Liberal Democrats - working for Fawdon, North Kenton, Coxlodge, Red House Farm and Little Grange

November/December 2016Produced and delivered by your local Lib Dems Brenda Hindmarsh, David Faulkner and the Focus team

LABOUR’S LATEST CUTS MEAN END OF SUPPORT FOR KENTON PARK SPORTS CENTRE

LIBRARY GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

Liberal Democrats - keeping in touch, making a difference

Council decisions also bring risk to Fawdon Community CentreYour councillors fought alongside the local community against last year’s planned Council funding cuts at KentonPark Sports Centre, and it brought some partial and temporary relief. However, the council’s plans for the coming

year are for all funding to end. Councillor David Faulkner says: “This is disappointing when the Council knows thatsupporting our community and sports centres is our number one local priority” - see over. “The Council says it willhelp the centre find alternative funding from somewhere - but where from? The centre can’t keep cutting costs or

adjusting charges. It has done well to find some other funds for supporting its work but this gets harder and harder”.

The Council has received a planning application to turn Tattler House on BeechAvenue, Fawdon into a dog day care/grooming parlour for 25 dogs. We have objectedon grounds of additional traffic from clients and staff at this very awkward junction withFawdon Lane, extra on-street parking on Beech Avenue (which is very narrow) and allsorts of concerns around animal and community health and hygiene, plus inevitable

noise issues associated with looking after so many dogs on such a small site.

Just nearby, Brenda and David were very disappointed at the decision of theCouncil’s Planning Committee to approve changes to the original approval for twobungalows to be built on a site at the corner of Fern and Pine Avenues in Fawdon.

We had objected on the grounds that the bungalows were already under constructionand were in a different position to what was originally sought and approved; also that

the properties themselves were altered considerably, with several windows in differentand obtrusive locations, overlooking and shadowing neighbouring properties. We are(still) of the view that the change in situation is to enable the developer to come back

later and ask to squeeze in more bungalows on the site.We will be alert to this possibility, and if it happens we shall certainly object again.

The Council also wants to introduce “communal bins” startingwith terraced areas with back lanes. The removal of individualwheelie bins will not be popular, and it will be especially toughon people with mobility difficulties to have to take their rubbishto larger, communal bins at the end of their lanes. We fear thatthis could be the thin end of the wedge and eventually no-onewill have their own bin. We are already seeing an increase infly-tipping in parts of our area, some of it as a result of the

council’s “dispute” with its refuse collectors and the continuedincidence of missed collections.

Please report any incidents of fly-tipping by phoning 2787878and asking for 'Envirocall' or Text Phone 211 4944. Or go to

this link to access an online form -https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/environment-and-waste/rubbish-

waste-and-recycling/report-fly-tippingIf you witness a vehicle tipping the waste and the offence is

ongoing, contact the police on 0191 214 6555.The person taking your call will need to know as much

information as possible, including the exact location and typeof land, a description of the person(s) fly-tipping, the date andtime the fly-tipping was seen, including the time the offence

started and finished, description (make, colour, markings) andregistration number of any vehicle involved.

The Council is proposing to removemost existing litter bins and

instead install larger bins - but fewerof them. We are already having toreport full litter bins on a regularbasis and the council is obviouslyhoping to save money with fewer

bins to have to empty. Brenda says:“People will be encouraged to take

their litter home if they are no longernear a litter bin when they need one,but we are worried that this will nothappen and we will end up with

even more even more rubbish onthe streets than we have now”.

RISK OF EVEN MORE LITTER

Also, the Newcastle Tenants and Residents Federation, who are managingFawdon Community Centre, have seen the Council award contracts elsewhere.This was for the Your Homes Newcastle tenant liaison and representation work

that the Fed had been doing well for several years. The Fed still hopes to have thecentre transferred to it, but these changes make things so much more difficult.

Councillor Brenda Hindmarsh says: “So much community activity is based therethat we can’t afford to lose it. We will give what help we can from the ward funds

but these are also to be cut yet again next year. We encourage residents to makeuse of the great facilities at the centre and we thank those local people such asVanessa Nair - pictured at the fun day in the park in August - who are raising

money for the centre, in Vanessa’s case by tackling the Great North Run.

CONTROVERSIAL FAWDON PLANNING APPLICATIONS

We are concerned that the council is sending out the wrong message by spendingmillions on refurbishing the Civic Centre and big pay rises for the chiefexecutive and senior management, whilst increasing council tax for residents and

reducing spending on the facilities and services we pay council tax for.

We’re pleased to see the volunteer-run library based inside Fawdon CommunityCentre continuing to do so well. They have been raising finance from local trusts

and by their own fundraising, and have recently been able to buy a table and chairsfor the use of young children plus tablets with age-appropriate content for them to

use when in the library. A big thank you to the local Asda and its customers - thegreen token scheme is allowing additional large print books to be bought.

While local libraries are reducing their opening hours, Fawdon’s volunteer run libraryhas extended opening times and has also initiated a mobile service to a local care

home. Why not pop in and join - it’s free! Opening hours are:Mondays 11am to 5pm Tuesdays 10am-2pm Wednesdays 10am-1pm

Thursdays 2pm to 5pm Fridays 10am to 1pm.Check out www.fawdoncommunitylibrary.com for more information, including how

you can become a volunteer - you will be made most welcome!

Councillor Brenda Hindmarsh, tel 285 1528, 4 Fawdon Lane,NE3 2AA; brenda.hindmarsh@newcastle.gov.uk

Councillor David Faulkner, tel 284 5662, 3 Bloomsbury Ct,NE3 4LW; david.faulkner@newcastle.gov.uk

COUNCILLORS’ SURGERIES PLEASE NOTE: From the new yearour surgery will be every second Tuesday of the month 5.30-

6.30pm at St Mary’s Church, Mapledene Rd, Fawdon.Useful local phone numbers

Envirocall: reporting graffiti, litter, dog fouling, bulky rubbish forcollection, bin collection and other neighbourhood maintenance

issues, also night- time noise reports : 0191 278 7828

Printed by Novoprint, 17 Denmark Street Newcastle NE6 2XF; Published by D Faulkner on behalf of FawdonLiberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle 3NE3 4LW

We’re here to help!Your Liberal Democrat Team

Liberal Democrats - making a difference in our area

PLEASE CONTACT ANY OF US IF YOU’D LIKE TO HELP BYDELIVERING FOCUS NEWSLETTERS IN OR NEAR YOUR AREA.

Police non-emergency number 101

COXLODGE ROAD PARKING CHANGES

RED HOUSE FARM NEWSout books at Aldi on World Book Night, projects with local schoolchildren, the “Rolling Reads” book trolley idea,

OUR LOCAL PRIORITIESWe recently held a special Ward Committee meeting at St Clements Court, Red House Farm. It was

well-attended by local groups and individual residents and between us we discussed and approved a setof priorities for our local area. We will use our, admittedly now limited, ward funds to further these, but wewill also try to ensure that the mainstream funding of the council (and it still has many millions to spend)

are used in a way that helps us achieve these priorities.

Our communities: Support and help sustain our key community buildings – community centre(s), sports centre,libraries - and support groups in our communities that provide essential services and facilities, such as allotments.Promote self-help and volunteering. Help build and maintain a tolerant and cohesive community that respects

diversity and different needs, including through events and programmes that bring people together.

Environment: Tackle dog fouling, litter, maintenance of parks and public areas, fly-tipping and graffiti, with the help ofthe community, and do whatever may be feasible to minimise flood risk.

Crime and anti-social behaviour: Work with the police, Your Homes Newcastle and the local community to reducecrime and anti-social behaviour, including under-age and binge drinking - action to focus on hot spots at key times.

Play, youth and leisure activities: Improve the provision of activities for our young people, and how information ispromoted. Help build respect between generations and a recognition of different needs. Ensure that recreational

spaces are available in a fair and balanced way between organised activities and informal community uses.

Roads, pavements, traffic: Within the limits of much-reduced available funding, repair the worst of poor roads andpavements in the ward; work with the police and with council officers to tackle irresponsible parking and speeding

with particular consideration to the traffic on Kingston Park Road.

Housing: Continuing to support the widest possible mix of housing and the opportunities for people to find appropri-ate housing. Oversee construction and improvement work in a way that respects the needs and interests of the com-

munities affected.

Information, advice and help: Improve the quality and effectiveness of information provision to local people on pro-grammes and activities in our communities, on training and job opportunities, and on healthy lifestyles. Monitor and

where necessary make representations about the responsiveness of council services.

Finance from this year’s ward committee budget so far has fundedthe new car park at Aln Crescent opposite Shaftoe Court; a smallcontribution to the purchase of camping equipment for scouts; aresidential visit to Hawkshead Outdoor Activity Centre by NorthFawdon Primary School pupils; youth provision and the summer

Kids Can Cook Project at Fawdon Community Centre; acontribution to running costs of Fawdon Community Library and

the annual Summer Fun Day at North Kenton Park.

The Council is formulating proposals to improve the junction of Kingston Park Road at Fawdon Lane.We don’t yet have the details but we understand that Kingston Park Road will be widened to allow for alonger turning lane into Fawdon Lane from the A1 junction, to relieve traffic that backs up to the round-about. There will be full consultation on changes, which could include re-sequencing the traffic lights.

The Ward Committee has agreed to fund repairs of the two Red House Farm community noticeboards.

To create safer sight lines and to prevent indiscriminate and obstructive parking on the corner by theshops, the Council is proposing to make a traffic order to prohibit waiting (i.e. double yellow lines) on

the parts of Belsay Gardens, Acomb Crescent and Broomley Court adjacent to the corner. Any objection or representation should be received by 22 November quoting refer-

ence GH/P44/1123 to Newcastle Parking Services, P.O. Box 2BL, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE99 2BL, orby email to traffic.notices@newcastle.gov.uk. To see the detail of the Order (including draft Order, map

and a statement of the Council’s reasons for proposing to make the Order) call into the CustomerService Centre, Civic Centre, (Ground Floor), Sandyford Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QH.

Brenda and David are pleased that acommunity campaign led by Lib Demcouncillor colleagues in Gosforth and

Jesmond has forced the council torethink its controversial plans to builda major motorway-style junction atthe Blue House roundabout on the

Town Moor - David joined around twothousand local people on the “Marchfor the Moor” in August. See below.

Are you fed up with fireworks going off for weeks onend before Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night? Petowners struggle to keep their companion animals

safe and comforted during this extended period, andwe have received many complaints this year.

We are therefore supporting the national cam-paign to restrict the days that fireworks can be used

to close to traditional celebration dates only.

One of the proposals from tenantsbeing considered by Your Homes

Newcastle under their “You’ve Got thePower” programme is to create

parking bays on the verges outside 20& 38 Redland Avenue, North Kenton.

There has been a recent incident inthe ward of con men cold-calling to saythat they have access to grants to in-

stall new or replacement boilers. Don’tbe taken in, don’t sign any contract orhand over cash without checking outtheir credentials, the source of anygrants that might be mentioned and

the eligibility for them.

Lib Dem councillor Nick Cottaddresses the crowd

FED UP WITH FIREWORKS?

Residents had requested that a short 10m section of ‘No Waiting At AnyTime’ restrictions on Coxlodge Road be removed due to the limitedparking space here. After advertising of the legal order, one letter ofsupport was received and two objections; however one objection wassubsequently withdrawn. A vehicle tracking assessment was showed

that buses and other large vehicles could still comfortably complete theturn, and there was no objection from the bus company. The Council’s

Appeals Committee approved the change in early October.

WARD COMMITTEE GRANTS

Coxlodge & District Club on JubileeRoad is currently open to new

members - contactinfo@coxlodgeclub.com, tel 285 6916

and check outhttp://www.coxlodgeclub.com to see

their excellent programme.The Little Grange Tenants & Residents

Association and your councillors arekeeping a close liaison with the policeon repeated anti-social behaviour in

the area.

David and Brenda share the frustrations of residents on theHazel Walk estate in North Kenton at the continued failure ofBarratts to carry out the significant amount of remedial workneeded on roads and pavements. It’s now four years sincethe estate was started and nearly two years since the last

house was built. Promises to relay pathways, fill in potholes,repair kerbs , complete green spaces etc have been made

and timescales repeatedly missed. We are monitoring weeklyand chasing Barratts and their contractors.

New estate needs urgent attention