CONTENTIOUS city council plans to close swimming pools, reduce bus service subsidies and make more money by fining more motorists for illegal parking have been condemned by residents.

They have rounded on the proposed budget cuts after claiming the authority is taking more from the area than it is providing.

Shop worker Natalie Burns, aged 23, of Stoke, said: "The city council just seems to be taking things away and it has to start giving something back. It has to justify the council tax people are paying.

"I have problems with the bus service as I work in Hanley and it is so unreliable. I wouldn't mind paying a higher fare if they could guarantee a bus every 10 minutes.

"I understand the council doesn't have a bottomless pit of money, but people want to see it actually improving the area and not just making cutbacks."

Father-of-two Anthony Phillips, aged 34, of Abbey Hulton, said: "I am disgusted by the plans.

"I don't think you should have to pay for parking at certain times anyway and now they are making it even stricter by removing the 10-minute grace period before giving you a fine.

"I take my children to the pool at Shelton as they love learning how to swim there."

Janine Richardson, aged 35, of Stoke, said: "Taking away the community halls is taking away places where youngsters can go."

Jody Nicklin, aged 27, of Biddulph, said: "I want to support the city but when you can go somewhere like the Trafford Centre and park for free why should we bother with Stoke-on-Trent?"