Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

Apologies were received as listed above.

There were no declarations of interest stated.

To consider the Minutes of the previous meeting.

That the Minutes of the meeting held on the 3 February, 2026 be agreed as

a correct record.

Resolved:     That the minutes of the meeting held on the 3^rd February 2026 be agreed as a true and accurate record.

That the contents of the update report be noted.

The Leader introduced the report on Walleys Quarry.

The Chief Executive presented the report highlighting the zero-level emission recorded in terms of hydrogen sulphides along with the absence of complaints throughout February and March. The Environment Agency was continuing works on site to prevent pollution and would be notifying the public of further development through their website. A political steering group meeting had also taken place and the importance of securing substantive government funding for the full restoration of the site remained a top priority.

The Deputy Leader welcomed the figures and commented that the real question was whether the government would come up with any money and the MP provide any support towards that end.

The Leader seconded the statement adding that the leachate plant would allow for the dirty water to be processed on-site instead of tankered off to other facilities.

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

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(i)              That the contents of this report be noted and the proposed Civil Penalty and Housing Enforcement policies be approved.

(ii)             That the Service Director for Regulatory Services and the Service Director for Legal and Governance in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Community Safety & Wellbeing be authorized to finalise and implement any further policies or amendments required by subsequent parliamentary order or statutory instrument in order to give effect to the Renters’ Rights Act (RRA) 2025. 

The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Wellbeing introduced the report on the new legal provisions as set in the Renters Rights Act 2025 and polices suggested to facilitate the implementation of the Act.

The Leader and Deputy Leader expressed their support for the recommendations.

Resolved:     (i) That the contents of this report be noted and the proposed Civil Penalty and Housing Enforcement policies be approved.

(ii) That the Service Director for Regulatory Services and the Service Director for Legal and Governance be authorized, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Community Safety & Wellbeing, to finalize and implement any further policies or amendments required by subsequent parliamentary order or statutory instrument in order to give effect to the Renters’ Rights Act (RRA) 2025. 

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(i)                        That the content of the report be acknowledged.

(ii)                       That it be noted that the funding for the delivery of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) ceases in March 2026 and that no further funding has been made available by MHCLG for future projects.

(iii)                     That further updates be received if any subsequent funding programme beyond March 2026 is announced.  

The Leader introduced the update on the successful report undertaken by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in relation to Newcastle-under-Lyme UK Shared Prosperity Fund programme.

The Deputy Leader commented that the money received had been used wisely by the Council making a real impact on residents’ life and it was regrettable that the funding had stopped.

The Leader concluded on the multiple projects enabled through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund including cultural and heritage programmes and major improvements across green spaces.

Resolved:     (i) That the content of the report be acknowledged.

(ii) That it be noted that the funding for the delivery of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) ceases in March 2026 and that no further funding has been made available by MHCLG for future projects.

(iii) That further updates be received if any subsequent funding programme beyond March 2026 is announced.

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That the award of contract for Health & Safety Monitoring on a 3-year contract with the option for 3 x 1-year extensions, be awarded.

The Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Environment introduced the report on the award of a contract for the provision of Health & Safety Monitoring for the Councils Recycling and Waste collection service front line vehicles and staff.

The Leader advised that this would be discussed further as a confidential item.

Resolved:     That the award of the contract for Health & Safety Monitoring on a 3-year contract with the option for 3 x 1-year extensions, be approved.

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(i)              That the proposal to renew the contract for Civica APP for a maximum period of four years (2+1+1), be approved.

(ii)             That the Portfolio Holder for One Council, People & Partnerships, Chief Executive and Service Director – Information & Technology, be delegated authority to direct award the contract following a compliant procurement exercise.

The Leader introduced the report on the renewal of the contract for the Civica Authority Public Protection (APP) case and licence management system used by Regulatory services. A confidential item had been included in the agenda to discuss this further.

Resolved:     (i) That the proposal to renew the contract for Civica APP for a maximum period of four years (2+1+1), be approved.

(ii) That the Portfolio Holder for One Council, People & Partnerships, Chief Executive and Service Director – Information & Technology, be delegated authority to direct award the contract following a compliant procurement exercise.

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(i)                         That the procurement of new Microsoft Enterprise licences be agreed

(ii)                        That delegated authority be given to the Service Director, Legal & Governance and Service Director, Information & Technology in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Growth & Town Centres, to undertake a compliant procurement exercise for the Council’s Microsoft licences.

(iii)                     That delegated authority be given to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for One Council, People & Partnerships, to award and enter in a contract for the renewal of the Council’s Microsoft licences for a period of three years.

The Leader introduced the report on the renewal of the Microsoft licensing agreement which would be discussed further as a confidential item.

Resolved:     (i) That the procurement of new Microsoft Enterprise licences be agreed.

(ii) That delegated authority be given to the Service Director, Legal & Governance and Service Director, Information & Technology in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Growth & Town Centres, to undertake a compliant procurement exercise for the Council’s Microsoft licences.

(iii) That delegated authority be given to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for One Council, People & Partnerships, to award and enter in a contract for the renewal of the Council’s Microsoft licences for a period of three years.

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That the write-off of items detailed at Appendix 1 which are considered to be irrecoverable, be approved.

The Leader introduced the report on items deemed irrecoverable which details had been provided in a confidential appendix.

The Deputy Leader noted that the amount had reduced compared to the previous year which was a sign that things were going in the right direction.

Resolved:     That the write-off of items detailed at Appendix 1 which are considered to be irrecoverable, be approved.

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That the Forward Plan be received and noted.

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 of the following matter because it was likely that there would be disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2, and 7 in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972.

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

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

That the information contained within the confidential appendix be received and noted.

Resolved:     That the information contained within the confidential appendix be received and noted.

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

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

That the contents of the confidential appendix be received and noted.

Resolved:     That the contents of the confidential appendix be received and noted.