Timeline and next steps

Each council’s Cabinet and Full Council will consider the proposal on 4 November 2025 before it is submitted to Government later that month.

The Government will review submissions from all councils in Staffordshire and decide which options go forward to formal consultation in spring 2026.
If approved, new unitary councils could be established by 2028–2029.

At this stage, no final decisions have been made. We’ll continue to share updates as the process develops.

Timeline

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 24 November 2025 Submit full Local Government Reorganisation proposal
Proposed April/May 2027 Elections (Shadow authorities) 
Proposed April 2028 Vesting day for new unitary councils