Residents and businesses urged not to miss their chance to help shape how local services are run for generations to come.
With just one week remaining, councils across Staffordshire Stoke-on-Trent are urging residents, businesses and community groups to take part in the government’s consultation on the future of local government in the area. The deadline is Thursday 26 March.
The consultation is asking people for their views on proposals that would replace the existing county, district, borough and city councils with a smaller number of new ‘unitary’ councils. These would be single organisations responsible for delivering all local services in a given area, from social care and planning to bin collections, cemeteries and roads.
Five separate proposals are open for consultation. The government will consider the consultation responses before making a final decision, currently expected summer 2026.
The changes represent the most significant reorganisation of local government in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent in more than 50 years. New unitary councils would not come into being until April 2028 at the earliest, and existing councils will continue to deliver services as normal in the meantime.
Martin Murray, chair of Staffordshire Leaders' Board, said:
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to influence how local services are delivered across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent for decades to come. The consultation is open to everyone. With just days left to respond, we’re calling on residents, businesses and community organisations to make sure their voice is heard.
The proposals under consideration impact communities in different ways. Whatever the outcome, this process will shape the councils that serve our communities for generations. It matters that as many people as possible take part.”
