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# Leader says focus during local government reorganisation will be on ensuring residents are "strongly represented"
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/leader-says-focus-during-local-government-reorganisation-will-be-on-ensuring-residents-are-strongly-represented/
- Published: 2026-07-16T12:16:01.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-16T12:16:01.000Z
- Description: Options put forward by Lichfield District Council and Staffordshire County Council were both rejected in favour of north-south split.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Politics, News

THE leader of Lichfield District Council says the focus will now be on ensuring residents "continue to be strongly represented" after the Government made its decision on the future of local authorities.

A north-south option has been selected which will see Lichfield and Burntwood form part of a unitary authority representing around 682,000 people across areas including Stafford, East Staffordshire, Cannock Chase, Tamworth and South Staffordshire.

The northern unitary will cover 494,000 residents in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stoke-on-Trent and the Staffordshire Moorlands.

Lichfield District Council had backed an option for a smaller authority, but Cllr Doug Pullen said efforts would now turn to ensuring changes were seamless for residents.

He said:

> "We have always been clear that this was not a change we sought, and throughout this process we put forward the proposal we believed would best serve our residents and communities.  
>  
> "While today’s decision is not the outcome we preferred, the Government has now made its decision.  
>  
> "Our priority is to work positively and constructively with our neighbouring councils and Government to ensure the transition is well managed, protect the services residents rely on and make sure the interests of Lichfield District continue to be strongly represented.  
>  
> "Residents should be reassured that there will be no immediate changes to the services they receive. We remain committed to delivering high-quality services throughout the transition and will continue to keep our communities informed as further information becomes available."

Staffordshire County Council had put its weight behind an east-west split which would have put Lichfield and Burntwood in with Stoke-on-Trent.

Cllr Martin Murray, leader of the county council, said:

> "While the north-south option was not what we put forward, it also follows the Government’s rules, has clear strengths and is financially viable in the long term.  
>  
> "The test now is simple – residents must see stable services, clear decisions and no unnecessary disruption.  
>  
> "We will work professionally with neighbouring councils to make the change happen safely, with residents’ needs at the heart of the process."