Agenda item

Question from Councillor Mark Holland to the Leader of the Council:

“There has been considerable coverage in the media about so-called "DOGE savings" since the local elections in May. Could the Leader of the Council outline how the Conservative Administration at Newcastle Borough Council, working with Council Officers, has delivered millions of pounds in efficiency savings since 2018?”

The Leader advised that from this Council’s point of view, the efficiencies that were attached to the DOGE agenda were nothing new as efficiency board meetings had taken place in the Council since 2018 and, through that funding strategy almost £17m had been saved.  This had allowed for the financial position to be balanced each year and services had improved in the process.  The Efficiency Board process had begun for this year which would feed through to Cabinet and Scrutiny Committees  before going to Full Council for the budget in February, 2026.  This Council would come forward with a measure of savings to save almost £2m.  Decisions would be made such as not closing the toilets in town and to support the Museum and flower displays across the Borough, all of which could be challenged, DOGE’d and removed.

Councillor Holland did not ask a supplementary question

Question from Councillor Richard Gorton to the Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Heritage:

“A decade after his death,  Ian 'Lemmy' Kilmister remains a giant of rock music. Lemmy may have been born in Burslem, but the greater part of his childhood was spent in Madeley. In view of Lemmy's international status as a musician, song writer and leader of the band Motorhead, does the Portfolio Holder agree that it is time Lemmy's association with the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme was formally recognised and celebrated?”

The Portfolio Holder stated  that Lemmy spent a lot of time in Madeley before  the age of ten, then moving to Anglesey.   The Council did have discussions on the unveiling of the recent statue in Burslem – if it could be located in the new Astley Place area, alongside the new music venue where there could be a motorhead themed restaurant.  However, Burslem was selected as it was his birthplace.   A national Blue Plaque had also been considered at his childhood home in Madeley but unfortunately he had only been passed for ten years - with the criteria being twenty years.   The Museum had been approached to look into ways that Lemmy could be recognised.

Councillor Gorton asked a supplementary question:

“Does the portfolio agree that, at some stage it would be brilliant if an exhibition could be held at the Museum celebrating Lemmy’s life and music.”

The Portfolio Holder agreed, stating that he would be following up with the Museum into possible events.

Question from Councillor Andrew Fox-Hewitt to the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Environment:

“Following a number of members raising concerns with regards the councils new grass management strategy, Council was informed last year that a review would be undertaken including a public consultation.

Can the Portfolio Holder please inform Council when and how this review and consultation will take place?”

The Portfolio Holder stated that the Grass Management Strategy was adopted and launched in April 2024, beginning with Phase 1.  This had been growing long grass on 18 sites, covering 60 hectares.  Phase 2 was the consultation and review period of the Strategy.  The consultation had been advertised on the website and through the Strategy itself.  The first social media post was done in September 2024 on the Council’s website and also on Facebook.  Feedback from the consultation including from word of mouth, complaints, compliments, social media, the Council’s website and meetings was collated and analysed during phase 2.  Overall, 93% of those who engaged with the Strategy were either in support or speaking about it positively.  The feedback was reviewed by Cabinet in November, 2024 with issues being logged including fire safety to protecting football pitches.  The Council flexed its approach with the community and had a mixed approach with mowed and unmowed areas. Phase 2 also found increased bio-diversity and resource efficiencies.   Phase 3 had not received any negative comments to date.  

Councillor Fox-Hewitt asked a supplementary question:

“Could the Portfolio Holder confirm how many respondents to the consultation there were in Phases 2 and 3” 

The Portfolio Holder advised that he would source this information and email it to Councillor Fox-Hewitt.

Question from Councillor Andrew Fox-Hewitt to the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth:

“Council will note the fantastic work the Tri Services and Veterans support Centre do for veterans in our borough and the wider County and beyond, whilst operating as a charity in a challenging environment.

Can the Portfolio Holder advise if the Council is going review and

waive the discretionary 20% business rate on the Tri Services building.”

The Portfolio Holder stated that he went to the reopening of the refurbished building recently and said that it was a tremendous facility.  The Tri Services and Veterans Centre currently received 80% of mandatory relief from business rates due to their charitable status.  They could apply for a further discretionary top up but to date had not done so.   Applications were assessed using the established scoring matrix and could be granted on a sliding scale from 0 to 20% depending upon reasons given.  The application form was on the Council’s website and could be submitted digitally.

Councillor Fox-Hewitt asked a supplementary question:

“Could the Portfolio Holder commit to meeting the Tri-Services Committee and go through the process of how to apply for a top up of the grants on the discretionary rates”

The Portfolio Holder  stated that he could, re-stating that the application form was on the Council’s website.   Councillor Fox-Hewitt was advised that if he passed Mr Harriman’s phone number to the Portfolio Holder, he would call him.

Watch the debate here