Newark and Sherwood District Council - what do we do? Promoting tourism and looking after Newark Castle Collecting and recycling your waste, removing fly-tipping and abandoned cars Leisure centres, parks and play areas, Newark Palace Theatre and the National Civil War Centre Ensuring the planning system protects our environment Licensing taxi drivers and other local businesses Protecting public health by inspecting restaurants and food outlets. Promoting good health for local residents Rehousing homeless people, funding new low-cost homes, providing housing benefit and a range of housing services. Developing the local economy and encouraging inward investment Promoting good animal welfare and collecting stray dogs Registering people to vote and organising elections Funding local voluntary and community groups to do vital work Funding and organising a series of arts, cultural and sporting events Plus a whole lot more - including collecting council tax!