The North-South split is really the least worst option. The East West would have Kidsgrove and Kinver in the same authority, which would do nothing for local democracy. North Staffordshire is a tight economic unit. It just makes more sense, whereas the East-West split really is a case of jerrymandering.
The North/South option is the only sensible choice, it is geographically compact, has economic and educational overlaps, and a streamlining of care services could relieve pressure on RSUH and other healthcare providers. It should have happened in the 1990’s when Stoke became a unitary authority, hopefully this government will not follow the Major government example by buckling to political pressure from the vested interests and will adopt the North/South option.
Thanks for sharing your opinions with us, Timothy! It will be interesting to see how this evolves, won’t it? We know Stoke City Council and our Labour MP’s are keen on this option. Stay tuned as we share more updates!
Thanks for the informative coverage again, Helen. Whilst I can't speak from a position of great knowlegde, and I'm sure there will be lots of knotty financial issues to work through, from a layman's perspective, a north/south split would feel more intuitive - Newcastle, Stoke, and the Moorlands would seem to have more in common with each other than Tamworth/Lichfield (not sure I've ever visited either!) and could really benefit from a streamlined council with a consolidated strategic approach for the area.
So a shame to read that Staffs County council (a Council I am unable to vote for putting forward proposals affecting me???) have proposed the East/West option.
Thanks for your comment, Ben. Staffs County Council and Newcastle are really not keen on the North/South split, probably for financial reasons! Some have said an east-west reorganisation does not align with the area's existing economic and social geography; Stoke has far greater ties to Newcastle than it does to Tamworth, for example. There's a good piece here on the proposed plans. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gplen51klo
The North-South split is really the least worst option. The East West would have Kidsgrove and Kinver in the same authority, which would do nothing for local democracy. North Staffordshire is a tight economic unit. It just makes more sense, whereas the East-West split really is a case of jerrymandering.
Thanks for commenting, Patrick! It seems Staffs County Council has as agreed to submit the East-West option following their council meeting today - wonder what the government will make of it?! https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Newsroom/Articles/2025/11-November/Staffordshire-Cabinet-Agree-East-West-LGR-Submission.aspx
The North/South option is the only sensible choice, it is geographically compact, has economic and educational overlaps, and a streamlining of care services could relieve pressure on RSUH and other healthcare providers. It should have happened in the 1990’s when Stoke became a unitary authority, hopefully this government will not follow the Major government example by buckling to political pressure from the vested interests and will adopt the North/South option.
Thanks for sharing your opinions with us, Timothy! It will be interesting to see how this evolves, won’t it? We know Stoke City Council and our Labour MP’s are keen on this option. Stay tuned as we share more updates!
Thanks for the informative coverage again, Helen. Whilst I can't speak from a position of great knowlegde, and I'm sure there will be lots of knotty financial issues to work through, from a layman's perspective, a north/south split would feel more intuitive - Newcastle, Stoke, and the Moorlands would seem to have more in common with each other than Tamworth/Lichfield (not sure I've ever visited either!) and could really benefit from a streamlined council with a consolidated strategic approach for the area.
So a shame to read that Staffs County council (a Council I am unable to vote for putting forward proposals affecting me???) have proposed the East/West option.
Thanks for your comment, Ben. Staffs County Council and Newcastle are really not keen on the North/South split, probably for financial reasons! Some have said an east-west reorganisation does not align with the area's existing economic and social geography; Stoke has far greater ties to Newcastle than it does to Tamworth, for example. There's a good piece here on the proposed plans. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gplen51klo
Tunstall wasn't there 500 years ago
We’re sorry if we got it wrong - we read that a market reeve was appointed in 1525? Interested to know your thoughts!