Fears Stoke may lose city status in council shake-up

Martin Murray wants a clause added to current legislation to protect Stoke-on-Trent's city status

Stoke-on-Trent may lose its city status if steps are not taken to keep it if a local government reorganisation goes ahead, warns a deputy council leader.

Reform UK's Martin Murray at Staffordshire County Council has raised concerns over the government plans to reorganise and merge local authorities across the county, including Stoke-on-Trent, which attained city status in June 1925.

Murray claimed the "threat" came when councils were abolished and the legal framework, which enabled city status, would "cease to exist".

However, Stoke-on-Trent City Council said in a statement: "There is no risk that Stoke-on-Trent will lose city status as a result of the planned local government reforms."

'No guarantees'

Council leaders are due to discuss plans for an east-west split for the future of local authority services in Staffordshire.

Murray said: "If we do not have any draft clauses, no transitional guarantees, no commitment to reissue or reaffirm the royal charter of 1925, Stoke-on-Trent could become a town again."

He recommended that a clause be added to the current legislation to state that city status could transfer to a successor authority.

He said it was important to him that Stoke-on-Trent's city status was protected and did not lapse, which would risk "undermining a century of civic pride".

In June, there were celebrations to mark 100 years since Stoke-on-Trent was granted city status.

Murray referred to Rochester in Kent losing its city status 30 years ago due to an admin error.

'Hypothetical risk'

Dr Phil Catney, a senior lecturer in politics at Keele University, said he believed there was a "hypothetical risk' that Stoke-on-Trent could lose city status in the event of a local government reorganisation.

"You do need to go through a process to be able to retain city status. It's wise to get this right," he said.

In response, the government said steps would be taken to "ensure the ceremonial rights and privileges of an area will be maintained after any reorganisation".

Stoke-on-Trent City Council said: "We believe a North Staffordshire Council would lead to better strategic decision-making and provide residents with better services at a lower cost. This includes retaining city status for Stoke-on-Trent.

"There are various mechanisms for achieving this, which we have discussed with legal counsel. All of this will be detailed in our final submission to the government."