Is Stoke-on-Trent City Council in a spin?

A LEAKED letter today reveals an apparent communication breakdown at the top of Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

In an astonishing written complaint, furious Elected Mayor Mark Meredith has accused the council's £75,000-a-year communications chief of 'sabotaging' his efforts to run the city.

The mayor sent the formal complaint to council manager Steve Robinson calling for a "swift resolution" to the issue in mid-June.

But Mr Robinson – who leaves for a new job next month – today gave Dan Barton and his team his full backing.

The Sentinel has seen the letter, together with an accompanying evidence log listing 27 occasions when Mr Barton or his department are alleged to have fallen below Mr Meredith's expectations. In one extract it reveals Mr Meredith claims he did not know two city primary schools were facing closure when he attended a briefing with a Sentinel reporter.

The unsigned letter also bore the names of Labour group leader Councillor Joy Garner, Conservative and Independent Alliance leader Councillor Roger Ibbs and Lib Dem group leader Councillor Jean Bowers, who heads the council's power-sharing coalition. They today distanced themselves from the row. The letter states: "The group leaders, but particularly the elected mayor, cannot tolerate a situation where there is a complete breakdown of trust between himself and the head of communications."

It adds: "We are fully aware of the potential consequences of making this complaint and have not made it lightly.

"We trust that you will bring a swift resolution to this serious problem."

Mr Barton, who was head of news at Carlton TV in Birmingham before taking up the council post earlier this year, has declined to comment on the accusations in the letter.

Asked about the letter Mr Meredith said:"It was a private and confidential piece of correspondence to the chief executive and it is his responsibility to deal with the issues raised internally and with proper and due process."

Mr Meredith added that he still has concerns about the running of the communications department today.

But that contrasted with the three group leaders who said they no longer share Mr Meredith's reservations.

Ms Garner and Ms Bowers said they were not aware their names appeared on the letter, and all three said they fully support Mr Barton and his press office staff.

Ms Garner said: "I have no problems with him at all and I didn't even know my name was on the letter."

Mr Robinson has also spoken out to express his support for Mr Barton over the elected mayor's complaint.

He said: "We do not comment on internal staffing matters, but I can confirm that Dan Barton and his team have my full backing and support."

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