Its main offices are divided between the Civic Centre adjoining the town hall and One Smithfield in Hanley.

On the federation of Stoke-on-Trent in 1910, it merged with the five neighbouring towns of Burslem, Fenton, Hanley, Longton and Tunstall and became a county borough.

This therefore had the effect of restoring the council to the powers it had held prior to 1974 when Stoke-on-Trent was a county borough.

In its capacity as a district council it is a billing authority collecting Council Tax and business rates, it processes local planning applications, it is responsible for housing, waste collection and environmental health.

In its capacity as a county council it is a local education authority, responsible for social services, libraries and waste disposal.

[14][15][16] Political control of the council since 1910 has been held by the following parties:[17][18] County borough Non-metropolitan district Unitary authority The role of Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent is largely ceremonial.

Since the abolition of the directly elected mayor position in 2009, leadership has again been provided by the leader of the council.