Issue - meetings

(i)              That the forthcoming statutory consultation on proposals for local government reorganisation (LGR) in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, be noted;

(ii)             That a cross?party LGR Cabinet Panel be established, chaired by the Leader of the Council.

(iii)           That the work being undertaken to support a devolution offer for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent be noted and endorsed;

(iv)           That it be noted that the Ministry for Housing, Communities & Local Government has acknowledged receipt of the Council’s intention to hold elections in May 2026 and has confirmed this will proceed.

The Leader introduced a report advising Cabinet of recent developments in respect of the Government’s planned agenda for local government reorganisation (LGR) and English devolution.

This Council’s proposals for a Newcastle Unitary were submitted in November, 2025 and a public consultation would be commencing imminently.  Five proposals had been put forward by Staffordshire Councils.

The report also sought to set up a cross-party Cabinet Panel which would be chaired by the Leader which would aid Cabinet in the future to formulate its response and to monitor this Council’s work towards dealing with the LGR.  It would also give opportunity to scrutinise MP’s on which proposal they supported.  It was also important to look at the latest Government policies and initiatives on this.

A further £800,000 had been set aside, on top of £200,000 previously put aside to fund the process.  However,  it was felt that the two-tier system should continue as it had worked well for many years.   

It should be known by this Summer whether the Government wish to proceed with LGR, what the Unitary boundaries would be or if it would be delayed.

It was confirmed that elections would go ahead in May this year, as planned.

Councillor Sweeney agreed that cancelling the elections would be wrong.  Regarding LGR, Councillor Sweeney stated that he would be interested in  the MP’s view on it.

Councillor Hutchison agreed with all of the comments made.

The Leader advised that the link to the consultation would be advertised on the Council’s website and encouraged all residents to take part.

Resolved:              (i)       That the forthcoming statutory consultation on

proposals for local government reorganisation (LGR) in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, be noted;

(ii)              That a cross?party LGR Cabinet Panel be established, chaired by the Leader of the Council.

(iii)            That the work being undertaken to support a devolution offer for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent be noted and endorsed;

(iv)            That it be noted that the Ministry for Housing, Communities & Local Government has acknowledged receipt of the Council’s intention to hold elections in May 2026 and has confirmed this will proceed.

Watch the debate here