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Cabinet members at Reform UK-led Staffordshire County Council have voted to support the authority’s proposal for local government reorganisation (LGR), which would see the 10 existing councils replaced by two unitary authorities covering the east and the west. Critics say the model, which would merge Stoke-on-Trent with Lichfield and Tamworth in the eastern unitary while keeping it separate from neighbouring Newcastle-under-Lyme, makes little geographical sense. Most councils in Staffordshire are supporting models that involve some sort of north-south split instead. But cabinet members at the county council believe that their east-west option offers the best chance of creating two sustainable, successful unitary authorities. While they continue to be opposed to LGR, saying it has been ‘ill-advised’ and ‘rushed’ by the Labour government, they say their proposal is supported by data. 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.” According to the council’s business case, which was produced with the help of consultants from PwC, both the east-west and north-south options would provide enough savings to pay back their transition costs within 3.6 years – models involving three or more unitaries would take longer. They also score similary when it comes to meeting the Government’s six criteria for LGR, such as being sustainable and having ‘sensible’ geographies. But the business case says that the east-west split would result in two more equal councils than the north-south option, in terms of economy, population and social issues. Councillor Murray criticised other councils for campaigning for or against certain options, insisting that the county council had taken an objective, non-political approach. He added: “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 simply stacks up better than a north-south split, or indeed any other options.” Councillor Chris Large, cabinet member for finance and resources, claimed that the county council’s modelling for LGR had been ‘professional’ and could be trusted. He said: “The fact that 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 been given until November 28 to submit their final proposals for LGR. The final decision on what option is adopted will be taken by the Government.
