Agenda and draft minutes

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

The Council’s Monitoring Officer was called upon to advise Members of declarations of interest in relation to item 5 on the agenda – Local Government Reorganisation.

Referring to the Annual Council meeting in May, whereby a general dispensation had been given to all Members, the Monitoring Officer stated that it was good practice that a dispensation could be given for this matter and therefore Members did not need to declare any interest on item 5.

There were no declarations of interest stated.

To consider the Minutes of the previous meeting(s)

Resolved:              That the minutes of the meeting held on 24 September, 2025 be agreed as a correct record.

The Mayor made three announcements:

Members were thanked for their support throughout the Mayor’s 65 mile walk around the Borough.  It was expected that over £5000 would be raised for Papyrus.

The Mayor’s Civic Carol Service would be held  on Saturday 20 December, 2025 qat St Margaret’s Church, Betley at 5.30pm and a Carols By Candlelight Service – in the presence of the Mayor would be held on Sunday 21 December at St Giles Church Newcastle at 6pm.

There would be several events announced at January Council and Members were asked to note the Mayor’s Ball on Saturday 21March, 2026 at Keele University.

The Leader introduced a report seeking endorsement and support of Members for actions to enable the submission of a proposal to the Government setting out a model for the invitation area of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

The Leader believed from the outset that the two tier system of County and Borough worked well.  Strong local services were delivered, there was local accountability and financial stability.

Reorganisation was not a priority and pursuing it risked diverting resources from what truly mattered – delivering services to the residents of the Borough and securing real devolution.

The Borough had a proud history, going back over 850 years and in 2023, the passion and pride of its residents and businesses  and past and present Members of the Council was evident. The local governance of the Borough should therefore be protected.

The Save our Borough petition now had over 9,300 signatories which was a testament to local feeling.  If the Government insisted on enforcing change it must be ensured that the Borough remained strong and independent.

The proposal being put forward was for a unitary authority for the whole of the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme, based on its current boundaries  as part of a full unitary model for the County of Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent.

This was the preferred model that came from the investigation of options agreed by the Council last March.  A unitary Borough Council would meet the Governments local government reorganisation criteria.  Newcastle Borough Council was financially strong with balanced budgets, well managed reserves and no long term debt and was therefore ready to take up the challenges of taking on the extra services of a unitary council.

Any merger with Stoke on Trent City Council would harm the residents of Newcastle financially and by hitting service delivery.

There were other proposals – such as Staffordshire County Council’s creation of east and west Staffordshire councils but the investigations showed that the key criteria were not met.  Members of the County Council had all signed a letter to the Prime Minister asking him to stop local government reorganisation.  The Leader asked that Members at Newcastle do the same, as outlined in an email that he had sent to all Members last week.

The Deputy Leader seconded the recommendations stating that he could not understand the point of local government reorganisation.  In a recent survey, only 6% thought that it was a good idea.  Work to develop the submission brought to committee this evening cost nearly £200,000 – money which could have been better spent on local services.  A further £400,000 had been put into this years budget for local government reorganisation.

Councillor Dave Jones stated that the Labour group would be supporting the recommendations outlined in the report.  Councillor Jones stated that his preferred model since 2018 had been for a Newcastle-under-Lyme unitary authority  to allow for more services to be run locally as it was in the best interests of residents.  Becoming a unitary authority would break up the control from upper tier  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Councillor Dave Jones left the meeting at 8.11pm

The Deputy Leader of the Council introduced a report seeking the adoption of the draft Statement of Licensing Policy 2025-2030.

There was a requirement for Council’s to update their Statement of Licensing Policy every five years.  The Policy had been reviewed by the Licensing and Public Protection Committee at its meeting in August where they reviewed the consultation  and at a meeting in October, the results of the consultation were reviewed.

Councillor Joan Whieldon, Chair of the Licensing and Public Protection Committee seconded the recommendations stating that the Policy was instrumental to the Council as it set out how the Council dealt with pertinent and complex issues raised when administering this regime and without which, the Council could be open to challenge.

Resolved:    (i)       That the decision made by Licensing & Public Protection

Committee on 8th October 2025, be endorsed.

(ii)             That the adoption of the Statement of Licensing Policy 2025-30, be approved.

Watch the debate here

A Motion has been received regarding the Civic Pride Campaign.

A Motion regarding the first anniversary of the Borough’s Civic Pride Campaign was submitted by the Conservative Group, proposed by the Leader - Councillor Simon Tagg and seconded by Councillor Hutchison.

Councillor Tagg introduced the Motion stating that the last twelve months had seen a real effort made for cleaner and safer streets and stronger community engagement right across the Borough.  It had been a partnership with residents, residents groups, businesses, voluntary groups, Police, Aspire Housing, Newcastle Business Improvement District and Council staff.

Activities had included litter picks, green space improvements and tree Planting, graffiti removal, support for vulnerable individuals.  The Motion acknowledged the successes of the first year of the campaign.

Civic Pride showcased the work that the Council and all of the organisations involved did on a daily basis. It was not just about cleaner neighbourhoods, but also about people, place, purpose and working in partnership together.

In seconding the Motion, Councillor Hutchison stated that the first year of the initiative had been well received by the local community and partner organisations and the commitment looked set to continue.

The initiative began in the Kidsgrove area in January and then in June there was a day of action in Wolstanton and May Bank.  October saw a week of action in Newcastle.  In total the Civic Pride Events did 22 days of action, covering all areas of the Borough.

The Civic Pride Investment Fund had assisted groups and projects within the Borough to promote the image of Newcastle as a clean, safe and friendly place in which to live, work and visit.

Councillor John Williams, in supporting the Motion stated that he had found that there was a lack of residents involved and asked that they be encouraged to be involved and take more pride in their area.

Councillor Holland stated that, as he was compiling his report for the North Staffordshire Theatre Trust – at item 8 on this agenda, he was reminded of Stoke-on Trent’s City of Culture bid and, although unsuccessful it transformed the way in which the City thought about itself.  Programmes like Civic Pride could do that.

Councillor Stubbs sked if it was possible for the Council or Portfolio Holder to put out a calendar of events – earlier than the previous one to allow more Councillors and the community groups to attend the events.

Councillor Heesom stated that she had attended several events and that Civic Pride had had a significant effect – especially on community safety and community cohesion.  Silverdale had a bike marking event by the police which was really well attended.  It was supported that, for next year a programme would be set out much earlier and some events could be advertised on the new screen in the town centre.

There was a Civic Pride Investment Fund that people could apply for with published criteria.

Councillor Fear agreed with all that had been said and stated that it had all worked well but improvements could always be made, such as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Leader introduced a report regarding the bi-annual submission of reports from Members representing the Council on outside bodies in respect of those organisation’s activities.

These were the first reports back following the decision to do this which was made at Full Council in April.  Reports were attached to the agenda.

In future the reports would be incorporated into the Regulatory and Scrutiny Chairs’ reports on the agenda.

Councillor Sweeney seconded the recommendations.

Resolved:      That receipt of the bi-annual reports which have been received in relation to the business carried out/matters dealt with by relevant Outside Bodies to full Council as appropriate be noted and accepted.

Watch the debate here

Question from Councillor Nick Crisp to the Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Wellbeing:

“I’m pleased that Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council has been recognised with the Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze Award for its support of Armed Forces veterans. This reflects the council’s commitment to supporting veterans, reservists, service families, and cadet volunteers.

Can the Portfolio Holder confirm whether the Council intends to build on this

success by working towards silver and gold level recognition, further strengthening its support for the Armed Forces community in the Borough?”

The Portfolio Holder stated that the bronze award was welcomed.  Confirmation was given that the Council did intend to build upon it by applying for silver and gold awards.  The Scheme recognised the commitment and support that organisations gave to Armed Forces veterans and personnel through the signing of the Armed Forces Covenant and making of pledges which demonstrated the development and implementation of Armed Forces friendly policies and promoting and advocating good practice to other partners and organisations.

The Council was already in a good position to achieve silver standard – having policies in place which, for example acknowledged the housing needs of ex Armed Forces people and was currently looking at human resources policies which would ensure that there was no unfair disadvantage to ex-service personnel through the recruitment and selection processes.

Councillor Crisp did not ask a supplementary question:

Question from Councillor Andrew Parker to  the Leader of the Council:

“Following last week’s announcement that Newcastle Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) has successfully secured its re-ballot, alongside the Town Centre’s outstanding achievements in the Heart of England and National Britain in Bloom awards, Will the Leader join me in congratulating the BID team and council staff on these successes, and outline how the council intends to build on this and work with the BID to further enhance the vitality and attractiveness of our town centre for businesses, residents, and visitors?”

The Leader stated that the success of the BID re-ballot was really welcome, giving it up to 2031 to continue delivering its services and the great work that it did with businesses in the town centre – such as the Christmas lights switch-on which was funded by the BID.   They had a Business Plan and Prospectus, setting put their aims and objectives for the next five years,  for which they went to businesses and got support in the ballot from voting businesses.

The Council would continue to work in partnership with the BID and other key organisations such as the police, helping to deliver the objectives which married with the Council’s objectives which included a cleaner and safer town centre, vibrant businesses and the regeneration that was currently underway.

Regarding the success in the Britain in Bloom Awards, that was a great achievement for the town centre again.  Last year the BID won the regional finals and went through to the nationals where they won a silver award and received a commendation.  The Leader thanked all of the Council staff  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

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.

There was no urgent business.

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 were no confidential items.