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Petition launched to ‘Save Our Borough’ and preserve Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough’s Independence

Written by on 2 February 2025

Petition launched to ‘Save Our Borough’ and preserve Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough’s Independence – www.saveourborough.uk  

A petition has been launched aimed at fighting the Government’s proposed local government reorganisation plans which could mean Newcastle-under-Lyme having to Merge with Stoke-on-Trent. The petition, organised by Borough Council Leader Simon Tagg, will enable the voices of local residents are heard in the battle to preserve the history and identity of the Loyal and Ancient Borough.

Simon Tagg said: “I ask every resident to stand with us and sign this petition. Our Borough’s future is at stake, and together, we can send a strong message to Government Ministers that Newcastle-under-Lyme has a proud history and distinct character that we want to protect something we do not want to see merged away.”

The petition, available to sign at www.saveourborough.uk  states:

We oppose the Government’s drive to reorganise local councils, including the merger of Newcastle-under-Lyme into a larger authority. In practice, this likely means a takeover by the City of Stoke-on-Trent, a move which would not be in the interests of local people in our Borough.

‘I sign the petition against the merger of Newcastle-under-Lyme into a ‘super-council’, taking away our Borough’s 852 year history of independence, undermining local democracy and making power more remote and less accountable to local people.’

The petition will run until July 2025 when Parliament enters recess. There will also be a paper version of the petition.

 On 14th January Councillor Tagg wrote to the town’s MP Adam Jogee to expressed serious concerns about the potential impact of local government reorganisation, announced just before Christmas on the community. He emphasised that the primary goal of all elected members is to ensure that any changes serve the best interests of the residents and preserve the unique character, autonomy and History of Newcastle-under-Lyme.

At their Council meeting on 22nd January Borough Councillors officially endorsed a series of recommendations that committed the Council to advocating for the borough’s historic independence and ensuring that the voices of its residents are heard in the ongoing discussions with the Government. The recommendations included:

  • The Council pledges to stand up for the historic independence of the Borough.
  • Supports the petitioning of residents in relation to the preservation of the Borough.
  • Calls for Newcastle-under-Lyme’s Members of Parliament to support the Borough’s preservation, and that they engage with Government Ministers in stating the case for the Borough.
  • Asks the Council Leader & Chief Executive to write to the Deputy Prime Minister and relevant Ministers stating the Council’s position.
  • Enables the Council Leader to take forward necessary discussions and actions with Government and others and report these back to full Council.