A BBC4 show, The Year The Town Hall Shrank, shown on 1 November, looked at how Stoke-on-Trent Council is cutting £36 million from its annual budget, and facing further cuts of £50 million over the next two years.
To meet government targets, the council is closing old people’s homes, children’s centres, swimming pools and libraries. The programme did not mention that the council is at the same time borrowing £59 million to fund its proposed new £40 million HQ and other projects. ■