Council sends its reorganisation message to Government
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council has submitted its proposals for if forced reorganisation of local councils goes ahead.
The authority is submitting a 200-page document to the Ministry of Local Government, Housing and Communities (MHCLG) detailing its case.
It has also written to the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the MHCLG arguing that Government plans to replace Staffordshire’s two-tier system with unitary councils are unjustified, unwelcome and unwanted.
However, if reorganisation is forced through, then the borough council favours a proposal to create a unitary authority on existing borough boundaries.
Simon Tagg, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, said:
Council believes there is no public backing for this upheaval and, like many other authorities including Staffordshire County Council, members are telling the Government that there’s still time to change direction.
However, we have a responsibility to plan in case reorganisation is forced through and ensure we carry on delivering good, cost-effective services, accountable at a local level.
Our proposed single authority on the current Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough boundaries would minimise the impact of reorganisation to local residents and businesses and takes into account the projected growing population, continuity of governance arrangements and public support.”