Following a central government proposal to reorganise local government, Stoke-on-Trent City Council have published a paper promoting the creation of a North Staffordshire Unitary Authority, which would merge Stoke-on-Trent, the Staffordshire Moorlands and Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough into one single council, believing it can be a catalyst for sustained economic growth.
For the people of Newcastle, this would of course mean the end of the loyal and ancient Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme, which very recently we were all celebrating the 850 years of.
The Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council has condemned the idea of a single ‘super council’ serving the whole of North Staffordshire. Simon Tagg, responding to the report published by the City Council said – “This proposal by Stoke-on-Trent City Council is unwelcome and it is noticeably lacking any detail about how this would benefit residents outside Stoke-on-Trent. Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council is debt-free and delivers effective low cost services at the local level for its residents.
Existing councils have been asked by the government to come up with a “best-fit” solution – with ministers ready to mediate if local areas can’t agree. The government has asked areas to suggest interim proposals for their areas by 21st March and final proposals by 28th November. Reorganisation is then expected to take place in two waves – Staffordshire would be in the second wave, which is scheduled to take place in 2028.
Alan White, Leader of Staffordshire County Council, 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.
HERE IS THE INFORAMTION RECEIVED FROM STOKE-ON-TRENT CITY COUNCIL (DAVID OTTEWELL) AND THE RESPONSE FROM NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME BOROUGH COUNCIL (SIMON TAGG) AND STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL (ALAN WHITE)
Information received from Stoke City Council
NEWS RELEASE
Stoke-on-Trent City Council will promote a new North Staffordshire Council as part of the reorganisation of local government, believing it can be a catalyst for sustained economic growth.
A position paper, published today, sets out how the new council could provide the springboard for a North Staffordshire powerhouse through better strategic planning and support for key growth industries – while enhancing local decision-making and protecting the unique identity of the area’s diverse towns.
Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council said: “The government has made it clear local government reorganisation will be part of the devolution process.
“We are being given the chance to shape our own economic destiny. We need to seize that opportunity with both hands.
“A North Staffordshire council not only best fits what the government is asking for – it also makes perfect economic sense.
“North Staffordshire already operates as a single economic, social and environmental unit. Having a single council would mean better strategic decision-making and better support for the industries and sectors that will drive our shared growth.
“It would mean more efficient local government, with fewer – but more powerful – councillors. It would mean taking the power out of the hands of Whitehall bureaucrats and giving it to local people.
“Any North Staffordshire council would be a partnership between its constituent parts, with a stronger voice for local towns.
“Not change is not an option. Our message, and our vision, is simple: this is our chance to build a true North Staffordshire powerhouse. Let’s take it.”
Ministers are demanding that existing county councils and district councils – as well as smaller unitary councils that sit alongside them – are replaced with a single tier of evenly-sized councils.
Those councils should have at population of at least 500,000, the government has said.
The government also wants new Strategic Authorities to be put in place, covering two or more of the new councils. Those Strategic Authorities which have directly-elected mayors will get significantly more power over critical areas like skills, transport and planning.
Existing councils have been asked to come up with a “best-fit” solution – with ministers ready to mediate if local areas cannot agree.
The government has asked areas to suggest interim proposals for their areas by 21st March and final proposals by 28th November. Reorganisation is then expected to take place in two waves – Staffordshire would be in the second wave, which is scheduled to take place in 2028.
Today, Stoke-on-Trent City Council published its position paper, setting out the case for a new North Staffordshire Council covering an area that encompasses at least the existing councils of Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme, and Staffordshire Moorlands. It is due to go to the city’s cabinet for approval at the end of the month, to recommend onward consideration by full council.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council was not pursuing reorganisation, now that it is a government requirement, the council is set to “recognise the opportunities that devolution of powers and resources can bring to North Staffordshire and is therefore ready to embrace fully the opportunity presented by the White Paper”.
The position paper points out that North Staffordshire already functions as a single coherent economic, social and environmental geography. A combined unitarity council could lead to greater efficiency, better strategic decisions and “better services at a lower cost to local taxpayers”, it argues.
But it adds that the unique nature of North Staffordshire – with many different towns and communities, each with a distinct identity and strengths – means any North Staffordshire council would need to enhance local decision-making and tap into these strengths.
The paper demonstrates how North Staffordshire is a strong travel-to-work area and points out that many businesses already work and trade on a North Staffordshire footprint.
Both the county’s universities are in North Staffordshire, too – and the city council has been in active discussions with them about how it can better combine their expertise for the benefit of the whole of North Staffordshire.
The paper says that strong links to national transport networks and infrastructure “is one of North Staffordshire’s greatest strategic assets”. The area is close to major national arterial routes, airports and the rail network. This connectivity is a major draw for employers, the paper says, and has already aided the successful establishment and expansion of the Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone.
The paper points out the bus network, while weaker than it should be, also works significantly on a North Staffordshire footprint and calls for further target investment in local transport infrastructure, adding that “[North Staffordshire] is crying out for a single, integrated transport strategy and associated governance” to unlock its economic potential.
The council is not yet ready to determine its position on the best geography for the Mayoral Strategic Authority, the paper says. Instead, it sets out four options and states that the council will work with other Staffordshire authorities to try to get to an agreed position.
The council’s position paper has been welcomed by politicians and leading figures in business, transport and the voluntary sector.
Allison Gardner, MP for Stoke-on-Trent South, said: “I welcome the proposals for a North Staffordshire unitary authority.
“North Staffordshire has long had an identity and heritage linking our towns and villages in Staffordshire Moorlands, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stoke-on-Trent.
“It is a common-sense move. As well as shared heritage we are also a defined functional economic and travel to work area. We already jointly deliver many key services.
“Working as one will save us money, improve efficiency, and deliver better joined-up services for the people of North Staffordshire.
“This is an exciting opportunity that we must grasp and make work for the people of North Staffordshire. It is time to take control and define our future.”
Zoe Hands, managing director of First Bus, said: ‘The proposal for a North Staffordshire council, which brings efficiency in decision-making and results in an increasingly cohesive transport strategy for North Staffordshire, is something First Bus would welcome.
“We see great potential for increasing connectivity in the area. An integrated transport model that recognises local needs and brings a co-ordinated approach to the system, network, and funding should be a good thing for bus passengers.”
John Howe, managing director of Michelin UK, said: “North Staffordshire has a lot to offer business – and if devolution is delivered effectively by the government, it gives us the opportunity to strengthen that offer.
“Devolution should allow us to develop coherent strategies, policies and incentives tailored to the needs of existing businesses in this area, at the same time as allowing us to develop a more co-ordinated approach to attracting inward investment.”
Tony Kinsella, chief executive of Lucideon, said: “It is time for the next big win for North Staffordshire.
“Lucideon is planning further growth and expansion in Staffordshire – growth that could bring high technology inward investment around our facilities. That will need economic development support.
“I have always believed that it is better to adopt change, and be in control, than to have it forced upon. For the sake of the local economy, the businesses and industry in the area, and all the people who live and work here – I believe that devolution would bring the ongoing and consistent support that is required to create sustainable growth.”
Lisa Healings, chief executive of VAST, said: “The potential creation of a North Staffordshire authority could align local government boundaries with those of other systems, and it will be important that local communities have the opportunity to engage so that systems remain accountable and responsive to their needs.
“At VAST we want the best outcomes for communities and will work closely with the local authorities to support voluntary, community and social enterprise sector organisations as changes are made.”
Response Received from Newcastle Borough Council
Newcastle-under-Lyme Council Leader condemns Stoke’s takeover bid
The Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council Simon Tagg has condemned the idea of a super Council covering the whole of North Staffordshire.
He was responding to a report published by Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Labour Cabinet which supports the creation of a North Staffordshire Unitary Authority that would see Stoke-on-Trent, the Staffordshire Moorlands and Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough merged into one single Council.
The document published on the City Council’s website sets out their ‘preferred option’ of forced reorganisation that is being demanded by the Labour Government. If successful, that would mean the abolition of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and also affect other local authorities across Staffordshire.
Simon Tagg said: “This unilateral proposal by Stoke-on-Trent City Council is unwelcome and it is noticeably lacking in detail.”
“Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council is debt-free and delivers key local services at the local level for its residents, delivering them at low cost while overseeing once-in-a-generation town centre regeneration, job creation projects and fighting Walleys Quarry on behalf of residents.”
“Stoke-on-Trent City Council is in debt, threatening legal action against its schools and is only just regaining control of its children’s services after six years of Government supervision.”
“I would suggest an expensive, time-consuming reorganisation is the last thing it – and communities across Stoke-on-Trent– need.”
“We here in Newcastle believe frontline services should be delivered as locally, cheaply and efficiently as possible, rather than through more remote super-councils which would see the scrapping of our historic Borough.
“There was no demand in Newcastle-under-Lyme for this to happen before the Labour Government’s surprise call for local councils to reorganise and there is none now: people fail to see how effectively being taken over by Stoke-on-Trent benefits them in any way.
“The City Council Cabinet’s report uses the phrase ‘rebalancing the financial base’ to help bail out the City Council using Newcastle Borough and Moorlands tax payers, which will send shivers down the spine of local residents in both areas.
Cllr Tagg also criticised the ‘sloppy’ use of a map in the report.
He added: “A map published in the report to show a regional context fails to mention Newcastle Borough or Moorlands, yet includes smaller towns such as Buckley & Coalville. Therefore effectively wiping the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire Moorlands off the map – this tells people everything they need to know about Stoke’s Labour Cabinet’s intentions.”
The online petition to ‘Save our Borough’ www.saveourborough.uk was received over 2,700 signatures with paper versions of the petition now being distributed across the Borough.
Information Received from Staffordshire County Council
The Leader of Staffordshire County Council has responded to proposals by Stoke-on-Trent City Council to create a single North Staffordshire Unitary Authority.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s proposal would see Newcastle-under-Lyme, the Staffordshire Moorlands – and possibly parts of Stafford and East Staffordshire – join with it into one council serving North Staffordshire.
Alan White, Leader of Staffordshire County Council, 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.”
DETAILS FROM THE GOVERNMENT WEBSITE
The English Devolution White Paper sets out how the government plans to deliver on our manifesto pledge to transfer power out of Westminster through devolution and to fix the foundations of local government.
The government’s long-term vision is for simpler structures which make it much clearer for residents who they should look to on local issues, with more strategic decisions to unlock growth and deliver better services for communities. Devolution over a large strategic geography, alongside local government reorganisation, can drive economic growth whilst delivering optimal public services and beginning to fix the foundations of local government.
On 16 December 2024, following the publication of the English Devolution White Paper, the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution Jim McMahon wrote to all councils in remaining two-tier areas and neighbouring small unitaries to set out plans for a joint programme of devolution and local government reorganisation. We acknowledged that for some areas, the timing of elections affects their planning for devolution, particularly alongside reorganisation, and that to help manage these demands, we would consider requests to postpone local elections. We have been clear that where local elections are postponed we will work with areas to move to elections to new ‘shadow’ unitary councils as soon as possible as is the usual arrangement in the process of local government.
