Newcastle Borough Council marks 100 days in Reform control

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, led by the Reform UK party, has marked its first 100 days in office with claims of significant achievements and taxpayer savings.

The Council took formal control on 20th May 2026, promising to put community interests first and cut costs, including scrapping the previous administration’s Net Zero Newcastle 2030 plans.

Leader Councillor Jonathan Gullis said the administration has saved over £11 million by eliminating electric bin lorries, heat pumps, and the Council’s climate emergency declaration.

The focus is now on neighbourhood services, emphasising investment in parks and community spaces.

Notable initiatives include the planned pump track at Lyme Valley Park and action against illegal tobacco and vape sales to children.

Efforts are also being made to limit Houses in Multiple Occupation with a borough-wide Article 4 Direction.

The Council has launched a Community Fund, granting each councillor £2,500 annually for neighbourhood projects. It has also spearheaded the Big Borough Clean Up campaign and initiated plans for a pet crematorium at Bradwell.

Further savings have been identified by quitting the Local Government Association, redirecting funds into local priorities.

Council leader Jonathan Gullis said: “When we took control of the Council, I said we would get back to the bread and butter issues that matter to people every day: clean streets, safer communities, well-kept parks, improving town centres and respect for taxpayers’ money.

"In just 100 days, we have saved taxpayers more than £11 million by axing the Net Zero nonsense of the previous administration, shut down two illegal tobacco and vape shops who were selling to children or had illegal products, acted swiftly to remove unauthorised encampments, invested in our parks and communities like Lyme Valley Park and started putting residents back in control by not letting HMOs pop up without planning permission.

"We were given a clear mandate for change, and these first 100 days show that we are delivering on it, but the hard work doesn’t stop here. Our ambition is simple: to leave Newcastle-under-Lyme cleaner, safer, stronger, and prouder than we found it, and to prove that when this administration makes a promise, it delivers."

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