Stoke-on-Trent City Council has backed a plans to create a new North Staffordshire local authority covering Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme, and the Staffordshire Moorlands. 

The proposed position paper argues a single unitary council in North Staffordshire could lead to greater efficiency, better strategic decisions and "better services at a lower cost to local taxpayers".

It comes as government ministers demand that existing county councils and district councils - as well as smaller unitary councils that sit alongside them - are replaced with a single tier of evenly-sized councils. 

The paper titled The Outline Case for a North Staffordshire Unitary Council in a Devolved System, was published on Monday evening, before it is due to go before the city's Cabinet on February 25 to recommend onward consideration by the full council.  

The city council believe the new local authority could provide the springboard for a North Staffordshire powerhouse through better strategic planning and support for key growth industries – while enhancing local decision-making and protecting the unique identity of the area's diverse towns.  

But it adds that the unique nature of North Staffordshire – with many different towns and communities, each with a distinct identity and strengths – means any North Staffordshire council would need to continue a level of local sovereignty over local decisions which impact individual places. 

Leaders in Newcastle-under-Lyme and the Staffordshire Moorlands have already spoken out against the Government White Paper on English Devolution.

Staffordshire Moorlands MP Dame Karen Bradley argued residents should not be forced into a devolution deal or combined authority against our will and "the decisions that matter to us should continue to be taken in the Moorlands". 

Meanwhile Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council's Leader, Simon Tagg, said in December: "merging councils via unitisation and imposing elected mayors are not part of our devolution model." 

The paper states that the city council "stands ready to work with any and all other local authorities who are willing to work with us on an equal footing to make a multi-unitary structure which includes North Staffordshire a reality".

The Government has asked areas to suggest interim proposals for their areas by 21st March and final proposals by 28th November. Reorganisation is then expected to take place in two waves – Staffordshire would be in the second wave, which is scheduled to take place in 2028.  

Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council said: "The government has made it clear local government reorganisation will be part of the devolution process.  

"We are being given the chance to shape our own economic destiny. We need to seize that opportunity with both hands.   

"A North Staffordshire council not only best fits what the government is asking for – it also makes perfect economic sense.   

"North Staffordshire already operates as a single economic, social and environmental unit. Having a single council would mean better strategic decision-making and better support for the industries and sectors that will drive our shared growth.  

"It would mean more efficient local government, with fewer – but more powerful – councillors. It would mean taking the power out of the hands of Whitehall bureaucrats and giving it to local people.  

"Any North Staffordshire council would be a partnership between its constituent parts, with a stronger voice for local towns.  

"Not change is not an option. Our message, and our vision, is simple: this is our chance to build a true North Staffordshire powerhouse. Let's take it."  

The position paper points out that North Staffordshire already functions as a single coherent economic, social and environmental geography.

But the council is not yet ready to determine its position on the best geography for the Mayoral Strategic Authority, the paper says.

Instead, it sets out four options for potential Strategic Authorities: North Midlands, Cheshire and North Staffordshire, Staffordshire County or Staffordshire, Shropshire and Telford. 

The paper states that the council will work with other Staffordshire authorities to try to get to an agreed position.  

Allison Gardner, MP for Stoke-on-Trent South, said: "I welcome the proposals for a North Staffordshire unitary authority.   

"North Staffordshire has long had an identity and heritage linking our towns and villages in Staffordshire Moorlands, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stoke-on-Trent.   

"It is a common-sense move. As well as shared heritage we are also a defined functional economic and travel to work area. We already jointly deliver many key services.  

"Working as one will save us money, improve efficiency, and deliver better joined-up services for the people of North Staffordshire.   

"This is an exciting opportunity that we must grasp and make work for the people of North Staffordshire. It is time to take control and define our future."   

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