Latest news with #SouthStaffordshireCouncil.The
BBC News
22-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Staffordshire mayor and two councils idea sent to government
Staffordshire could have an elected mayor like the West Midlands and Greater Manchester after county politicians backed the plans, agreed by a majority of the county's 10 council leaders, also included combining the existing local authorities into two "super" government had given the county's politicians until Friday to submit a devolution proposal, as part of a drive to reform local government.A final decision will be made by ministers with final reorganisation plans not expected until November. The proposals, agreed by the Staffordshire Leaders Board, the group of council leaders, would see the elected mayor overseeing the county with powers over issues like planning and to deliver everything from social care to bin collections, would be the two unitary councils - in place of the 10 local authorities currently running day to day these are split up remains in dispute among option is for a geographical break-up with a North Staffordshire Council and a South Staffordshire other option is for a Staffordshire-wide unitary council covering the whole county except for Stoke-on-Trent, which would have its own council. Costs and risks The current county council leader, Alan White, told the BBC he would happily put his name forward for the role of Staffordshire mayor if it was created."There's growing consensus that a Mayoral Strategic Authority will bring extra investment and freedoms to boost our economy further. This is the real prize we're working towards," he was less enthusiastic about the process of reorganising the councils and said more work needed to be done."Councils are hugely complex organisations delivering hundreds of different services," Mr White said."There are significant costs and risks involved in reorganising these – especially for vital services like social care - so we must get this right"The earliest that changes are expected to come in is 2028. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
30-01-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Jaguar Land Rover plans major Wolverhampton business park expansion
Car giant Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has submitted plans to expand its Wolverhampton site on the i54 Business proposed development is part of the manufacturer's recent announcement to ramp up electric production and be "carbon net zero across supply chains, products and operations by 2039".The Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre, near the M54, is described as a "key" site in application documents submitted to South Staffordshire firm said the new space would surpass 6,000 sq m and support the manufacture of electric drive units and battery packs. There would be some demolition work and external landscaping as part of the work was already under way nearby for a new building and ancillary offices after planning consent was granted in 2019, the plans said said in planning documents that to meet its all-electric goals, significant investment was required."As part of JLR's journey to become a net zero carbon business by 2039, the company is transitioning to produce all-electric vehicles by 2030 as part of its Reimagine Strategy. "This shift to electric vehicles within the manufacturing process has ultimately resulted in new requirements in terms of space and facilities."Significant investment is required to upgrade the existing facilities and meet the new space requirements."In November JLR announced it had stopped selling new Jaguar cars in the UK ahead of a relaunch as an electric-only brand in first car within the new brand will be a four-door GT built in Solihull, West Midlands. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
