Agenda and draft minutes

All members were present.

There were no declarations of interest stated.

To consider the Minutes of the last meeting of the Committee.

Cllr Heesom expressed some confusion on the who was chairing the previous meeting (*) as well as two issues raised with Staffordshire County Council Representative Cllr Adam Griffiths for which email responses had been awaited – one pertaining to care workers and the other one to the savings and reductions in the NHS bank / agency staff.

Cllr Griffiths said he had been expecting the questions to be emailed to him so that he could reply and had not received anything.

Resolved:     That the minutes of the meeting held on 9^th March 2026 be agreed as a true and accurate record.

Watch the debate here

(*) Democratic Services confirmed that the correct name had been recorded – i.e. Cllr Adcock was chairing the meeting.

The minutes of Staffordshire County Council Health & Care Overview & Scrutiny Committee meetings can be viewed at the following address:

https://staffordshire.moderngov.co.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeId=871

The County Council Representative Cllr Adam Griffiths congratulated members on their election and referred to the training provided on 1^st June. The first meeting of the County Council Health and Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled 15^th June. Relevant information would be passed on to members at the next session.

Cllr Hutchison wondered about the budget and which proportion of the County Council environment related savings would be impacting Newcastle-under-Lyme’s residents. An update would be appreciated at the next meeting.

Cllr Griffiths asked that the request be emailed to him so he could seek out answers. It was noted that the examples provided by Cllr Hutchison fell within the remit of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy and the Economy Committee as opposed to Health Scrutiny Activity.

Resolved:     That the District and Borough Health Scrutiny Activity be noted.

Watch the meeting here

The Work Programme was discussed.

Cllr Casey-Hulme put the following questions forward on the recovery of costs incurred by the Council in relation to Walleys Quarry:

-       why the cost order awarded against Walleys Quarry was not enforced;

-       if consideration was given to pursuing recovery of those costs;

-       whether legal advice was obtained regarding enforcement;

-       whether the Council intended to seek recovery of any outstanding costs in the future;

-       if the Council got any part of the costs awarded.

Cllr Casey-Hulme also asked about the capping and restoration of the site:

-       if the Council could provide an update from the multi-agency working group regarding progress on the capping and restoration of Walley's Quarry, in particular with regard to the depth of soil in the capped area;

-       if the Council could clarify whether the capping was progressing in accordance with degree specifications;

-       what monitoring or independent verification was being undertaken to ensure the capping was adequate;

-       whether the council was satisfied that sufficient material had been placed across the capped areas to ensure long-term effectiveness and environmental protection.

The Service Director for Sustainable Environment said that an email copy of the questions relating to recovery costs would be helpful and that answers would be sought from officers.

Regarding the management of the facilities, this was under the control of the Environment Agency and was progressing according to plan with a drastic reduction of both odours and complaints. A full report would be provided at the next Cabinet meeting and brought to the next Committee meeting.

The Chair advised that the Work Programme would include the following items:

-       Walleys Quarry;

-       Environmental Stewardship;

-       Park Investment Developing Methodology;

-       Local Nature Recovery Strategy including partnerships;

-       Waste Litter and Deposit Return Scheme including NOX canisters’ impact on communities, waste and street scene services as well as mitigation controls;

-       Refresh and Renew Update on Activity leading to Investment;

-       PSPOS – developing new and amending current PSPO provision;

-       Police Data Reporting – to receive an Update from the Borough Commander on Crime and Partnership Activity

-       PFCC and SFRS Update – to receive an update from the Chief Fire Officer on Service Provision in Newcastle;

-       Review of Gambling Policy – pencilled for November;

-       Community Safety Partnership;

-       Borough and District Health Activity Update from Staffordshire County Council;

-       ICB changes – annual item to look at changes to the ICB's Geography and Focus Premises Enforcement;

-       ENTP Crossover Article 4.

Cllr Heesom asked that the Navigation House topic be considered.

Cllr Hutchison said that the Civic Pride Investment Fund would likewise be of interest as well as the Grassland Cutting, Grassland Management and Sustainable Environment Strategies.

Cllr Heesom wondered why the Work Programme hadn’t been included in the agenda.

The Service Director for Sustainable Environment responded that this was down to time constraints and provided more details on the list of items. The Environmental Stewardship would be replacing the Sustainable  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Any member of the public wishing to submit a question must serve two clear days’ notice, in writing, of any such question to the Borough Council.

There were no questions received from members of the public.

To consider any business which is urgent within the meaning of Section 100B (4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There was no urgent business.

Resolved:     That the next meeting be held on 17^th September 2026.