Working together for Newcastle-under-Lyme
Dear Ian,
Re: Working together for Newcastle-under-Lyme
Congratulations on your appointment to Leader of the Council and your success in the recent elections.
I am writing to invite you and your Chief Executive to meet with me and our Chief Executive on several matters that are of strategic and community importance to the residents and businesses here in the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme, and which are areas in which I hope and believe we can work together in the common interest of our community.
Firstly, whilst we welcome the action taken last year to enact the closure of Walleys Quarry following the appalling management of the site by the operators, Walleys Quarry Ltd., we now need to work in partnership to deliver the full restoration of the site. This will be a long-term project and one which will require ongoing commitment to make the strongest case to Government, but it remains an issue which is central to the lives and livelihoods of residents. I have welcomed the support of members and officers from the County Council and would ask that we set out an early shared approach and commitment to the next steps for the landfill site.
Secondly, as you will be aware, my Council has been clear in its opposition to forced local government reorganisation which would be detrimental to our Loyal and Ancient Borough. Whilst we accept the need for, and benefit from, a devolution approach through a Strategic Authority to hasten strategic investment into the borough, we do not believe that forced local government reorganisation or a possible merger with Stoke-on-Trent serves the needs of our residents, and I would like to discuss with you how you can support Save our Borough.
Thirdly, our two Town Deals for Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre and Kidsgrove show the power of collaboration across the public, voluntary, private and academic sectors. Together we can continue to deliver the benefits from this once in a generation investment of over £50 million in the Borough. I welcome the opportunity to inform you of progress and seek your engagement and commitment to delivery and future funding.
Finally, I seek the continued support of the County Council for a strong position from the Leaders Board in relation to the dispersal schemes managed by Serco on behalf of the Home Office’s responsibilities for asylum seekers. Whilst we have across Staffordshire extended a warm
welcome to new residents, I am mindful that across Newcastle Borough and the county and indeed reflecting the views of the West Midlands Strategic Migration Partnership, there are concerns as to the impact of Serco’s approach to the procuring of housing and the consequences of the approach for our statutory responsibilities and community cohesion going forward.
I look forward to meeting with you at the earliest possible opportunity to discuss these matters further.
Yours sincerely
Councillor Simon Tagg Leader