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Dividing Staffordshire into eastern and western councils represents the strongest option available, council leaders have maintained. Cabinet members at Reform UK -controlled Staffordshire County Council have backed the authority's local government reorganisation (LGR) proposal, which would replace the current ten councils with two unitary authorities spanning east and west. Opponents argue the model - which would combine Stoke-on-Trent with Lichfield and Tamworth in the eastern unitary while keeping it apart from neighbouring Newcastle-under-Lyme - lacks geographical logic. The majority of Staffordshire councils are backing alternative models featuring some form of north-south division. READ MORE: They told DWP they were single to steal £50,000 - but holiday photo exposed them However, county council cabinet members remain convinced their east-west alternative provides the strongest foundation for establishing two viable unitaries. They said they remained fundamentally opposed to LGR, describing it as 'ill-advised' and 'rushed' by the Labour government, but insisted their proposal was evidence-based. Deputy council leader Martin Murray said: "The east-west option is all about parity and equity. We don't want either new council to be disproportionately burdened or disadvantaged because all of our residents, regardless of where they live, deserve quality, value for money services. "I made a commitment from the outset to put forward an option that is backed by evidence. An option that is more likely to deliver the best, not just for the individual wards we serve, but for the county and the city as a whole." The council's business case, prepared with assistance from PwC consultants, indicated that both east-west and north-south configurations would generate enough savings to recover transition costs within four years. Both performed similarly against the government's six criteria for Local Government Reorganisation, including sustainability and 'sensible' geographical boundaries. But the business case suggested the east-west division would create two more balanced councils than the north-south alternative, considering economic factors, population size and social challenges. Coun Murray condemned other councils for lobbying for or against particular configurations, maintaining the county council had adopted an impartial, evidence-based methodology. He continued: "It is not a pick-and-mix of who would like to be with who, or perhaps wouldn't like to be with. It's about what is fair, equitable and gives the best chance of delivering our aspirations for Staffordshire's people and their amazing county. "We have used the government's criteria and the east-west option simple stacks up better than a north-south split, or indeed any other options." Coun Chris Large, cabinet member for finance and resources, said the county council's modelling for LGR had been 'professional' and was reliable. He said: "The fact we've used PwC, which is the government's preferred choice as well – they are respected accounts and consultants, I trust their judgement. Also, our own senior officers have played a big part in doing this modelling. I think we've got it right." Councils have until November 28 to submit their final proposals for LGR. The ultimate decision on which option will be adopted lies with the government
