Stoke suspends six staff members in regeneration directorate

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has confirmed that six members of staff in its regeneration directorate were suspended last Friday as part of an inquiry into alleged breaches of contract procedural rules and financial regulations.

The local authority said staff from the Audit Commission, which is working with the city council, took a number of files as part of the inquiry.

John van de Laarschot, Stoke’s chief executive, said the council was working closely with both Staffordshire Police and the Audit Commission on the investigation.

He added: “I will not comment on these investigations but I want to be clear that I expect officers at Stoke-on-Trent City Council to work to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. The people of this city deserve no less.”