Lichfield District Council has welcomed the withdrawal of the Government’s earlier decision to replace Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent’s existing councils with two unitary authorities.
The July decision was withdrawn on 29 October while the Government reconsiders the options for the area. Reorganisation has not been cancelled, and no replacement structure has been finally agreed.
All proposals remain under consideration, including the alternative three-unitary model supported by Lichfield District Council.
No immediate change to services
Residents should continue to use council services as normal. There are no immediate changes to waste collections, planning, housing, leisure or other district services as a result of the announcement.
The Government expects a further update in early 2027. Elections to any new councils are expected in May 2028, with the new authorities expected to take over in April 2029.
Lichfield’s response
Councillor Doug Pullen, leader of Lichfield District Council, said the authority welcomed the withdrawal of the two-unitary decision, which it had opposed.
He said: “If reorganisation is to proceed, we firmly believe the three-unitary proposal offers a better balance between effective services and keeping councils connected to their communities.”
He added that the council remained willing to work with ministers, while calling for clarity about the next steps.
Further information is available in Lichfield District Council’s current update and the Government’s Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent reorganisation documents.