The Government has confirmed plans to abolish Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council. The Borough will be merged into a new unitary authority alongside Stoke-on-Trent and the Staffordshire Moorlands.

Under the decision, the 10 existing councils across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent will be replaced by two unitary authorities. One council will cover Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stoke-on-Trent and the Staffordshire Moorlands. The other will cover the remainder of Staffordshire.

Council Opposition

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council formally opposed the merger. The Council argued that if the Government insisted on reorganisation, a standalone unitary authority should be created on the existing Borough boundaries.

Cllr Jonathan Gullis, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, described the decision as "a shameful betrayal of Newcastle-under-Lyme and the people who call our Borough home". He said the Government ignored more than 11,000 residents who signed a petition against the plans and disregarded the clear cross-party position of the Borough Council.

The Council's case highlighted Newcastle-under-Lyme's strong local identity, stable finances and record of delivering effective local services. In the Council's public engagement, 59 per cent of respondents supported a Newcastle-only unitary authority.

Cllr Gullis said the Government "asked for local views and then disregarded them" and "invited councils to submit evidence and then rejected the model supported by our residents".

Timeline and Services

Subject to the necessary legislation and parliamentary approval, elections to the new shadow authorities are expected to take place in May 2027. The new councils will become fully operational in April 2028.

Day-to-day services will continue unchanged for the time being, with existing councils still delivering their existing responsibilities. After the transition, the unitary authorities will deliver all council services in their area, including children's services, adult social care, highways, waste collection, parks, planning, housing and environmental health.