Stafford Borough Council leader gives update on shakeup of Staffordshire's local government landscape
Six Staffordshire councils are now working with consultants to develop plans for a new unitary authority to replace the current two-tier system.
Stafford Borough could join up with Cannock Chase, South Staffordshire, Tamworth, Lichfield and East Staffordshire to form a new Southern Staffordshire council in the detailed proposals now being considered.
The county’s eight district and borough councils, which currently provide services such as bin collections, emergency housing, planning and leisure facilities, are all facing the axe as part of national government plans to reorganise the local authority system. Draft proposals were put forward in March, and the deadline for more detailed plans to come forward is November 28.
Earlier this month councils in the north of the county considered plans for a North Staffordshire unitary authority, which could see a single council covering Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle Borough and the Moorlands, along with Stone and Uttoxeter. City councillors and Labour and independent members of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council backed the plans, but Conservative district councillors voted against them.
In Newcastle Borough, Tory leaders continue to object to the prospect of a “merger” with Stoke-on-Trent. In Stafford, borough council leader Aidan Godfrey has said that any proposal to split Stone and Stafford would be a “red line” for the authority – and he has previously pledged to do all he can to ensure the two towns stay together.
At Tuesday’s (July 22) full Stafford Borough Council meeting, Councillor Godfrey gave an update on the local government reorganisation work taking place in southern Staffordshire. He said: “Stafford Borough Council, along with five other councils, have engaged KPMG to research evidence for a southern unitary.
“I’m now working with the other five borough and district leaders and these meetings take place on a regular basis around the county. Our chief executive officer is now working with five other CEOs to help the leaders find a workable solution.
“My priority in these talks is to get the best possible outcome for the residents of our area, including the preservation of the existing boundaries of Stafford Borough within a new unitary authority. This will remain our red line.
“I will continue to keep all group leaders up to date with the evidence research and talks with other councils, and I would like to reassure members I will keep you informed of the latest position via full council or special council briefings. This is a complicated task the Government have set for us and one many believe unnecessary, but we have no choice but to complete it and get the best outcome for the residents in our borough."
Another proposal being considered as part of the reorganisation is the creation of a town council for Stafford. Councillor Godfrey told Tuesday’s meeting an all-party working group had now been established.
“I thank the chair and members of the working group for their enthusiasm for the task they have taken on”, he added. “Members will be kept fully informed as to the work they are doing and recommendations.”
Councillor Jeremy Pert, leader of the Conservative opposition group, thanked Councillor Godfrey for the update. He added: “Given the last re-organisation happened just over 50 years ago, one has an expectation that this one will also be long-lived.
“I also appreciate what was said in the statement, having seen the Staffordshire Moorlands proposals which looked at splitting Stafford Borough based on some notional boundaries. Could we get an update, in terms of the original proposals, on getting public consultation as part of the process that we are going through between now and the end of November?”
Councillor Godfrey responded: “We will be talking to all stakeholders in the next few months.”
Staffordshire County Council’s previous Conservative administration proposed joining with Staffordshire’s eight district and borough authorities to create a single unitary authority. But the county council has now come under the leadership of Reform UK following the May elections.
Speaking in May, the new county council leader Ian Cooper said Reform UK would consider the various options available. He added: “There’s a plethora of different options on the table.
“What is clear is if we don’t pick one of these options – and none of them are good options – Angela Rayner will impose a solution on Staffordshire on November 28, which we don’t want.”
The earliest that changes are expected to be fully implemented is 2028.
