A GROUP of business and community leaders have been drawn together to transform politics in Stoke-on-Trent.

Local Government Minister John Healey has revealed the make-up of the Governance Transition Board, a body tasked with making radical changes to the way the city is run. It comes after the city last week voted to scrap the elected mayor system and replace it with a council leader and cabinet.

The 13 member board will meet at least four times a year and report to Government ministers every six months.

It has been created by the Governance Commission, a think-tank which earlier this year attacked the state of democracy in Stoke-on-Trent.

Recommendations suggested by this body include plans to cut the number of councillors by up to two-thirds and review the allowances they receive.

Board members include Professor Michael Clarke, recently retired as vice principal of the University of Birmingham, Professor Christine King of Staffordshire University, former city councillor and MEP Mike Tappin, Ian Dudson of the Dudson Group, Danny Flynn of the YMCA in Hanley, Lloyd Cooke from the Saltbox Christian Centre, Chris Dawes, chairman of NHS Stoke-on-Trent and former Michelin managing director, Gerard Coyne, regional secretary of the Transport and General Workers' Union, David Carr, retired managing partner at architects Hulme Upright Manning, Julie Grant, marketing consultant and managing director of Hanley-based Plinkfizz, Sajid Hashmi, chief executive of Voluntary Action Stoke-on-Trent, Sheikh Muhammad Hanif Haqqani Kareemi, imam of Tunstall Mosque and Clare White, founder of news sheet Local Edition.

Mr Healey, pictured below, said: "The people of Stoke have had their say, which is absolutely right, and the board will provide an important source of support and act as a critical friend and pressure group to the council as it makes the necessary changes to improve the quality of life and services for local residents.

"Working with the board, MPs, other public bodies, community groups and local businesses in Stoke, I am confident that we can achieve the improvements the city needs."

The transition board will analyse how the city council implements the result of the referendum and handles all electoral matters.

Action plans and quarterly reports will be critiqued and members may make public comments about their findings.

Michael Clarke was chairman of the commission and will also head the transition board.

He said: "I look forward to the Governance Transition Board working with the council, MPs and local partners to take forward the recommendations which are central to delivering stronger, more effective local governance."

When the commission was originally suggested, one of the main aims was to debate the role of the elected mayor.

But underlying flaws in the system grabbed the attention and the original report neither praised nor criticised the elected mayor.

Professor Christine King, vice-chancellor of Staffordshire University, said: "Membership of this board allows me to become even more involved in changes that need to happen."

Stoke-on-Trent elected mayor Mark Meredith said: "We welcome the appointment of the transition board and look forward to working with them."

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