Cafe facing axe under council savings plans

Authority eyes vending machines instead

- Phil Corrigan Local Democracy Reporter

REPLACING a leisure centre cafe with vending machines and reviewing high cost social care are among the 'non-consult' savings being proposed by council leaders.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is proposing £9.8 million of savings and budget management actions as part of its budget for 2026/27.

But for the first time in years, no individual proposal will be subject to public consultation.

Leaders say this is because none of the savings will affect frontline services. The council is consulting on the budget as a whole, which also includes a 4.99 per cent council tax hike and a request for £10.5 million in exceptional financial support.

Members of the council's four overview and scrutiny committees will have the opportunity to quiz cabinet members and officers on the non-consult savings next week.

Reports to each committee include a list of the savings with a brief description and how much each is expected to save.