Our proposal and guiding principles
Our proposal for three unitary councils in Staffordshire
Together with Tamworth Borough Council and South Staffordshire Council, we propose creating three unitary councils across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent:
- South-East Staffordshire - Lichfield District, Tamworth, East Staffordshire
- South-West Staffordshire: Cannock Chase, Stafford, South Staffordshire
- Northern Staffordshire: Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire Moorlands, Stoke-on-Trent
Each would serve around 300,000 - 400,000 residents - the right size for efficiency, financial resilience and strong local connection.
This model is shaped by feedback from over 16,700 residents and businesses. Three-quarters said they want councils that are local, visible and community-focused, and evidence shows very large councils can cost more per person without improving services.
Our guiding principles
- Residents first – one local council delivering all services, keeping support close to home and reducing bureaucracy
- Local democracy matters - councils built around shared identities so decisions stay connected to communities
- Strong economic foundations - aligning areas with real economic, transport and business links
- Better public services - simplifying structures, removing duplication and improving value for money
The proposal would replace the current two-tier system with a single council in each area, reducing duplication and saving around £15 million a year to reinvest in frontline services. It keeps decision-making local by grouping areas with shared identities and links, while strengthening economic coordination across the region.
Overall, it delivers high-quality, sustainable services, is locally led and evidence-based, and supports devolution through a proposed Mayoral Strategic Authority for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent - giving each council an equal voice on key issues like transport, housing, skills and the environment.
In total five alternative models are being proposed - view the five Staffordshire proposals. Independent national analysis however shows that councils serving populations of over 350,000 people tend to spend more per person and charge higher council tax, with no evidence of better or more efficient services.
Why not one large council?
Other options are being proposed, including an east-west two-council model supported by Staffordshire County Council, or north-south two-council model supported by Cannock Chase, Stafford and East Staffordshire - view the five Staffordshire proposals.
However, independent national analysis shows that councils serving populations over 350,000 people tend to spend more per person and charge higher council tax, with no evidence of better or more efficient services.
By contrast, councils of 300 - 400,000 residents perform best - offering the right balance of financial resilience, service quality and local accountability.
Our three-unitary model delivers that balance. It keeps decision-making close to communities, protects local identity and ensures every part of Staffordshire continues to have a strong voice.
