Stoke-on-Trent City Council


Stoke-on-Trent City Council is the local authority of Stoke-on-Trent, a unitary authority in the West Midlands region. As a unitary authority it has the powers of a non-metropolitan county and district council combined. As such, it is administratively separate from the rest of Staffordshire.
The council area elects 44 Councillors from 29 wards. Following the May 2019 local elections, Stoke-on-Trent City Council comprises 15 Labour councillors, 15 Conservative councillors, 11 City Independent councillors, 2 Independent councillors and one non-aligned independent councillor. It is led by a coalition of Independent and Conservative councillors.

Powers and functions

The local authority derives its powers and functions from the Local Government Act 1972 and subsequent legislation. For the purposes of local government, Stoke-on-Trent is a non-metropolitan area of England. As a unitary authority, Stoke-on-Trent City Council has the powers and functions of both a non-metropolitan county 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.

Political control

Since the first election in 1973 political control of the council was held by the following parties: The council is currently under the leadership of leader Cllr Abi Brown and deputy leader Cllr Ann James.

Directly elected mayor

The executive function of Stoke-on-Trent City Council was controlled by a directly elected mayor of Stoke-on-Trent from 2002 to 2009, the position having been established by referendum on 2 May 2002. The position was abolished by referendum on 23 October 2008 and formally ceased to exist the following year.