'Pressures in relation to interim workers look likely to continue leading up to the reorganisation'

COUNCIL chiefs have been told to avoid permanently recruiting staff ahead of a planned reorganisation of local authorities.

- By JONATHAN SUTTON

Government Minister Jim McMahon has told East Staffordshire Borough Council that decisions taken now could 'feter the future decisions of new councils' and they should act accordingly.

It comes as councils have been given until November 28 to come up with their final proposals for unitarisation, with the government to make the final decision.

Options currently on the table for East Staffordshire include Staffordshire County Council's plan to create an east west divide which would see the area merging with Stoke-on-Trent, the Staffordshire Moorlands, Lichfield and Tamworth.

East Staffordshire could also join up with Cannock Chase, South Staffordshire, Tamworth, Lichfield and to form a new Southern Staffordshire council in the detailed proposals now being considered.