Local Government Reorganisation paused – Lichfield Lib Dems react

On 7 September 2026 Angela Rayner, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, announced in Parliament that plans to reorganise local government in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are on indefinite pause pending review.

Cllr Paul Ray, leader of the Lichfield District Liberal Democrats, commented, 

“We were not in favour of local government reorganisation, especially as as originally decided, which gave an unreasonably short time for members and officers to organise departments such as SEND provision, highways, and education. Our first responsibility is to Staffordshire residents – ensuring that they continue to receive a high level of service from their local government and this gives us breathing space to do the job properly. However, even if we welcome the delay, we deplore the waste of time, money and resources that have been expended unnecessarily on this aborted project. 

“We have heard of several capable officers who have left council employment in anticipation of this now postponed policy. We are poorer as a result of this U-turn."

Cllr Jamie Christie, Chair of the Lichfield Tamworth and Burton Liberal Democrats, stated, 

“There are rare occasions when a U-turn is actually welcome, and this is one of these times. We do not feel that local government reorganisation is necessary, especially in the form that was proposed. The Lib Dems will continue to work for local residents, and do their best to make any demanded changes as efficiently and as smoothly as possible.”