Have a look at the information below then give us your feedback on whether there should be a new town council for Stafford.
Complete the survey online.
Introduction
Before you can create a new town / parish council you have to undertake a Community Governance Review.
In December 2025, the Council agreed to start a community governance review for Stafford Town to:
- determine whether Stafford Town should be parished and consider its boundaries
- include the unparished areas of Stafford as well as the parished area of Doxey
- establish the name of any new parish
- consider whether the area should have a town council
- determine electoral arrangements for the town council (including whether it should be warded and the number of councillors)
See a map of the area under review (pdf 169kb), more information on Towns and Parish Councils online, and the Community Governance Review process.
Why undertake a review
Staffordshire is currently served by a two-tier system of local government with one County Council and eight district councils. Areas of the county are also parished and served by respective parish councils.
In December 2024 the government published its English Devolution White Paper (gov.uk) and the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution asked councils in two-tier areas and neighbouring small unitaries to develop proposals for unitary local government in their areas. You can see more from our dedicated ‘devolution’ page.
Discussions around proposals for reorganisation included concerns by Stafford Borough Council that a move to larger authorities would result in a democratic deficit and loss of local identity. The Government has stated in the White Paper its intention to “rewire the relationship between town and parish councils and principal Local Authorities, strengthening expectations on engagement and community voice.”
Although the council considered this would help to offset any gap in local democracy and identity, Stafford does not currently have a town council whereas all other areas of the borough have an existing parish council.
Historical Fact: Stafford was granted a Royal Charter in 1206 and has a history of mayoralty since the 1600s.
As well as preserving the 'Stafford' identity by having a new council, the chair of a new council can take up the position of Mayor enabling that tradition to continue. You can also read what the National Association of Parish Councils feel are the benefits of a parish council (nalc.gov.uk).
Criteria and aim of the review
The law requires us to seek to ensure that community governance within the area under review will be reflective of the identities and interests of the community in that area; and is effective and convenient.
We will take into account a number of influential factors, including:
- the impact of community governance arrangements on community cohesion
- the size, population and boundaries of a local community or parish
The review process
The Community Governance Review got underway on Monday 9 February.
There will be a consultation period of 6 weeks during which time everyone is invited to submit proposals and comments for consideration by us before Draft Recommendations are prepared on future electoral arrangements for Stafford Town by a working group of borough councillors.
There is however no requirement to change any existing arrangements.
The consultation closes on Sunday 22 March 2026 and any submissions received after this date may not be taken into account.
It is important that all interested parties let us have their views and evidence regarding parish council boundaries and electoral arrangements whether or not they wish to propose any change to such arrangements.
Submissions advising that existing parish electoral arrangements are satisfactory and do not require any change may also be submitted along with relevant supporting evidence.
Details of the Working Group's Draft Recommendations will then be published, and further representations sought.
Final Recommendations will be prepared by the Working Group taking account of the representations received on the Draft Recommendations, and will be submitted for approval by a full Council meeting.
Any changes resulting from this review will be fully implemented in time to operate at the next full parish elections scheduled to be held on Thursday 6 May 2027.
More information
If you require further information, or need clarification on the review process, please email democraticservices@staffordbc.gov.uk
How we use your personal information
Please note that the consultation stages of an electoral review are public consultations. In the interests of openness and transparency, members of the public will be able to access any representations made by virtue of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Personal data such as names and addresses of respondents will be processed in accordance with Data Protection legislation and will not be shared with third parties unless the law demands or allows (see our Privacy Notice for further detail).