Newcastle Under Lyme's 44 councillors are receiving individual budgets to spend on neighbourhood improvements. Each councillor will have £2,500 per year to fund community projects, events and one-off activities that matter to local residents. The council has confirmed the scheme will not cost taxpayers any extra money, as funding comes from reshuffling existing budgets.
The Newcastle Under Lyme Community Fund is designed to give councillors the flexibility to respond quickly to what their wards actually need. Potential projects range from Christmas lights and decorations to new play equipment for nurseries, grit bins, and outings for older residents. The scheme starts from 2026/27, with strict rules being developed to ensure transparency and accountability.
Council Leader Jonathan Gullis said: "This is what local politics should be about: backing local people to get things done in their own communities." The initiative aims to empower local representatives to make direct improvements in their areas without lengthy approval processes.
Newcastle Under Lyme residents will see the benefits of this community fund from April 2026 onwards. The new scheme represents a shift towards ward-based decision-making, allowing councillors to allocate resources based on feedback from their constituents. All spending will be subject to strict governance rules to maintain public confidence in how the money is used.