Staffordshire county councillors voice concerns about local government changes which could see areas merged with Stoke

The two-tier council system in Staffordshire is facing the axe as part of national Government proposals to overhaul the local government system in England.

Councillors representing districts in the northern part of the county fear Newcastle Borough and Staffordshire Moorlands could be merged with the city of Stoke on Trent and have spoken out against the move. Earlier this week the city council put forward an initial proposal for a single North Staffordshire Unitary Authority.

In response to the announcement, Staffordshire County Council leader Alan White said: “The Government has been very clear with what it is expecting from local government reorganisation. No proposal for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent has been agreed at this early stage, so it is right that these outline proposals are considered thoroughly and openly as part of the democratic process.

“Our proposal will also be considered at a meeting of Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet and at a meeting of Full Council before submitting to the Government in March. As we work through the process of change – something that is likely to take a number of years – our top priority is to maximise the benefits for Staffordshire’s residents and businesses and ensure vital council services are not disrupted.”

The two-tier council system in Staffordshire is facing the axe as part of national Government proposals to overhaul the local government system in England.

Councillors representing districts in the northern part of the county fear Newcastle Borough and Staffordshire Moorlands could be merged with the city of Stoke on Trent and have spoken out against the move. Earlier this week the city council put forward an initial proposal for a single North Staffordshire Unitary Authority.

In response to the announcement, Staffordshire County Council leader Alan White said: “The Government has been very clear with what it is expecting from local government reorganisation. No proposal for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent has been agreed at this early stage, so it is right that these outline proposals are considered thoroughly and openly as part of the democratic process.

“Our proposal will also be considered at a meeting of Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet and at a meeting of Full Council before submitting to the Government in March. As we work through the process of change – something that is likely to take a number of years – our top priority is to maximise the benefits for Staffordshire’s residents and businesses and ensure vital council services are not disrupted.”

Earlier this month Jim McMahon, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, wrote to Staffordshire County Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council and the county’s eight district and borough councils to call for an “interim plan” to be submitted by March 21, with a full proposal expected to be put forward by November 28. He said: “This government has been clear on our vision for simpler, more sustainable, local government structures, alongside a transfer of power out of Westminster through devolution.

“We know that councils of all political stripes are in crisis after a decade of decline and instability; indeed, a record number of councils asked the government for support this year to help them set their budgets. This new government will not waste this opportunity to build empowered, simplified, resilient and sustainable local government for your area that will increase value for money for council taxpayers.”

County councillors, including those representing areas of Lichfield and East Staffordshire, spoke out against proposed re-organisation at a full council meeting on Thursday (February 13). Councillor Tom Loughborough-Rudd said: “I don’t agree with it, I don’t want it and our residents don’t want it.

“I don’t think we need to do this. I think our two-tier system works regardless of party.

“I think people’s jobs will be lost, regardless of whether this is going to be a difficult process. We must get the best deal for Staffordshire and I wish the Staffordshire leadership luck because they are going to need it.”

Councillor David Smith said: “If we look at how we were to have a county-wide unitary, what we’re looking at is something which to go from my division (Lichfield Rural South) to Biddulph is 50 miles. How can you talk about local government for people who are 50 miles apart?

“They have different issues, different problems and different priorities- when you start to allocate priorities, how do you sort out the priorities of Lichfield and the priorities of Stoke-on-Trent? You can very quickly see where that money is going to go.”

Former council leader Philip Atkins, who was first elected onto the authority almost 38 years ago, said: “None of this is new – I think this is the third or fourth reorganisation plot I’ve had. I wish the new authority – whatever it is – well and I hope Staffordshire has the sense to stick together as one and not split up into different factions.”

Councillor Richard Cox branded the proposal “ludicrous”. He added: “It beggars belief that people from London can determine with a broad brush,

“It’s absolutely appalling, insulting and disgraceful. This government is contemptible to the point you could say it’s dictatorship – you will have no choice in the matter.

“Local democracy is about being accountable to local people about local issues – issues that will be different in Leek, Biddulph, Kinver, Tamworth and so on. I think the boroughs and districts are acutely aware of what you could have with ‘them and us’.

“We have to protect what is best for our residents. I’ve been talking to many people in my division (Lichfield Rural West) and not one is saying ‘what a great idea’.”