We have been told that the Tory-Independent coalition is planning to demolish the council-owned shops on Kingsway. This would include the restaurants Baby Russets, Thalii and Sangam 1, as well as the other shops on this road. It’s incredible that the coalition would consider demolishing some of the most popular and highly-rated businesses in Stoke. How can the coalition even pretend to support local businesses when they can make proposals like this? We support the regeneration of the Spode site but this can’t be done at the expense of successful businesses. ​Please sign this petition against this action, created by Cllr Andy Platt.

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The Royal Stoke hospital has been given a further 12 months extension to use the former central outpatients department (COPD) site for car parking. Shaun Pender, our Labour councillor for Hartshill & Basford, spoke at the Planning Committee meeting against the application by the hospital. The Labour councillor for Boothen & Oak Hill, Andy Platt, attended in support of Shaun and the residents. The Tory-Independent councillor for Penkhull & Stoke was not even present at the meeting despite a number of residents submitting objections. The involvement of our two Labour councillors did result in some positive outcomes for residents. ​

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The Labour Group of councillors, including Andy and Shaun, also proposed a motion at the last full council meeting about the proposed Youth Hub in Hanley. The motion was voted down but it helped to highlight Labour’s commitment to protecting services across the city and keeping facilities locally based.​

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The Labour Party will keep fighting for Stoke and we will hold this Tory-Independent coalition to account for what they are trying to do to our town. ​