The Government has confirmed support for a North-South model of local government reorganisation across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. Stoke-on-Trent City Council has welcomed the decision, which will create a new unitary council covering Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire Moorlands.
The remaining parts of south Staffordshire will form a separate new unitary authority. Elections to the new shadow unitary authorities are expected in May 2027, with the new councils taking formal responsibility for services from April 2028.
Why the North-South split
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has argued that north Staffordshire functions as a single economic area. Residents already share housing markets, travel-to-work patterns, education and healthcare services across the region.
Eight out of the 10 existing councils covering Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire supported some form of north-south split.
What the council leader said
Jane Ashworth, Leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said the North-South model "most closely reflects the reality of how people live, work and travel across our area and provides the strongest basis for future success".
Ashworth added that the decision "gives us the opportunity to unlock growth, attract investment, accelerate regeneration and create more opportunities for local people" and will "ensure north Staffordshire has a stronger voice and can compete more effectively for jobs, funding and investment in the years ahead".