In December 2024, the government published plans for local government reorganisation and devolution. The government views these proposals as parallel processes, they are distinct from each other.
The plans outlined in the ‘Power and Partnership: Foundations for Growth’ White Paper aim to:
What does this mean for Tamworth?
Currently, Tamworth covers a population of just under 80,000 and so it will see an end to current two-tier areas where services are delivered via different councils – such as Tamworth Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council – with a single council representing around 300,000 - 500,000 residents instead.
The new council will have new powers and responsibilities, such as education and social care, that as Tamworth Borough Council we don’t currently have any control over.
The shape of local government is yet to be determined. While proposals have been submitted, the decision on how local government will be structured in Staffordshire and Tamworth lie with central government.
What has been proposed?
Together with Lichfield District Council and South Staffordshire Council, the proposal we’ve submitted to government is for three balanced, community-focused unitary councils across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
The proposal would create:
This model is shaped by feedback from over 16,700 residents and businesses who took part in one of the largest local government engagement exercises ever carried out in Staffordshire.
Three-quarters of respondents said they want councils that remain local, visible and community-focused.
View the business case proposal.
For more information:
Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Leaders unite behind bid for Foundation Strategic Authority
Joint submission to government on southern and mid Staffordshire local.
Press release outlining Tamworth’s position following full council on 10 March.
10 March full council report and decision.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government feedback letter
Press release outlining proposal to create three unitary councils across Staffordshire
Business case proposal
The existing Staffordshire authority make up
In Staffordshire the local government family currently consists of:
Staffordshire County Council
Stoke on Trent City Council
Eight borough and district councils:
Cannock Chase District Council
East Staffordshire Borough Council
Lichfield District Council
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council
South Staffordshire Council
Stafford Borough Council
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council
Tamworth Borough Council
For most residents in Staffordshire there are two types of local government functions, delivered by two different councils:
Unitary authorities are responsible for all these functions.
Local government re-organisation is the replacement of two-tier arrangements with unitary local government.
Local government reorganisation
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is the process of restructuring local authorities to create unitary councils that deliver all services currently managed by both county and district councils.
Key features include:
When will the reorganisation take place?
This is an outline of the timeline provided by the Government in the white paper. It included proposed and confirmed dates at current:
5 February 2025 Statutory invitation received from government to submit unitary proposals
21 March 2025 Submit interim local government reorganisation proposal
End April Initial government response to proposals
28 November 2025 Submit full Local Government Reorganisation proposal
April 2028 New unitary councils established (formally called vesting day)
What happens next?
The government will assess the business case proposal alongside others submitted this year.
For more information about local government reorganisation see:
Devolution
Government proposals for devolution seek to create ‘strategic authorities’.
Strategic authorities oversee the big major infrastructure programmes as directed by government such as strategic planning, transport, skills etc, like we see with organisations like the West Midlands Combined Authority.
Strategic authorities sit above the new unitary councils and do not deliverer the day-today services and functions. Government suggest the ideal population size for strategic authorities is being set at 1.5million.
For more information about devolution see:
Foundation Strategic Authority
Context:
In March 2026, an application was sent to government on behalf of all Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent councils to set up a Foundation Strategic Authority (FSA).
What is an FSA?
A Foundation Strategic Authority, or FSA, is a new type of local authority partnership offered by the government.
It could give our area extra powers and funding which means that more decisions about things that affect you will be made locally.
These are additional powers that local councils cannot access on our own.
What could be the benefits for the area?
With an FSA, our area could:
Why does this matter?
These extra powers could help us:
How could it affect local councils and services?
The FSA would sit alongside local councils, not replace them.
It would not run day-to-day council services such as household bin collections, social care, children’s services and street cleaning.
What’s the difference between devolution and local government reorganisation?
These are two separate processes, although they may happen at the same time.
Why are Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent doing this together?
The area has over one million residents, shared transport links, and a connected economy, so it makes sense to work together.