Delivery of council plans is ‘making a real difference to real people’

Stoke-on-Trent has made major progress in helping to improve the lives of residents in the city as part of its commitment to tackle inequality, share wealth and support a better standard of living.

The city council launched its Our City, Our Wellbeing Corporate Strategy early in 2024 which outlined a set of key priorities and themes focused on improving the quality of life of local residents and supporting businesses and communities.

Last week, city councillors were given an update on the progress which the authority – and its dedicated partners – has made over the last two years since the change in administration.

Councillors heard how: 

• 18 local community lounges have welcomed and supported 5,556 people in the last eight months alone.
• 5,350 people have been supported with Money MOTs, leading to £2.7 million in unclaimed benefits being identified and more than £890,000 of problem debts being written off.
• A development pipeline of 4,800 affordable, new homes over 22 sites across the city is being delivered.
• A range of regeneration projects are being delivered in the city, including public realm improvements, a new green construction skills centre and a sports campus.
• 208 empty homes have been brought back into use, providing essential affordable homes and tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.
• Over 6,000 highways defects have been repaired in the first six months – improving road safety and resulting in fewer complaints.

In addition, the council has handled 2,505 cases of anti-social behaviour – leading to six evictions and 10 injunctions – and collected more 1,000 tonnes of fly-tipped waste and 2,307 fines as part of its IDIOT campaign.

Other successes include the DAMP campaign which saw 11,955 properties receive some form of intervention to help deal with – and prevent – any future issues around damp, mould and condensation while the Family Matters programme has helped to deliver support to more than 800 local families who have been struggling to cope in different ways.

Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see how much progress has already been made. This work is making a real difference to real people in our community – it’s putting extra money in their pockets and enabling them to live healthier, wealthier lives.

“Our efforts are enabling us to support family life, helping to restore pride in our streets, tackle anti-social behaviour, address hardship and poverty, support residents to live in decent homes and helping people to live independently.

“There is still a long way to go, and we cannot do it alone, but we are committed to continuing this work to ensure our city – and its residents – can grow and thrive.”