No clear argument that residents benefit from local government reorganisation

Simon Tagg, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, was responding to a report published by Staffordshire County Council, which suggests the creation of a single authority covering the current county council footprint.

His response also follows agreement by Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Cabinet to endorse a proposal to create a North Staffordshire Unitary Authority, which would merge Stoke-on-Trent, the Staffordshire Moorlands and Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough into one single council.

Simon Tagg said:

I do not agree with the Government’s concept of imposing unitary authorities, when councils in Staffordshire are already working well together for the common good.

There is a consensus across the county that a Strategic Authority spanning several areas could have a positive role to play in attracting investment and economic development: it could also take on skills and training and transport planning – although it would not deliver day-to-day services.
 

I understand that Staffordshire County Council has been forced to act, but looking at the proposals so far, I still cannot see an explanation of how unitary super-authorities benefit the residents of Newcastle-under-Lyme.
 

Those favouring unitary authorities are already talking about the creation of more town and parish councils to complement larger super-councils and suggest that they could even run some very local services.
 

How will that cut costs for the average council taxpayer? Forced reorganisation will need paying for up-front, new or expanded town and parish councils will need funding, as will the government-led regional mayors, so that’s potentially three layers for taxpayers to fund.”

He added:

Add to that, Stoke-on-Trent, the largest member of the proposed North Staffordshire Unitary Authority, is heavily indebted, requiring a bail-out and  has recently had six years of Government intervention in its management, and there is no reason for the residents of Newcastle-under-Lyme to support forced change.
 

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council is in sound financial health and delivers effective services at the local level, 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.
 

How is this alternative better?”

There will be a special meeting of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council’s Full Council on 19 March to agree the authority’s position before formally submitting its own proposal to Government.

Simon Tagg added:

We have invited both the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Local Government Minister Jim McMahon to visit Newcastle-under-Lyme to see for themselves how the current system works well and to understand the practical problems of imposing ‘super-authorities’ , but I am disappointed to say they have not chosen to take up that offer.”