Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution

This is our dedicated page related to Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution and will feature any and all updates as they arise.  

A new council serving South Staffordshire - your views  

There will be a new council running services for residents, communities and businesses across six areas of Staffordshire in the future, including South Staffordshire Council, and it is important that we hear from you.  

Find out more about what Local Government Reorganisation means on this webpage and then take part in our survey before Monday, 1^st September to help us shape a new unitary authority.  

Share your thoughts and shape the future of local government in Southern and Mid Staffordshire before Monday 1st September

Complete the survey here: Local government reorganisation survey 

If you would like to receive further updates on Local Government Reorganisation and are happy to be contacted for further discussion in the future, or want to request a paper copy please email Engagement@sstaffs.gov.uk.   

What is local government reorganisation and devolution?

In England, devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national to local government. It is important because it ensures that decisions are made closer to the local people, communities and businesses they affect.  

Local government reorganisation is the process in which the structure and responsibilities of local authorities are reconfigured. In the context of the English Devolution White Paper, the Government has set out plans to move away from the current two-tier system of district and county councils. 

Fundamentally there are two major parts to the White Paper; the first is the introduction of Strategic Authorities, which could include Mayoral Combined Authorities, like the West Midlands Combined Authority. The second is the introduction of new unitary councils that will replace existing two-tier areas, including Staffordshire (please see map below), which will incorporate current district/borough councils and county councils in two-tier areas. These will be replaced by a principal authority (unitary). 

Read the Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation White Paper.

What could this mean for South Staffordshire and Staffordshire?

What are the next steps and the expected timeline?

• Collaborative work with local council leaders will continue to develop final submissions for unitarisation and devolution across Staffordshire. The final proposals are expected to be submitted by November 2025.
   
• Our council is committed to continuing to brief residents as and when the programme of work on the various options develops by sharing all updates on this webpage.