Issue - meetings

(i)     That the confirmation of the Council’s submission of its interim plan for Local Government Reorganisation, be noted.

(ii)    That the next steps for workstreams as set out in section 3 of this report be endorsed and agreed that the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, progresses the necessary activity to prepare for submissions to Government in November 2025

(iii)  That it be noted that Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council did not endorse the joint progress update of Staffordshire Leaders

(iv)  That it be agreed that data be shared between authorities to assist in development of submissions

(v)   That it be noted that this Council does not agree to the amended terms of reference as set out in Appendix 1 to this report.

(vi)  That Newcastle-Under-Lyme’s Members of Parliament be called upon to support the Borough’s resolutions as set out in the report to full Council of 19^th March 2025, and that they engage with Government Ministers in stating the case for the Borough.

(vii)That a meeting be sought with the new leader of Staffordshire County Council to discuss local government reorganisation in Staffordshire and ask for their support to Save our Borough.

The Leader introduced the report providing an update on the Local Government Reorganisation. An Interim Plan had been submitted in March as requested by the government and no feedback had been received yet.

The Council’s position was that the current two-tier system and existing boundaries worked and the suggested reorganisation was not desirable. Ongoing discussions with other councils showed that this view was not shared and that a North Staffordshire and countywide proposal had been put forward, which the Leader did not sign up for.

Changes had also been suggested to the terms of reference for the Staffordshire Leaders Board meeting so that this became the body which would take forward Local Government Reorganisation for Staffordshire. The Leader did not think this would be appropriate and wished for the matter to be discussed with the new Leader of Staffordshire County Council.

The Deputy Leader expressed his support to the Leader’s proposals.

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning also endorsed the Leader’s approach, commenting that a clear message had been received from residents of the borough that they did not wish to be merged into a greater Stoke-on-Trent. Hope was shared that the local MP would support the historic independence of the borough.

The Leader concluded on the positive proposals and interim plan put forward and agreed by Full Council.

Resolved:    (i) That the confirmation of the Council’s submission of its interim plan for Local Government Reorganisation, be noted.

(ii) That the next steps for workstreams as set out in section 3 of this report be endorsed and agreed that the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, progresses the necessary activity to prepare for submissions to Government in November 2025.

(iii) That it be noted that Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council did not endorse the joint progress update of Staffordshire Leaders.

(iv) That it be agreed that data be shared between authorities to assist in development of submissions.

(v) That it be noted that this Council does not agree to the amended terms of reference as set out in Appendix 1 to this report.

(vi) That Newcastle-Under-Lyme’s Members of Parliament be called upon to support the Borough’s resolutions as set out in the report to full Council of 19^th March 2025, and that they engage with Government Ministers in stating the case for the Borough.

(vii) That a meeting be sought with the new leader of Staffordshire County Council to discuss local government reorganisation in Staffordshire and ask for their support to Save our Borough.

Watch the debate here