Crawcrook Coffee Morning

LIBERAL Democrats in Blaydon Constituency will be holding a coffee morning on Saturday 28th March at Holy Spirit Hall in Crawcrook from 9.30am to 11.30am.

Local groups will have stalls selling a variety of local crafts and there will be a jam stall as well.

All residents are welcome to call in.

Gibside Farmers Market

National Trust owned Gibside hosts a monthly farmers’ market. There are stalls selling a variety of locally produced foods, drinks and crafts. Forthcoming markets are on the following Saturdays from 10am to 3pm: 18 April, 16 May, 20 June, 15 August, 19 September. Entry is free.

This video was filmed at the market held on 21st March 2009.

Whickham Bulb Show - 14th March 2009

Pictures taken at the Whickham Bulb Show on Saturday 14th March 2009.

Anger as housing given go ahead in Dunston

A ROW has broken out on Gateshead Council following a decision to allow 4 houses to be built in Dunston on what was formerly greenbelt land.

The Council’s planning committee tied seven votes for and seven against with the Chairman using his casting vote to allow the development on Market Lane to go ahead.

But there was anger that Liberal Democrat Councillor, Peter Maughan, who represents the area in Gateshead Council, was refused permission to speak against the plans at the meeting.

“This was a very controversial application,” said Cllr Maughan. “It erodes the green area between Dunston and Swalwell and in my view, and the view of many residents, is little more than ribbon development that the greenbelt was invented to stop.

“I am also very angry that as ward councillor, elected to represent the people here, I was refused permission to speak against this application. I was gagged.”

Peter’s ward colleague, Councillor Allison Chatto said, “The decision to allow these four houses to be built is death to the greenbelt by a thousand cuts, with small slices here and there building up over time.

“I am deeply disappointed that this plan has been given the go ahead.”

Energy efficiency is as easy as A to G

Energy rating labels can now tell you everything you need to know to make sure you go out and buy that all important energy efficient product - giving you vital information about energy consumption, performance and efficiency.

Energy efficiency labels are currently found on goods such as washing machines, freezers and light bulbs and are soon to be extended to a number of other energy using products such as televisions. But energy saving is set to become even easier as new proposals to extend energy efficiency labelling have been given the green light by MEPs.

A vote in the European Parliament's Industry Committee has endorsed plans to extend the A to G scheme to energy related products - that is, products which cause a significant waste of energy if they are badly designed. This includes household fixtures such as shower heads and windows.

The straightforward A to G labelling method clearly shows that products labelled with an 'A’, get top marks for energy saving performance, whilst those at the other end of the scale branded 'G' are the worst.

Gateshead Lib Dem Euro-MP Fiona Hall, who sits on the Industry committee, and voted to support this move, said, "It all boils down to a clearer choice for energy-conscious shoppers. At a time when everyone is watching what they spend, more information about energy efficiency is a boom. For example, plasma TVs use much more energy than LCD ones, yet hardly anyone out there buying a TV knows this.

"Driving up energy standards for everyday goods is also crucial in the battle to cut CO2 emissions and tackle climate change.

"I am particularly pleased that MEPs voted last night to keep the A to G approach, which is widely recognised and understood. Technology is improving all the time so we want to see a date added to the A to G label too. An ‘A’ from five years ago is not as good as an ‘A’ today."

MEPs also supported the idea that, in future, information about energy usage should be included not only in the A to G label at point of sale but also in any advert giving technical data.

Home energy plans mean cheaper bills in Gateshead

PLANS by the Liberal Democrats to massively increase the energy efficiency of all homes will lead to big savings in energy bills, say Liberal Democrats in Gateshead.

In a message to local residents, campaigning Councillor, Dr Jonathan Wallace, has backed the plans to raise the standard of home energy efficiency.

“The energy efficiency standards of 99 out of every 100 homes fall well below what they should be,” said Jonathan. “Nearly every one of us is spending money on bills to heat the great outdoors as so much energy escapes from our homes.

“We want to bring home energy efficiency up to the highest level possible. In the past year, fuel bills have gone through the roof. But too often, our heat is escaping through the roof as well. Our plans will put an end to that.

”By cutting energy waste, we are also cutting the damage we do to the environment. It’s a win-win situation: lower fuel bills and fewer emissions that are leading to climate change that has given us extreme weather.”

The Liberal Democrats’ plans include requiring energy companies to use some of the £9 billion profit they have made from emissions trading to insulate the homes of the poorest residents.

They will also set up a National Green Loans scheme which will pay for a complete overhaul of the energy efficiency of people’s homes. Repayments will be added to energy bills with the loan paid off from the savings in energy use. Loan repayments will not be allowed to be more than the savings.

“This is a great idea for helping people to cut their energy bills and help us save the planet,” said Dr Wallace.

Is the UK already going soft on renewable energy commitments?

A new international agency to promote renewable energies across the world has been launched with the backing of energy specialist and Gateshead Member of the European Parliament, Fiona Hall.

But the Lib Dem Euro-MP has questioned the UK’s decision not to sign up to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), which is expected to advise both industrialised and developing countries on reaching higher energy shares from renewable sources.

“IRENA offers up the potential to drive forward renewables and create jobs, whilst reducing global rivalries over fossil energies and delivering greater energy independence,” said Fiona.

“75 countries have already signed up to the agreement and it is disappointing that the UK government is still dragging its feet when this country could be leading the way on renewable energy,” said Fiona.

“IRENA in no way undermines the work of existing organisations such as the International Energy Agency. Rather it is a chance to give renewable energy the international co-ordination that it needs in order to become the world's future top energy source.”

Fiona co-authored a written declaration in the European Parliament calling for the establishment of an International Renewable Energy Agency in 2008.

Whickham house demolition appeal rejected

A planning appeal that could have led to the demolition of an historic house on Grange Lane in Whickham, Gateshead, and the building of 5 houses on the site has been dismissed.

Gateshead Council’s planning committee rejected an application to demolish the 100 year old house at 59 Grange Lane last summer. An appeal was lodged to get the council’s decision overturned. Planning inspectors however have upheld the Council’s original decision.

Councillor Marilynn Ord said, “There were concerns about packing in too many houses into this plot. We were also worried about the loss of one of Whickham’s original houses and the impact on neighbouring homes.

“I am pleased therefore that the decision has been taken to dismiss the appeal.”

Councillor Maureen Chaplin RIP

Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Maureen Chaplin, passed away on 11th February. Maureen was councillor for Chopwell and Rowlands Gill and had been Mayor since May 2008.

She was a widely respected member of the council and will be greatly missed.

Road Safety Improvements in Whickham

There have been further improvements in road safety in Whickham with the erection of vehicle activated signs (VAS) on Whaggs Lane and Sunniside Road.

The signs were erected as part of the Northumbria Camera Safety Partnership’s enforcement of traffic speed limits and will flash the 30mph roundel when a vehicle is breaking the limit.

Your Councillors have been working with representatives from the Partnership and traffic engineers from Gateshead Council to address speed concerns in Whickham.

“We are very pleased that the signs have been installed,” said Councillor Marilynn Ord. "These signs are part of a variable position scheme i.e the posts will have signs on them for about a quarter of the time, for six week periods.”

License for Whickham's Chase Park

Whickham's Chase Park will soon be granted a Premises License to allow events containing plays, films, music and dancing to be held in the park.

Barring objections, from 1st April 2009, groups, such as the scouts, which hold events in the park will no longer have to apply for a temporary event license. There will be no restrictions as to the number of people that can attend.

Some residents may remember that a fayre in the park had to be cancelled last year, due in part to license issues.

"I am very pleased that Chase Park will be getting this license," said Councillor Peter Craig. "Previously the only park to have this license was Saltwell Park."

New plans for Whickham garage site

Gateshead Council has received an application from Hadrian Healthcare Ltd for erection of a four-storey, 70 bed care home with associated car parking and landscaping.

This follows a decision to refuse an application in 2007 from McCarthy & Stone for the erection of 49 sheltered apartments for the elderly was refused.

If residents have any views or comments on these planning proposals, please contact Councillor Peter Craig on cllr.ptcraig@gateshead.gov.uk. Peter has a copy of the plans for residents to view.

Roadworks in Gateshead

Dipwood Road, Rowlands Gill – there will be temporary traffic lights and roadworks opposite Dipwood Lodge from 16-27 February.

Folly Lane, Ryton – temporary traffic lights and roadworks here will be completed by 20th February.

Shibdon Road, Blaydon - from Blaydon Roundaboutt to St Cuthberts Church – temporary road works and traffic lights will be completed by 27th February.

Sunniside Road, Whickham - roadworks between Broom Lane and Grange Lane should be finished by 13th February. There will also be roadworks with temporary traffic lights at the bottle of Metal Bank on 16th February.

Road works on road to Redheugh Bridge - this is one to avoid if you can. Major work is to be carried out on the A184 Consett Route between the A1 and the A184/A189 Redheugh Bridge Roundabout Junction, starting on 11th January and finishing on 8th May. There will be lane closures, limited road closures, contraflow working and speed restrictions.

Lobley Hill roadworks - work taking place on Pinewood Gardens for Northumbrian Water should be completed on 20th February 2009.

Victoria Road, Bensham – roadworks and temporary signals here will be completed by 27th February.

Government must do more to tackle alzheimer’s ticking time bomb

A North East MEP has welcomed the launch of a new UK dementia plan aimed at improving diagnosis and treatment, at the moment when the European Parliament also agreed that more action should be taken at a European level towards improving the quality of life for Alzheimer’s sufferers.

There will be a debate in the European Parliament on the provision of Alzheimer’s care, after the Written Declaration on the ‘priorities in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease’, was signed by over half of all MEPs – including Lib Dem Fiona Hall.

And Fiona, who called back in December for the UK to put in place a national approach on tackling dementia, says that the new National Dementia Strategy, which aims to save £1bn in the next ten years through improved diagnosis and treatment, is a first step towards alleviating the pressure on Britain’s health service – with direct medical costs to the NHS alone approximately £3.3.bn a year.

“At last the Government have realised that with an ageing population like the UK’s, Alzheimer’s really could be the ticking time bomb of our generation should nothing be done to counter the disease,” said Fiona.

But Fiona has real concerns that the amount of money being put into the strategy (£150m for the first two years) may hardly dent Britain’s current £17bn a year dementia burden.

“No increase in research funding means we will remain no closer to understanding dementia or addressing the devastating impact that it has on the thousands of people and their families.

“There are a lot of recommendations in this strategy and they will soon carve up the £150m budget. It is an ambitious project, which is important, but it would be good to know that the Government is thinking long term and will remain committed and invest more money to make sure that promises are delivered, well into the future.”

Residents urged to make Swalwell recycling a success

Plans to install recycling banks for plastic bottles, paper and textile in the Lidl car park in Swalwell, Gateshead, have been welcomed by the village’s three Liberal Democrat councillors.

The banks will be installed as a trial and if successful, they will become permanent.

Councillors Peter Craig, Chris Ord and Mary Wallace say the banks will make it easier for residents of Swalwell to recycle their waste.

“We can each play our part in cutting down on the damage we all cause to the environment,” said Peter. “Making recycling easier will boost al our efforts.
“We are encouraging residents to use the new facility. We definitely want it to stay once the trial period is over.”

Heating Our Homes Shouldn’t Cost The Earth

Improving energy efficiency is the easiest way to tackle climate change - and save money.
Fiona Hall, Member of the European Parliament fort he North East of England, has launched a petition calling on the Government to make all North East homes energy efficient.

"Given that one in nine North East households are currently paying more than 10% of their income on energy bills, it's vital to get money back into people's pockets,” said Fiona.

Recently, Fiona accompanied workmen installing cavity walls and loft insulation and heard firsthand from residents about the benefits in terms of extra warmth and lower fuel bills.

"Cavity and loft insulation are easy to do, yet progress is slow. The Government hasn’t even started to think about how to treat more difficult properties – yet there are 150,000 of those in the North East alone,” explained Fiona.

Fiona's petition “Heating your home shouldn’t cost the Earth” calls on the government to insulate all North East homes. Just go to www.fionahall.org.uk to sign up.

Traffic light consultation in Sunniside

Liberal Democrat councillors are consulting residents of Sunniside village in Gateshead about plans to install traffic lights at a busy junction.

Councillors Marilynn Ord, Jonathan Wallace and John McClurey have been campaigning for many years to install lights at the Sunniside Road/Sunniside Front Street junction.

The current junction is regularly congested and is difficult to navigate especially in the rush hour. Many motorists end up driving through the residential areas of Sunniside village to get to the next junction where traffic lights allow for a better traffic flow.

After over a year of discussion between the councillors and council official, Gateshead Council engineers have drawn up a set of plans for lights at the junction.

“We have put the plans in the window of Sunniside Post Office,” said Marilynn. “We want residents to take a look at what is proposed and to give us their views.

“We are sending a survey form to every house in Streetgate, Sunniside and Marley Hill so that people can give us their views.”

5,000 businesses to be surveyed by Lib Dems in the North East

Lib Dems in the North East have launched a region wide small business survey, in which 5,000 small businesses in the region will be asked their views on the recession and the extent of the problems they feel they are likely to face in 2009.

The Survey was launched from ‘Lynchgate News’, a small business owned by John McClurey in Gateshead, with Fiona Hall MEP, Cllr John Shipley and Cllr Carol Woods attending.

Cllr John Shipley explained what Newcastle City Council are doing to help businesses out of trouble. "Supporting small businesses is critically important during a recession. Newcastle City Council is paying invoices more quickly to increase the cash flow of small businesses.

"We are also publicising heavily the existence of small business rate relief because we reckon £1million is unclaimed in Newcastle."

Fiona Hall, who has helped many local small North East businesses in her role as an MEP said, "This survey gives us the opportunity to speak with local small businesses face to face and hear firsthand their business concerns for the coming year.

"Small businesses are the heart and soul of the British economy, but they could also be one of the heaviest casualties should the recession be long and drawn out. We will be presenting our findings to the Government, so they can take evidence-based action to help these businesses stay afloat in 2009."

Cllr Carol Woods, who runs her own small business in Durham, and who has been conducting her own Small Business Survey in Durham said: "Having spoken to about 20 small businesses on Friday, it is obvious that the Government needs to do more to help businesses through this economic crisis."

The survey will be carried out during February and the overall results will be published in March.

You can see the video on the launch on: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=sPUpGbGOPrg

Photo: Fiona Hall MEP, Newcastle City Council Leader John Shipley and Carol Woods, Parliamentary Spokesman for Durham City, launch the small business survey in Gateshead.

European boost for campaign against Path Head

Polish Euro MP, Marcin Libicki, who is Chairman of the Petitions Committee of the European Parliament, is to visit Path Head landfill site on Wednesday 28 January 2009 at the invitation of North East Lib Dem MEP Fiona Hall.

In 2005, Residents against Rubbish submitted a petition to the European Parliament with the help of Fiona Hall MEP, fighting plans to use the former quarry as a landfill waste dump. Since then, landfill site operator SITA UK has been found in breach of four conditions of its operating licence.

Following an invitation from Fiona Hall MEP in September 2008, Mr Libicki will visit the site and meet with local residents, SITA managers and councillors and officials of Gateshead Council, in order to further the European Parliament committee’s investigation.

Pictured above: Fiona Hall MEP meets local councillors and residents outside Path Head in December 2008.

Nissan job losses a serious blow to the North East

The announcement that Nissan are to make 1200 workers redundant has sparked urgent calls from local Lib Dems to the government to help the North East economy.

Fiona Hall Lib Dem Member of the European Parliament for the North East said, “Nissan’s announcement is a serious blow for one of the North East’s biggest private employers and a shock for one of Europe’s most productive car plants.

“It is now important that the government provides the right kind of support to the North East’s car industry - which is still a vibrant and dynamic part of our regional economy, as well as to those workers who have today found themselves without jobs.

“We are pressing for training packages and investment in big projects such as improvements to the A1 and the East Coast rail line to boost job opportunities.

“The recent announcement by Nissan parts supplier Unipres that they are losing 300 jobs, there is a long struggle ahead for car manufacturing in the North East.”

Nick Clegg MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats said, “This will be devastating news for the North East.

“The regularity and scale at which job losses are now being announced show just how serious a recession we are now in.

“The Government must act quickly to give support and training to those affected so they are able to find new jobs as soon as possible.”