Referendum 23 October

A referendum is to be held on how Stoke-on-Trent City Council should be run.

Below is some background information but if you want to find out more please use the links from this page or call 01782 232485.

A meeting of the full council voted to back the elected leader and cabinet system of governance for the city. Councillors voted 41 for and 7 against this proposal, with 7 abstentions.

This decision will now be put to the people of the city in a referendum to be held on Thursday 23 October.

A new system of governance must be adopted from May 2009 by Stoke-on-Trent City Council because its current, unique, system has been abolished.

A series of other improvements recommended by an independent governance commission have also been agreed by the council.

The city council carried out extensive consultation to inform the people of the city of the available options, and to ask them which option they preferred. These reports, together with detailed legal advice, were carefully considered by councillors before reaching their decision. To find out more about the 'Our City-Our Future' consultation carried out in July and August 2008 follow the link below to view the Governance Research Study carried out by Ipsos MORI North.  You will need a copy of adobe acrobat reader to download this file.  Download a free copy now by visiting www.adobe.com

Whichever system is chosen will be introduced next year.

The wording of the referendum question is set by law and will be “Are you in favour of the proposal for Stoke-on-Trent City Council to be run in a new way, which includes a councillor, who will be elected by the councillors of Stoke-on-Trent to lead the Council and the community which it serves?”

If the majority vote is YES then the leader and cabinet system will be introduced.

If the majority vote is NO then the elected mayor and cabinet system will be introduced as a modification of the existing system of governance by elected mayor and council manager.

The city council urges people to make up their own mind and turn out to vote.”