Political leaders in Stoke on Trent have held a series of meetings with local government minister, John Healey, on the future of the city's council structure. A major public consultation on governance structures is already under way, after a highly critical report by the Stoke on Trent Governance Commission concluded that the city had been ‘short-changed' by its present elected mayor, and council manager system, which suffered from a ‘deep seated malaise' (The MJ, 29 May). Residents have until 8 August to have their say on two possible options for either a mayor and cabinet model or an elected leader and cabinet model of governance, and with the council expected to bring in a new structure by 29 May next year. The elected mayor, Mark Meredith, said he believed the directly-elected mayoral model was ‘fairer and much more visible', but if a majority of residents said the existing system was not working, then a referendum on a new structure was likely to be held in October. Mr Healey said: ‘I am keen that there's no delay in acting on the report to deal with widespread weakness in city leadership, poor governance and lack of effective community engagement.'
