Councillors have raised concerns about the future of funding for Stafford Borough if it is made to join up with Stoke-on-Trent as part of a massive local government shake-up.
Stafford Borough Council celebrated its 50th anniversary last year after taking over from four previous local authorities covering Stafford and Stone’s urban and rural areas in 1974.
However, the current borough council’s days could be numbered after the government announced plans in December to re-organise current local government arrangements in England. The proposals include abolishing the two-tier council system in counties such as Staffordshire, replacing them with unitary authorities representing at least 500,000 people.
Conservative councillors representing Staffordshire Moorlands District and Newcastle Borough have already spoken out over the plans, fearing Stoke-on-Trent City Council will swallow up their areas. On Tuesday, Stafford Borough Tories also voiced worries about a potential merger – and urged the borough council’s administration, which comprises Labour, Stafford Borough Independent and Green Party members, to consult elected members and residents on any proposals put forward for future government of the area.
Councillor Jeremy Pert, leader of the opposition group, said:
“Given the White Paper on local government reorganisation launched just before the Christmas holidays last year, will the leader of the council give a commitment that he will always come back to council with any proposals that affect Stafford Borough Council and its sovereignty so that a debate and a vote can be taken with a free vote for members, prior to submitting or agreeing anything?”
“Local government reorganisation is not something anyone voted for – not the general public, not even members of this council. Instead it is something concocted in Westminster for the benefit of Westminster.
“Two-tier working has worked well in Staffordshire for many years. But if this is something we have to have, let us be clear – I don’t want Stafford Borough to be the crumbs on the master’s table and find that we are forcibly joined with Stoke-on-Trent City Council against our wishes
“Having spent a couple of hours re-reading the constitution of Stafford Borough Council, parts two and three are clear that the leader and cabinet do not have the authority to change the authority – or even its name – without reference back to the main council. I would hope that the leader honours the constitution of this sovereign body.”
The council’s deputy leader, Stafford Borough Independents’ Rob Kenney, responded to the question at Tuesday’s meeting in the absence of Labour leader Aidan Godfrey. Councillor Kenney said:
“The Government White Paper on local government re-organisation and devolution are of great importance to this council and local people we represent.
“This administration will engage all members of this council and our partners in considering proposals for the future arrangements of local government and other public services affecting the borough and the wider county. We will also consult with the public as part of this process.
“We will update councillors regularly on the work undertaken by this council with our local government partners and any draft proposals will be considered by councillors prior to submission of the final document to Government.”
Councillor Pert said:
“I value the suggestion of a public consultation because I think the public have not been engaged on this topic before and it is a critical topic, given this council has been in existence for the last 50 years. We’re talking about a once in a generation event.
“How does (the deputy leader) see that is achievable when the Government has just released a new deadline wanting to see initial proposals by the 21st of March this year?”
Councillor Kenney replied:
“I can concur that is going to be difficult. However if we don’t put it forward, the Government will tell us what to do.”
Councillor Ann Edgeller said:
“Reorganisation of local government is being imposed on us by the Labour Government. This is quite worrying – I say this because the people of this borough have not been consulted.
“Do the people in Stafford want to be joined up with Stoke-on-Trent? Don’t get me wrong, the people in Stoke are lovely, friendly people, but it is seen as one of the most deprived areas in the country.
“We have a large number of elderly citizens and we know what this Labour government think of the elderly, by cutting the Winter Fuel Allowance. If we are teamed up with Stoke-on-Trent, which is probable, the Labour government will spend the money in the city.
“What will happen to our county town? It is a very worrying thought.
“I hope, moving forward, that the Leaders Group will make the right choices regarding the whole of Staffordshire. I ask the leader of the council to put a press release out so the people of the borough are aware of future developments that could take place.”
Earlier this month Jim McMahon, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, wrote to Staffordshire County Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council and the county’s eight district and borough councils to call for an “interim plan” to be submitted by March 21, with a full proposal expected to be put forward by November 28. He said:
“If I decide to implement any proposal, and the necessary legislation is agreed by Parliament, we will work with you to move to elections to new ‘shadow’ unitary councils as soon as possible as is the usual arrangement in the process of local government reorganisation.
“This government has been clear on our vision for simpler, more sustainable, local government structures, alongside a transfer of power out of Westminster through devolution. We know that councils of all political stripes are in crisis after a decade of decline and instability; indeed, a record number of councils asked the government for support this year to help them set their budgets.
“This new government will not waste this opportunity to build empowered, simplified, resilient and sustainable local government for your area that will increase value for money for council taxpayers. Local leaders are central to our mission to deliver change for hard-working people in every corner of the country through our Plan for Change, and our councils are doing everything they can to stay afloat and provide for their communities day in, day out.
“The government will work closely with you to deliver these aims to the most ambitious timeline. I am writing to you now to formally invite you to work with other council leaders in your area to develop a proposal for local government reorganisation.”
2 comments
Pamela Power
Sneaky and dishonest of Council leaders to continually refer the Stoke-on-Trent City Council, as ” taking over” when Staffordshire Council Council, which has a better reputation, is the bigger Council. Stop trying to scare the public into objections by implying that the City part of Staffordshire will run the show when the reality is that devolved government will mean a new Unitary Council for Staffordshire. Sounds like existing leaders worried about there own personal power to me and putting a spin on the proposal to serve themselves. Devolved government with big spending decisions benefiting local populations, taking into account real need, indices of deprivation and having a local strategic plan for growth, with some money behind it, is what we’ve been asking for for decades.
Viv Watkins
I think this is something we all need to be aware of. Staffordshire is a very large County and dividing it into ‘new’ areas, which is what seems to be being considered, is going to be problematic. Just look at the ridiculous new Constituency of Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge. It makes no sense geographically.
If new areas are based on towns/cities, which seems logical, the areas with the highest populations are going to have a bigger say and higher expenses. Rural areas, of which Staffordshire has many, are already left without enough facilities or transport links and seem to be increasingly used as dumping places for new housing developments . It seem likely that they will be left with very little say in what happens. But, I suppose we should be used to that!