Devolution offers 'stronger voice for local towns'
BBCLocal towns would have a "stronger voice" under plans to create a new local authority, a council leader has said.
Bosses at Stoke-on-Trent City Council have set out their views on the future of local government in north Staffordshire.
They have suggested creating one authority to oversee services in the city as well as the Staffordshire Moorlands district and the borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme.
The plans would mean abolishing four existing councils, with those opposed to the suggestion saying the "forced reorganisation" was not welcomed by local residents.
Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council Simon Tagg said the city council's use of the phrase "rebalancing the financial base" in its submissions meant taxpayers in neighbouring areas like his "bailing out" Stoke-on-Trent.
"Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council is debt-free and delivers key local services," he said.
"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."
The plans would mean one authority managing all council services across north Staffordshire instead of a combination of the existing four: Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Staffordshire County Council, Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council.
Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said the government had made it clear that changes to local authorities were going be part of the devolution process, which was aimed at more decision-making powers being transferred out of London.
"We are being given the chance to shape our own economic destiny," Ashworth said. "We need to seize that opportunity with both hands."
She added: "North Staffordshire already operates as a single economic, social and environmental unit.
"Having a single council would mean better strategic decision-making and better support for the industries and sectors that will drive our shared growth."
She said: "Any north Staffordshire council would be a partnership between its constituent parts, with a stronger voice for local towns."
Initial suggestions were due to be submitted by 21 March, with final proposals to be put forward by 28 November.
Reorganisation is currently expected to take place in two waves – with Staffordshire due to be in the second wave, scheduled for 2028.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council bosses said they were not yet ready to settle on potential plans around an elected mayor for the region.
They said they would work with other leaders in Staffordshire come to an agreement on this before submitting a suggestion to government.
Staffordshire County Council leader Alan White said he was "focused on maximising the benefit of any change for our residents and businesses," adding that his authority would "update and involve people as we move through the process."
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