Councils across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent have established two voluntary joint committees to oversee the transition to new unitary authorities. The committees will manage planning for the reorganisation while council services continue normally for residents.
The government has decided to replace the existing ten councils in the area with two new unitary councils. Two voluntary joint committees are being created now, ahead of mandatory legal requirements, so planning can begin sooner. Shadow authorities will be set up after elections in May 2027.
Committee Structure
The North Staffordshire committee will have eight members: two from district and borough councils, two from Staffordshire County Council, and four from Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
The South and Mid Staffordshire committee will have 12 members: six from district and borough councils and six from Staffordshire County Council.
Leadership and Oversight
Patrick Flaherty, Chief Executive of Staffordshire County Council, has been appointed Senior Responsible Officer for the reorganisation programme. Jon Rouse, Chief Executive of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, will serve as Deputy SRO for North Staffordshire. Andy O'Brien, Chief Executive of East Staffordshire Borough Council, and Stephen Gabriel, Chief Executive of Tamworth Borough Council, will share the Deputy SRO role for South and Mid Staffordshire. Simon Fletcher, Chief Executive of Lichfield District Council, will provide oversight as Assurance Deputy SRO.
The Implementation Team, led by these officers alongside the Programme Director and the ten existing council Chief Executives, will oversee the work required to create the two new councils.
Councillor Martin Murray, Chair of the Staffordshire Leaders Board, said the government's decision means a substantial programme of change must be delivered within a challenging timescale to ensure the new councils are ready to serve residents.
