Timeline and next steps
This is an outline of the timeline provided by the government in the white paper.
The government asked councils in Staffordshire to submit an interim proposal(s) for local government reorganisation in March 2025, and a full proposal in November 2025.
- In March we submitted an initial proposal for a Southern and Mid Staffordshire Unitary Authority - read the initial submission.
- In June we received feedback from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) about the interim plan for local government reorganisation on behalf of southern and mid-Staffordshire authorities submitted on the 21 March.
- See the full Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government feedback letter.
We are now working on our full submission due on 28 November 2025.
It included proposed and confirmed dates at current:
| Type | Date | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmed | 5 February 2025 | Statutory invitation received from Government to submit unitary proposals |
| Confirmed | 21 March 2025 | Submit interim Local Government Reorganisation proposal |
| Confirmed | 28 November 2025 | Submit full Local Government Reorganisation proposal |
| Proposed | April/May 2027 | Elections (Shadow authorities) |
| Proposed | April 2028 | Vesting day for new unitary councils |
Next steps
We’re already working collaboratively with councils across Staffordshire and will continue to do so as we develop the full business case that addresses these points.