A council cross-party working group has recommended the creation of a new Town Council for Stafford.

Nearly 65 percent of residents who took part in a six-week consultation supported a proposal to establish a Town Council covering the unparished areas of Stafford town.

The consultation formed part of a Community Governance Review, a statutory process required before any new town or parish council can be created. It follows Government plans which will see existing district, borough, county and city councils in Staffordshire replaced by larger unitary authorities.

Stafford is the only ‘unparished’ area of the borough and, with those Government plans that will see the local authority abolished in 2028, concerns had been voiced that it would leave a lack of representation for the county town.

More than 1,000 responses were received as part of the consultation - with only 27 percent saying they were not in favour of a new town council for the area. All households in the affected areas were contacted directly and invited to share their views.

The working group has also recommended that Doxey should not form part of a new Town Council - after strong opposition from Doxey residents in the consultation.  Doxey is already served by an existing Parish Council.

A full report, including the recommendations, will go before the Full Council in September for consideration.

Leader of the Council, Aidan Godfrey, said: “We are very grateful to everyone who took the time to participate in the consultation. The response demonstrates how strongly people feel about the future governance of Stafford. These views have played a vital role in shaping the recommendations, and we will continue to ensure local voices are at the heart of this process as it moves forward.”

If a new town council receives the green light, voting would take place in 2027 to elect councillors that could serve around 47,000 residents.

More information about the Community Governance Review can be seen from www.staffordbc.gov.uk/your-say-new-town-council-stafford

And you can find the latest on Local Government Reorganisation from www.staffordbc.gov.uk/devolution-and-local-government-reorganisation

Press Release No 6300