Social Value Ideas for Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council

Financial surplus and capital spend

The quarter four finance report showed the council ended 2025-26 with a £115,000 revenue surplus against a £19.7 million budget and £27 million spent on capital projects, with some spend reprofiled in…

“The council finished 25-26 in a stable financial position. We achieved a 115,000 pound revenue surplus against a 19.7 million pounds budget. Um strong…”

Year-end financial surplus and capital spend

The council reported a stable year-end position with a small revenue surplus and substantial capital investment in regeneration, town deal and community projects. Capital spend was below programme mai…

“So the council finished 2526 in a stable financial position achieving 115,000 revenue surplus against a£19.7 million budget. Strong planning income, i…”

2026/27 budget set

Council approved a balanced 2026/27 revenue and capital budget with a 1.99% council tax increase, efficiency savings, reserve use, and protection for frontline services. The budget also includes a lar…

“I'd like to move the recommendations uh A2 in the budget report and present a balanced budget with a low council tax increase of 1.99%. That's meaning…”

Local government reorganisation costs

Members wanted a future review of the costs and risk management around local government reorganisation, with officers identifying it as the biggest current financial risk. Around £400,000 has been res…

“What do you foresee as the biggest risks to our financial position? Um, revenue budget-wise, um, the biggest risk I would say would be costs associate…”

Site visit agreed for HMO

After extensive debate about parking, highways, amenity and crime, members voted unanimously to carry out a site visit before deciding the Crown Inn HMO application. The site visit was intended to cla…

“Um, I do think that actually seeing the ground, given what I've heard from local residents and and and indeed that the protests of local members, uh, …”

Technical-consent stage to follow

Officers explained that permission in principle only establishes whether residential development is acceptable in principle. A later technical details consent will still be required, where highways, d…

“If permission is granted, then a second application referred to as a technical details consent would need to be submitted which would address details …”

Permission-in-principle approved

The committee approved two permission-in-principle applications for five to nine dwellings each, one at the rear of 57 High Street, All Sages Bank, and one off Witton Road, Orderly. These approvals ar…

“So, unfortunately, I'm going to have to cast this uh in favor of the proposal reluctantly. Um so, that matter is passed. Thank you, councilors. My lov…”

Draft budget and capital programme

The cabinet member presented the draft revenue and capital budget proposals for 2026/27 to 2028/29, including a £1.599 million revenue budget gap to be addressed through efficiencies and a £109.9 mill…

“This report presents the refresh medium-term financial strategy, including the draft proposals being considered to balance the 2627 revenue budget and…”

Draft accounts show £115k surplus

The council's draft 2025/26 accounts show a favorable revenue outturn of £115,000, which has been transferred to the budget support fund to improve financial resilience. Usable reserves remain healthy…

“Um, some key points from the accounts and the covering report. So overall, the council has delivered a favorable revenue outturn of £115,000 against t…”

Fees and charges policy

Cabinet's fees and charges proposals for 2026/27 were confirmed as taking effect from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027, with changes ranging from freezes to increases. The council said its charging polic…

“Cabinet has asked annually to consider proposals of the fees and charges to be applied during the following financial year. Is proposed that the new f…”