Councillors have approved an updated capital programme – setting out how £812 million of taxpayers' cash will be spent over the next decade.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council's capital investment programme includes a raft of major projects such as the Etruscan Square development in Hanley, the Potteries Museum extension and new housing, as well as improvements to roads and schools, which will be carried out up to 2035.

General fund schemes account for £309.8 million of spending, while £502.6 million will be spent by the housing revenue account, which maintains the council's housing stock. The overall programme will require £356.4 million of borrowing, with £217 million coming from capital grants, reserves and contributions.

Elected members voted to approve an updated version of the programme during Thursday's full council meeting. The updates include an extra £4.5 million for a new back office software system, a further £300,000 for the Goods Yard development due to 'unavoidable' additional works, and £300,000 for remedial works on dangerous buildings.

But this extra spending will be paid for by transferring funds from other schemes, meaning that the overall capital programme will not increase. There will be an increase of £220,000, relating to HRA adjustments and external grants.

Artist's impression of the Etruscan Square scheme in Hanley (image via LDRS)

Sarah Hill, cabinet member for finance, told the meeting that the changes would mean no increase in council borrowing or capital financing costs compared to the previously agreed programme.

Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for transport, infrastructure and regeneration, said that the schemes within the programme are 'not luxuries but necessities'.

He said: "This capital programme is more than just a capital programme – it's a statement of intent, to rebuild. modernise and restore confidence in the city. Across the council we're investing with discipline and direction. Every scheme, every pound that we spend, every decision must serve a clear purpose. And that purpose is to make Stoke-on-Trent a city that works for all of its people.

"This updated programme sets out a decade of strategic investment, balancing ambition with prudence, and does so without losing sight of value-for-money."

Conservative councillor Ross Irving questioned how the capital programme would be affected by forthcoming local government reorganisation, which could see the city council abolished and replaced by 2028.

He said: "With the capital programme we're looking at well into the mid-2030s. If everything goes according to schedule we won't be masters in our own house by then. What effect is that going to have?"

Potteries Party councillor David Mountford called on the council to award the contracts for capital projects with local suppliers as much as possible.

He said: "An £812 million capital programme is a lot of money, and residents deserve to see how much of it actually circulates in the local economy. Every pound that leaks out to external contractors is a lost opportunity for local jobs, apprentices and co-ops.

"If we embed community wealth-building principles, local supply chains, social value clauses and community energy projects, we don't just spend capital, we invest it back into Stoke-on-Trent."

Cllr Hill said she understood Cllr Irving's point but said the authority had no choice but to continue planning for the future until told otherwise. She added: "Of course we're interested in using local suppliers and using local firms. Certainly on this side of the chamber we're very much in support of that, and we want to continue that as much as we can."