Councils told to draw up final proposals on shake-up

Each told to find 'clear single option'

- By Phil Corrigan

COUNCILS in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent have been invited to draw up final proposals for the biggest shake-up of local government in 50 years.

The Government has issued feedback on interim proposals to replace the two-tier system with unitary authorities. Councils have until November 28 to submit their final plans.

Various outline proposals were submitted by Staffordshire's 10 councils in March, including controversial plans for a new North Staffordshire authority covering Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle and the Staffordshire Moorlands.

The letter from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government says each council must now submit a 'clear single option' for reorganisation across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.

Capacity funding of £367,336 is being provided to the councils to support the work of drawing up the final plans.