Why not one or two large councils?
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.
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.