Stoke backs plans for a super council in North Staffordshire
It's faced backlash in both the Moorlands and Newcastle
Stoke-on-Trent City Council are backing plans to create a new North Staffordshire Council as part of the reorganisation of local government.
A position paper, published yesterday evening (17 February), sets out proposals for the unitary authority which will link towns and villages in Staffordshire Moorlands, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stoke-on-Trent.
It comes as ministers want to see existing county councils and district councils - as well as smaller unitary councils that sit alongside them - replaced with a single tier of evenly-sized councils.
However, the proposals have been met with fierce criticism in both the Moorlands and Newcastle Borough.
"We need to seize that opportunity"
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."
Existing councils have been asked to come up with a "best-fit" solution - with ministers ready to mediate if local areas cannot agree.
The government has asked areas to suggest interim proposals for their areas by 21st March and final proposals by 28th November.
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."
"Scrapping of our historic Borough"
But the Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council Simon Tagg disagrees and has condemned the idea of a super Council.
He said: "“Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council is debt-free and delivers key local services at the local level for its residents, delivering them at low cost while overseeing once-in-a-generation town centre regeneration, job creation projects and fighting Walleys Quarry on behalf of residents.”
“Stoke-on-Trent City Council is in debt, threatening legal action against its schools and is only just regaining control of its children’s services after six years of Government supervision.”
“I would suggest an expensive, time-consuming reorganisation is the last thing it - and communities across Stoke-on-Trent– need.”
“We here in Newcastle believe frontline services should be delivered as locally, cheaply and efficiently as possible, rather than through more remote super-councils which would see the scrapping of our historic Borough.
“There was no demand in Newcastle-under-Lyme for this to happen before the Labour Government’s surprise call for local councils to reorganise and there is none now".