My Personally Speaking column in The Sentinel (9 April 2026) The people of our com­munity spoke this month and elec­ted a new major­ity at the bor­ough coun­cil. I con­grat­u­late all those who won their seats and thank all those who weren’t suc­cess­ful, for their ser­vice and for put­ting their hands up to serve the com­munity. I will be work­ing every day to hold the bor­ough coun­cil to account so that we get the rep­res­ent­a­tion we deserve. Our area has a rich cul­ture

I have written again to Staffordshire's Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner Ben Adams, pressing for urgent action on dangerous street racing that is blighting communities across Newcastle-under-Lyme. You can read the full text of the letter below: Dear Commissioner, Re: Speeding Hot Spots in Newcastle-under-Lyme I write to you again as numerous concerns have been raised with me this week regarding speeding in Newcastle-under-Lyme, specifically on London Road/ A34 throughout Cro

On 7 May, local people elected their new Borough Council The new Cabinet will be formed on 20 May. I’m asking them to join the calls of many in our community to listen - and back my demands on Staffordshire County Council to save Baldies Field. The Petition Reads: We, the undersigned residents of Newcastle-under-Lyme, call on the newly formed administration of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council (NULBC) to urge Staffordshire County Council to act to protect Baldies Field and

The Stoke on Trent & North Staffordshire Theatre Trust, which operates the New Vic Theatre, is set to receive a share of the Labour government’s £127.8 million investment in cultural venues. Our local arts and cultural spaces are at the heart of our community, bringing people together and celebrating what makes Newcastle-under-Lyme special. The New Vic is a pioneering example of the powerful cultural impact we have right here in Newcastle-under-Lyme. While storytelling in-the

It is clear for all to see that our young people have the talent and determination needed to build the industries that will power our future right here in Newcastle-under-Lyme – what has been missing is a government that matched that ambition. With the announcement that Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) has been named a national Technical Excellence College (TEC) , that backing is finally here. Being selected as one of just four hubs specialising in advanced manufa

Following the news of our new "Best Start" Family Hub in Knutton, I am delighted to share another major win for the next generation here in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) has been allocated over £2.7 million as part of the new FE College Condition Allocations. We should all be incredibly proud of our local college. As an "Outstanding" institution, it is already a thriving hub of learning, but for too long, the further education sector acro

My Personally Speaking column in The Sentinel (9 April 2026) I hope you had a good and peace­ful Easter break with your friends, fam­ily, and loved ones, and took the oppor­tun­ity to rest and reflect before the busy spring period begins. As we return to our routines this week, April marks a sig­ni­fic­ant turn­ing point for our com­munity. We are see­ing the res­ults of our efforts to invest in the next gen­er­a­tion, from their very first days through to the skills they nee

For too many years, thanks to the inaction of those with the power to act, the people of Newcastle-under-Lyme were left living with the worst impacts of Walleys Quarry Landfill Site. Thankfully, since midday on Thursday 28 November 2024, Walleys Quarry Landfill Site has been closed and the operators have been run out of town. We will, of course, deal with them in due course. The Environment Agency have done an important job, making the site safe and beginning the work of the

I am delighted to have received official confirmation from Ministers that the Newcastle Family Hub is formally becoming a Best Start Family Hub. This marks a major step in improving early years and SEND support for people and families across Newcastle-under-Lyme. The news came in a joint letter from the Minister for Early Education, Olivia Bailey MP, and the Minister for Public Health, Sharon Hodgson MP. They confirmed that the Newcastle Family Hub in Knutton is part of the f

30 March 2026 A member of my family had surgery earlier this month, and as Parliament is now in recess for the Holy days of Easter; it’s my turn to help with the associated caring responsibilities. As such, it is a matter of regret that I am not able to attend the panel tonight in person. I am sorry that I wasn’t consulted by the District Borough Council about the date of the panel because if I had, I would have been able to make alternative suggestions that would have faci