Decisions

(i)     That the confirmation of the Council’s submission of its interim plan for Local Government Reorganisation, be noted.

(ii)    That the next steps for workstreams as set out in section 3 of this report be endorsed and agreed that the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, progresses the necessary activity to prepare for submissions to Government in November 2025

(iii)  That it be noted that Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council did not endorse the joint progress update of Staffordshire Leaders

(iv)  That it be agreed that data be shared between authorities to assist in development of submissions

(v)   That it be noted that this Council does not agree to the amended terms of reference as set out in Appendix 1 to this report.

(vi)  That Newcastle-Under-Lyme’s Members of Parliament be called upon to support the Borough’s resolutions as set out in the report to full Council of 19^th March 2025, and that they engage with Government Ministers in stating the case for the Borough.

(vii)That a meeting be sought with the new leader of Staffordshire County Council to discuss local government reorganisation in Staffordshire and ask for their support to Save our Borough.

(i)              That the Deputy Chief Executive in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Heritage be authorised to develop detailed grant applications with the relevant football clubs for funding via The Football Foundation Home Advantage Programme and enter into any funding agreements as necessary.

(ii)             That the procurement of suitable contractors be approved to carry out the improvements to those sites selected by the Football Foundation once detailed specifications have been developed within available grant funding limits.

(iii)           That the above mentioned officers be authorised to ensure any agreements are fulfilled, enter into suitable contracts to deliver the improvements and to ensure any necessary leases are completed.

That the Minutes of the meeting held on the 18 March, 2025 be agreed as

a correct record.

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

(i)     That acceptance of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero granting of funding available to enable Salix Finance to provide the Council with a grant of up to £2,790,173.00 to assist in carrying out a low carbon heating project at its Jubilee 2 Leisure centre, be authorised.

(ii)    That the Service Director, Sustainable Environment in consultation with the Service Director, Legal & Governance be approved to engage Veolia Energy to assist in the delivery of this project, through a direct award process through the NOECPC Specialist Estates Engineering & Maintenance Services (Hard FM) (NOE.0609) Framework.

(iii)  That  the report herewith and that a further report is taken to Council for final acceptance of the Salix grant, be noted.

(i)              That the Fields in Trust principle as it applies to the Council’s green spaces and carbon capture areas,be noted.

(ii)             That the Deputy Chief Executive and the Service Director Sustainable Environment, in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Sustainable Environment and Finance, Town Centres and Growth be authorised to undertake the required legal documentation and lodging of the Fields in Trust applications to secure this status for the site identified within this report.

That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of 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.

That the Forward Plan be received and noted.

(i)               That the contents of the update report be noted.