Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

There were no declarations of interest stated.

To consider the Minutes of the previous meeting.

That the Minutes of the meeting held on the 2 September, 2025 be agreed as a correct record.

Resolved:    That the Minutes of the meeting held on the 2 September, 2025 be agreed as a correct record.

The Leader introduced a report regarding the latest position regarding odour issues at Walleys Quarry and asked the Chief Executive to provide an update.

The Chief Executive advised that during September there had been one complaint.  The site would continue to be monitored and the public were encouraged to continue to report any odours coming from the site.   Odour assessments were carried out during September and no odour was detected across the seven locations where the assessments were taken.

Members’ attention was drawn to paragraph 2.13 of the report which outlined the progress with ongoing works at the site. 

It was now a year since the Committee of Inquiry findings and the recommendations were listed at paragraph 2.30 of the report, along with a progress update.  Recommendation ‘0’  happened on 28 November, 2024.

The Leader stated that the photographs in the report, showing the site largely capped, were encouraging and the caps were of a good standard.  Looking to the future, low complaints were being seen in this recovery phase.

It was now all about the government stepping in with funding for the site to be fully capped and restored.  There was also the call for a public inquiry, however, a letter from Mary Creagh CBE, the new Minister for Environment gave a negative response to the request.  In addition, no response had been received from Adam Jogee MP.

Councillor Sweeney, in response to the letter from the Minister for Environment, was disappointed with the sentence ‘ I am not convinced of the benefits of holding such an inquiry and believe that our efforts are best focussed on addressing the problems at the site.’   The problem could not be unique so a public inquiry to find out what went wrong with Walleys Quarry and the Environment Agency would be an excellent way of stopping it happening again.

Councillor Heesom agreed with the comments made and was also disappointed with the letter from the Minister and lack of support from the local MP.

Resolved:    That the contents of the update report be noted.

Watch the debate here

(i)              That the contents of the report be noted and that the timeline for the three phases of development for the Lyme Park Countryside Park, be agreed.

(ii)             That the commencement of phase 1 in the creation of a Lyme Park Countryside Park to allow for the site to be operational from late Spring 2026, be supported.

(iii)           That it be agreed that a Traffic Regulation Order 2025 Amendment is drafted for consultation on the basis that the car park to serve the Lyme Park Countryside Park is free for a 2-hour limit per day, then subject to consultation comments that delegation is given to the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth to adopt the amendment.

The Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Environment introduced a report updating Members on the creation of an Countryside Park on the Former Keele Golf Course.

The site incorporated vast swathes of woodland and mature trees – including 850 trees that were planted for the Borough’s anniversary in 2023.   The site would also include appropriate walking and cycling routes.

The development of the site would be in three phases and these were outlined at paragraph 2.4 of the report.

The Leader stated that it was a large green space, already used by the public  and two thirds of the 69 acre site would be protected and enhanced to make it better for the public to use.

Councillor Sweeney agreed with the comments, stating that phase one was well underway and was an excellent use for a redundant golf course.

Resolved:         (i)       That the contents of the report be noted and that the

timeline for the three phases of development for the Lyme Park Countryside Park, be agreed.

(ii)             That the commencement of phase 1 in the creation of a Lyme Park Countryside Park to allow for the site to be operational from late Spring 2026, be supported.

(iii)           That it be agreed that a Traffic Regulation Order 2025 Amendment is drafted for consultation on the basis that the car park to serve the Lyme Park Countryside Park is free for a 2-hour limit per day, then subject to consultation comments that delegation is given to the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth to adopt the amendment.

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(i)                        That the progress made with the Fields in Trust work being undertaken be noted.

(ii)                       That the updates on the Village Green Applications made historically, the calling of a Public Inquiry and that the Council designates an officer to support the Inquiry for the Sandy Lane Village Green status in January 2026 be noted.

(iii)                     That the Deputy Chief Executive and the Service Director Sustainable Environment, in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Sustainable Environment and Finance, Town Centres and Growth be authorised to continue the work required with the Fields in Trust applications to secure our sites protection.

The Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Environment introduced a report providing

an update on the work underway  to support Fields in Trust Applications which gave a permanent status for green spaces and carbon capture areas.

Since this item had been brought to Cabinet previously, a number of sites had been submitted into the Fields in Trust application process.  These were shown at paragraph 2.1 of the report and paragraph 2.2 listed sites to be submitted in phase four.

There were eight applications currently being considered and those were listed at paragraph 2.4.

The Leader stated that a lot of the sites had been talked about over the last couple of decades, some of which had been included in asset disposal plans so it was good that they would now be protected.  The Fields in Trust and Village Green schemes complimented each other.

Members welcomed this stating that it would enhance and protect the Borough.

Resolved:              (i)       That the progress made with the Fields in Trust

work being undertaken be noted.

(ii)             That the updates on the Village Green Applications made historically, the calling of a Public Inquiry and that the Council designates an officer to support the Inquiry for the Sandy Lane Village Green status in January 2026 be noted.

(iii)           That the Deputy Chief Executive and the Service Director Sustainable Environment, in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Sustainable Environment and Finance, Town Centres and Growth be authorised to continue the work required with the Fields in Trust applications to secure our sites protection.

Watch the debate here

(i)              That the content in this report be acknowledged and continue to

work with the SPF Board to deliver the programme.

(ii)             That the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the One

Council, People and Partnerships Portfolio holder be authorised to confirm any further projects within the funding.

(iii)           That further updates be received on the delivery of the UK Shared

Prosperity Fund and any subsequent funding programme beyond March 2026.  

The Leader introduced a report outlining the progress made in delivering the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and advising upon projects going forward to deliver the interventions as part of the plan.

There were £4.8m of schemes with a further and a further £1.5m in the final phase.  Twenty five projects were earmarked for delivery this year.  Six new initiatives focused on creative industries and the digital innovation.  Paragraph 3 of the report outlined the schemes in more detail.

The programme had involved 455 businesses helping 189 entrepreneurs and had reached over 1000 people in business support initiatives.

Councillor Sweeney stated that it was good to see how the Council had used the money.

Councillor Hutchison stated that approximately 700m2 of green spaces had been improved through monies from the fund.

Resolved:    (i)       That the content in this report be acknowledged and

continue to work with the SPF Board to deliver the programme.

(ii)             That the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the One Council, People and Partnerships Portfolio holder be authorised to confirm any further projects within the funding.

(iii)            That further updates be received on the delivery of the

UK Shared Prosperity Fund and any subsequent funding programme beyond March 2026.  

Watch the debate here

(i)       That the requirements of the Council to operate the ballot (and collection

of levy if vote is successful) in line with the regulations covering BID ballots be noted.

(ii)      That the BID Proposal and Business Plan and the aims and objectives for

      the new BID duration 2026 to 2031 be noted.

(iii)    That the BID be supported in its efforts for a successful ballot outcome.

(iv)    That the Portfolio Holder for One Council, People & Partnerships be authorised to vote Yes for each of the Council hereditaments to the BID proposal for a new term.

The Leader introduced a report updating Members on the Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Improvement District BID) plans to hold a re-ballot for a further five year term.  The Council, as a key partner, had been asked whether they supported the BID to continue its work within the town.  

Over the past few years, the BID had been putting on more activities which included the Christmas lights swich on event.  They also interacted with local businesses and last week had put on the Love NUL Awards, highlighting businesses that had excelled over the past year - rewarding and  recognising them.

It was key to keep the BID in place to continue their support for the town and its businesses.

Councillor Sweeney stated that he had attended the Business Awards last week and it was very moving to see the love and passion that people had for the Borough who were proud to live and work in Newcastle.

Resolved:    (i)       That the requirements of the Council to operate the ballot

(and collection of levy if vote is successful) in line with the regulations covering BID ballots be noted.

(ii)             That the BID Proposal and Business Plan and the aims and objectives for the new BID duration 2026 to 2031 be noted.

(iii)           That the BID be supported in its efforts for a successful ballot outcome.

(iv)            That the Portfolio Holder for One Council, People &

Partnerships be authorised to vote Yes for each of the Council hereditaments to the BID proposal for a new term.

Watch the debate here

(i)              That the current proposals for the Kidsgrove Station Project be noted.

(ii)             That the Government funding simplification for Towns Deals and the implications for projects currently in delivery be noted.

(iii)           That the strategic significance of investing in an improved train station facility at Kidsgrove for the delivery of Kidsgrove Town Deal and approves the revised scheme to progress be recognised.

(iv)           That the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, for Finance, Town Centres and Growth be authorised to vary the current Grant Funding Agreement with East Midlands Railway to enable the project to be delivered.

The Leader introduced a report updating Members on the improvement works at Kidsgrove Train Station as  part of the Kidsgrove Town Deal and the recent changes to Town Deal Governance and to seek approval to proceed with the station project.

The revised plans for the modernised train station were now moving to the next stage and were detailed in the report.

A much larger scheme had been planned which would have involved bringing the former car park back into use but government funding was not made available for those remedial works.  Therefore, following discussions with East Midlands Railway and National Rail, a revised scheme would now involve refurbishment of the station and would be a great improvement of the station and a gateway into the new developments taking place.

Councillor Skelding stated that it was a shame that some of the funding was withdrawn but good to see the works taking place under the Town Deal.  Kidsgrove Train Station was a small but well used station.

Resolved:    (i)       That the current proposals for the Kidsgrove Station

Project be noted.

(ii)             That the Government funding simplification for Towns Deals and the implications for projects currently in delivery be noted.

(iii)           That the strategic significance of investing in an improved train station facility at Kidsgrove for the delivery of Kidsgrove Town Deal and approves the revised scheme to progress be recognised.

(iv)           That the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, for Finance, Town Centres and Growth be authorised to vary the current Grant Funding Agreement with East Midlands Railway to enable the project to be delivered.

Watch the debate here

(i)                    That the disposal of the car parks listed in the report be approved.

(ii)                  That the demolition of the former Browns Service, King Street,

Kidsgrove, exploration of options in respect of developing or disposing of the site and the giving of delegated powers to the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth to implement the proposal be approved;

(iii)                 That the start of the consultation process as set out in the with the

Asset Management Strategy in respect of disposal of two car parks on Heathcote Street, Kidsgrove be approved;

(iv)                That the Borough Council of Newcastle-under-Lyme adopt the 'Off

-street Parking Places' Order 2025, with delegated authorisation given to the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth to agree the Goose Street car park boundary plan and implementation date for this specific car park.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth introduced a report regarding asset disposals and the Off-Street Parking Places Order 2025.

Members’ attention was drawn to paragraph 1.1 of the report which set out the car parks that had been considered for disposal.   Paragraph 1.3 outlined the usage of the three car parks.

In addition to the three car parks there was a garage at King Street, Kidsgrove which would be demolished and used as a temporary car park whilst the car park at Heathcote Street and King Street  had improvement works carried out on them.

The Leader stated that   redevelopment of the brownfield sites was a good thing.

Parking within the Borough had been looked at pragmatically.

The new Castle Car Park was now fully operational. Usage of all of the car parks had been looked at  and underused ones had been brought into the housing stock, still allowing enough car parking spaces for visitors coming into the town.

A copy of the amended Off-Street Parking Places Order 2025 was appended to the report.

Resolved:    (i)       That the disposal of the car parks listed in the report be

                              approved.

(ii)             That the demolition of the former Browns Service, King Street, Kidsgrove, exploration of options in respect of developing or disposing of the site and the giving of delegated powers to the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth to implement the proposal be approved;

(iii)            That the start of the consultation process as set out in the

with the Asset Management Strategy in respect of disposal of two car parks on Heathcote Street, Kidsgrove be approved;

(iv)            That the Borough Council of Newcastle-under-Lyme adopt

the 'Off-street Parking Places' Order 2025, with delegated authorisation given to the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth to agree the Goose Street car park boundary plan and implementation date for this specific car park.

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That the Forward Plan be received and noted

The Leader presented the Forward Plan

Resolved:    That the Forward Plan be received and noted

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There was no Urgent Business.

To resolve that the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following reports, because it is likely that there will be disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Local Government Act 1972.

That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration if the following matter because it is likely that there will be disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs contained within Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972.

Resolved:-             That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration if the following matter because it is likely that there will be disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs contained within Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972.

That the recommendations, as set out in the confidential report be agreed as printed.

Consideration was given to a report regarding the Asset Disposals and Off-Street Parking Spaces Order 2025.

Resolved:    That the recommendations, as set out in the confidential report

be agreed as printed.

That the recommendations, as set out in the confidential report, be agreed as printed.

Consideration was given to a report regarding the renewal of in cab and back office management system for Recycling Waste and Streetscene services.

Resolved:    That the recommendations, as set out in the confidential report,

be agreed as printed.

Members were advised that Sarah Wilkes, the Council’s Service Director for Finance /Section 151 Officer was leaving the Authority today after 18 years service.  Sarah was wished all the best for her future.   Her successor, Craig Turner was congratulated on taking on the role.