A LOCAL government reorganisation plan which would see the creation of three new unitary authorities in Staffordshire will be the best option for local residents, the leader of Lichfield District Council has said.
Final submissions have now been made to the Government ahead of a decision on how the current two-tier council areas across Staffordshire will now be replaced by a singular body.
Reform UK at Staffordshire County Council has submitted proposals for an east and west split which would see Lichfield and Burntwood grouped in with the likes of Stoke-on-Trent and the Staffordshire Moorlands.
But Cllr Doug Pullen, leader of Lichfield District Council, has reiterated his belief that a split which would include the local area with Tamworth and East Staffordshire would make more sense for communities.
It comes after the Labour opposition group’s deputy leader Cllr Colin Ball quizzed him on whether the district council’s local government reorganisation submission had highlighted the “completely silly” east-west plans Reform UK had put forward.
Cllr Pullen replied:
“We made it clear throughout our submission that not only was east-west ludicrous, but so was the entire local government reorganisation which purports to move power closer to communities, but is actually moving power closer to Whitehall.
“It is not something we welcome on this side of the chamber at all and I know my colleagues across the chamber are acutely aware of how well local government serves our residents currently.
“We have made our submission and believe we’ve made a positive case for a three-by-three unitary model in Staffordshire.
“While we might not agree with the policy direction, we are all agreed that if it is going to happen that will be the best way forwards for our residents.”
The Government is expected to identify a preferred option for a new unitary authority structure for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent next year.
