Annual Council signals the start of the Municipal Year
The Council's Municipal Year and a new four-year Conservative administration begins.
Newcastle-under-Lyme’s Annual Council meeting has taken place with most of the 44 elected members in attendance in person. This hailed a return, for the first time since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, to the Astley and Garden rooms at Castle House.
The Conservative Party is in majority control at the Council and will be led once again by Simon Tagg. Having laid out his Cabinet’s priorities for the next four-year term, Cllr. Tagg said: “People across the borough have entrusted us with the stewardship of the Council for the next four years.
“Following four years of improvement at the Council under my previous administration, we have a solid base from which to start. I intend to carry on that work and deliver on our promises to the electorate.”
Cllr. Tagg confirmed Cllr. Stephen Sweeney as Deputy Leader and appointed his new Cabinet portfolio responsibilities as follows:
One Council, People and Partnerships – Leader, Simon Tagg
Environment and Recycling – Cllr. Trevor Johnson
Finance, Town Centres and Growth – Deputy Leader Stephen Sweeney
Leisure, Culture and Heritage – Cllr. Jill Waring
Community Safety and Wellbeing – Cllr. Gill Heesom
Strategic Planning – Cllr. Andrew Fear
Annual Council is the inaugural meeting of the municipal year where key appointments for the next year and beyond are laid out, including committee appointments and the announcement of the new Mayor.
Cllr. Andrew Parker is chair of the licensing committee, and Cllr. Joan Whieldon vice-chair, while Cllr. Paul Northcott is chair of the planning committee with Cllr. Mick Crisp as vice-chair. Cllr. Paul Waring was announced chair of the audit and standards committee with Cllr. Barry Panter as vice-chair.
Retiring Mayor, Cllr. Ken Owen, handed over the chains of office to incoming Mayor and long-serving councillor, Gill Burnett. During his year in office, Cllr. Owen raised more than £4,000 for his chosen local charities Tri-Services and Royal British Legion.
The new Mayor announced her partner David Faulkner as Consort and Chris Faulkner, as High Constable. Katie Shaw will be the Mayor’s Cadet. Cllr. Simon White was elected Deputy Mayor.
Watch the recording of the meeting on the Council’s YouTube channel.