Minister in elected mayor meeting

Mark Meredith said he believed the present structure was much fairer

Political leaders in Stoke-on-Trent have been meeting a government minister to discuss whether the city's present council structure should be abandoned.

Residents have been asked whether they would prefer an elected mayor with cabinet or council leader with cabinet.

The present mayor Mark Meredith said he believed the current directly-elected mayor system is "much fairer".

Each group leader on the council, Mr Meredith and the chief executive met local government minister John Healey.

The consultation, which ends on 8 August, follows a report into the city's political structure which said it was "dismayed" by its findings.

The government has said the city's system of an elected mayor and council manager has not worked.

If the majority of residents and the council vote that the present system is not working, there could be a referendum in October.