Today’s The Sentinel revealed a big central Government blunder that saw Newcastle-Under-Lyme Borough Council receiving the grant meant for Newcastle-Upon-Tyne!
Newcastle-Under-Lyme, with a population of just 73,944 compared to the larger city’s 259,536, received a whopping £2.5million grant and seemingly didn’t question it despite the fact it should have been paid around £600,000… make of that what you will.
There are mistakes at local and central level here but Simon Tagg, leader of the council, is adamant that the money has now been committed to various different projects and will not be returned.
The big question is, now that Newcastle-Under-Lyme Borough Council are flush, can their local residents expect a Council Tax cut? A member of staff in their Council Tax Department told me that the percentage increase was as yet undecided. I guess not then…