Cabinet backs new East and West Staffordshire Councils option for reorganisation

Cabinet members at Staffordshire County Council have backed a new option for how local councils could be organised in the future.

Members approved the development of a business case for two new unitary councils on Wednesday 17 September - one covering the East and one covering the West of Staffordshire - as part of the Government's programme of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

The East Staffordshire council would provide services for 689,784 people in Staffordshire Moorlands, East Staffordshire, Lichfield, Tamworth and Stoke-on-Trent using the existing district and borough council boundaries.

The West Staffordshire council would serve 487,794 people in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stafford, Cannock Chase and South Staffordshire.

Ian Cooper, Leader of Staffordshire County Council, said:

While we think the Government's LGR programme is both rushed and ill-advised, we have been left with no choice but to play the hand which we have been advised will deliver the best deal for Staffordshire."

Following official feedback from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, proposals must also set out how Stoke-on-Trent City Council's financial challenges would be addressed to put ''local government in the area as a whole on a firmer footing."

Martin Murray, Deputy Leader of Staffordshire County Council and Lead Cabinet Member for Local Government Reorganisation, said:

While everyone shares concerns about the financial issues at the city council, we have to follow the rules set out by Government.

Of the all the possible options that meet the Government's criteria, analysis has shown that an East-West option gives the best chance of success for both new councils. At the end of the day if this is forced through, success for both new councils must mean better services and better value for residents and businesses."

The county council will now develop a full business case for Local Government Reorganisation to be submitted to Government in November 2025. The proposal will also be presented to Full Council this autumn.

The Government is expected to consult on its preferred option/s before making a decision in 2026.