Council Leader appoints new Cabinet and outlines priorities

Published: 18 May 2022

Council Leader Simon Tagg
Council Leader Simon Tagg

Simon Tagg, the Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council has appointed a new Cabinet tonight.

Portfolio responsibilities are as follows:

FINANCE  & TOWN CENTRES & GROWTH – DEPUTY LEADER -  Cllr. Stephen Sweeney

ENVIRONMENT & RECYCLING - Cllr. Trevor Johnson

STRATEGIC PLANNING - Cllr. Andy Fear

LEISURE, CULTURE & HERITAGE - Cllr. Jill Waring

COMMUNITY SAFTEY & WELLBEING - Cllr. Gill Heesom

ONE COUNCIL, PEOPLE & PARTNERSHIPS – Cllr. Simon Tagg

Councillor Tagg set out his Cabinet’s Priorities for the next term:

  • A well-run council with continually improved services, whilst keeping Council Tax low
  • Deliver on the multi-million-pound Town Deals in Newcastle and Kidsgrove and Future High Street Fund investment to regenerate Newcastle's town centre
  • Deliver a fair Local Plan that puts local needs first while protecting local green spaces
  • Rolling out the Neighbourhood Streetscene teams
  • Pursue legal action against the operator of Walleys Quarry to its conclusion
  • Deliver on the key aims of the Council’s Sustainable Environment Strategy

Simon Tagg said: “As we embark on the new four-year term of the Council, following our success at the election, I would like to congratulate our new councillors on their election victories and pay tribute to those who were unsuccessful in being re-elected. I wish them well for the future.

"The people of Newcastle and Kidsgrove and our villages and rural areas have entrusted us with the stewardship of the Council for the next four years with a clear majority and victory in the popular vote across the borough.

"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.

"I have tonight announced a strong team for Cabinet positions to help me to deliver on our agenda.”

The make-up of the Council following the election is: Conservatives 25 seats: Labour 19 seats. This is the first clear Conservative majority at a local election in Newcastle-under-Lyme since the 1970s.