Council backs fight for Borough’s future on behalf of residents

The new Government’s proposed local government reorganisation suggests that Borough Councils like Newcastle-under-Lyme would be abolished in favour of much larger unitary authorities, which could see the independence of the Borough end after 852 years.

But at today’s meeting of the authority, members of its Cabinet agreed that the council would:

• stand up for the historic independence of the Borough;
• continue to work through the Staffordshire Leaders Board to develop and deliver devolution as set out in the Board’s submission to Government;
• support residents petitioning for the preservation of the Borough;
• call for Newcastle-under-Lyme’s Members of Parliament to support the Borough’s preservation, and to engage with Government Ministers in stating the case for the Borough;
• have its Leader and Chief Executive contact the Deputy Prime Minister to state the Council’s case.

Simon Tagg, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, said:

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough has a long history of independence dating back to 1173, that has been confirmed and expanded by royal charters over many hundreds of years. 
 

Politicians from much larger unitary authorities are more remote from their communities and I doubt that a larger authority, three or four times the size of Newcastle, would prioritise the borough as we do now, which is less democratic and not what residents deserve.
 

I do not believe a more distant super-council would have the same focus as we have for regenerating Newcastle and Kidsgrove town centres, or for making the sustained challenge that we have on behalf of residents against the operators of Walleys Quarry, nor for protecting and promoting the rich cultural heritage of our Borough.
 

As a council with a no debt and strong track record of delivering the services that matter to people day-to-day, we firmly believe that we are best placed to carry on delivering essential services to residents and playing a crucial role in their lives.
 

The issue of local government reorganisation has been a recurring threat to the borough independence over the years, one which the residents of the borough have fought off many times. I am sure the residents will get behind doing the same again this time.”  

The Council is currently overseeing the regeneration of Ryecroft, Astley Place and Midway, which will bring scores of homes, shops and a hotel to the town centre, along with the opening of a clean safe car park for shoppers and visitors.

In Kidsgrove, jobs are being created by developing the employment site at Chatterley Valley West, and the town centre economy supported by moving public services into one place, which will increase footfall, and by opening up the route to the canal to boost tourism and passing trade.

With a balanced budget planned for 2025/26, the council has also successfully delivered a review of working practices to make £1.173 million of savings each year, without the need for compulsory redundancies.

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council is a member of the Staffordshire Leaders Board, which comprises the eight district and borough councils of Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, and Staffordshire County Council.

The Board wrote to Government in the autumn regarding Local Government reorganisation. It said that having worked together successfully for years, members wanted to explore how councils could jointly improve transport, job creation and economic growth, but felt no need for an elected Mayor in the area.