Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, faced questions from BBC Radio Stoke listeners covering a range of local concerns from rough sleeping to planning and the future of Hanley. The session came amid a period of rapid political change: the government has announced a shake-up of local government in Staffordshire, while national policy pledges on homelessness have been signalled by the new Prime Minister.
Rough sleeping: accommodation alone not enough
Responding to the government's pledge of an extra £340m to end rough sleeping in England, Ashworth said the issue in Stoke-on-Trent cannot be solved by providing more places to sleep alone. She told listeners there are roughly 50 people locally who are currently not ready to accept support for drug or alcohol addiction, a barrier she described as distinct from lacking accommodation.
"We need something different, the current system isn't working, we're talking to government about the monkey dust problem, so we'll see what happens,"
Ashworth argued the council needs services that address entrenched substance misuse and the complex reasons some people refuse help. She framed the national pledge — intended to provide 1,200 homes and intensive support for at least 3,000 people across England over five years — as an important resource, but one that must be matched with tailored local approaches.
Planning decisions and the future of Hanley
Listeners also raised concerns about contentious planning applications and the future of Hanley. While specifics of individual planning cases were not set out during the programme, Ashworth acknowledged public anxiety about development decisions and signalled the council is engaging with communities to address those worries.
- Rough sleeping: council identifies around 50 people not currently engaging with support.
- Government pledge: national funding aimed at creating homes and support but needs local delivery plans.
- Planning: residents have raised concerns about controversial local developments and the future of Hanley town centre.
Local government reorganisation: new authority, enduring challenges
Ashworth confirmed Stoke-on-Trent City Council will be dissolved in April 2028 and replaced by a new North Staffordshire Council, part of a county-wide reorganisation that abolishes the current 10 councils. She described the change as a "big, exciting project" that should deliver "value for money" for residents, but she also warned that structural change will not automatically erase existing problems such as debt or entrenched social issues.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Local government change | Existing 10 councils to be replaced by two new authorities; Stoke-on-Trent City Council to cease in April 2028 |
| Rough sleeping funding (national) | £340m to create 1,200 homes and support at least 3,000 people across England (five-year period) |
Questions from residents during the broadcast reflected broader anxieties about how national initiatives will translate on the ground. For Stoke-on-Trent, the immediate policy challenge is to ensure that new funding and structural change result in coordinated services for those with complex needs, and that local voices are heard when planning decisions and town-centre strategies are set.
As the city moves towards reorganisation in 2028, Ashworth’s remarks underline a central practical challenge for local government: aligning limited resources with targeted interventions that reach the most vulnerable, while navigating the political and operational upheaval of creating a new authority.
