THE Liberal Democrats in Lichfield say they "deplore the waste of time, money and resources" spent on local government reorganisation after it was confirmed the scheme had been paused pending a review.
The proposals would have seen Lichfield District Council and Staffordshire County Council replaced by a unitary authority.
Elections had been due to be held in May 2027 for the new body, but Angela Rayner, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, has now confirmed the plans have been paused.
Cllr Paul Ray, leader of the Liberal Democrats in Lichfield, said:
"We were not in favour of local government reorganisation – especially as originally decided – which gave an unreasonably short time for members and officers to organise departments such as SEND provision, highways, and education.
"Our first responsibility is to Staffordshire residents, ensuring that they continue to receive a high level of service from their local government and this gives us breathing space to do the job properly.
"However, even if we welcome the delay, we deplore the waste of time, money and resources that have been expended unnecessarily on this aborted project.
"We have heard of several capable officers who have left council employment in anticipation of this now postponed policy. We are poorer as a result of this U-turn."
Conservative leader of Lichfield District Council Cllr Doug Pullen has already branded the decision "extraordinary", while Cllr Martin Murray, Reform UK leader of Staffordshire County Council, accused the Government of wasting the time of local authorities.
Cllr Jamie Christie, chair of the Lichfield, Burton and Tamworth Liberal Democrats, added:
"There are rare occasions when a U-turn is actually welcome – this is one of these times.
"We do not feel that local government reorganisation is necessary, especially in the form that was proposed.
"The Lib Dems will continue to work for local residents, and do their best to make any demanded changes as efficiently and as smoothly as possible."
