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Cabinet - Tuesday, 2nd September, 2025 2.00 pm
September 2, 2025 Cabinet View on council website Watch video of meeting Watch video of meetingSummary
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The Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council's cabinet met to discuss the Medium Term Financial Strategy, the Kidsgrove Town Deal, and the Newcastle under Lyme Local Plan, among other items. The cabinet approved recommendations to note the financial pressures in the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), endorse alternative schemes for the Kidsgrove Town Deal, and progress the Newcastle under Lyme Local Plan. They also approved the renewal of the Civica Financials contract and noted updates on the Walleys Quarry odour issues.
Medium Term Financial Strategy 2026-27 to 2030-31
The cabinet noted the funding pressures of £1.777m in 2026/27 and £3.069m over the five-year period covered by the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS). They agreed on an approach for developing savings and income generation proposals and noted the continued uncertainty regarding local government funding. The cabinet also noted a letter sent to the Chancellor of the Exchequer by Councillor Stephen Sweeney, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth, requesting further funding for temporary accommodation, which stated:
In line with other local authorities, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council faces large budget shortfalls due to the continuing Cost of Living Crisis. These factors place a direct pressure on the Council's finances, they also place pressure on the boroughs residents and their ability to pay their Council Tax, Business Rates and to utilise Council provided facilities such as leisure centres and commercial properties etc.
The MTFS assumes that the Fair Funding Review1 will be completed ahead of 2026/27, which would see the accumulated growth built up since 2013/14 from Business Rates Retention being redistributed across the system alongside the introduction of a new Settlement Funding Assessment. The first MTFS update will be referred to the Finance, Assets and Performance Scrutiny Committee for their views.
Kidsgrove Town Deal Update and Contract Awards
The cabinet approved alternative schemes following revisions to the Shared Services Hub project as part of the Kidsgrove Town Deal. They noted progress with the schemes in Kidsgrove and authorised the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with Councillor Stephen Sweeney and Councillor Simon Tagg, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder - One Council, People and Partnerships, to progress legal agreements to enable continued project delivery. The alternative schemes include:
- A community learning hub at Kings Academy, providing adult learning opportunities and relocating the academy's catering hub.
- Enterprise units on The Meadows, reconfiguring the existing car park to create approximately 20 parking spaces and constructing small business units.
- Canal pathway improvements, with Staffordshire County Council undertaking improvements to a Public Right of Way connecting the canal towpath with a nearby residential area.
- Highway improvements at The Meadows/Station Road and Market Street/The Avenue/Heathcote Street, including resurfacing, introducing a one-way traffic system, and uncontrolled crossing points.
- Public realm improvements to Kings Street Parade, including improvements to the adjacent car park and refurbishment of the public toilets at Heathcote Street.
The cabinet also noted progress with the Kidsgrove Station works and agreed that a further report will be presented outlining the scheme and budget.
Newcastle under Lyme Local Plan 2020-40 Update
The cabinet noted the progress made with the Newcastle under Lyme Local Plan 2020-40 and updates on issues raised in response to the Inspector’s Post Examination Hearing Feedback. They authorised the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with Councillor Andrew Fear, Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning, to progress the next steps necessary on the Local Plan ahead of the Plan being considered for adoption at a future Full Council meeting.
The Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with Councillor Andrew Fear, is authorised to approve a list of Main and Additional Modifications to the Local Plan and Policies Map, alongside the necessary Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulations Assessment for public consultation for six weeks. They are also authorised to forward responses from the Main Modifications consultation directly to the Inspector to allow the preparation of a final report on the Local Plan and undertake the necessary steps to take a report to Full Council to consider the adoption of the Local Plan.
Renewal of Civica Financials Contract
The cabinet approved the contract award to Civica UK Limited for the provision of the Council’s Financial Management System on a 2+1+1+1 contract at a total cost of £258,685, should the contract be utilised for the full five years.
Financial and Performance Review Report - First Quarter 2025-26
The cabinet noted the contents of the Financial and Performance Review Report for the first quarter of 2025-26 and agreed to continue to monitor and challenge the council’s service and financial performance for this period. They approved the movement in reserves, transferring £100,000 to the Planning Appeals Reserve, £150,000 to the Local Plan Support Fund, and £150,000 to the Budget and Borrowing Support Fund, all from the Business Rates Reserve.
Walleys Quarry Odour Issues
The cabinet noted the contents of the update report on odour issues at Walleys Quarry.
Annual Report 2024-25
The cabinet received the Council’s Annual Report for 2024-2025 and agreed to refer it to the Full Council meeting on 24 September 2025.
Forward Plan
The cabinet received and noted the Forward Plan.
Other Decisions
The cabinet also approved the minutes of the previous meeting and a resolution to exclude the public from a portion of the meeting due to the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in the Local Government Act 1972.
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The Fair Funding Review was a UK government initiative to reassess the distribution of funding to local authorities. ↩
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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RENEWAL OF CIVICA FINANCIALS CONTRACT
Recommendations Approved...to approve the contract award to Civica UK Limited for the provision of the Council's Financial Management System on a 2+1+1+1 contract at a total cost of £258,685, should the contract be utilised for the full 5 years.
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FINANCIAL AND PERFORMANCE REVIEW REPORT - FIRST QUARTER 2025-26
Recommendations Approved...the Cabinet noted the first quarter financial and performance review report for 2025-26, approved the transfer of £400k from the Business Rates Reserve to the Planning Appeals Reserve, the Local Plan Support Fund, and the Budget and Borrowing Support Fund, and agreed to continue monitoring and challenging the Council's performance.
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NEWCASTLE UNDER LYME LOCAL PLAN 2020-40 UPDATE
Recommendations Approved...to progress the Newcastle-under-Lyme Local Plan 2020-40, the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning, was authorized to take the next steps, including approving modifications and forwarding consultation responses to the Inspector, before the Plan is considered for adoption by the Full Council.
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MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL STRATEGY 2026-27 TO 2030-31
Recommendations Approved...to address funding pressures and uncertainties, the Cabinet agreed to develop savings and income generation proposals for the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2026-27 to 2030-31, while also noting a letter requesting further funding from the Chancellor of the Exchequer and referring the strategy update to the Finance, Assets and Performance Scrutiny Committee.
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FORWARD PLAN
Recommendations Approved...to receive and note the Forward Plan outlining key decisions expected to be taken by the Cabinet between 1 September 2025 and 31 December 2025.
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MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Recommendations Approved...that the Minutes of the meeting held on the 8th July 2025 were agreed as a correct record.
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CIVICA FINANCIALS PROPOSAL - CONFIDENTIAL APPENDIX
Recommendations Approved -
KIDSGROVE TOWN DEAL UPDATE AND CONTRACT AWARDS
Recommendations Approved...to note progress on the Kidsgrove Town Deal schemes, approve alternative schemes following revisions to the Shared Services Hub project, authorise the Deputy Chief Executive to progress legal agreements for project delivery, and note progress on the Kidsgrove Station works, with a further report to follow.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2024-25
Recommendations Approved...to receive the Council's Annual Report for 2024-2025 and refer it to the Full Council meeting on September 24th, 2025.
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WALLEYS QUARRY ODOUR ISSUES
Recommendations Approved...to note the contents of the update report regarding the Walleys Quarry odour issues.
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DISCLOSURE OF EXEMPT INFORMATION
Recommendations Approved
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