Stafford Borough Council is one of the main places you will deal with for day-to-day local services around Gnosall. If you are not sure who does what, a quick rule of thumb is: the Borough Council covers things like planning and building control, council tax and benefits, and waste and recycling (with some services delivered in partnership). The County Council tends to handle highways, schools and social care.

What Stafford Borough Council can help with

• Planning applications and planning enforcement
• Council Tax, discounts, exemptions and payments
• Housing support, homelessness advice, and housing register information
• Benefits support (including Housing Benefit for eligible claims) and help with applying
• Waste and recycling information and service updates

The best place to start (and what to have ready)

The simplest starting point is the council website: https://www.staffordbc.gov.uk/. Look for the specific service page first, as it usually has the right form and the current guidance.

• For Council Tax or benefits: have your address, account reference (if you have one), and key dates (moving in, moving out, change of circumstances).
• For planning: have the site address, a clear description, and any supporting documents or photos.
• For waste queries: have your postcode and note which bin and collection date is affected.

Local contacts: Borough Council vs Parish Council vs County Council

If your issue is very local (benches, some local facilities, community projects, raising a concern locally), it can be worth contacting Gnosall Parish Council too: https://gnosallparishcouncil.gov.uk/.

If it is about roads, pavements, street lights, public rights of way, schools, or adult social care, you will usually need Staffordshire County Council: https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/.

Tip: when you report something, make it easy to fix

• Use the online forms where possible - they tend to reach the right team faster.
• Be specific about location (postcode, nearest house number, or a clear landmark).
• Add photos if relevant (fly-tipping, missed collections, issues that are hard to describe).
• Keep a note of any reference number so you can chase it up if needed.

Downloadable Advice

Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy 2025-2030

Stafford Borough Council's strategic framework for preventing homelessness and supporting rough sleepers through 2030. The strategy emphasizes upstream prevention, partnership working, and addressing the complex social, economic, and health needs underlying homelessness.

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Housing Options in Stafford

A guide for people in Stafford who are homeless, at risk of losing their home, or need to explore housing options due to changed circumstances. It outlines the support available from Stafford Borough Council's Housing Options Service and how to access it.

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Housing Options in Stafford Borough

A guide for residents of Stafford Borough facing housing difficulties, including homelessness, risk of losing their home, or needing to explore housing alternatives. The leaflet outlines the support services available, how to contact the Housing Options Team, and what assistance is provided.

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Local Development Scheme 2025 - Stafford Borough Council

This document outlines Stafford Borough Council's commitment and timetable for producing planning policy documents from 2025-2029, in accordance with the revised National Planning Policy Framework. It defines the development plan for the area, schedules proposed planning policy documents, and explains monitoring and review procedures.

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Planning Application Validation Guidance and Local Validation Criteria

This guidance document explains the forms, plans, and supporting information required to submit a valid planning application to Stafford Borough Council. It covers both national requirements and local validation criteria, with detailed guidance for different application types.

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Stafford Streetscene Services

A comprehensive guide to Stafford Borough Council's Streetscene services, which manage public spaces through horticulture, arboriculture, grounds maintenance, street cleansing, and pest control. The leaflet outlines the range of services available to residents, businesses, schools, and community organizations.

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Taxi Safety in Stafford Borough

A safety guide for using taxis in Stafford, covering how to identify licensed vehicles, understand local regulations, and access support services when out in the town centre.

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Your Dog and the Law

A guide to dog ownership responsibilities in Stafford Borough, covering dog fouling cleanup requirements, public space protection orders, and restrictions on where dogs can go. It outlines legal obligations, available resources, and penalties for non-compliance.

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