As elected mayor Mark Meredith relinquished much of his grip on power, senior councillors met to try to thrash out a new way of running Stoke-on-Trent. City council reporter Iain Robinson looks at what happened next and where the city and its leaders stand now

AMBITIOUS moves to abolish Stoke-on-Trent City Council's power-sharing coalition have been rejected at a meeting of senior councillors.

The unique system, in which the council's Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat groups share decision-making powers, has been a source of controversy since it was created by elected mayor Mark Meredith in May 2007.

It has bolstered both Mr Meredith's leadership and the Labour group's influence following recent election disasters.

But it has alienated the groups who are not included in the cabinet system and feel excluded from the whole democratic process.

Hopes had been high among these opposition groups that, should the right council leader be elected in June, they would abandon the current political coalition and draw up a new, more inclusive cross-party agreement.

When Mr Meredith announced on Sunday night that he was relinquishing most of his duties following his arrest two days earlier on suspicion of misconduct and complicity in corruption in public office, some members felt it was an ideal time to speed up the end of the coalition.

Immediately after the news broke of Mr Meredith's arrest on Friday, the group leaders held their first ever private meeting without any officers present. They emerged saying they had agreed to find common ground and present a united front in the face of the many daunting challenges facing the authority.

A second meeting was scheduled for yesterday morning and was expected to thrash out plans for how to respond to the current mayoral crisis and any repercussions from the ongoing police inquiry. There was a buzz of excitement ahead of the meeting at the prospect of making real progress towards reaching a new understanding that would revolutionise decision-making in the city.

But within hours, the new-found spirit of optimism had been crushed as it emerged that the talks had ended in heated argument and stalemate.

Potteries Alliance leader, councillor Peter Kent-Baguley, said he had felt there was a genuine opportunity to abolish an unpopular and undemocratic system and emerge with a clearer, fairer way forward.

But he feels the chance was squandered by the leaders and that the city council is as divided now as it ever was

He said: "We were trying to achieve a unity of purpose, but I don't think we got very far.

"The coalition group leaders were adamant that abandoning the coalition at this point would be a knee-jerk reaction that would destabilise the council.

"I said that it might be seen as a positive way forward. But it was clear that the coalition members had been briefed before the meeting and they came in with a certain tension about them.

"Those of us who we might be able to end the divisive coalition felt it was a pretty disappointing meeting.

"I think the three coalition leaders have missed a golden opportunity to move forward positively in a collective manner and prepare for the changeover in June. They are still thinking in the old, divisive ways about those in power and those in opposition and I feel that the people of the city really want to get away from all that."

City Independents group leader, councillor Ann James, was also dismayed by the lack of progress at yesterday's talks.

She said: "We went in there hoping to discuss a new way forward.

"We were trying to make things a bit more open and transparent because there are some very important decisions coming up and we want them to be taken properly.

"I got the impression that the coalition leaders had already had a meeting before they came in.

"I was disappointed because I was hoping that we would get more out of it."

But Conservative and Independent Alliance leader, councillor Ross Irving, said he felt some group leaders had come to the talks with totally unrealistic expectations.

He said: "I felt it was an interesting discussion and we agreed to progress one or two issues and firm up arrangements for the changeover to council leader. But I feel that the existing council structures are robust enough to lead the council in the way that the elected mayor has decided it should be led.

"What we really need to do is to re-establish the confidence of the public in the council and its management."

Labour group leader, councillor Joy Garner, said: "I felt it was a useful meeting and we do have plans to meet again fairly regularly.

"I think some people wanted more than was ever going to be available and they weren't happy about that.

"But the council has got to be seen to be a steady ship at the moment."

And Liberal Democrat leader, councillor Jean Bowers, said she also saw no need to ditch the coalition arrangement following the elected mayor's announcement.

She said: "I don't think it is for us to decide. It is the mayor's decision and we need to sit down with him soon and see what he wants to do."