District councillors clashed over the future of local government in the Staffordshire Moorlands at a meeting last week.
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council is looking likely to be abolished under a major overhaul of local authorities being driven by the Government, which would see the end of Staffordshire’s two-tier (county and district) council system.
Staffordshire Moorlands could potentially become part of a North Staffordshire unitary authority, along with Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle, or alternatively be absorbed into a Staffordshire-wide county unitary.
Moorlands councillors spent more than three hours debating the controversial issue at a rare council assembly meeting last week – but did not agree to support any particular proposal, (writes local democracy reporter Phil Corrigan).
Some members strongly criticised the “forced” reorganisation, saying it would lead to a loss of identity and representation in the Moorlands, while others spoke of the potential benefits a larger authority could bring to the area.
All councillors supported the idea of the district council continuing to engage in the process of reorganisation, in order to ensure the best outcome for the Moorlands.
They also spoke in support of council staff, whose future employment is uncertain.
The council assembly voted to set up a cross-party sub-committee to “to support the development of a preferred option for Staffordshire Moorlands”.
Council leader Coun Mike Gledhill said: “We’re not playing an endgame, we’re at a point in the process – a process that will go on, and a process that can be influenced, and hopefully changed in some respects.
“I’m grateful for the view that’s been expressed across the chamber that we’ve got to stay in this process, even if some of us disagree with it. We can’t afford to be in a position where other people are making decisions with no reference to us whatsoever.”
The Government has told councils to submit interim proposals for reorganisation by 21st March, with a November deadline for the final submission. Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s 10-member sub-committee will meet at least once a month until November, with a final recommendation due to be agreed by cabinet and the council assembly.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has backed proposals for a North Staffordshire unitary with it at te centre, while leaders at Staffordshire County Council support a Stafford-based county unitary plan.
Conservative councillors in the Moorlands and Newcastle have led a “No to Stoke” campaign, gathering thousands of names on a petition against the North Staffordshire proposal. Supporters of the campaign staged a protest outside Moorlands House before the meeting.
Tory district councillor Coun Mark Deaville, who is also a Cabinet member on the county council, said: “I get hundreds of emails from residents. But what I don’t get is anyone saying the national government should reorganise local authorities. Local people don’t give a damn. They just want to get on with their lives.
“The way this is being rushed through is appalling. But if we don’t agree on a way forward, the Government will impose this upon us.
“We’ve got a petition with 6,000 names on it from people who are saying they do not want a merger with Stoke-on-Trent. I’ve yet to meet a single person who thinks this is a good idea. I’ve yet to meet a single person who can give us one tangible benefit for the Staffordshire Moorlands joining with Stoke. I believe if it isn’t broken, don’t mend it.”
But members of the council’s ruling Labour group spoke in favour of the North Staffordshire option, saying it would reflect existing links across the area.
Labour councillor Philip Barks said: “There is a commonality and a shared history for many people across North Staffordshire, a sense of identity. Many people commute across all three authorities for work, retail, higher education and leisure.
Shared
“The Moorlands is not an island. Its alliance with High Peak highlights its inability to stand alone. Yet we have shared interests and reciprocal benefits, whether economic, education health or transport, across all three northern authorities, far more so than with Stafford, Lichfield or Tamworth.
“Recently I was contacted by a resident expressing the difficulty her daughter had with accessing public transport to get to Newcastle College, highlighting the need for an integrated transport network across the whole of North Staffordshire, a potential driver for growth.”
But other councillors raised a raft of concerns over reorganisation, including the financial issues currently facing the city and county councils and how that could impact on services in the Moorlands.
Coun Linda Malyon, leader of the Independent group, said: “No one wants to go with Stoke – £16.8 million in debt – and the county, £55 million in debt.
“We need to have our say and fight for what we want for Staffordshire Moorlands. The report before us is to make sure we have our say on what we want for Staffordshire Moorlands and the people we represent. If this report is not accepted, the Government will tell us what we do and where we go.
“I believe the Government has far too many irons in the fire, and it is destroying the fabric of our beautiful country. I know this started under the last Conservative Government, but we are now being fast-tracked into something we don’t want.”
• Readers of our Biddulph edition can find stories on the Stoke City response to reorganisation on page 40 and the county council’s views on page 23.
