Decision

(i)              That it be agreed to commence a community governance review process and that a report be to be taken to the next ordinary meeting of full Council.

(ii)             That it be noted that Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) officials have indicated that areas may continue ‘option-neutral’ work in their areas at their own initiative, and that this is not currently the case in Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent.

(iii)           That the Chief Executive and Service Director, Legal & Governance, in consultation with the Cabinet Member, Residents’ Services & Neighbourhoods and Cabinet Member for Legal, Governance & Organisational Performance, progress the necessary implementation actions to secure Charter Trustee status to protect the Borough’s civic and ceremonial heritage, as a pre-cursor to any further neighbourhood governance arrangements.

(iv)           That further updates in relation to Local Government Reorganisation contained within this report, be noted and commented upon.