City leaders welcome King’s Speech that aligns with council strategy

Members of Stoke-on-Trent City Council have welcomed MPs voting this week to approve the King’s Speech, which sets out the new government’s priorities in alignment with the city council’s strategy.

The 2024 King’s Speech outlined the draft laws which the new government plan to introduce in the coming months, including headline bills on workers’ rights, public transport, housing and planning.

The government announced its intention to be ‘mission led and based upon the principles of security, fairness and opportunity for all’ around key themes of:

• Health

• Economic stability and growth

• Secure borders, cracking down on anti-social behaviour and taking back our streets

• Great British Energy and becoming a Clean Energy Superpower

• Breaking down the barriers to opportunity

Leader of the city council, Councillor Jane Ashworth, said: “I’m really pleased to see a national government strategy that, like our strategy for Stoke-on-Trent, focuses on finding the right balance between traditional productivity-based economic models and more wellbeing-centred approaches to economic development, placemaking and environmental stewardship.

“When I became council leader this time last year, I knew we were facing an uphill climb. We didn’t waste a moment and began by tackling some of the big issues we know affect many families across the city. It’s great news that, in the first King’s Speech of our new government, it’s been clearly set out that these are the same values and aims of our new government.

“I’ve made no secret of the fact that I recognise that Stoke-on-Trent suffers from some significant problems and often loses out to other places when it comes to investment. I’m confident that these new government priorities, alongside our own strategy, can change that.

“Securing economic growth, getting Britain building and making our streets safer are just some of the reforms that will help us here in Stoke-on-Trent to make our citizen’s lives healthier, wealthier, safer, cleaner, greener, fairer and more skilled.

“The health and wellbeing of our people is our primary aim. We will continue on this path until all our residents can enjoy a good quality of life and continue to care for one another.”

In May the city council set out its new vision to improve the wellbeing of residents through a series of key commitments that will tackle inequality, share wealth and support a better standard of living. Delivery of the Corporate Strategy is already under way and in the last 12 months the city council has:

• Distributed £9,477,820 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to deliver projects which support local businesses, improve local spaces and assist residents with employment.

• Introduced discounted bus fares with a new Affordable Fares scheme.

• Achieved a 100-day target to clear 1,000 cases of illegally dumped waste in less than half the time.

• Introduced a multi-million-pound investment programme to ensure all council tenants live in warm and comfortable homes.

• Launched the Help is at hand campaign to support residents with the cost of living crisis.

• The Goods Yard in Stoke is on track for completion in Spring 2025 with the potential to create over 230 jobs and provide 180 quality apartments as well as offices, retail and hospitality space.

• The arrival of the Home Office is creating 500 new jobs in the Smithfield business district.

• Approximately 300 new homes will be built at the cleared Etruscan Square site with scope for commercial and leisure opportunities.

Residents can read the new corporate strategy at www.stoke.gov.uk/ourcityourwellbeing