City councillors have welcomed the government's decision to create a new North Staffordshire 'super council'.

Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire Moorlands will be covered by the new unitary authority, which will replace the area's four existing councils as part of local government reorganisation (LGR).

The proposal for a north-south split in Staffordshire, put forward by Stoke-on-Trent City Council and three districts, was chosen as the LGR model for Staffordshire by the government, ahead of four other options.

City councillors from across the political divide backed the decision during Thursday's full council meeting, saying it would save taxpayers' money and give North Staffordshire a stronger voice.

But there was also a warning that the new unitary would not be a 'silver bullet' for all of the area's problems, as well as concern that vulnerable residents could 'fall through the gaps' during the transition period.

Elections to the new authority are due to take place next May, with services being moved from the existing councils by May 2028.

The government's decision has been controversial in other parts of North Staffordshire, especially at Newcastle Borough Council, where there is cross-party opposition to any 'merger' with Stoke-on-Trent.

But Jane Ashworth, leader of the Labour-run city council, believes the new unitary will benefit residents across the area.

She said: "LGR will create a fantastic new opportunity for Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire Moorlands and Newcastle-under-Lyme to come together to form a new organisation which will have real heft, real weight, and a really strong voice by virtue of our size, our economy and the superpowers of our people.

"Let's be clear from the start – this is not a Stoke-on-Trent takeover. There will be elections for the new council in May 2027, when people get their chance to decide who will steer that new council.

"It's also worth saying to the doubters, that after three years of getting itself sorted out, it's likely that there will be a £13 million saving accruing to North Staffordshire."

Savings are expected to come from economies of scale and by eliminating duplication of services, while the number of councillors across the area is set to be cut from 140 to around 84.

Conservative councillor Ross Irving described the move to the new North Staffordshire unitary as a 'historic' moment for Stoke-on-Trent, following previous changes to local government over the past 150 years, including the federation of the Six Towns.

He said: "I know it's been very controversial, certainly in our neighbouring authorities, but I really would wish to appeal in those authorities that now is the time to come together and work towards providing first class local government for all the residents of North Staffordshire. I believe it's a real opportunity that we mustn't ignore."

Dan Jellyman, leader of the Reform UK group, said the North Staffordshire option 'makes the most sense' for the area, but expressed a note of caution over LGR.

He said: "I think we have a duty to be honest with people and say this isn't going to be some wonderful silver bullet to address the long-standing deep-rooted problems that North Staffordshire has had over 50 years. Combining the four local authorities into one is not going to release any mass economic potential the area has – let's be honest about that."

Cllr Jellyman added that there would be a 'huge risk' of harm coming to vulnerable adults or children due to social care systems being moved to the new authority.

He said: If one child get's injured, or god forbid dies because of a failure of social care because services were being merged, and computer systems weren't working correctly, that would be an absolute travesty."

City councillors voted unanimously to delegate all necessary non-executive powers to the chief executive to prepare for the creation of the new North Staffordshire authority.