Newcastle Under Lyme's council leader has demanded the Government immediately cancel its plans to reorganise Staffordshire's councils. Jonathan Gullis has written to the Housing Secretary arguing the proposals are "wasteful and unlikely" to succeed given current political instability at Westminster.
Gullis believes the Government lacks the stability and sustained commitment needed to deliver such a major overhaul. "Local Government Reorganisation requires political stability, ministerial grip, clear direction and sustained commitment over a number of years," he said. "At present, none of those things exists." The Newcastle Under Lyme council leader is urging ministers to stop wasting taxpayers' money on plans that may never happen, allowing the council to concentrate on priorities that matter to residents.
However, Newcastle Under Lyme is not opposed to all reform. The council backs alternative proposals for a Mayoral Strategic Authority covering both Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. Gullis believes this approach would give the region greater influence and a voice at the national level without compromising local accountability. Similar mayoral models already operate successfully in Greater Manchester, the East Midlands and West Midlands.
The Government is expected to announce its official decision on the wider restructuring plans later this year. The decision will significantly impact how local services are delivered across Newcastle Under Lyme and the wider Staffordshire region.