New role created as Staffordshire prepares for biggest local government shake up in decades

With Local Government Reorganisation gathering pace, Staffordshire County Council has appointed a new Cabinet Support Member to help steer one of the most significant changes to local government the county has seen in a generation.

Staffordshire County Council has appointed Cllr Rhys Machin (Reform UK, Audley & Chesterton) as its new Cabinet Support Member for Finance & Devolution, reflecting the scale of work ahead as the county prepares for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

The new appointment will support Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources, Cllr Sean Bagguley, with work surrounding the council's finances, devolution and the transition towards a new system of local government. The Finance & Devolution role is a Cabinet Support Member position, not a Cabinet Member role, and replaces a previous Cabinet Support Member role.

The appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Staffordshire. Under Government plans, the current two-tier system of local government – comprising Staffordshire County Council and the county's district and borough councils – is confirmed to be replaced by two unitary authorities, dividing services between the north and south of the county (read more here).

However, Staffordshire County Council, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Lichfield District Council and Adam Jogee MP have rejected the government's decision on LGR, arguing that it either should not be proceeding whatsoever, or the north-south divide is not a suitable option.

Announcing the appointment, Staffordshire County Council Leader, Cllr Martin Murray, said the role had been created because of the scale of work now facing the authority.

He said the council was entering "a period of significant change", with finance, devolution and local government reorganisation expected to dominate much of the council's work over the coming months.

For Cllr Machin, the appointment is less about holding a title, and more about helping navigate what he describes as one of the biggest changes Staffordshire has faced in decades.

He said: 

"I'm grateful to Martin Murray and the other Cabinet members for this opportunity, having served on the county council for the past 14 months.

"Local Government Reorganisation is one of the biggest changes Staffordshire local government has faced in many years, and it will require considerable time and effort from officers and members alike.

"There are significant challenges ahead and a great deal of work to do over the coming months. I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve as Cabinet Support Member for Finance & Devolution, and I'm committed to working hard, learning from experienced colleagues and officers, and doing everything I can to make a positive contribution.

"Throughout that process, we will continue listening to residents and doing everything we can to ensure the transition is managed as effectively as possible for everyone."

Speaking to The Staffordshire Signal, Cllr Machin said the biggest challenge would be ensuring residents do not lose out while councils undergo such significant structural change.

"Local Government Reorganisation is one of the biggest changes Staffordshire local government has faced in a generation. The biggest challenge now is making sure that, whatever structural changes are imposed, residents do not lose out during the transition.

"There will be major questions around finance, service delivery, democratic accountability, local identity, staff, assets and how the new councils are set up. It is not just a case of changing names on buildings. These decisions affect how local services are delivered and how residents are represented.

"I have been clear that the process has been rushed and that many residents remain sceptical. But Staffordshire County Council still has a responsibility to be at the table, scrutinise the detail and make sure the county is prepared."

He then told us more about the role and what it entails:

"The role of Cabinet Support Member for Finance & Devolution is to support the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources, Cllr Sean Bagguley, and the wider Cabinet team on work relating to finance, devolution, Local Government Reorganisation and the transition process.

"It is important to be clear that this is not a Cabinet Member role and it is not a decision-making Cabinet position. It is a support role. My job is to contribute to the work being done, help examine the detail, support policy development and make sure the impact on residents is properly considered.

"Finance and devolution will be central to the future of Staffordshire, so the role is about putting support where it is needed during a very significant period of change."

One of the biggest concerns surrounding Local Government Reorganisation has been the impact it could have on residents during the transition. Responding to those concerns, Cllr Machin said maintaining frontline services must remain the council's priority.

"The most important thing Staffordshire County Council can do is keep residents and services at the heart of the process. People should not be left confused about who is responsible for what, and services must not be allowed to fall through the cracks.

"That means proper financial planning, clear communication, close working with district and borough councils, engagement with parish councils and communities, and making sure frontline services remain the priority.

"Residents will understandably have concerns about what LGR means for them. The Council has to be honest about the challenges, open about the process and focused on making the transition as smooth as possible."

Looking ahead, he said success would ultimately be judged not by the creation of new structures, but by how effectively Staffordshire protects local services throughout the transition.

"Success for me would mean making a serious and positive contribution to the work ahead. I want to help ensure that Staffordshire is prepared, that risks are properly understood, and that residents' interests are protected throughout the transition.

"This is not about titles. It is about doing the work, learning from experienced colleagues and officers, and helping to make sure finance, devolution and local representation are properly considered.

"If residents can see that the Council has handled this responsibly, protected services as far as possible and fought for Staffordshire's voice during the process, then that would be a positive outcome."