Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council's Reform UK administration has cancelled the authority's commitment to achieve carbon net zero status by 2030, reversing a 2019 decision to declare a climate emergency.
The decision has resulted in taxpayer savings of £10.569 million in cancelled capital spending, plus a further £603,000 in avoided borrowing costs.
Major Savings from Cancelled Projects
The latest savings of £4.178 million follow the administration's decision to scrap plans for electric refuse vehicles. This avoids £2.191 million in vehicle costs and a further £4.2 million that would have been needed for charging infrastructure.
Other cancelled projects include proposals for air source heat pumps at Jubilee2 leisure centre, environmentally-driven upgrades at Keele Cemetery, Bradwell Crematorium and Knutton depot.
Council Leader Jonathan Gullis said: "No family would rip out a perfectly good boiler in their own home when it still works, and the council should have the same common sense mentality. Every pound belongs to the taxpayer. It should support reliable services and real improvements in our towns and communities, not disappear into expensive green gimmicks and arbitrary political targets."
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance Graham Shaw said the council would instead "invest responsibly in our parks, town centres, public spaces and frontline services," citing work at Lyme Valley Park where a new all-weather pump track is being delivered.
Financial Impact
The avoided borrowing will reduce projected revenue costs by £603,000 between 2027/28 and 2031/32, helping the council move towards balancing its Medium Term Financial Strategy while protecting investment in local priorities.
