“Johnson unfit to be PM” - Jonathan Wallace

Responding to the news from the Supreme Court that the Government acted illegally over the prorogation of Parliament, Liberal Democrat Leader of the Opposition in Gateshead and Parliamentary Candidate for Blaydon, Jonathan Wallace, said:

“Boris Johnson has demonstrated that he is not fit to be Prime Minister. He acted illegally in proroguing Parliament and although his behaviour has been astonishing, his coup has failed. He has become a national embarrassment and should now consider his future.

“Parliament must now sit again and hold the government to account.”

Lib Dems walk out in protest as “Labour brings Council into disrepute"

Liberal Democrat Councillors have today twice walked out of the full council meeting in Gateshead in protest at motions moved by Labour that they believe bring the Council into disrepute.

The first motion by Labour demands that the Council endorses the party political election campaign of their Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) candidate Kim McGuinness who won the Northumbria by-election in July.

The Labour motion claims:

“We believe that Kim McGuinness brought forward a detailed and clear vision for how

policing needs to change, that she ran a professional and high-minded campaign for

office and proved herself an articulate campaigner.”

The motion goes on to call on council officers to “write to the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner to ask her to require the police to record misogyny as a hate crime in their day-to-day activities”.

Liberal Democrats point out that PCCs are not allowed, by law, to intervene in day-to-day policing and operational matters and therefore the motion calls on her to do something which she is not permitted to do.

The second Labour motion calls on the Council to back a Labour Party policy and campaign on Standard Attainment Tests in schools. Again, Liberal Democrats argue that the Council should not be drawn into endorsing party political campaigns.

Cllr Ron Beadle, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Liberal Democrat group, said, “It is not the role of any public body to endorse the election campaign of any party political candidate.

“We believe this to be a wholly inappropriate use of the Council and public resources. I know of no other council or public body that has endorsed the campaign of a party political candidate who stood in a public election.

“Liberal Democrats in Gateshead cannot and will not lend legitimacy to these two motions which should have been ruled out of order by the Mayor. For that reason, we left the council chamber rather than assist Labour in potentially bringing the authority into disrepute.”

Teddy bears picnic in Sunniside

There will be a teddy bears picnic and table top sale at the Whinnies Community Garden in Sunniside on Saturday 14th September from 1pm-4pm. Bring the children along with their favourite teddy. There will be a prize for the best dressed teddy.

There are still spaces available for anyone who wants to come along to sell their goods and there will also be stalls selling homemade jams, plants, fresh vegetables from the garden, raffle and tombola. There will also be games for the children and face painting. Local face painter Gaile Clark will be having all of her hair shaved off at 2pm to raise funds for prostate cancer so please come along to cheer her on.

Plans submitted for derelict school site

Councillors Peter Maughan and Kevin McClurey outside the derelict Dunston Hill School. They have called for the old buildings to be demolished as part of planning permission for the site.

The long awaited plans for housing on the derelict Dunston Hill Primary School site have now been submitted to Gateshead Council. They include proposals for 26 new houses and part of the site, where the main school buildings currently stand, will be allocated for the FACT cancer care centre.

The application itself will only consider the new houses. A further application will be required for the cancer facility.

The application has been welcomed by Lib Dem Councillors Kevin McClurey and Peter Maughan who have campaigned to have the decade long derelict site used for housing.

"Our chief concern is that as the house building will be on the part of the site that is not currently occupied by the main school building, full demolition before any other work takes place should be a condition for receiving planning permission," said Kevin.

Mayor reopens vandal hit bowling pavilion in Marley Hill

A year ago, the pavilion at Marley Hill Bowling Green suffered an arson attack. Considerable smoke damage meant the building could not be used for months. But club members were not going to let this setback undermine the club.

Instead, they carried out a programme of repair and renovation and the restored pavilion was officially reopened by the Mayor of Gateshead, Cllr Michael Hood, on Friday 6th September.

The club have also taken out a lease on the bowling green and pavilion, taking over the maintenance of the facility from the council. The new arrangement has allowed the club to apply for grant funding from charities which it previously could not receive under the umbrella of Gateshead Council.

"It is great to see the club in Marley Hill growing successfully," said Cllr John McClurey. "Members are making a great success of the facility by taking over the job of maintaining the green. They are now a model for other clubs to follow."

Anyone interested in playing bowls at Marley Hill or joining the club can contact the secretary, Alan Thompson, on acthompson@hotmail.co.uk.

Apartments plan for Whickham Social Club approved

Plans to demolish the former Whickham Social Club on School Lane, Whickham and build 13 apartments on the site have been approved by Gateshead's planning committee.

The apartments will be designed to accommodate households in which a family member uses a wheelchair.

Local Lib Dem Councillor Sonya Hawkins said, "I am pleased this application has been approved. Many of us will remember attending functions in the social club but, sadly, the building has been closed since 2016 and was becoming derelict.

"The new housing will address the need to provide wheelchair accessible homes of which we have a shortage in the area."

Dunston House Building plans rejected

A planning application to build up to ten houses on the former tennis court area to the rear of Monkridge Gardens in Dunston has been rejected. A large number of residents contacted local Lib Dem councillors to express concerns about these plans and the impact that they would have on neighbouring properties.

The application was heard by the Council’s planning committee on Wednesday 4th September. Cllr Kevin McClurey spoke on behalf of those residents who opposed the plans.

"The  applicant  does  have  a  right  of  appeal  against  this  decision,  and  your  local councillors will let residents know if there are any further updates on this case," said Kevin.

Photo above: Cllr Peter Maughan at the entrance to the former tennis courts behind Monkridge. Along with Cllr Kevin McClurey, he helped residents fight the plans for up to 10 houses on the site.

Arson at Marley Hill Bowling Club House

During the week starting 22 October, there was a break in at the Marley Hill Bowling Club House. Nothing was stolen but a fire was started in the building which resulted in considerable smoke damage. If you have any information that could lead to the arrest of those responsible, please call Northumbria Police on 101.

Gateshead Council response to Regent Court fire

Earlier this month, Regent Court in Gateshead experienced a significant fire. Residents were evacuated. Most have now been able to return but 14 flats remain damaged. At Gateshead Council's annual meeting last week, deputy leader Catherine Donovan and leader of the opposition, Lib Dem Cllr Jonathan Wallace led the tributes to the services involved in tackling the fire and helping the displaced residents. Cllr Wallace also raised the issue of the promised review of council housing which so far has not seen light of day.

Heworth Roundabout Improvements – Final Phase

Heworth main junction and A184 Felling By-pass will be closed between 20:00 and 05:00 each night from Tuesday 22^nd May 2018 for up to two weeks (excluding the Bank Holiday weekend) to allow remaining works to be carried out on Heworth Roundabout.

Bus operators have advised that services will be affected as follows:

Go North East

Services 4, 35A, 57, X9/X10 will be unable to serve the Felling bypass between Lingey Lane/Kirkwood Gardens and Heworth Interchange.

Service 4 will operate between Lingey Lane and Heworth via Meresyde, Grange Crescent, High Lanes, High Heworth Lane and Sunderland Road to Heworth Interchange.  Return journeys via this route reversed.

Service 35A will divert from Felling by-pass via Lingey Lane, Meresyde, Grange Crescent, Grange Road, High Lanes and High Heworth Lane to Heworth Interchange.  Return journeys via this route reversed.  

Service 57 from the Interchange will operate via Shields Road, High Heworth Lane, High Lanes, Grange Crescent and Meresyde to normal route. Return journeys via this route reversed.

Services X9 & X10 from Middlesbrough will, after the Wardley bus gate, divert via Lingey Lane, Meresyde, Grange Terrace, High Lanes, High Heworth Lane and Sunderland Road to Heworth Interchange and normal route.

Service X10 to Middlesbrough (last journey) will divert from Heworth Interchange via Shields Road, High Heworth Lane, High Lanes, Grange Crescent and Meresyde to normal route.   

Service 27 – Shuttle Service

Service 27 will operate from Heworth via High Heworth Lane, High Lanes, Grange Crescent, Meresyde, Felling by-pass over-bridge, Sunderland Road, Felling by-pass, A194 Leam Lane and B1306 Mill Lane to normal route on Monkton Lane.  Return from Monkton Lane via Mill Lane, Leam Lane, Felling by-pass, Lingey Lane, Meresyde, Grange Crescent,  Grange Road, High Lanes and High Heworth Lane to Heworth Interchange.

A shuttle bus will operate every 30 minutes between Heworth (Maiden Over public house) and Finchale Road Shops, via Shields Road, Victoria Road West, Mill Lane and Finchale Road where passengers can transfer to or from the diverted service 27.

Stagecoach

Services X24 and X34 will continue to have access towards Newcastle and Gateshead by following the alternative registered routes however, X24 and X34 journeys may be subject to localised delays depending upon the volume of traffic in the area.

Blaydon roadworks

Northern Gas Network, who are carrying out work in Blaydon, have encountered a major problem with the existing steel pipe running from the A695 roundabout to the bottom of Blaydon Bank. Their gas monitoring in the area indicates this is now an emergency situation, so they will begin work at 6pm on Saturday 4 November to install a new section of pipe from the bus station access road to the bottom of Blaydon Bank.

Due to the urgency of the work, their works will be continuous throughout the night.

They do not anticipate any road closures, but some traffic disruption is likely and some bus stops at Blaydon bus station – mostly affecting buses to and from Winlaton – will need to be re-located around the corner. Please check at the bus station for more information.

NGN expect to finish on the morning of Monday 6th November, with all works in the area completed by Friday (10 November).

Work starts on Remaking Beamish after record visitor figures

Visitor numbers to Beamish Museum have again broken records this year. In August alone, 122,000 people visited the open air museum. Work has now started on the biggest development agreed so far at the award winning museum. Remaking Beamish will see the creation of a 1950s town with prefabricated homes relocated from Kibblesworth. The town will have a cinema, community centre, shops and cafe. A restored trolley bus will be carrying visitors to and from the town. In the Georgian area of the museum, a coaching inn will be built, along with a quilter's cottage and a windmill.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has paid £11 million towards the costs of the project with the remaining £7 million raised by the Museum. Work to create the new attractions will be carried out over the next three years.

Historian and Lib Dem Leader of the Opposition on Gateshead Council, Jonathan Wallace, welcomed the developments at Beamish. "The new attractions will help to bring more visitors to the region, boosting jobs and the local economy."

Questions raised over derelict Dunston Hill School

Photo: Cllr Peter Maughan and Kevin McClurey outside the derelict Dunston Hill School

The Lib Dem Focus Team in Dunston is pressing Gateshead Council to take action to demolish the former Dunston Hill School which has been allowed to turn into a derelict eyesore.

“Over two years ago, plans were put forward for the site to be used as a cancer care facility with some house-building on the site,” said Lib Dem campaigner Kevin McClurey.

“Two years on and all that has happened on the site is that the once valuable building has turned into a derelict eyesore right in the heart of the community.

“Trees are now growing out of walls, windows are smashed and weeds are taking over paths. Residents are telling us that they are fed up with the eyesore on our doorsteps.

“While Labour are happy to build houses on our countryside, they are showing an alarming lack of interest in getting this site cleared up and developed.”

Cllr Peter Maughan said, “I have written to the Council’s chief executive to draw attention yet again to the need to sort out the school site.

“Residents have waited long enough for the original plans to be put into operation. With nothing having happened yet, despite the passage of so much time, I have urged that the building be demolished and marketed as a site suitable for affordable homes - not the super-expensive homes
Labour wants for our area.

“I am yet to receive a response to my request but I am continuing to press the case. It is totally unacceptable that people are being forced to live next door to this derelict mess. This site could be sold by the council to raise valuable funds and provide affordable homes for local people.”

Finalised Dunston Hill house building plans expected by December

Photo: Lib Dem campaigners Cllr Peter Maughan and Kevin McClurey outside the Central Nursery where Labour plans to build 100s of executive homes.

Lib Dem campaigners, who have been leading the battle against Labour’s plans to build nearly 600 executive homes on local countryside, are warning that 2018 could see “our countryside buried under concrete” if the house-building proposals are not defeated.

Labour Coucillors battled to have the Central Nursery and fields to the south of Whickham Highway removed from the greenbelt so that the superexpensive housiing plans can go ahead.

Lib Dem Councillor Peter Maughan has contacted planning officers for an update on the plans submitted earlier this year by house-builder Persimmon.

“I have been told that the plans could come to the Council’s planning committee by December at the earliest but discussions on some of the details of the application are still being sorted,” said Peter.

“Liberal Democrats are continuing the battle to defeat the housing plans, said Lib Dem campaigner Kevin McClurey. "We circulated a petition earlier this year opposing the current planning application and we are continuing to collect signatures.

“Labour claims that they ‘are for the many, not the few’ are dead in the water in Gateshead. The executive homes they want on Dunston Hill will be well beyond what most residents can afford. Instead of affordable homes for the many, they are building expensive homes for the few.

“In Crawcrook, a similar plan by Labour has seen new houses built that will start at 10 times the average annual pay of residents. The Dunston Hill Houses are likely to be even more expensive.”

Queen Elizabeth Hospital open Day

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital is holding an open day on Wednesday 1st November, from 3.30pm to 6pm. The event will take place at the Quenellies Restaurant at the Windy Nook entrance. If you are interested in a career with the hospital, would like a health check-up orwant to find out more about the services it provides, staff will be on hand throughout the afternoon to assist you. You can also learn about becoming a member and having a say in your local hospital.

To book a place call 0191 445 3712/3713 or email debbie.atkinson4@nhs.net or joannewilliamson3@nhs.net

Gateshead and Newcastle Healthcare survey

NHS continuing healthcare (CHC) is an ongoing package of care outside of hospital that is arranged and funded by the NHS, where a person is found to have a ‘primary health need’. Care can be provided in a range of settings, including residential care or in someone's own home. Healthwatch Gateshead and Healthwatch Newcastle are researching relevant issues with service users, carers and relatives, the voluntary and community sector, service providers and commissioners. If you live in Newcastle or Gateshead and have been through the CHC pathway in the past 12 months, or are starting the process, we would like to hear about your experiences. Take the survey at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/NHS-CHC

Recent plans for Gateshead

Pub to housing plans for Heworth

Planning permission is being sought for new housing at the Maiden Over pub on Low Heworth Lane in Heworth. The proposals, which have been handed in to Gateshead Council, will see, if approved, two detached houses on the former car park. The pub itself will be converted into two houses. The plans include the creation of garden space and parking for each house and cycle storage.

Community Farm’s plan

Gibside Community Farm are seeking planning permission for a portacabin for office/shelter near Fellside Road.

Powered up in Lamesley

Planning permission is being sought for a 49.99 MW Gas Fired Electricity Generating Facility at Long Acre Farm, Lamesley. Landscaping of the site forms part of the plan as well.

Ryton Tower improvement

Planning permission is being sought to install external fire escape stairs on north and east sides of Ryton Tower Residential Home, Whitewell Lane, Ryton.

Winlaton assisted living plan

Plans for new housing in Winlaton have been submitted to Gateshead Council. If approved, the garage site behind 33 - 43 Derwent View, Winlaton will be used for four assisted living flats and associated parking.

Urban garden proposed for Gateshead

Plans have been submitted to the Council for a temporary urban garden at Hillgate Quay. The development would be open in June 2018 at the site located between HMS Calliope and the Swing Bridge to coincide with the Great Exhibition for the North.

The aim is to bring visitors to the area and support the local economy. No costs of the garden will fall on the council. Instead, the costs will me covered by the private sector. Plans for the garden have been drawn up by Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medalist and TV garden designer Diarmuid Gavin . #

He aims to create a cultural oasis and would be the largest container garden in the world. There will be open areas of trees and mixed planting using 90 shipping containers split between two main areas, the Plaza Garden and the Main Urban Garden. There will be retail, catering and art attractions as well as start-up and local businesses.

There will also be space for the community and voluntary sector to ensure wider social value and engagement connecting local communities to the Quays.

About 100 people will work at the site, while volunteers and National Trust gardeners would be involved in maintaining the garden. Fruit and vegetables grown at the site would be used by the catering outlets. It is anticipated that the site could attract 200,000 visitors.

Planning permission will be needed but if approved, work could begin on site in January with completion in June 2018.

Lib Dem Leader on Gateshead Council, Jonathan Wallace, welcomed the plans but at a meeting of the Gateshead and Newcastle Partnership on 5th October, he questioned why the garden will only be temporary.

"Given the investment that will go into this garden, and the likelihood that it could continue to attract visitors to the area, therefore boosting the economy, we should be looking at a permanent feature there, not a temporary one," said Jonathan.

Whickham's Chase Park to reopen this weekend

Major renovation work on Whickham's historic Chase Park has now been completed. To celebrate the £1 million refurbishment, Friends of Chase Park are holding a re-opening event on Saturday, 23rd September, from 11am to 3pm.

The Mayor of Gateshead, Cllr Pauline Dillon, will lead the re-opening ceremony. There will be lot of entertainment, activities and a fair.

Everyone is welcome to join in the celebrations.



The renovation of the Park was the result of the Friends of Chase Park's campaign to restore it to its former glory. A partnership of the Friends and Gateshead Council saw a successful bid for £1 million made to the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund. The work was carried out during 2017 and includes:

•​Restoration of the listed windmill, entrance gates, paths and ornamental garden

•​Replanting of flower beds and trees

•​Remodelling and enhancement of the toddler play area

•​Resurfacing of the tennis courts and new table tennis installed 

•​New junior play area and skateboard park

•​Outdoor gym/trim trail 

•​Development of community garden 

•​New benches, signs and interpretations of heritage points of interest.

Labour Rebels Hand May a Blank Cheque - Wallace

Liberal Democrats in Gateshead have accused the Labour Party of handing Theresa May a blank cheque over the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. A vote held on 12th September  on the EU withdrawal Bill saw 7 Labour MPs vote with the Conservatives, helping to boost May’s majority.

The Withdrawal Bill will pass all current EU laws and rules into British law and give Government ministers unprecedented powers to change them without requiring further legislation.

Lib Dem candidate for Blaydon, Jonathan Wallace, said, “Despite Labour flip-flopping over their stance on the EU and the Single Market, they at least had a definite position on this Bill, which was to oppose it. In the Commons, Theresa May blew away her majority at the snap General Election in June so even a small rebellion by the chaotic Labour Party saves the Conservatives.

“That’s exactly what’s happened here. Those Labour rebels, and those who abstained, in effect teamed up with the Tory Right and the DUP to hand ministers massive powers to by-pass Parliament.”

Tom Brake MP, Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson, said, “This Bill will hand the Government unprecedented new powers. MPs, especially those who campaigned to leave the EU on the basis of ‘taking back control’ for our Parliament, should be ashamed.  They have abdicated their responsibility to scrutinise legislation and relinquished Parliamentary sovereignty to Theresa May’s unrepresentative cabal.

“This is a dark day for the mother of parliaments.  The Liberal Democrats will fight to amend the bill in Committee to stop this affront to democracy.

“Labour rebels have handed the Government sweeping anti-democratic powers.  A significant number walked hand in hand with the Tories and have given the Government extreme powers not seen since the Middle Ages.”