A group of local authorities in southern and mid Staffordshire has today written to the Minister of State responsible for English Devolution with an interim plan for local government reorganisation.

In response to the government’s English Devolution White Paper local authorities are required to submit their initial preference to Jim McMahon, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution before final submissions are made in November 2025.

The leader of Cannock Chase District Council said he would prefer to be part of a ‘Southern Unitary’ if government proposals to scrap local councils go ahead.

He was speaking at a specially arranged meeting for councillors on Monday (17 March) to discuss a report on proposals for local government reorganisation. 

The Government ‘White Paper on Devolution’ has paved the way for all district, borough, small unitary and county councils in Staffordshire to be abolished - to be replaced with new larger unitary authorities. 

Cannock Chase Council is appealing to residents across Cannock Chase to pledge to pick one bag of litter - or more - for Keep Britain Tidy’s 10th Great British Spring Clean. 

Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean campaign, which runs from 21 March - 6 April, is calling residents across Cannock Chase to show they love where they live by taking part in the mass action litter pick, during Britain’s favourite environmental charity’s clean-up campaign. 

Cannock Chase Council has made significant efforts towards improving local air quality, as shown in its 2024 Annual Status Report, which was presented to the Council’s Cabinet last week.

The report, approved by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in September 2024, outlines the latest monitoring data and air quality initiatives taken to enhance the health and well-being of residents in Cannock Chase.

People looking to treat their mums to a meal out for Mother’s Day are being urged to check the hygiene ratings of where they are planning to eat.

Cannock Chase Council inspects hundreds of venues across the district to ensure they are up to scratch - with the results displayed at www.food.gov.uk/ratings

Cannock Chase Council, along with its contractor Biffa, has announced that there will be some route changes for its waste and recycling collections across the district, as part of its new contract.

The changes in the new contract help save money and carbon emissions by optimising waste and recycling collection routes across Cannock Chase, thus helping to protect the environment and future service delivery by the Council.

The leader of Cannock Chase District Council said the community must come first in any government proposals to scrap local councils.

The Government ‘White Paper on Devolution’ has paved the way for all district, borough, small unitary and county councils in Staffordshire to be abolished - to be replaced with new larger unitary authorities.