Parties unite to back single authority

FOUR political group leaders on Stafford Borough Council have joined forces to call for a new single unitary authority for the south of Staffordshire.

- Kerry Ashdown Local Democracy Reporter

The borough council is one of six authorities backing the plans for a southern Staffordshire council to complement a single unitary authority which would deliver services in the north.

The county's eight district and borough councils, which currently provide services such as bin collections, emergency housing, planning and leisure facilities, are all facing the axe as part of national government plans to reorganise the local authority system. Draft proposals were put forward in March, and the deadline for more detailed plans to come forward is November 28.

Stafford Borough Council's leader Councillor Aidan Godfrey (Labour), deputy leader Councillor Rob Kenney (Stafford Borough Independents), Councillor Jeremy Pert (Conservative) and Councillor Doug Rouxel (Green Party) have said the southern Staffordshire council proposal would save council taxpayers money and provide for a more resilient authority while placing it as an “economic powerhouse” in the region which would help draw more investment and job opportunities to the area. The new authority would also cover Cannock Chase District, South Staffordshire District, Lichfield District, East Staffordshire Borough and Tamworth Borough.