Time running out on consultation for shake up of Local Government
The deadline is approaching for residents and businesses to have their say on the proposed reorganisation of local government in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
The plans outline the abolition of the two-tier county and borough system in Staffordshire and replacing them with unitary authorities, one of which will include the city of Stoke-on-Trent.
If reorganisation goes ahead, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council’s preferred option is a unitary authority based on the existing boundary lines for the Newcastle authority.
All comments must be submitted by Thursday, 26th March.
Simon Tagg, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, said:
All these proposals have different practical, financial and organisational consequences which, if this goes ahead, we will live with for a generation or longer.
This Council’s proposal for a single authority based on the existing borough boundaries builds on the authority’s successful cost-effective delivery of front-line services, while cutting costs and balancing our budget year after year.
It is vital people who live and work here express an opinion and say which option they would prefer – and why.”
In total there are five different proposals for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
People can find out more about the proposals at www.staffordshirestokeLGR.org.uk .
People are being encouraged to submit their views online, but printed feedback forms are available in all libraries in Newcastle and Kidsgrove.
The Council’s Cabinet has already backed the creation of a Cabinet-led inquiry panel to look at detail and take evidence from a range of people, including local MPs, to be clear on how the Government policy will affect the services residents receive.
It will also set aside £800,000 from its budget over the next two years to put towards the costs of the switch from the ‘two-tier’ county and borough system to single tier unitary authorities.