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Stoke-on-Trent City Council

Stoke-on-Trent City Council
Arms of Stoke-on-Trent City Council
Type
Type
Leadership
Steve Watkins,
Labour
since 22 May 2025[1]
Jane Ashworth,
Labour
since 25 May 2023[2]
Jon Rouse
since February 2020[3][4]
Structure
Seats44 councillors
Political groups
Administration (28)
  Labour (28)
Other parties (16)
  Conservative (13)
  Reform (1)
  City Independents (1)
  Independent (1)
Length of term
Whole council elected every four years
Elections
Plurality-at-large
Last election
4 May 2023
Next election
6 May 2027
Meeting place
Town Hall and Civic Centre, Glebe Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 1HH
Website
stoke.gov.uk

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is the local authority of Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England. Since 1997 it has been a unitary authority, being a district council which also performs the functions of a county council. It is independent from Staffordshire County Council.

The council has been under Labour majority control since 2023. It meets at Stoke-upon-Trent Town Hall. Its main offices are divided between the Civic Centre adjoining the town hall and One Smithfield in Hanley.

History

[edit]

A Stoke-upon-Trent Borough Council was established in 1874 when the town was made a municipal borough. On the federation of Stoke-on-Trent in 1910, it merged with the five neighbouring towns of Burslem, Fenton, Hanley, Longton and Tunstall and became a county borough.[5] The borough was awarded city status on 5 June 1925, and the council has therefore been a city council since then.[6] In 1928 the city council was granted the right to appoint a lord mayor.

In 1974 the city lost its county borough status under the Local Government Act 1972. It kept the same boundaries, but was redesignated as a lower-tier district council, with Staffordshire County Council providing county-level functions in the area.[7][8]

The city council regained its independence from the county council in 1997 when it was made a unitary authority. The way this change was implemented was to create a new non-metropolitan county of Stoke-on-Trent covering the same area as the district, but with no separate county council; instead, the existing city council took on county council functions. This therefore had the effect of restoring the council to the powers it had held before 1974 when Stoke-on-Trent was a county borough.[9] Stoke-on-Trent remains part of Staffordshire for the ceremonial purposes of lieutenancy and shrievalty.[10]

In 2002 the council adopted a new form of executive arrangements, having a directly-elected mayor and a council manager, one of three possible options outlined in the Local Government Act 2000. Stoke was the only council in the country to adopt this option. A 2008 report by the Stoke-on-Trent Governance Commission to the Secretary of State for Local Government was highly critical of the political system then in use in the city.[11][12] In response, the directly-elected mayor position was abolished in 2009, and there were changes to the electoral map in May 2011. From a council of 60 members representing 20 wards with three councillors each, the size of the council was reduced to 44 councillors representing 37 wards (31 single member wards, five two-member wards and one three-member ward).[13]

Governance

[edit]

As a unitary authority, Stoke-on-Trent City Council has the functions of a county council and district council combined. In its capacity as a district council it is a billing authority collecting Council Tax and business rates, it processes local planning applications, it is responsible for housing, waste collection and environmental health. In its capacity as a county council it is a local education authority, responsible for social services, libraries and waste disposal.[14] There are no civil parishes in Stoke, which has been an unparished area since the reforms of 1974.[15]

Political control

[edit]

The council has been under Labour majority control since the 2023 election.[16][17][18]

Political control of the council since the 1974 reforms has been as follows:[19][20]

Non-metropolitan district

Party in control Years
Labour 1974–1997

Unitary authority

Party in control Years
Labour 1997–2002
No overall control 2002–2004
Labour 2004–2006
No overall control 2006–2011
Labour 2011–2015
No overall control 2015–2023
Labour 2023–present

Leadership

[edit]

The role of Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent is largely ceremonial. Before 2002, political leadership was provided by the leader of the council. From 2002 to 2009, the city council had a directly elected Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent who acted as political leader. Since the abolition of the directly elected mayor position in 2009, the council has again appointed a leader of the council.[21]

The leaders from 1960 to 2002 were:

Councillor Party From To
Albert Bennett[22][23] Labour 1960 6 Jul 1972
Jim Westwood[24][25] Labour Jul 1972 May 1976
Arthur Cholerton[26][27][28] Labour May 1976 May 1981
Ron Southern[27][29] Labour May 1981 May 1990
Ted Smith[30][31] Labour May 1990 1997
Barry Stockley[32][33] Labour 1997 2002
Geoff Davies[33][34] Independent 2002 2002

The directly elected mayors were:[a]

Mayor Party From To
Mike Wolfe[36][37] Independent 21 Oct 2002 8 May 2005
Mark Meredith[37][21] Labour 9 May 2005 5 Jun 2009

The leaders since 2009 have been:

Councillor Party From To
Ross Irving[38][39] Conservative 5 Jun 2009 May 2010
Mohammed Pervez[40][41] Labour 27 May 2010 May 2015
Dave Conway[42][43] Independent 28 May 2015 17 May 2018
Ann James[44][45] Independent 17 May 2018 May 2019
Abi Brown[46][47] Conservative 23 May 2019 May 2023
Jane Ashworth[48] Labour 25 May 2023

Composition

[edit]

Following the 2023 election,[49] and subsequent by-elections and changes of allegiance up to May 2025, the composition of the council was:[50]

Party Councillors
Labour 28
Conservative 13
City Independents 1
Reform UK 1
Independent 1
Total 44

The next election is due in 2027.[50]

Elections

[edit]
See also: Stoke-on-Trent City Council elections

Since the last boundary changes in 2023 the council has comprised 44 councillors representing 34 wards, with each ward electing one, two or three councillors. Elections are held every four years.[51]

Premises

[edit]
Civic Centre: 1992 building

The council meets and has its headquarters at the Civic Centre on Glebe Street, a complex of buildings which incorporates both the Stoke-upon-Trent Town Hall of 1834 (which contains the council chamber) and a large extension to the north-east built in 1992.[52][53]

One Smithfield, Hanley

The council has additional offices in a modern building at One Smithfield in Hanley. When the new building was commissioned it was envisaged that it would replace the Civic Centre, but whilst the building was being built in 2013 it was decided to retain the Civic Centre after all.[54][55]

In the media

[edit]

In 2014, Paul Shotton, then deputy council leader, was reported to have "frequently" used false names to contact BBC Radio Stoke to praise the council's and his own work.[56] This resulted in his suspension by the Labour party and the "loss of senior council roles".[57] In 2014, Private Eye magazine awarded Shotton the "Rotten Boroughs award" for media manipulation.[58]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Mayoral terms of office ran from the fourth day after polling day.[35]
  1. ^ Andrews, Rob (22 May 2025). "Ex-Royal Doulton worker named new Stoke-on-Trent Lord Mayor". Stoke-on-Trent Live. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  2. ^ "Stoke-on-Trent City Council leader unveils cabinet of talent and maturity". Stoke-on-Trent City Council. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  3. ^ "Board members". NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  4. ^ Corrigan, Philip (30 August 2024). "New council worker rules to allow 'presentable' facial jewellery". Stoke-on-Trent Live. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  5. ^ "Stoke on Trent Municipal Borough / County Borough". A Vision of Britain through Time. GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  6. ^ "No. 33063". The London Gazette. 3 July 1925. p. 4440.
  7. ^ "The English Non-Metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 1972/2039
  8. ^ "The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Names) Order 1973", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 1973/551
  9. ^ "The Staffordshire (City of Stoke-on-Trent) (Structural and Boundary Changes) Order 1995", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 1995/1779, retrieved 1 January 2024
  10. ^ "Lieutenancies Act 1997: Schedule 1", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1997 c. 23 (sch. 1), retrieved 29 May 2024
  11. ^ "Stoke-on-Trent Governance Commission Report to John Healey, Minister for Local Government and to Stoke-on-Trent City Council" (PDF). 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 October 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
  12. ^ Watson, Nick (28 May 2008). "Damaged Potteries". BBC Politics Show – West Midlands. BBC News Online. Archived from the original on 17 November 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2009.
  13. ^ "Municipal Elections – Thursday, 5th May, 2011". 6 May 2011. Archived from the original on 14 October 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
  14. ^ Sandford, Mark (22 July 2021). Unitary local government (Report). House of Commons Library. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  15. ^ "Election Maps". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  16. ^ "Stoke-on-Trent City Council leader unveils cabinet of talent and maturity". Stoke-on-Trent City Council. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  17. ^ Price, Richard (25 May 2023). ""We're going to clean up Stoke-on-Trent" - First big interview with new council leader Jane Ashworth". Stoke-on-Trent Live. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  18. ^ "Meet the nine most powerful Labour politicians now running Stoke-on-Trent City Council". StokeonTrentLive. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  19. ^ "Compositions Calculator". The Elections Centre. University of Exeter. Retrieved 21 May 2025. (Put "Stoke-on-Trent" in search box to see specific results.)
  20. ^ "Elections 2011 - England council elections - Stoke-on-Trent". BBC News Online. 10 May 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  21. ^ a b "New council leader excludes BNP". BBC News. 6 June 2009. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  22. ^ Hughes, Fred. "People who made the Potteries - The Labour Party". Stoke-on-Trent Local History. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  23. ^ "City Council leader Sir Albert dies at 71". Evening Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. 7 July 1972. p. 1. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  24. ^ "All-party tributes to councillors led by Lord Mayor". Evening Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. 28 July 1972. p. 11. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  25. ^ "City Labour leader loses his seat... Shock and defeat for socialists". Evening Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. 7 May 1976. p. 1. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  26. ^ "City Tory leader to stand down". Evening Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. 11 May 1976. p. 1. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  27. ^ a b "Party elect new leader". Evening Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. 13 May 1981. p. 18. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  28. ^ Hughes, Fred. "People who made the Potteries: Arthur Cholerton and Ronald Southern". Stoke-on-Trent Local History. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  29. ^ "Retiring council leader unveils plaque". Evening Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. 2 May 1990. p. 35. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  30. ^ "'Fit' Ted to lead city council". Staffordshire Sentinel. 9 May 1990. p. 1. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  31. ^ "Labour blasts Tory mailshot". Birmingham Mail. 11 February 1997. p. 15. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  32. ^ "Hall petition". Potteries Advertiser. Stoke-on-Trent. 12 June 1997. p. 3. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  33. ^ a b Hetherington, Peter (30 April 2002). "Councillors pay the price for embarrassing losses". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  34. ^ "Geoff Davies". Funeral Notices. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  35. ^ "The Local Authorities (Elected Mayors) (Elections, Terms of Office and Casual Vacancies) (England) Regulations 2001: Regulation 6", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2001/2544 (reg. 6)
  36. ^ "Voters snub parties in mayor polls". BBC News. 18 October 2002. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  37. ^ a b "Mayoral battle is won by Labour". BBC News. 6 May 2005. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  38. ^ "Council minutes, 5 June 2009". Stoke-on-Trent City Council. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  39. ^ "Four-party coalition at Stoke-on-Trent City Council". BBC News. 26 May 2010. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  40. ^ "Council minutes, 27 May 2010". Stoke-on-Trent City Council. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  41. ^ "Stoke-on-Trent City Council coalition agrees power-sharing deal". BBC News. 14 May 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  42. ^ "Council minutes, 28 May 2015". Stoke-on-Trent City Council. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  43. ^ Corrigan, Phil (5 February 2018). "Look who's set to become leader of the city council". Stoke-on-Trent Live. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  44. ^ "Council minutes, 17 May 2018". Stoke-on-Trent City Council. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  45. ^ Corrigan, Phil; Jackson, Matt; Burn, Joe (3 May 2019). "Stoke-on-Trent City Council elections 2019: Tories are the big winners". Stoke-on-Trent Live. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  46. ^ "Council minutes, 23 May 2019". Stoke-on-Trent City Council. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  47. ^ Knapper, Dave (8 May 2023). "Abi Brown breaks silence after election defeat". Stoke-on-Trent Live. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  48. ^ "Council minutes, 25 May 2023". Stoke-on-Trent City Council. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  49. ^ "Local elections 2023: live council results for England". The Guardian.
  50. ^ a b "Stoke-on-Trent". Local Councils. Thorncliffe. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  51. ^ "The Stoke-on-Trent (Electoral Changes) Order 2022", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2022/665, retrieved 1 January 2024
  52. ^ Historic England. "Jubilee Hall Kings Hall Town Hall (1297959)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  53. ^ "Freedom of Information Request: Cost of Civic Centre Stoke". Stoke-on-Trent City Council. 21 June 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  54. ^ "Stoke-on-Trent City Council scraps Civic Centre sale". BBC. 22 October 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  55. ^ "New £45m Stoke-on-Trent council house not 'satisfactory'". BBC. 5 May 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  56. ^ "Stoke-on-Trent City Council deputy leader steps down from role after fake texts". BBC News. 4 June 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  57. ^ Private Eye, Issue 1522, p.20
  58. ^ Private Eye, Issue 1368, 2014.