Staffordshire County Council has appointed Cllr Rhys Machin as its cabinet support member for finance and devolution, a role created to help steer the authority through the countywide local government reorganisation scheduled for 2028.
New post to assist transition to unitary authorities
The county council will be abolished alongside district and borough councils as part of plans to establish larger unitary authorities. The reorganisation will produce two new unitary councils: one covering the southern and central parts of Staffordshire and a second for the north of the county together with Stoke-on-Trent.
According to the council, the new southern body would include areas such as Stafford Borough, East Staffordshire, Cannock Chase, Lichfield and South Staffordshire, representing a combined population of more than 680,000 people.
Role and responsibilities
The council says Cllr Machin’s appointment is intended to bolster the cabinet team during what it describes as a complex and resource-intensive change process. His remit is framed around finance and devolution, supporting cabinet colleagues and working with officers to manage the transition.
- Provide additional support to existing cabinet members
- Work with officers on financial planning for reorganisation
- Help coordinate activity with district and borough councils and Stoke-on-Trent
- Engage with residents to explain the changes and gather feedback
Council leader Cllr Martin Murray welcomed the appointment, saying it would help the authority focus on the needs of residents as the reorganisation proceeds.
“I would like to welcome Rhys to the cabinet team. I know he will take on this role with enthusiasm and critically offer support to each of the cabinet members and work closely with our officers as we move forward.”
Cllr Machin said he was grateful for the opportunity and acknowledged the scale of the work ahead. He said the process would require "considerable time and effort from officers and members alike" and pledged to "work hard" and learn from experienced colleagues.
Local context and implications
The creation of extra cabinet support posts comes as the council prepares for the abolition of the current two-tier structure in favour of unitary authorities. For residents, the reorganisation will mean changes to where services are managed and how local decision-making is structured.
At present, some services lie with the county council while others are provided by district and borough councils. The transition to unitary authorities will bring those responsibilities under fewer organisations covering larger areas; the council has framed the move as an opportunity to "put residents first" during the process.
| Area | Included in southern unitary |
|---|---|
| Stafford Borough | Yes |
| East Staffordshire | Yes |
| Cannock Chase | Yes |
| Lichfield | Yes |
| South Staffordshire | Yes |
| Population (combined) | 680,000+ |
Questions have been raised by some local representatives and residents elsewhere about the need for additional paid roles during the reorganisation and how resources are being allocated. The council emphasises that the support posts are intended to strengthen coordination between tiers of local government and to ease the practical burden on officers.
As plans progress over the coming months, detailed proposals on the structure, governance and funding of the new unitary authorities will be worked through with district and borough councils and with stakeholders across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
Residents seeking more information on the reorganisation or the work of the county cabinet are advised to consult Staffordshire County Council’s published updates and consultation materials as they become available.
