Local government reorganisation proposal
What is being proposed by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council?
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council submitted a proposal for four unitary councils covering the whole of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. This proposal would see a new unitary council based on the existing geography of the borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme, together creation of new unitary councils covering cohesive areas of East Staffordshire, Lichfield &Tamworth; Stafford, Cannock & South Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Moorlands.
Benefits to Newcastle-under-Lyme
Our proposal is based on an analysis which shows that a four-unitary council model would benefit Newcastle-under-Lyme through the following.
A distinct heritage and history
Our proposal works with the borough’s long (850+ year) history and sense of identity.
Local decision-making
Representation of residents and businesses is retained on a suitable local geography, not lost in a wider, more distant council.
Functional economic geographies
We have aligned the new council boundaries with natural economic areas allows each authority to work to local strengths, unlocking targeted investment and regeneration.
Business-led growth
Staffordshire has a strong track record of encouraging, attracting and growing businesses at all sizes, bringing innovation, employment and skills to our county. Smaller, focused councils can continue foster close relationships with local businesses, enabling responsive support and development of strategic employment sites.
Local planning expertise
Each unitary council will have deep understanding of its area’s sensitivities, challenges, and opportunities, critical for meeting ambitious housing targets. Newcastle-under-Lyme’s Local Plan, currently at the final stages of examination, enables sustainable development to commence from day one of the new authority, whilst avoiding the inappropriate development and urban sprawl which may result from a merger with the city.
Infrastructure alignment
Councils will be better positioned to ensure housing growth is matched with appropriate infrastructure and services, protecting rural communities and enhancing our towns, building on the success of regeneration programmes in Newcastle.
Balanced finances
Independent modelling shows that the four-unitary model ensures councils are able to function in size and financial sustainability. No transition is without cost, and we believe that retention of the existing local authority arrangements present the best mitigation against increased cost pressures, removing the costs altogether. However, our proposed model is realistic and reflective of both costs and benefits. Newcastle’s new unitary council would start in a strong position of much-reduced transition costs.
Budget pressures
In Newcastle, our annual efficiency boards have ensured a balanced budget, well-managed reserves and no long-term debt. Reorganisation will inevitably impact on all councils undertaking transition, but proposed longer-term savings will help offset future pressures from the Fair Funding Review and rising demand in high-risk services such as adult social care, children’s services, and homelessness, which are key challenges across all four unitary authority areas.
Our proposal
Our proposal centres on local democracy and accountability. We have listened to our community. Each unitary authority would be closer to the communities it serves, enabling meaningful engagement and responsive service delivery.
The four-unitary authority model offers the optimal balance of strategic scale and local responsiveness. It empowers each council to deliver tailored growth, infrastructure, and services while supporting a unified strategic vision. This structure is financially sound, democratically robust, and economically ambitious, positioning Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent for long-term success.
You can find more detail on our proposal: