More than 130 residents attended our Meet the Leader event at The George Hotel on Thursday evening (16 October) to hear updates on the future of local government in Staffordshire and share their views on what matters most to them.
The event forms part of the council’s continued engagement with residents as it prepares to finalise its response to government on potential council reorganisation across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
Following one of the largest resident surveys of its kind, which drew over 16,700 responses from southern and mid Staffordshire, feedback showed strong public support for keeping decision-making close to communities and ensuring councils remain local, visible and accountable.
Based on this evidence, the council has confirmed its intention to pursue a proposal that would see three smaller community-focused unitary councils created across the county, designed to deliver efficient, responsive services that reflect the distinct character of each area.
Councillor Doug Pullen, Leader of Lichfield District Council, said:
“Our residents have been clear that they want decisions about their local services made by people who know and represent their communities. The proposal we’re putting forward protects that principle; ensuring local government remains truly local, while creating a structure that’s sustainable and works for everyone.”
Recent national analysis by the District Councils Network found that councils serving populations above 350,000 residents tend to spend more per person and charge higher council tax, with no evidence that larger councils deliver better services or greater efficiency.
By contrast, councils of around 300,000–400,000 residents, the size proposed in Lichfield’s three-unitary model, perform most effectively, offering the best balance of financial resilience, service quality and local accountability.
Survey results reflect this preference, showing that 82% of respondents favoured the creation of three smaller unitary councils across Staffordshire. Among Lichfield residents, that figure rose to 86%, underscoring the community’s desire for a council that understands and represents local needs.
The final proposal will be discussed and approved by Cabinet and Full Council on Tuesday 4 November, ahead of submission to government.