The Borough Council of Newcastle-under-Lyme scheduled a meeting to discuss the appointment of a new Service Director for Finance and Section 151 Officer, receive the Council's annual report, and review treasury management activities. Also on the agenda was a motion concerning accommodation for asylum seekers in the borough.

Appointment of Section 151 Officer

The council was asked to formally approve the appointment of Craig Turner as the Service Director for Finance and Section 151 Officer. The previous post holder, Sarah Wilkes, had resigned and was due to leave in October 2025. Under Part VIII of the Local Government Act 1972¹, the council has a statutory duty to appoint a Section 151 Officer. The report pack stated that an external and internal recruitment campaign had been undertaken, with four applicants being interviewed by a panel drawn from the Employment Committee. The interview panel unanimously recommended to the full council that Mr Turner be appointed. It was recommended that Mr Turner's appointment commence on 15 October 2025, with an annual salary of £63,510.68, plus a £10,000 statutory officer allowance.

Annual Report 2024-2025

The council was scheduled to receive and consider the Annual Report for 2024-2025. The report provides a summary of the progress made during the year against the Council Plan 2022-2026, as well as contextual information on financial challenges and the operating environment.

The annual report includes the following sections:

• Understanding our Communities
• Listening to our Communities
• The Financial Context
• Our Vision for the Borough
• Our Achievements
• Value for Money Services
• External Assessments

The report stated that 65% of targets were met in 2024-2025, and that there was sound progress on priority projects. The report also acknowledges the funding gap outlined within the 5-year Medium Term Financial Strategy and the plans to address this.

Councillor Simon Tagg, Leader of the Council, and Gordon Mole, Chief Executive, noted in the introduction to the report that the council launched the Civic Pride initiative, and that they continue to champion residents' concerns over the future of Walleys Quarry, working closely with the Environment Agency.

Treasury Management Annual Report 2024/25

The council was scheduled to receive the Treasury Management Annual Report for 2024/25 and review treasury management activity for the period. The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Code of Practice on Treasury Management recommends that council members should be informed on Treasury Management activities at least twice a year.

The report includes:

• The council's treasury position as at 31 March 2025
• The strategy for 2024/25
• The economy in 2024/25
• Investment rates in 2024/25
• Compliance with treasury limits and Prudential Indicators
• Investment outturn for 2024/25

The report stated that the council's investment position at the beginning and end of the year was:

The strategy agreed by the council on 14 February 2024 included that the overriding consideration is safeguarding the council's capital, and that at all times the risk to the council will be minimised.

Motion on Accommodation for Asylum Seekers

The council was scheduled to discuss a motion regarding accommodation for asylum seekers in the borough. The motion notes concerns over the placement of asylum seekers in unsuitable accommodation, including Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and short-term lets, which often lack the necessary support infrastructure.

The council was asked to endorse the concerns raised by Councillor Simon Tagg, Leader of the Council, and support his call for a more collaborative and locally informed approach to asylum seeker accommodation. The motion also requests that the Chief Executive continues to monitor developments and explore legal and policy options to ensure that accommodation used for asylum seekers is appropriate and sustainable.

The motion references a letter sent by Councillor Tagg to Adam Jogee, MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme, urging him to raise the matter with government ministers and advocate for a more collaborative approach between the Home Office, its contractors, and local councils. In the letter, Councillor Tagg stated:

Our concern is not with the principle of offering support to those in need, but with the manner in which it is being implemented - specifically, the use of accommodation that fails to recognise local pressures and risks undermining both community cohesion and the wellbeing of vulnerable individuals.

Urgent Decision Notification - Committee Proportionality

The council was asked to note an urgent decision taken by the Chief Executive to amend committee proportionality due to changes in political membership/composition. According to the report pack, the only Independent member on the council had given notice that she was joining the Conservative Group, and a member was elected for Reform UK as a result of a by-election in May 2025. The report pack stated that these changes impact on the political proportionality of committees.

Statement of the Leader of the Council

Councillor Simon Tagg, Leader of the Council, was scheduled to provide a statement on the activities and decisions of the cabinet, together with the forward plan.

Reports of the Chairs of the Scrutiny Committees

The chairs of the scrutiny committees for Finance, Assets and Performance, Economy and Place, and Health, Wellbeing and Environment were scheduled to provide reports.

Reports of the Chairs of the Regulatory Committees

The chairs of the Planning Committee and the Licensing and Public Protection Committee were scheduled to provide reports.