A senior Stoke-on-Trent councillor has resigned – less than a year after being re-elected to office.

Meir North Labour councillor Desiree Elliott, who served as cabinet member for education, skills and anti-poverty on Stoke-on-Trent City Council, announced today that she would be stepping down from the authority.

Cllr Elliott, who was also Stoke-on-Trent's Armed Forces Champion, was re-elected in May last year after first returning to the council in 2019. She said she was 'incredibly proud' of her work over the last five years, and that the council's Labour administration, which took power last year, would continue to have her 'full support'.

Her decision is likely to result in a by-election for the Meir North seat on Thursday, May 2.

Cllr Elliott said: "After five years as a councillor I have taken the decision to resign. I'm incredibly proud of the work I have done and I have never been prouder as a councillor than to see Labour take control 12 months ago. I've enjoyed my time but our city continues to face many challenges and I will continue to support people in my community in many different ways. I wish council leader Jane Ashworth and the Labour team well as they move into the next phase of the rebuilding of Stoke-on-Trent and they will continue to have my full support."

During her time as a councillor, Cllr Elliott has campaigned doggedly on the issue of Stoke-on-Trent's Community Energy Scheme, which has seen solar panels installed on thousands of council houses. The scheme was plagued with complaints over contracts, billing and damage to homes, and while Labour were in opposition Cllr Elliott lobbied the council on behalf of affected tenants.

Councillor Elliott has been in office since May 2019 (Stoke-on-Trent City Council).

Labour would be favourites to hold Meir North in a by-election. Cllr Elliott was re-elected by a margin of more than 200 votes last year, comfortably ahead of second place Michelle Swift, of the City Independents.

The by-election on May 2 – if approved – would coincide with the Staffordshire-wide election for the police, fire and crime commissioner.

A council spokesperson said: "Councillor Elliott has been in office since May 2019 – having previously been a councillor from 1996 to 1998. During her current term Councillor Elliott has served on the schools' forum, corporate parenting panel; standing advisory council on religious education; children and family services overview and security committee; and on the city council.

"The city council has published an official notice of vacancy and if an election is requested by two electors from the Meir North ward a by-election to coincide with the police and crime commission elections will be held on Thursday 2 May."

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