New mayoral authority for Staffordshire and Stoke moves closer after Budget announcement

Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire are set to get a new elected mayor under devolution plans announced by the Government.

The Government confirmed in Wednesday’s Budget that it is in the final stages of agreeing a Mayoral Strategic Authority for Staffordshire, along with new devolution arrangements for nine other areas of England.

The new mayor would have devolved powers covering areas such as economic development, transport and skills.

Earlier this month, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, local authorities, businesses and education providers united in calling for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire to be prioritised for a Mayoral Strategic Authority, saying it would help secure long-term funding and attract investment.

It is not yet known when Staffordshire’s new mayor will be in place, but the Government says it wants all of England to be covered by devolution deals by the end of 2028.

Chancellor John Healey announced fiscal devolution plans in his Budget speech, saying that all mayors will receive a share of income tax from 2028, as well as a share of locally retained business rates. Strategic Authorities would also receive the power to introduce an Overnight Visitor Levy.

Staffordshire’s Labour MPs welcomed the announcement of a new mayoral authority.

In a joint statement, they said:

“This is great news for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. For too long, decisions about our future have been made too far away.”

They said devolution would put more power in local hands to support jobs, businesses, transport, skills and investment.

“This is an important step towards making sure our area has a stronger voice and can shape its own future.”

Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Gareth Snell added:

“We’ve watched as the West Midlands, the East Midlands and big city regions motor ahead with investment in buses, building new roads and creating new jobs and now it’s Stoke-on-Trent’s turn to see the benefits of devolution. There is still work to do to get this right but this announcement is a huge step forward.”

Politicians in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire from across the political spectrum have supported mayoral devolution for the area, saying it should be prioritised over the more controversial proposals for local government reorganisation, which are currently paused and being reviewed.

Jonathan Gullis, the Reform UK leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, welcomed the announcement but said “the devil will be in the detail”.

He said:

“A strategic mayoral authority for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent has the potential to be a real game-changer for our area, helping us attract investment, create better-paid jobs, improve skills and apprenticeships, and deliver a more joined-up public transport network.

“However, the devil will be in the detail. For devolution to deliver on its promise, it must mean real powers and control being transferred from Westminster to Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, backed by the funding needed to make a meaningful difference to people’s lives.”

Stoke-on-Trent City Council was led by an elected mayor between 2002 and 2009. The position was controversial and residents eventually voted to move to a leader and cabinet system.

The proposed new elected mayor for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire would be different, with greater strategic powers across a wider area.

The mayoral authority would be a separate organisation from local councils, with its own staff and budget.