PLANS for a shake-up of local government should be seen as an opportunity rather than a threat, a Labour councillor has said.
The proposals unveiled by the Government could see the end of two-tier local authority areas which are served by both a district and county council.
The move would see a switch to a unitary body managing and delivering local services which are currently split.
Cllr Sue Woodward, Labour group leader at Lichfield District Council, said it was important any changes delivered the “best outcomes for local communities”.
She said:
“With devolution deal proposals still on the table, the proposed reorganisation of council boundaries to create new unitary councils took most of us involved in local government by surprise, especially in two-tier areas like Staffordshire.
“However, rather than focusing on self-preservation, we must now focus on what will make for the best outcomes for our local communities rather than any sort of gerrymandering to preserve some sort of status quo.
“We must look at this as a real opportunity rather than a threat and be creative and open-minded in the way we approach reorganisation.”
Staffordshire is currently covered by two top-tier councils – Staffordshire County Council and Stoke City Council – plus eight second-tier district or borough councils.
If approved, the proposed reorganisation would see the end of district and borough councils.
Cllr Woodward added:
“For most of Staffordshire and for the whole of Lichfield district we are also covered by that important third tier of local parish councils.
“I’m pleased to say that Lichfield District Council supported my proposal to set up a Parish Network, with agendas set by the parish councils themselves, which is now up and running successfully.
“This important tier of local government are closest to their communities and can be a real driving force under any new arrangements.
“What must not happen, though, is for councils to be diverted by reorganisation and away from delivering services for our residents.”
