Thursday, April 26, 2007

Call for Labour to withdraw misleading and inaccurate school claims

LIBERAL Democrats in Whickham, Gateshead, have called on the Labour Party to withdraw claims that a new school is to be built to replace Whickham School this year.

The claims are made by Labour in election leaflets in the three Whickham wards where elections are taking place to Gateshead Council. However, Labour run Gateshead Council itself has confirmed that no new school is being built this year and a new replacement school is unlikely for a decade.

Whickham School’s buildings are, by general agreement, in need of replacement as many are old, worn out and out of date.

The school has been unable to apply for any significant funding in the past decade to replace existing buildings because it was excluded from investment under the “Private Finance Initiative” or “Building Schools for the Future” schemes.

But earlier this year, the government agreed to release £1 million to allow for the refurbishment of the school’s catering facilities and the building of one classroom block to replace some mobile classrooms.

Labour are however spinning this as a replacement of the old school with a new one being built this year.

Whickham Liberal Democrat Councillor Dr Jonathan Wallace said, “This is one of the wildest and most inaccurate claims Labour have come up with in Whickham.

“Labour are spinning the refurbishment of the school’s kitchens as the building of a replacement school this year.

“Parents are undertandably excited about the prospect of a new school but feel bitterly let down when they discover Labour are spinning a story that is very different from reality.

“It seems Labour are prepared to say anything to try to get elected in the Whickham area. But their ridiculous claims are back-firing as people see through them.

“It’s time they withdrew their absurd and misleading spin story.”

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Post Office cash machine petition launched

LIBERAL Democrat Councillors in Sunniside village, Gateshead, have launched a petition calling on Gateshead Council to allow a cash machine to be installed at the front of the post office in the village.

Plans to put the free to use, 24 hour machine into the village post office, were first submitted to Gateshead Council in December 2006, but were rejected by planning officers following concerns raised by highways officers.

But Councillor Jonathan Wallace took up the case after the branch’s postmaster contacted him about the rejection.

As a result, it was agreed that the application could be resubmitted and considered by Gateshead’s Planning Committee, made up of councillors from across the area.

“I was surprised the application was rejected first time round,” said Jonathan. “Highways officers were concerned however that there could be traffic problems on the Front Street as the post office is next to a pedestrian crossing.

“However, in Whickham, we have a Lloyds cash machine next to the Front Street junction with Church Chare which also has a pedestrian crossing. So it would seem reasonable to allow a cash machine to go into the post office in Sunniside, next to the crossing.

“Many post offices are under considerable pressure as the government has taken away much of their trade. So we need to find new business for branches to ensure they can have a fighting chance of survival.

“A cash machine at the front of the Sunniside branch will be a boost for the post office and for residents of the village.

“I have launched the petition to get a show of public support for the proposal.”

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Restored grass verge wrecked by grass cutters


A grass area in Whickham, Gateshead, that was extensively damaged last year but then restored to its proper condition has had to be restored a second time following damage caused by grass cutting equipment.

Milton Road’s grassed area was used to park equipment and a workman’s cabin in 2006 whilst work on nearby homes was carried out. As a result, the turf was churned up and extensively damaged.

Following pressure from Liberal Democrat councillors Chris Ord, Mary Wallace and Peter Craig, Gateshead Housing Company agreed to restore the grassed area. Work on restoration was completed last month.

But the site was again damaged this week when the grass cutter was sent on to it to cut the now growing grass.

Councillor Chris Ord said, “I had a flood of calls from residents yesterday about the damage.

“Last year people had to live next to a mudbath. So people were pleased when the work was carried out to restore the grassed area.

“So understandably, when the grass was churned up again by the grass cutter, people were annoyed.”

As a result of Councillor Ord’s intervention, workmen have returned to the site to repair the damage.
Photo: Councillors Peter Craig and Chris Ord at the grassed area on Milton Road in 2006. The site was restored and then damaged again when grass cutters set to work on the site.

Friday, April 13, 2007

Lib Dems launch survey on crime

LIBERAL Democrats in Dunston and Bensham, Gateshead, have launched a survey of residents on crime, anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

The survey was launched after residents contacted Lib Dem councillors concerned about law-breaking in the area.

The survey is being co-ordinated by Councillor Yvonne McNicol, who represents Dunston Hill, and Susan Craig, who leads the Lib Dem Focus team in Bensham.

5000 survey forms have been delivered along with copies of the party’s recent edition of their Focus community newsletter.

“We are carrying out the survey so that residents can raised their concerns directly with us,” said Councillor McNicol.

Susan Craig said, “We have already had many replies and we are sorting through them. We will be taking up all the issues raised.”

Homes to be revalued for council tax

Residents of Gateshead could be in for a shock if, as expected, all homes are revalued by the government to decide which band they should be in for council tax.

Homes were last valued in 1990 but a government review of council tax, published in March 2007, said properties should be revalued in the near future.

In Wales, revaluation took place 3 years ago and a third of properties went up at least one band, resulting in a council tax bills rising by nearly 20% at a stroke.

With both Labour and the Conservatives committed to keeping council tax, Liberal Democrats have stepped up their campaign for it to be scrapped.

Councillor Yvonne McNicol, who represents Dunston Hill and Whickham East, said, "Council tax is not based on ability to pay. It is unfair and will become far worse when people’s homes are revalued. It should be replaced by a local income tax based on ability to pay, a much fairer system. Revaluation will be crippling for many households in Gateshead."

250 return bus survey

A survey in Dunston and Lobley Hill has received over 250 responses from residents concerned about local bus services.

The survey has been carried out by Councillor Yvonne McNicol and campaigner Susan Craig after being contacted by residents fed up with changes to services.

Yvonne and Susan met with officials from bus company Go Ahead North East and after negotiations, agreed to carry out the survey so that the concerns of bus users could be passed on to those provising the services.

"We had a meeting with the company in February to discuss the first results and have another meeting pencilled in for April," said Yvonne.

"We are trying to bring home to the company the hardship caused by axed or changed services."

Meanwhile Lib Dems in Dunston have handed in a petition to the bus company calling for the return of the service from The Crescent to northern Dunston. "The service is needed by many residents," said Lib Dem campaigner Michael Ruddy.

Bus changes spark call for passenger power

Recent big changes to bus services in the area have caused a great deal of concern, difficulty and confusion for many local residents, claims a leading Liberal Democrat Councillor in Gateshead.

And the changes have sparked a call to bring forward plans to make bus companies work more closely with councils to ensure residents have a greater say over where buses are running.

Doreen Boyes, who represents Pelaw and Heworth on Gateshead Council, has met residents to discuss the problems caused by the changes. She is working with bus users and other Councillors to make sure that Go Ahead Northern are aware of the problems people are facing.

Doreen said, "These changes were made without local people having a chance to say what they thought of them. Bus companies should have to consult more widely and give more notice of changes.

"This is what Liberal Democrats in Parliament are calling for. The government have promised to bring in changes that will allow this to happen. But at the moment there is still no action by government ministers to back up their words."

Restored grass verge wrecked by grass cutters

A grass area in Whickham, Gateshead, that was extensively damaged last year but then restored to its proper condition has had to be restored a second time following damage caused by grass cutting equipment.

Milton Road’s grassed area was used to park equipment and a workman’s cabin in 2006 whilst work on nearby homes was carried out. As a result, the turf was churned up and extensively damaged.

Following pressure from Liberal Democrat councillors Chris Ord, Mary Wallace and Peter Craig, Gateshead Housing Company agreed to restore the grassed area. Work on restoration was completed last month.

But the site was again damaged this week when the grass cutter was sent on to it to cut the now growing grass.

Councillor Chris Ord said, “I had a flood of calls from residents yesterday about the damage.

“Last year people had to live next to a mudbath. So people were pleased when the work was carried out to restore the grassed area.

“So understandably, when the grass was churned up again by the grass cutter, people were annoyed.”

As a result of Councillor Ord’s intervention, workmen have returned to the site to repair the damage.

Sunday, April 08, 2007

Crawcrook Quarry consultation


The owners and users of Crawcrook quarry, SITA and CEMEX, are preparing an updated plan for the future use of the site. The plan is expected to go before Gateshead’s Planning Committee towards the end of this year.


There consultation with the community over the future use of the site is on going. An exhibition of the proposed scheme was held in Crawcrook Centenary Methodist Hall in February.


The quarry already has planning permission, granted in 1950, and this exercise is to bring the permissions in line with modern requirements and demands.


Meanwhile, a survey carried out by Lib Dem councillor Derek Anderson in Greenside has found 98% of residents are against further quarrying and landfill in the area.

What a waste!


BAD planning, out of touch decision making and waste - that’s the verdict of residents and local Lib Dems on the Barmoor bus minihub, near Ryton.


Built only 5 years ago at the cost to the taxpayer of over £1 million, it was opposed at the time by local Liberal Democrats and residents who warned it would be an expensive white elephant.
5 years later, and the bulldozers moved in to flatten the barely used building.


"This has been a sorry saga of waste and poor decision making," said local Lib Dem Councillor, Derek Anderson. "We warned at the time it was proposed that this building would not be used by passengers or residents. But Labour refused to listen and pressed ahead with the building."

4 out of 5 say no to parking charges

A SURVEY of over 3000 houses in Winlaton and Blaydon by local Liberal Democrats has found a massive 80% against plans by the Labour Party on Gateshead Council to bring in parking charges in Blaydon.

The survey was carried out by Winlaton and High Spen Councillors Brenda Osborne and Andrew Graham and Blaydon Lib Dem Focus Team Leader Mark Gardner (pictured above).
Over 1000 people replied to the survey which was carried out in the second half of 2006.

"There are huge concerns that with the Metrocentre so close by offering free parking, many people will stop using Blaydon to do their shopping," Mark explained.

"Residents fear Blaydon could become a ghost town. These fears need to be addressed by the Labour leadership on Gateshead Council."

Liberal Democrats are calling for the charging plans to be dropped.

Ryton Library update


by Councillor Ione Rippeth

Friday 24th February was a very sad day for the Ryton area, when local residents saw the closure of their local library. The appalling nature of the decision made by the Council to close the library was echoed by every local resident we spoke to.

Local Lib Dem Councillors did everything they could to reverse this decision along with the support of a 2000 named petition and letters from local residents to the Council.

However, the possibility of using the nearby Lane Head Methodist Church for alternative provision is being looked at. We are very grateful to members of the Church for their interest and hope there is a good outcome.

There is also the possibility of transferring the existing library building for the local community to run (which has happened in other parts of the country). A number of local residents have volunteered to help with ideas – if you wish to join them, contact Norman Callender on 413 4314.
Photo: Councillors Norman Callender, Christine McHatton and Ione Rippeth outside Ryton Library.

Search is on for safety camera cash

12 months ago, Lib Dem campaigner Paul Diston, and local Lib Dem Councillors called for CCTV cameras to be installed in Fewster Square, Felling. Hundred of people backed Paul’s petition, and it was presented to the Council last summer.

Council wheels grind slowly, but Council officials have met with Northumbria Police, local businesses and landlords to look at ways of funding the cameras and the Council have finally written to Paul making clear that they are supporting the call for CCTV cameras.

Paul said “We always knew this would take time, and discussions are still continuing, but the idea of installing CCTV cameras has been accepted. This is a big step forward, and we hope that cameras will be in place in the not too distant future.”

“Fewster square is an important part of the local community, and we need to make sure it is safe for all those who shop or work here, or use the other local businesses and facilities. CCTV cameras are used in Gateshead Town Centre and elsewhere, and have proved useful in reducing crime and anti-social behaviour. This scheme will help local businesses and the local community, and is long over-due.”

Thursday, April 05, 2007