Local Politics

Cannock Chase District Council’s Labour-led administration voted tonight to impose a maximum 2.99% increase on council tax for the coming year. The move, approved during a heated full council meeting, comes as residents grapple with soaring energy bills and inflation, raising questions about the priorities of the current leadership. The tax rise, which is the highest amount without having a referendum, is expected to generate additional revenue for the council’s budget. Howev

Staffordshire County Council has appointed Reform UK Councillor Sean Bagguley to the pivotal role of Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, overseeing the authority’s budget, contracts, and performance metrics.   The move comes after former cabinet member Cllr Chris Large stepped down due to a family bereavement. Bagguley, who represents the Stone Rural North division, was elected to the council in May 2025.  Prior to his cabinet appointment, he served on the audit and sta

Stafford residents are being asked to have their say on whether the town should establish its own town council, as the area remains the only unparished part of Stafford Borough amid major upcoming changes to local government. The consultation, launched by Stafford Borough Council, follows concerns that the planned abolition of the current borough council in 2028 — as part of government-driven local government reorganisation in Staffordshire — could leave residents in the town

All May 2026 Local Elections, Including Cannock Chase & Tamworth, to Proceed After Reform UK Legal Challenge   In a dramatic reversal announced today, the UK government has scrapped plans to postpone dozens of local council elections scheduled for May 7, 2026. The move comes just weeks after the postponements were confirmed, following a High Court challenge by Reform UK, which accused ministers of undermining democracy. The about-face affects around 30 councils across England

Reform UK Delivers Balanced Budget for Staffordshire Amid Opposition Chaos at County Council Meeting Reform UK’s acting leader, Councillor Martin Murray, successfully steered Staffordshire County Council through a full council meeting today, securing approval for a sensible 2026/27 budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy spanning 2026 to 2031. The session, held at County Buildings in Stafford and broadcast live online, was marked by unnecessary disruptions from Conservative

Say No to the UK government forcing unitary councils - https://c.org/myCb8LgmXW A vocal campaign by Staffordshire Moorlands Reform UK councillors has sparked intense local debate over the UK Government’s proposed Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. The group accuses Whitehall of driving a “blatant centralisation power grab” that threatens local democracy, increases costs, and leaves communities feeling ignored during a cost‑of‑living cr

By Staffs News Team Date: February 07, 2026 As Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent navigate the ongoing government-driven push for local government reorganisation, with five official proposals now under consultation and a decision expected this summer, Staffs News has taken a fresh look at the county's map. We believe a clean, logical division into three unitary authorities  would strike the best balance: strong enough to deliver efficient services and attract investment, while

Government Launches Public Consultation on Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent LGR The UK Government has opened a public consultation asking people across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent for their views on how local councils should be reorganised. The consultation began on 5 February 2026 and will run for seven weeks, closing at 11.59pm on 26 March 2026. It follows proposals put forward by councils last November as part of a national drive to replace two-tier council systems wi

Staffordshire County Council has announced that Councillor Chris Large is stepping down from his role as Reform UK group leader and as cabinet member for finance and resources following a family bereavement.  Large, who represents the Brewood division in South Staffordshire, was appointed to replace the previous group leader, Ian Cooper, who resigned in December amid a social media controversy.  He had been expected to assume the full council leadership role at the next meeti

Staffordshire, UK – February 3, 2026 – In a pointed letter to local MPs, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Highways, Peter Mason, has strongly refuted reports suggesting the authority received an additional £54 million in government funding for road maintenance, calling such statements “false and misleading.”  The clarification comes amid ongoing debates over the county’s vast highway network, which spans nearly 4,000 miles and is valued at over £7 b

In a key meeting yesterday (Monday February 2nd), Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Ben Adams, successfully presented and gained support for a proposed increase in the policing precept, aiming to bolster local law enforcement resources despite ongoing national debates over policing restructuring. The Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel convened on Monday, February 2, at 10:00am in the Oak Room at County Buildings, Stafford, for a session that focused h

New Reform UK Leader Elected at Staffordshire County Council Reform UK councillors at Staffordshire County Council have elected a new group leader. Cllr Chris Large, who represents the Brewood division, has taken on the role after a vote by the controlling group. He will be supported by Cllr Martin Murray as deputy group leader. Murray had been acting as leader since the previous leader, Cllr Ian Cooper, resigned following controversy over social media posts. Cllr Large curre

Staffordshire Children’s Services Earns Ofsted Praise After Major Improvements Staffordshire County Council’s children’s services have been given a significant vote of confidence by Ofsted following a focused reinspection in December 2025. Inspectors described the service as having made strong progress since it was rated as requiring improvement in 2023. They highlighted ambitious leadership, improved management oversight and better decision-making for vulnerable children. Th

Government Greenlights Election Postponements Amid Sweeping Local Government Overhaul In a significant shake up to England’s local governance landscape, the government has approved requests from 29 councils to delay their May 2026 elections, allowing them to concentrate on a major reorganisation programme aimed at dismantling the inefficient two tier system. This reform, described by officials as a once in a generation opportunity, seeks to consolidate overlapping authorities

Cannock Chase District Council Full Council Meeting Blocks Theatre Demolition Funds In a dramatic turn at Cannock Chase District Council’s Full Council meeting, councillors rejected a key recommendation that would have reallocated capital funds for the ongoing Cannock Town Centre Regeneration Programme. The proposal, stemming from the Cabinet meeting on 4 December 2025, sought to adjust budget allocations for works outlined in the associated report, including steps that would

Cannock Chase District Council Leader Cllr Steve Thornley has formally asked central government to postpone the May 2026 local elections, citing major operational pressures from high service demands, staff shortages, complex projects and the extra workload from Local Government Reorganisation in Staffordshire. The request follows a letter from the Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness seeking views on whether deferring the polls would free up capacity for re

Cannock Chase District Council is facing growing criticism after concerns were raised about its approach to the future of the town’s theatre, despite having secured £20 million in Levelling Up funding for Cannock Town Centre. The upgrade of the theatre, currently costed at around £2.5 million, had originally formed part of the bid that helped secure the government investment, yet councillors clashed over whether the venue should demolished. During tonights meeting, councillor