Residents and businesses still have time to help shape how local services are run for generations to come.

With just one week remaining, councils across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are urging residents, businesses and community groups to take part in the government’s consultation on the future of local government in the area.

The deadline for people to share their views is Thursday 26 March.

The consultation is asking people for their views on proposals that would replace the existing county, district, borough and city councils with a smaller number of new ‘unitary’ councils. These would be single organisations responsible for delivering all local services in a given area, from social care and planning to bin collections, cemeteries and roads.

Five separate proposals are open for consultation and the government will consider the responses before making a final decision - which is expected this summer.

The changes represent the most significant reorganisation of local government in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent in more than 50 years. New unitary councils would not come into being until April 2028 at the earliest, and existing councils will continue to deliver services as normal in the meantime.

The consultation closes at midnight on Thursday 26 March.

People can read all five proposals and submit their views online from www.staffordshirestokeLGR.org.uk

Press Release No 6278