The Finance, Assets & Performance Scrutiny Committee were scheduled to meet to discuss the council's financial strategy, performance, and various projects. The meeting was set to include updates on the medium term financial strategy, performance revisions, the financial and performance review, commercial strategy, civic pride strategy, and town deal and future high street funds. Also included on the agenda was a question from a member of the public regarding the commercial strategy.

Medium Term Financial Strategy

The committee was scheduled to discuss the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2026/27 to 2030/31. The report pack included an update on the financial pressures facing the council over the next five years.

The report noted a funding gap of £1.777 million in 2026/27, and £3.069 million over the full five-year period. It also noted the continued uncertainty regarding the medium-term impact of local government funding.

The report pack included a letter sent to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP¹, from the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth requesting further funding in respect of temporary accommodation.

The MTFS assumes that the Fair Funding Review² will be completed ahead of 2026/27. According to the report, funding received and retained by the council in 2025/26 that is subject to redistribution under the Fair Funding Review amounts to £9.360m, and for 2026/27 it is anticipated that this will amount to £8.396m – a reduction in funding of £0.964m.

Financial and Performance Review

The committee was scheduled to discuss the Financial and Performance Review Report for the first quarter of 2025/26. The report provided an update on the council's performance during the quarter, with performance data and progress summaries set within a financial context.

The report monitored a total of 49 indicators, 17 of which were contextual and had no set target. Of the 32 indicators with targets, 78% met their target during the period, with the remaining 22% falling short.

The report also noted that four projects/actions had been classified as completed.

The report recommended that the committee approve the movement in reserves under section 7 of the Finance Appendix A, including £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 of which to be transferred from the Business Rates Reserve.

Town Deal and Future High Street Funds Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the Town Deal and Future High Street Funds projects.

The report pack stated that work across the Future High Street Fund programme has now been completed and the fund is spent.

The report also provided updates on the Newcastle and Kidsgrove Town Deal projects, including:

• Karparc: Capital&Centric are in the final stages of procuring a contractor for the works. Works are expected to start in the summer of 2025 and be completed by the summer of 2027.
• Astley Performing Arts Centre: This centre is now open and operational.
• Knutton and Chesterton: Aspire have commenced works on the residential development at High Street.
• Zanzibar Enterprise Units: A planning application for the development has been approved and works are due to start in the Autumn.
• Kidsgrove Train Station: The Town Deal Board have agreed a revised scope of works to develop the station with a refurbishment to the existing buildings and car park works outside the area that has been indicated for underground mine remediation.
• Community Learning Hub on the Kings Academy site: Kidsgrove Town Deal Board has agreed for delivery of a community learning hub on the Kings Academy site. This project is under development.
• Enterprise Units on the Meadows: Kidsgrove Town Deal Board has agreed for delivery of small-scale enterprise units on the Meadows. This has been submitted for planning permission.

Commercial Strategy Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the delivery of the Commercial Strategy. The report pack stated that the council's vision is for Newcastle-under-Lyme to be a sustainable and business-oriented council that maximises commercial opportunities in order to deliver long-term benefits for residents of the borough and support the council's Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The report pack outlined the highest commercial priorities to investigate within the commercial programme:

• Commercial Waste
• Light Industrial
• Fees and Charges
• Investment Opportunities for commercial return
• One Commercial Council

The report also provided updates on a range of projects, including:

• Ryecroft (Ryepark): Capital&Centric are developing plans for the remaining areas on the site. Planning permission has been secured for the Aspire Housing development and the Capital&Centric residential developments.
• York Place Shopping Centre (Astley Place): Capital&Centric are completed the partial demolition / strip out works to expose the existing concrete frame to be developed into a new commercial and residential development.
• Midway Car Park (Karparc): Capital&Centric have secured planning permission for the redevelopment of the Midway structure.
• North Street, Newcastle - Commercial/ Enterprise Units: Planning permission has been approved for the commercial/enterprise units. Development completion is proposed for March 2027.
• Meadows Road, Kidsgrove – Commercial/Enterprise Units: Planning permission is being sought for 3 small commercial/enterprise units on part of a council owned car park on Meadows Road, Kidsgrove.
• Disposal of Town Centre Car Parks: The council is currently out to consultation in respect of the disposal of car parks at Blackfriars, Newcastle, Bankside/ Garden Street, Newcastle and part of King Street, Newcastle.
• Disposal of former toilets, Merrial Street, Newcastle: These disused toilets are currently being marketed for sale.

Civic Pride Strategy

The committee was scheduled to consider the draft Civic Pride (Empowering Our Communities) Strategy 2025 – 28.

The report pack stated that the strategy aims to boost civic pride across the borough and strengthen its reputation as a place which is clean, safe and friendly.

The strategy focuses on three key areas:

• Great Places Where We Live
• Connected Communities
• The Way the Council Listens, Talks and Acts

The report pack also included a delivery plan, which sets out the practical actions the council will take together with the community.

Public Question Time

The committee was scheduled to consider a question from Mr L Door regarding the Commercial Strategy Update. Mr Door's question concerned the economic viability of investing in wind and solar generation at the Silverdale and Apedale sites to generate income for the council, and in particular to use a portion of the revenue to offer grants to local energy intensive businesses to defray energy costs in order to retain and attract investment and employment.