Frequently asked questions
Why is local government reorganisation (LGR) happening and what is the timeline?
Central government wants to reorganise local government and invited all councils across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to submit proposals for what councils might look like in the future. They set out six key criteria for change. Business cases were submitted to government in November 2025, and we expect the government to make a decision on which proposal will be taken forward in Summer 2026 . The earliest that new councils will be in place is 2028.
Why was the East-West option chosen over a single unitary authority?
We’d like to see a Mayoral Strategic Authority for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent in the future as part of wider ambitions around devolution. This is where the real benefits lie for the county – unlocking funding, national influence and a way to galvanise joint working across the area. The government guidelines say that you can’t have a unitary council working on the same footprint as a Strategic Authority.
How does this benefit residents?
We want an option on the table that will demand full consideration by the government to try to make the best of this situation for our residents and businesses.
The East-West option was found to be the best option, after all the options were analysed against the government’s criteria. The criteria assess options based upon their population size, ability to be financially stable, the delivery of high-quality services and local engagement.
Is there consensus among Staffordshire councils on the LGR approach?
Five proposals have been submitted to government by local councils setting out different options for LGR.
You can read about these on the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Local Government Reorganisation Hub.
Will residents be consulted on the preferred option?
As part of developing the business case we engaged with residents, running eight in depth focus group sessions across the county. The government is expected to run their statutory consultation in February 2026 and we will support this as needed.
