New Cabinet appointed to lead Borough Council

Published: 21 May 2026

Image shows Council Leader Jonathan Gullis.
Jonathan Gullis, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, said the Cabinet will focus on bread-and-butter issues that matter most to local people.

The new Leader and Cabinet responsible for leading Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council have been appointed.

Jonathan Gullis was elected leader at the authority’s annual meeting and will also take responsibility for planning and town centres.

Cllr Gullis took charge after the all-out election of May 7 saw Reform UK win 27 seats, compared to 15 for the Conservatives and two for Labour.

Jonathan Gullis said:

I am incredibly proud to serve as Leader alongside our team of 27 Reform UK councillors here in Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough.
 

Our Cabinet is made up of passionate local people who stepped forward because they care deeply about our communities. They want to give something back, stand up for residents, and fight back against the decline too many people have seen and felt in their own neighbourhoods.
 

We will focus on the bread-and-butter issues that matter most to local people. That means making our parks safe, clean, and enjoyable places for families; taking on rogue and absent landlords; investigating the growing number of vape shops and barbers on our high streets where there are concerns about criminality; and restoring pride by investing in our town centres and local communities.
 

We will use every legal power available to tackle aggressive begging, anti-social behaviour, illegal off-road bikes, and the misuse of e-scooters, because residents deserve to feel safe where they live.
 

We also want to work closely with our local universities, colleges, and businesses to help create skilled, well-paid jobs for local people in the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme.
 

We know people have heard promises from politicians before. Our job now is to show that where a Reform UK-led council governs, it delivers change that people can see, feel and believe in.”

The full Cabinet is:

  • Jonathan Gullis, Leader and Cabinet member for Planning and Town Centres
  • Graham Shaw, Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Finance
  • Vanessa Renshaw, Cabinet member for Housing and Public Protection
  • Ben Simpson, Cabinet member for Waste, Recycling and Green Spaces
  • Martin Rogerson, Cabinet member for Legal, Governance and Organisational Performance
  • Andrew Fisher, Cabinet member for Residents' Services and Neighbourhoods.