Latest News:
Devolution:
The Government has announced proposals for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to become a Mayoral Strategic Authority - a process known as ‘Devolution.’
The leaders of all the councils across the area had written to the Government in support of ‘Devolution’ for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent - and this announcement is an important step in the process.
It could see the new ‘Authority’ set up in Autumn 2027 with election for a Mayor in May 2028.
Local Government Reorganisation:
The Government has withdrawn its decision to create two new councils in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, one covering the north and one in the south - while it undertakes a wider review.
This will not affect council services.
The Government has said it is committed to Local Government Reorganisation and will provide an update early in the new year.
Local Government Reorganisation
It will see an end to ‘two-tier’ authorities. At the moment Stafford Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council deliver different services and functions to our communities.
For example, the borough council is responsible for the household waste collection service, planning, and parks. Whereas Staffordshire County Council deals with education, roads and social care.
The new unitary council would be responsible for all local government services within their area.
This is part of wider plans for Devolution. You can see more about this from the English Devolution White Paper (gov.uk).
What this means for you
There will be no immediate changes to council services, and all councils will continue to provide services as usual.
You should continue to use services in the same way as you do now and contact the same council teams for help and support.
Councils across the area will now work together to understand the full details of the government’s decision and plan the next steps to make sure that the changes work well for residents, businesses and our communities.
Next Steps
There will be ‘shadow elections’ on a date yet to be announced. A shadow council is elected before the new council formally comes into effect. Shadow councillors make key decisions needed to prepare the new council.
New unitary councils would be established in April 2029.
Further information can be found from the dedicated LGR website (staffordshirestokelgr.org.uk).
What ‘Devolution’ is
It would see a shift of powers from central to local and regional government. And this will involve reorganising the way your local council works.
A Mayoral Strategic Authority provides powers and funding that are not currently available to individual local authorities.
All 10 councils in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent have sent an expression of interest to the Government confirming they are interested in this. You can read the full expression of interest (pdf 348kb).
Discussions and consultations are now expected to take place.
If you would like to receive updates on future changes to your council, please let us know by emailing lgrsbc@staffordbc.gov.uk.
Stafford Borough Council will use your email address only to keep you up to date on Local Government Reorganisation. We will not share your data with other organisations.
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