The Tories in Stoke-on-Trent have announced a shadow cabinet which will scrutinise the work of the city's ruling Labour Party.

The Conservatives lost control of the council in May's local elections, and following their defeat Cllr Daniel Jellyman replaced Cllr Abi Brown as leader of their group.

Cllr Jellyman said he has now appointed an opposition top team to demonstrate to voters what decisions they might make if they were still in power.

He said: "The purpose of a shadow cabinet is to help hold the Labour Council to account.

"This is especially important when we are already seeing the Labour Party throw in the towel as they prepare to declare the council bankrupt, whilst spending £90,000 on special positions for Labour Councillors.

"The team chosen has a broad range of expertise and knowledge which will help to successfully hold Labour to account.

"I am very pleased that they have agreed to take on this extra responsibility, in addition to them being fantastic ward councillors."

The cabinet will be able to question and challenge their counterpart within the council (Nub News).

Each member of the shadow cabinet will act as a spokesperson for their portfolio remit, but they won't have any additional control over the running of the council.

They will, however, be able to question and challenge their counterpart within the council's Labour leadership.

They can also request briefings on topics due to be discussed at cabinet meetings and can hold individual briefings with senior officers.

Members of the shadow cabinet will not get paid for their additional role, nor receive any extra allowance.

The Labour leader of council, Cllr Jane Ashworth said she welcomed the decision by the Tories to appoint a shadow cabinet, and said her party is looking forward to a healthy debate.

The Tories also confirmed they will be presenting an alternative budget of the authority, setting gout how they would spend taxpayers money if they were holding the pursestrings.

Cllr Jellyman said: "The council has three areas of overspend: staff, adult social care and children's services.

"Our alternative budget will focus on transforming these areas to generate savings, rather than cutting frontline services such as grass cutting.

"Labour have already demonstrated that their plan is to throw in the towel and ask the government to close the council down.

"We will present an alternative budget, demonstrating the council can continue to provide essential services for residents."

The line-up of the shadow cabinet at Stoke-on-Trent City council will be as follows:

• Cllr Daniel Jellyman – Leader of the Opposition, Shadow for Strategy & Resources.
• Cllr Lorraine Beardmore – Shadow for Public Health & Housing
• Cllr Maxine Clark – Shadow for Adult Social Care, Health Integration & Wellbeing
• Cllr Dave Evans – Shadow for Children & Family Services
• Cllr Faisal Hussain – Shadow for Development & Growth
• Cllr Sadaqat Maqsoom – Shadow Member Without Portfolio

READ MORE: Unveiling the Intrigue: 'The Gerasimov Doctrine' by Michael Crawshaw

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