Question
I will start by thanking the Minister for the part he played in getting the announcement of a strategic mayoral authority for Staffordshire over the line in time for yesterday’s Budget. However, despite the potential efficiency and simplicity gains of local government reorganisation, the shifting goalposts and the stop-start process have caused deep frustration in our county. Can the Minister confirm what the coming months will bring in terms of consultation with MPs, councillors and, most importantly, our constituents, so that they are clear on how they can again have their say over the future of our councils?
Answer
Now that the review has concluded, the individual meetings requested by a list of MPs will take place, and we will contact MPs in the usual way for those Monday sessions. Notwithstanding that, the “minded to” process will allow formal representations even beyond that.
Verdict: AMBER (48/100)
The reply gives concrete, specific routes for MPs to engage, such as individual meetings and the usual Monday sessions, and describes a formal "minded to" representations process for public input. It does not say anything about consulting councillors, and it does not clearly explain how constituents or residents would be consulted beyond making representations. A questioner would likely need to ask again about those two points.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| What consultation the Government plans with MPs, councillors and constituents over the coming months on the future of councils in Staffordshire, including how residents can have their say on local government reorganisation. | Partially Addressed | Direct | The reply gives concrete mechanisms for MPs (individual meetings requested by a list of MPs, and contact through the usual Monday sessions) and for formal public input (the "minded to" process allowing representations), but it says nothing about planned consultation with councillors and does not clearly describe how constituents or residents would be consulted beyond the representations route. |