In a new series of articles, Daily Focus has invited the council leaders in Staffordshire to share their views on how local government should be reorganised across the county as part of wider plans for devolution.
Here, Stafford Borough Council leader Councillor Aidan Godfrey explains why he favours a north/south split.
“A single unitary of six existing council areas in the south of Staffordshire is the best option for our businesses and residents. No other option put forward as part of Local Government Reorganisation can achieve what we have set out in our proposal.
Our proposal would see Stafford Borough, Cannock Chase, East Staffordshire, Lichfield, South Staffordshire and Tamworth served by one authority delivering all council services. And this would complement plans by Stoke-on-Trent City Council for a single unitary in the north which would include Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire Moorlands.
So why should a single unitary in the south be approved by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government?
Economic Powerhouse: A strong southern unitary will be a major force when it comes to attracting inward investment and creating new employment opportunities on a regional and national level.
Resilience: A single authority would be strong and financially sustainable in providing services to the public.
Saving money: One authority covering the whole of mid and southern Staffordshire will bring together services and reduce duplication of staff. A larger authority has greater buying power and will be run by one set of professional management – the benefits of which have been seen with Stafford Borough Council sharing services and senior management with Cannock Chase District Council.
Size: The Government made it clear that a new authority should have a population in the region of 500k – a southern unitary council will achieve this figure. The north would be around that population size.
So why not the other options?
An east and west divide is incompatible with functioning economic geography and not reflective of local identity, culture or history. Two unitaries in the south leaves the authorities very short of the Government’s population criteria, would deliver less savings and not be as attractive for private inward investment – slowing down our economic growth and job creation.
In summary: A single southern unitary authority will be more financially stable, be able to attract more inward investment, will not fragment vital services, be strong enough to secure Government funding. We will be a strong partner able to work with the city led north Staffordshire and the West Midlands unitary authorities and the planned mayoral strategic authority.”
