Staffordshire County Council leaders have confirmed their final proposals for local government reorganisation will go before Cabinet on Monday 4 November, before being submitted to Government later that month.
The move comes as part of a national programme to simplify local government structures. Ministers are expected to shortlist preferred options early next year, followed by a public consultation in 2026 and a final decision next summer.
Council leader Ian Cooper said the process and timetable were being dictated by Whitehall.
“This is a Government driven demand, Government driven deadlines and ultimately a Government decision,” he said.
“We have worked within the Government’s parameters and the East-West Option is the one option for LGR in Staffordshire which scored highest against the criteria and against financial scrutiny, and is the fairest and most likely option to succeed for the county and the city.”
Under the proposal, the county would be split into two new authorities.
Staffordshire East would serve around 690,000 people across the Moorlands, East Staffordshire, Lichfield, Tamworth and Stoke-on-Trent.
Staffordshire West would cover roughly 488,000 residents in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stafford, Cannock Chase and South Staffordshire.
Deputy leader Martin Murray said the council’s focus remained on gaining meaningful devolution, not structural change for its own sake.
“The real prize is genuine devolution and not an unnecessary, expensive and risky shake-up of local councils,” he said.
“What we want to see is power and resources flow from the hands of Whitehall into the hands of local decision-makers and into local economies, transport and growth.”
The county council’s key asks from Government, which form part of the business case for the East-West model, include:
- Devolution: rolled out as a priority for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent
- Financial reassurance: measures to mitigate Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s current funding issues
- Realistic transition funding: to support reorganisation and protect local services
- Transparency and engagement: clear communication and genuine consultation before any final decision
In drawing up its submission, the county examined eight possible models for reorganisation. Officials said the East-West option scored highest overall — particularly for financial balance, service demand and distribution of assets and debt.
The Government will decide next summer whether to proceed with the plans.
