Agenda and draft minutes

To receive declarations of interest from Members on items contained within this agenda.

There were no declarations of interest stated.

A minute’s silence was held for former Councillor, Peter Hailstones who had recently passed away.

The Leader of the Council led the tributes stating that Peter had been a well known Conservative Councillor between 2000 and 2018 and had served as Consort to the Mayor in 2014-15 when his wife Linda was elected as Mayor.  Peter and Linda had won an award for attending the most Conservative conferences in a row.

On behalf of his group, the Leader sent condolences to Linda and her family.

Councillor Dave Jones stated that Peter was a man of few words although, when engaged in conversation was a very generous person.  It was a real testament to Peter that he had the fortitude and stamina to win the conference attendance award.  On behalf of his group, Councillor Jones sent condolences to the family.

Councillor Fear stated that Peter was a hard worker who cared about his council work and also worked hard to keep the Wye Road Community Centre running for many years.  Peter’s interest in the community had continued when he had left the Council.  Condolences were sent to the family.

Watch the tributes here

To consider the Minutes of the previous meeting(s)

Resolved:              That the minutes of the meeting held on 21 January, 2025 be agreed as a correct record.

The Mayor made the following announcements:

-       the funeral of Peter Hailstones would be held at Bradwell Crematorium on Wednesday 25^th February commencing at 12.40pm. 

-       the Freedom Ceremony for Sir Ian Dudson KCVO CBE, would be held here on Wednesday 11^th March at 6.30pm.  

-       the Mayor had attended the AGM of the Burgesses and Alicia Hand was elected Chairperson of the Burgesses – the first female Chairperson of the Burgesses in Newcastle-under-Lyme.  

-       nominations for the Borough Heroes awards would close on 15^th February if any Members were thinking of making a submission.

-       there were two remaining fund-raising events that the Mayor would be holding: firstly, the concert at St Giles at 7pm on Saturday 14 March and secondly, the Mayor's Ball on Saturday 21 March at Keele.

-       there would be a final fund-raising event on Saturday 16 May, in Betley Village Hall; details would be posted on the Mayoral Facebook page and circulated to members once they were available. 

The Leader introduced the report and moved the recommendations as set out by Cabinet for the 2026/27 General Fund Revenue Budget and Capital Programme. The Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2026/27 to 2030/31, Capital Strategy for 2026/36, Treasury Management Strategy for 2026/27, Investment Strategy 2026/27 and Commercial Strategy for 2026/27 were also recommended for approval.

The Leader stated that there would again be a below inflation Council Tax increase of 1.99%.  The Efficiency Board had ensured that the budget gap of £1.599m had been filled. Appendix 4 of the report detailed saving measures, including good housekeeping, efficiencies and no reduction to front line services.

The public consultation had shown that town centre regeneration, street cleaning, refuse collection and recycling, parks and open spaces keeping Council Tax low. The Leader said that the budget reflected those priorities.

Car park charges on surface level car parks would be frozen as would sports fees for outside sports including tennis, bowling, football and rugby for the year ahead. Support would be added for Newcastle’s bid to become a town of culture, from the Civic Growth Fund.

Councillor Sweeney seconded the recommendations and stated that the budget had been scrutinised at the previous two meetings of the Finance, Assets and Performance Scrutiny Committee.  Councillor Sweeney thanked the Finance Team for the work that had gone into it. 

It was forecast that the Council would achieve a balanced outturn for 2025/26.

The Civic Growth Fund would provide £250,000 investment into the Council’s Corporate Priorities. £125,000 would be used within place development on initiatives and boosting footfall in the town centre. Environmental sustainability within the Borough would be boosted by £75,000 and £50,000 would continue to be allocated to the digital programme.

Councillor Stubbs said that he had several serious concerns including: a lack of responsiveness to scrutiny; continued reliance on optimistic assumptions; a growing exposure to borrowing and capital programme risk; the fact that the Civic Growth Fund had had little scrutiny; and that the public consultation had attracted 25 responses.

Councillor Parker arrived at 7.34pm.

Councillor Whieldon stated that, despite difficult circumstances, the Council had managed to keep the Council Tax low and protect services. Very few people realised how much the Council had done under the current administration.

Councillor Lewis asked what modelling had been carried out to test whether higher charges would reduce usage and how it would be tracked.

Councillor Paul Waring thanked officers for producing the budget which had been subject to a high level of scrutiny and for which sensible suggestions seemed to have been taken into consideration. 

Councillor Reece asked what assurances could be provided regarding deliverability and timeline certainty for the major redevelopment taking place in the town centre, as well as what were the financial implications if capital receipts were lower or later than projected.

Councillor Fear said that this administration had kept its promise in respect of keeping Council Tax increases below inflation.  £800,000 had been wasted on the Local Government Reorganisation – which could have been used  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Leader introduced a report seeking Council’s approval of the Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27 and moved the recommendation. 

This was an annual requirement of the Localism Act, 2011 setting out the remuneration of chief officers and the lowest paid employees and the changes in roles and titles of senior officers. 

Councillor Sweeney seconded the recommendation.

Resolved:     That the content of the Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27, as set out at Appendix A be approved, with a view to this being published on the Council’s website by 31^st March 2026.

Watch the debate here

Question from Councillor Joan Whieldon to the Leader of the Council:

“I welcome the decision to set up of a Cabinet Inquiry Panel to hold Labour’s forced local government reorganisation plans to account. People across Newcastle Borough expect full transparency and a proper public debate, and this panel is a vital step in ensuring our Borough’s voice is heard and defended.

Can the Leader of the Council confirm whether Newcastle’s MP, Adam Jogee, will be invited to attend, contribute and answer questions at the first meeting?

Residents still don’t know his stance on the future of our Borough, and it’s time we heard clearly where he stands.”

The Leader stated that he was pleased that it had been agreed to set up a Cabinet Panel as it was important to scrutinise the Government’s actions.

The intention was to invite all of the Borough’s MP’s along to meetings in order to ascertain their views on local government reorganisation.

Councillor Whieldon asked a supplementary question:

“If the Leader was having trouble contacting Adam Jogee MP it may be useful to get a secondary communication through his secretary.”

The Leader responded that communications would be opened with the MP’s office once a date had been set in order to get their views.  It was known that the MP had already voted in favour of the Local Government Reorganisation and therefore this Council needed to know what they would be doing over the next few months.

Question from Councillor Phil Reece to the Leader of the Council:

“Several local residents have contacted me regarding the recent departure of the charity ‘Friends of the Guildhall’ from the Guildhall building. Given that this charity was established specifically to maintain the Guildhall as a public asset and ensure its long-term viability, could the Leader please:

-       clarify the specific reasons why the Friends of the Guildhall have had to vacate the   premises?

-       confirm what steps are being taken to ensure the Guildhall remains a public building that is both open to and accessible for use by the local community?”

The Leader stated that the Guildhall was run by Support Staffordshire. The Friends of the Guildhall Group was set up and were handling the front area reception but an agreement had been reached between both parties for Support Staffordshire to take over the front office with some of the ‘Friends of’ staff becoming part of Support Staffordshire.  

Councillor Reece asked a supplementary question:

“Would Support Staffordshire continue to provide a public protection service supporting people with computer access for services such as bus passes, blue badges etc.?”

The Leader responded that it was his understanding and that it was also to enhance services; he would raise that question with them.

Watch the debate here

To receive from Members any petitions which they wish to present to the Council.

No petitions were received.

To consider any communications which pursuant to Section B4, Rule 9 of the constitution are, in the opinion of the Mayor, of an urgent nature and to pass thereon such resolutions as may be  deemed necessary.

ELECTIONS – SCALE OF FEES AND CHARGES

The Mayor announced an item of urgent business: to consider a report on Elections – Scale of Fees and Charges.

The report had been considered urgent in order to confirm the position with Council ahead of the May elections.

The Leader introduced the report which set out the fees paid to the Returning Officer and elections staff and moved the recommendation as it had now been confirmed that elections would be taking place in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Councillor Holland paid tribute to the election staff and those who assisted every year on election days.

Resolved:     That the proposed election fees for 2026/2027, as set out in Appendix One to this report be noted and agreed.

Watch the debate here

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

There was no confidential business.