County and District currently stream meetings in our area, but parishes don't due to costs, infrastructure etc. So if the new system means that's where the only truly local decision making and accountability, then the plans take us backwards rather than forwards

Streamline back office functions if this is about money and even carve off some of the bigger ticket items, but local decisions need to be made locally.

Whatever happens, they need to ensure access to meetings via online methods if reporters (and the public) can't rock up at local meetings anymore

Like local news, those in their communities know the details of local problems (even if they can't fix them) and how to potentially move forward.

I struggle to see how a seat of power solely in Stafford or Stoke could connect effectively and regularly with communities in Lichfield and Burntwood.

The rivalry that exists between parts towns and cities (or in our case, a district) shows how that will scale hugely if you start to go to fully towards regional government.

Parish councils may remain, but if the power, money and decisions are elsewhere then it will make local coverage tough.

There's plenty being done to help students into the learning environment, but there's still plenty to do between levels and modules to showcase the connections and the phases of the educational journey (in both journalism and other subjects)