Stoke-on-Trent City Council has unanimously approved its view on the future of local government in Staffordshire.

Under the vision, which is set to be sent to the government, two new unitary councils would be established. 

This would create a North Staffordshire Council made up from Newcastle Borough, Staffordshire Moorlands and the city.

The second council called Southern and Mid Staffordshire Council would be created from the remaining local council areas in Staffordshire.

This comes as the government announced in December last year their plan to scrap existing county and district councils, along with smaller unitary councils and replace them with larger councils with a population of 500,000.

The 278-page report detailing the city council's proposal titled Stronger Staffordshire: A Case for Change said a North Staffordshire Council would align with realities 'on the ground' in terms of how people live, work and travel. Creating a new authority is the first step in establishing a mayoralty for Staffordshire.

Council Leader, Cllr Jane Ashworth said: "Our proposal is a stepping stone on the way to creating a mayoralty for Staffordshire.

"We live in a country where far too many decisions are made in London, often distant from the needs and realities of our communities.

"A mayoralty for Staffordshire would mark the beginning of devolving power, ensuring that many decisions about what is best for Staffordshire are made here in Staffordshire."

She claimed that a mayoralty could create a more integrated transport system, invest in skills and training, and would have the power to lobby harder for the ceramics industry. 

Cllr Ashworth continued: "This proposal is about creating a stronger, more coherent and more empowered Staffordshire, one that is ready for the opportunities of the future and capable of shaping our own destiny."

The proposal, which was agreed at an earlier meeting of the cabinet, was supported by all political parties.

Many councillors spoke in support of the plans during the extraordinary meeting.

Veteran Conservative, Cllr Ross Irving insisted that this was not a take over bid by the city.

He said: "It's been a long time in arriving this proposal, I can remember discussing it 30 years ago, quite often behind closed doors because it wasn't the thing you talked about publicly.

"I am grateful the government has seen that it is needed. The previous government were looking in the same direction and the new government has taken up the cudgel and we've now got proposals going to them.

"What I do want to say here is there are people in other parts of North Staffordshire who are looking at this as a takeover by Stoke-on-Trent.

"I think we need to say quite clearly this is not the case. We intend and we hope we will be working in partnership with the other existing boroughs to form a united council and there is no need for people to fear that this is a Stoke-on-Trent takeover."

A decision on the preferred proposals is anticipated from the government between May and August next year.

Regardless of the model selected, the new councils are not expected to be operational until April 2028.