Government confirms North/South split for Staffordshire in major council shake-up

The Government has confirmed its long-awaited decision on the future of local government in Staffordshire, choosing a North/South model that will replace the county’s current two-tier council system with two new unitary authorities.

The decision follows the submission of five proposals by councils in November 2025 and a public consultation held earlier this year.

Under the approved plans, two new councils will be created using the existing district, borough and city council boundaries.

North Staffordshire Unitary

* Newcastle-under-Lyme

* Stoke-on-Trent

* Staffordshire Moorlands

The new authority will serve a population of approximately 494,803 people.

South Staffordshire Unitary

* Stafford

* East Staffordshire

* Cannock Chase

* Lichfield

* Tamworth

* South Staffordshire

The southern authority will serve approximately 682,775 residents.

The new unitary councils will replace Staffordshire County Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council and the county’s eight district and borough councils, bringing responsibility for all local government services under a single authority in each area.

Services including highways, waste collection, children’s services, adult social care, planning, housing and many others will all be delivered by the new councils.

The Government says the changes are intended to simplify local government, remove duplication between county and district councils and create financially sustainable authorities capable of delivering services in the long term.

Staffordshire County Council acknowledged that the North/South proposal was not the option it submitted to Government. However, in a message to councillors and staff following the announcement, the authority said the chosen model “had clear strengths” and was considered to be “financially viable in the long term, protecting vital services for residents.”

Under the Government’s timetable, shadow elections will be held in May 2027, with the two new councils expected to formally take over all local government responsibilities in April 2028.

There will be no immediate changes to council services, and residents are being told they should continue accessing services in the same way as they do now while detailed transition plans are developed.

The reorganisation represents the biggest change to local government in Staffordshire for more than 50 years and will require the ten existing councils to work together over the next two years to establish the new authorities, agree governance arrangements and ensure services continue to operate without disruption.

Further details, including the number of councillors, ward boundaries, governance arrangements and the transition programme, are expected to be confirmed as the reorganisation progresses.

Staffs News will continue to follow the changes and bring you the latest developments, reaction and analysis as Staffordshire prepares for one of the most significant changes in its local government history.