More than 8,000 people in the Staffordshire Moorlands have said 'no to Stoke' in response to council reorganisation plans.

The Moorlands could be merged with Stoke-on-Trent under various proposals being considered for revamping local government in Staffordshire.

A petition against the move, signed by 8,508 people, was presented to a full council meeting at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC).

Conservative councillor Joe Porter, who organised the 'No to Stoke' petition, said the aim was to 'stand up for local residents across the Staffordshire Moorlands'.

Conservative councillor Joe Porter organised the petition. (LDRS)

The Labour government has called on councils in Staffordshire to come up with proposals for new unitary authorities, to replace the current two-tier system. SMDC is backing proposals for a North Staffordshire unitary, which would cover the Moorlands, Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle, along with Stone and Uttoxeter.

But according to the petition, this would leave Moorlands residents 'on the hook' for Stoke-on-Trent City Council's ongoing financial problems, while placing 'the unique identity and heritage of our towns and villages at risk'.

Cllr Porter thanked residents for supporting the petition and said the campaign would continue.

He added: "I appreciate that within this chamber we have lots of different views and perspectives on this very important issue, and all those views should be respected because they're all valid opinions.

"And at the end of the day, everyone in this chamber wants the best for the Staffordshire Moorlands, so we can all say we're united on that.

"We should also respect our good neighbours in Stoke-on-Trent, and their great achievements, culture and history as a city, particularly during their centenary year.

"On behalf of our team, I am presenting the 'No to Stoke' petition, which is part of our ongoing campaign to keep the Moorlands out of Stoke."

Council leader Mike Gledhill said the petition would be referred to the local government and devolution sub-committee, and would be 'weighed carefully for truth and accuracy', and that elected members would have further opportunities to debate the issue.

Staffordshire Moorlands council is is backing proposals for a North Staffordshire unitary, which would cover the Moorlands, Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle, along with Stone and Uttoxeter. (LDRS)

In an update on the local government reorganisation process, Cllr Gledhill said that a series of meetings had taken place with town and parish clusters, along with representatives from Uttoxeter Town Council, with all of these endorsing SMDC's North Staffordshire proposal as 'the best one available within the criteria set by the government'.

Cllr Gledhill also noted the alternative proposal from Reform UK-led Staffordshire County Council, which would see the Moorlands merged with Stoke-on-Trent, East Staffordshire, Tamworth and Lichfield in an East Staffordshire unitary.

He said the district council would analyse this option, mentioning that the government's criteria included new unitaries having 'a sensible geographical, economic area'.

SMDC is in the process of finalising its proposal for reorganisation, ahead of the November 28 deadline, with a council assembly due to take place on November 20.

Cllr Gledhill said: "I want to stress how important it is that none of us misleads the public into thinking that the final choice rests with us in this chamber – it doesn't.

"The government has the task of weighing all the proposals that have been submitted, of which ours will be one, against their own criteria.

"It does have the ultimate responsibility of putting together a proposal for the whole of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent and then launching a consultation on that early in 2026."

Moorlands residents can have their say on local government reorganisation by filling in SMDC's online survey which can be found here.