Latest news:
The Government will be carrying out a review of Local Government Reorganisation for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
This has put the reorganisation on hold.
Previously the Government had confirmed the new model for councils in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent from April 2028 would be for only two unitary councils delivering all council services across the area. It would include an area covering:
- Cannock Chase, Stafford Borough Council, East Staffs, Lichfield, South Staffs and Tamworth
And another unitary of the north serving:
- Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire Moorlands and Newcastle-Under-Lyme
Local Government Reorganisation
It will see an end to ‘two-tier’ authorities. At the moment Cannock Chase Council and Staffordshire County Council deliver different services and functions to our communities.
For example, the district council is responsible for the household waste collection service, planning, and parks. Whereas Staffordshire County Council deals with education, roads and social care.
The new unitary council would be responsible for all local government services within their area.
This is part of wider plans for Devolution. You can see more about this from the English Devolution White Paper (gov.uk).
What this means for you
There will be no immediate changes to council services, and all councils will continue to provide services as usual.
You should continue to use services in the same way as you do now and contact the same council teams for help and support.
Councils across the area will now work together to understand the full details of the government’s decision and plan the next steps to make sure that the changes work well for residents, businesses and our communities.
Next Steps
There will be ‘shadow elections’ on a date yet to be announced. A shadow council is elected before the new council formally comes into effect. Shadow councillors make key decisions needed to prepare the new council.
For Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, the new councils were expected to be established in April 2028.
Further information can be found from the dedicated LGR website (staffordshirestokelgr.org.uk).
What ‘Devolution’ is
It would see a shift of powers from central to local and regional government. And this will involve reorganising the way your local council works.
A Foundation Strategic Authority is the first phase of the government's new devolution model. It provides powers and funding that are not currently available to individual local authorities.
All 10 councils in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent have sent an expression of interest to the Government confirming they are interested in becoming a Foundation Strategic Authority for the area. You can read the full expression of interest below.
We are awaiting a government decision on this.
If you would like to receive updates on future changes to your council, please let us know by emailing LGRCCDC@cannockchasedc.gov.uk.
Cannock Chase Council will use your email address only to keep you up to date on Local Government Reorganisation. We will not share your data with other organisations. Further information on how we process personal data.