staffordshire and Tamworth. This would complement a second unitary council for the north of Staffordshire, covering Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme, and Staffordshire Moorlands.

But South Staffordshire, Lichfield and Tamworth councils are backing proposals for three unitary authorities, rather than two, to cover Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. Alongside the north Staffordshire council, the southern part of the county would be split, with an eastern authority covering East Staffordshire, Lichfield and Tamworth and a western authority covering Cannock Chase, South Staffordshire and Tamworth.

A new council serving South and Mid-Staffordshire is expected to save taxpayers nearly £30 million a year, Stafford Borough Council’s leader Aidan Godfrey has said. A report added that the single unitary will ˜retain and maintain a close connection with their communities, protect their uniqueness, and ensure that their needs are met through close working with town and parish councils and the use of new neighbourhood area committees.”

But Councillor Godfrey said at Tuesday’s meeting: “Local government reorganisation at this time should not be a priority. Staffordshire had a very successful system that has brought together 10 councils via the Leaders’ Board and good work was done right across the county and Stoke-on-Trent.

“Stafford Borough Council itself is a very well-run and financially-sound authority that provides services to the public to the highest standards. That said, the Government has decided that the two-tier system has to go, in favour of unitary authorities that provide all council services.

“The chief executive officers and leaders of six southern boroughs and districts have been working to find a solution that fits the Government criteria and provides the best services to the public. An independent outside consultant was appointed to crunch the numbers and help the leaders and CEOs to find the best solution for our area.

“It became clear quite quickly that a single southern unitary, incorporating all six boroughs and districts, was the best solution for us, especially as it fits in well with the single unitary authority proposed for Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire Moorlands and Newcastle Borough in the north. There is a saving of around £30m with the creation of a single southern unitary.

“But the main reason I’m convinced a single unitary is the best solution is a larger authority is more likely to survive any financial shocks, will mean less desegregation of vital services like social care and education, and will have single computer systems instead of duplication.”

Councillors were told that following the submission of proposals to Government at the end of the month, it was expected consultations would start in the new year, with a decision in the summer about the future of Staffordshire’s local government system.

Councillor Godfrey said: “This will be the biggest change in service delivery in 50 years. It must be right for our communities, not only for now but also in the future.”