Widening Horizons Confronting prejudice Encouraging Harmony Aisling Cohn, School Linking Manager.
Widening Horizons March 2011
-
Upload
north-tyneside-council -
Category
Documents
-
view
227 -
download
2
description
Transcript of Widening Horizons March 2011
www.northtyneside.gov.uk twitter.com/NTCouncilTeam
March 2011
horizonswidening
Also inside...
Budget update
What’s on
Big Spring Clean
Area forums
In Bloom entry form
!Bin collect
ion
days are
changing
Refuse and recyclingcollections UPDATE
FromApril 4, refuse and recycling will becollected over four days instead of fiveto improve efficiency and reduce fuelconsumption.
We will collectTuesday to Friday with crewsworking later into the day – a move that willsave the council around £200,000 a year.
And because there will be no collectionson Mondays, there will be no disruption toresidents caused by bank holiday rescheduling.
Before the new timetable is introduced,you will receive a calendar explaining yourcollection day. The day may be unchangedbut you may find your bin is emptied at adifferent time each week.
Please note: The introduction of the newsystem means there will be NO changes toyour collection day at Easter or the followingweekend of the RoyalWedding and MayDay bank holidays.
If you have any queries about our refuse or recycling
collections, please call 0345 2000 103 or email
Garden waste collections
FromApril 4, Friday collections willchange to Monday. We will NOT becollecting garden waste in December,January or February – saving around£30,000 a year.
!Bin collect
ion
days are
changing
Read moreon page 9...
3
Mayor’s messageElected Mayor Linda Arkley talks about thecouncil’s budget and other issues.
Budget 2011/12A three-page update of what the new budgetwill mean for you.
What’s on in the boroughFrom fun fairs to book fairs – what’s happeningand where.
Area forumsFind out what’s going on and the date of thenext forum.
Your groupHow community spirit helped to transform anovergrown dene into a wildlife haven.
NorthTyneside in BloomDetails about this year’s contest – and thatall-important application form!
Local election updateMake sure you are able to vote onThursday,May 5.
A day in the life . . .Fostering services manager Paula Gibbons talksabout a typical day.
Chairman’s CommendationsHow you can nominate a group or individual forthis year’s awards.
Keep it localThree pages of classified adverts featuring localbusinesses.
Inside this issue5
6
10
16
20
24
32
44
59
61
NorthTyneside Council wants to make it easierfor you to obtain the information you need.We can provide Widening Horizons in Braille,audiotape, large print and other languages.For information on other formats, please call(0191) 643 5080.
Please recycle this magazinewhen you have finished with it.
March 2011
The next issue of Widening Horizons will bedistributed from Monday, June 20.
NTC GRAPHICS 02/11 3747JWI
horizonswidening
Front cover: Ethan Christensen and EvieWard, from King EdwardPrimary School, North Shields, prepare for the Big Spring Clean.For more details about this year’s campaign, see page 22.
The council produces Widening Horizons four times ayear for the residents of NorthTyneside.
Our aim is to keep you informed about what the council and
its partners are doing to improve life for people in the borough.
The magazine is delivered to more than 90,000 households
across the borough.Copies are also available at council facilities,
including libraries, leisure centres and community centres.
Every effort is made to ensure that all information is correct
at the time of publication.
If you would like to contact the council, the general enquiries
number is 0345 2000 101 (between 7.30am and 8pm,Monday
to Friday).You can also email [email protected]
or visit the council website – www.northtyneside.gov.uk
For more ways of getting in touch with the council, including in
person or by letter, please see page 4.
If you know of a friend or neighbour who does not receive a
copy of Widening Horizons, please contact Steve Forshaw on
(0191) 643 5080 or email [email protected]
widening horizons •March 20114
We want to make it easy for youto contact the council – and thatincludes in person, by phone, byletter, online or by email.
In person
You can call in at one of our customerservice centres, located throughout theborough. Staff can provide advice andinformation on a range of council services,including housing and benefits.
Our centres are based at:
� White Swan Centre, Killingworth
� Unicorn House, Suez Street,North Shields
� Park Road,Wallsend
� VictoriaTerrace,Whitley Bay
By phone
If you have a general enquiry, you canphone the council’s contact centre on0345 2000 101 between 7.30am and 8pm,Monday to Friday. (Please note: the centretakes a high volume of calls each day andcan be very busy at peak times.)
Other main numbers are:
� Housing and Kier repairs0345 2000 102
� Environmental matters0345 2000 103
� Council tax and benefits0345 2000 104
� Racial incidents0345 2000 105
� Payments0345 2000 107
� Families Information Service0345 2000 108
� Emergencies (24hrs)(0191) 200 6800
� Social care (out-of-hours)0300 123 0812
By letter
You can write to:
NorthTyneside Council, Quadrant,The Silverlink North, Cobalt Business Park,NorthTyneside NE27 0BY.
Online
The council website –www.northtyneside.gov.uk – containsplenty of information on a wide rangeof subjects.
You can apply for planning permission,pay your council tax or report anincident of flytipping. Page after page isavailable at the click of a mouse.
You can also contact the council via:[email protected]
For environmental issues:[email protected]
For housing repairs:[email protected]
For the Families Information Service:[email protected]
NorthTyneside Council is made up of20 geographic areas called wards.Each ward has three elected councillorswho represent you and your views.
If you would like to meet your localward councillor, their contact details,and the dates and times of their wardsurgeries, are available on the councilwebsite. (Click on ‘council anddemocracy’ then ‘councillors’).
You can also phone the Customerand Member Liaison Office on(0191) 643 2280.
How to get intouch with thecouncil
How to contactyour councillor
How to report ahate crimeThe ARCH network allows people livingor working in NorthTyneside – or justvisiting the borough – to report incidentsof hate crime.
You can report an incident if you are thevictim; reporting on behalf of the victim;a witness or an agency worker who feelsthe incident needs to be reported.
The victim decides what happens next –they may want advice fromVictim Supportbut not want the police involved.
ARCH allows supporting agencies towork together to ensure the right supportis offered as quickly as possible.
The 24-hour freephone number is08000 32 32 88.
You can also report an incident at anyNorthTyneside customer service centre(see list opposite), the Refugee IntegrationService (Town Hall,Wallsend),VictimSupport (Albion House, North Shields),Wallsend People’s Centre (Frank Street,Wallsend),UniversalYouth and ConnexionsServices (Wooley Street,Wallsend andRussell Street, North Shields) and AmandaNicole School of Dance (Bewicke Road,Willington Quay).
messageMayor’s
Dear resident,
This is an important time of the year for
NorthTyneside Council.
We have set our budget for the next 12
months and agreed an historic council tax
freeze. In addition, we have agreed our
main areas of work for the next four years
in a new Strategic Council Plan.
Feedback from residents through extensive
engagement over the last six months, as
well as with a range of other partners, has
helped us to identify the priorities for the
council as it moves forward.
I hope this edition ofWidening Horizons
will help you understand some of those
decisions we have taken.
This year the council has had to face
particular challenges in the current
economic climate, including the lower levels
of grants national government has available
to give local authorities.
As an organisation, we are responding to
these challenges in a number of ways.
During the budget process, all service areas
were scrutinised to examine what they do,
how they spend money and how they
perform.This has helped the council to
achieve £24m efficiencies for this year – for
example, a review of the senior
management structure has achieved savings
of £800,000.
I am pleased we have been able to protect
our schools, libraries, leisure centres and
children’s centres and keep weekly bin
collections.
You will see in the magazine that we are
launching a new plan - the ‘New Direction:
Delivering Change, Improvement and
Efficiency Plan’ - that will help us do that.
This will help us to take that work further
by looking in depth at what we do and
finding more efficient and effective ways of
working. It will include considering how we
use our buildings and transport and
ensuring we cut the cost of supplies and
contracts we have.
It will examine how we deliver services and
whether we could both improve and
deliver efficiencies by doing them differently,
such as sharing services with other councils.
It is also important that we look at how we
use our workforce and the talents of our
employees to improve the service we
provide to customers.
I am committed to ensuring that, as we go
through this period of change and
improvement, we continue to engage with
residents to get their views on what we are
doing and how we are spending our money.
A new section of the magazine feeds back
to you on the work of the area forums,
which are helping the public to get involved
in our decision making. I hope you find it
useful.
These meetings are held regularly
throughout the year in the four areas of
the borough. Sometimes we hold special
events, such as the ones in North Shields
andWallsend, to discuss plans for the town
centres.Any resident of the area is
welcome to pop along and get involved.
It is clear from the events we have already
held that residents appreciate our frontline
services.
In this edition, you can find out about some
changes we are making to our refuse
collection service that will enable us to
continue to have weekly collections.You
can also find out about some of the other
work to keep the borough clean and tidy.
As the magazine goes to press, I have heard
that our Environmental Services team has
just achieved national recognition for the
high standards they deliver.
The Clean Britain Awards involve cities,
district councils and towns from across the
country.The scheme involves a tough
judging process, with anonymous
inspections and 13 key criteria, including
litter, chewing gum, smoking-related litter,
dog fouling, fly-tipping, gritting, provision of
litter bins and general grounds
maintenance.
Points are awarded on each of the criteria,
and we are delighted that we have been
awarded the highest possible grading of five
stars, which is a fantastic achievement.
As a council, we are committed to
continuing to work hard to deliver
improved services that deliver good value
for money for our residents and council-tax
payers.
Linda Arkley
5
widening horizons •March 20116
As a result, the council has worked to
achieve £24m of efficiencies this year.
This takes account of the £12m less in
government grants the council will receive
in the next year.
All aspects of the council’s work have been
examined to cut unnecessary spending and
make efficiencies wherever possible.
Significant savings are being achieved in
the first year – such as restructuring senior
management, which will save £800,000,
and reviewing how the council delivers
services, including waste collection, to
make them more efficient.
Taking these steps has resulted in around
90 redundancies by the end of March with
around another 50 in the next financial
year.
Despite the challenges of working within a
very tight financial framework, the council
has not increased council tax and is
confident it has set a stable budget, which
takes account of increased costs, such as
higher landfill taxes.
For the 2011/12 financial year, the
council has a net budget of £175m with
a 10-year capital investment plan of
£237m.
By the end of the budget period, it will
have £6.6m in balances and £6m in the
strategic reserves.
This is in line with the level recommended
in the reserves and balances policy and
ensures the council will be well prepared
for any challenges that lie ahead.
The contingency budget has increased
and annual borrowing will be lower.
No council tax increaseand key servicesprotectedThe government has set the council– along with other public sectorbodies – a challenge to reduce thepublic debt and continue to livewithin its means.
Staying healthy: Under the measures agreed in the budget,leisure centres – along with schools, libraries and children’scentres – will stay open.
77
The budget agreed by the council retainsweekly bin collections and there will beno closures of schools, leisure centres,libraries or children’s centres.
It also allows some additional investment inthe priority areas that matter most to thepublic:
� Extra money for safeguardingvulnerable children and adults.
� £3.4m for additional youth facilities.
� An additional £1m for each of the nextthree years for improvements to roadsand pavements.
� An extra £50,000 in dementia carein 2011/12 with major increases infunding planned for the followingyears.
� Investment in improving frontlinecustomer services, including £150,000for the telephone contact centre in2011/12 and another £200,000 thefollowing year.
� Investment in town centres, including
£150,000 forWallsend, £100,000 for
Forest Hall and £25,000 forWhitley
Lodge.
And a new £100,000 Big Society
Investment Fund is being established to
help local people take responsibility and
get involved in local issues.This is separate
from the £700,000 currently given to civil
society organisations.
Investment in servicesRent levels for council tenants in
NorthTyneside – as across the
country – are determined by the
national Rent Restructuring Policy,
which was introduced by the
government in 2002 as a way of
providing a consistent approach to
setting social housing rents.
In NorthTyneside, tenants will face
an average increase of 8.12 per cent
– or £4.72 per week.
Unfortunately, this is higher than
some neighbouring areas.
Because rents in the borough were
traditionally kept low, tenants are
facing this increase as the council
catches up with other authorities
that already charge higher rents.
The council would not have been
able to deliver a programme of
improvements to its homes if it had
not accepted the guidance and
applied the recommended increase.
Sixty per cent of our tenants receive
housing benefit so will not have to
pay the increase. For the others, the
council will be doing everything it
can to minimise the impact,
including stepping up the support,
benefit and debt advice available.
Council houserents
There will be a need to change some fees
and charges to cover increased costs for
some services.This includes:
� The cost of school meals will increase
by 20p a day – from £1.60 to £1.80 –
which is still among the lowest in
the region.
� Residents will still be able to qualify for
two free residents parking permits, if
these operate in their neighbourhood.
However, further permits will cost
£20 each.
� There is a new scale of charges for
bulky waste collections.
Where residents have a number
of small items, such as bicycles,
dining chairs and a car tyre, they
will be able to have up to eight
items collected at the same time
for £10. For larger items,
including beds, armchairs and
cookers, the cost will be £10 per
item. Items such as a bathroom
suite, a dismantled greenhouse or
a large number of tree cuttings
will cost £40.
� A replacement bin will cost £20
and a replacement caddy £5.
Fees and charges
�
Stride outLighthouseTO THE
10km family walk to St.Mary’s Lighthouse
Saturday 4 June 201110.30am start atThe Parks Sports Centre
For registration on the day please arrive no later than 10am
WIDENING HORIZONS
Sport NorthTyneside
9
Weekly collections are beingretained but we are makingchanges to improve efficiency andreduce fuel consumption andcarbon emissions.
From April 4, the council will collect refuse
and recycling over four days instead of five
– saving around £200,000 a year and
reducing the mileage travelled by our
vehicles.
And because there will be no collections
on Mondays, there will be no disruption to
residents caused by bank holiday
rescheduling.
Waste collection vehicles are fitted with
tracking devices and the data has been
used to reorganise routes, with vehicles
working together in a particular area.
Crews will collectTuesday to Friday, and
will work later into the day.This will
reduce the non-working period when the
crews leave and return to the depot.
In the run-up to the introduction of the
new system, residents will receive a
calendar showing their collection day.
You can also find out your collection day
by using a new postcode search facility on
our website.
(Please note: Even if your collection day
remains unchanged, you may find your bin
is emptied at a different time each week.
Collections will take place between
6.30am and 5pm, so please make sure
your bins are out by 6.30am on the
relevant day.)
The garden waste collection service
has gone from strength to strength
since it started six years ago.
In its first year, the scheme covered
almost 60,000 households and
collected just over 7,500 tonnes of
garden waste for composting.
Now, almost 70,000 households are
included, with more than 9,000 tonnes
being collected.
Following a review of the service,
some changes are on the way to make
it more efficient.
We will stop collections in the winter
– between December and February –
saving around £30,000 a year. This was
a proposal that many residents told us
they supported when we asked for
feedback in Widening Horizons.
Only a very small amount of garden
waste is put out for collection in
winter and it is often frozen solid and
cannot be emptied out of the bins.
Collection days will also change.
At the moment we collect on a Friday
afternoon and Saturday but from the
week beginning April 4, Friday
collections will change to Monday.
Garden wastecollectionsBin collections!
Spring is finally here and there’splenty happening over the nextfew weeks to put a spring in yourstep!
Whether it’s walking, running orcycling – or maybe all three –there are some great opportunitiesto step outside your front doorand enjoy the fresh air.
Spanish City Easter Fun FairThursday, April 21 to Monday,May 2Enjoy all the fun of the fair at this SpanishCity-themed event on the Links inWhitleyBay. For more information, contact01429 824 014.
Storm to SiegeThursday, April 21Wallsend Library (10am to 2pm)Go back in time to the CivilWar – and findout all about Cavaliers and Roundheads, suitsof armour, cooking and medicine. Childrenwill be able to dress up and have their
portrait taken.At midday, families will visitSegedunum for an afternoon of sword andpike drills.
Suitable for over-5s, please bring a packedlunch. For more details, or to book a place,phoneWallsend Library on (0191) 643 5835.
NorthTyneside 10KRoad RaceEaster Sunday, April 24From North Shields toWhitley BayThe race begins atThe Parks Sports Centrein North Shields and takes in the Fish Quay,Tynemouth Priory and a stunning stretch ofcoastline before finishing at St Mary’sLighthouse.
The annual event is a contender for one ofthe UK’s most scenic road races, and playshost to elite athletes and club runners alike.
The race is organised by the council, inpartnership with Start Fitness and NorthShields Polytechnic, and supported byHadrian SpringWater. Entry fee is £14 for aUK Athletics Club member and £16 for anon-club member.There is a range of prizesfor individuals and teams. (Runners must beover 15.)
For more details, call (0191) 643 7409,email [email protected] or visitwww.northtyneside.gov.uk
Book FairSunday, May 1Tynemouth StationCome along and browse through a widerange of books. Up to 50 stalls will beselling books to suit all tastes and pockets– from antiquarian and specialist leather-bound volumes to second-hand books andpaperbacks and from local history and novelsto children's books and printed ephemera.
The book fair runs from 10am to 4pmand entry is free. For more details, contactYlana First on (0191) 257 2180.
Reggae and Ska FestivalFriday, May 20 to Saturday, May 21Trojan Rooms, South Parade,Whitley BayTheTrojan Rooms is set to welcomemusicians from across the UK as it holds itssecond reggae and ska festival.
Each night’s entertainment starts at 8pm andruns until late.Tickets are £15 per night anddiscounts apply when all three nights arebooked.
For further information, call (0191) 251 0080,email [email protected] or visitwww.thetrojanrooms.co.uk
You can keep up-to-date withwhat’s happening in the boroughby signing up for our new eventse-newsletter.
From music festivals and surfing
competitions to road races and firework
displays, the regular electronic newsletter is
an easy way of keeping in touch.
PeteWarne, the council’s tourism and
events manager, said:“With a bumper
programme of events taking place in 2011,
Sign up for the lowdown
What’s
on
we want as many people as possible to
know what’s happening and when.
“Signing up for the e-newsletter is an
easy and convenient way of finding out
what’s on.”
To sign up, simply email
phone (0191) 643 7409.
10 widening horizons •March 2011
Stride out to the LighthouseSaturday, June 4From North Shields toWhitley BayThe annual walk starts atThe Parks SportsCentre and takes in the Fish Quay andTynemouth Priory before finishing at StMary’s Lighthouse.
The entry fee is £10 for a family or group offour; £3 per person and a child under fouris free. (All children under 16 must beaccompanied by an adult.) Closing date isFriday, May 27 or when the limit of 1,000 isreached.
Application forms are available fromTheParks Sports Centre, the Lakeside Centre,Hadrian Leisure Centre andTynemouth Pool(where you can also pay) andWaves (onlypayment via cheque); libraries, children’scentres and the council website.
Armed Forces DayMonday, June 20QuadrantLocal war veterans are being invited to aspecial event to mark Armed Forces Day.
The ceremony will feature a presentation oflapel badges to ex-service personnel or tothe families of those who are currentlyserving.
Anyone who has served in the armed forces,including the volunteer and regular reservesand who currently lives in NorthTyneside, isentitled to apply for the badge.The councilwill send applications to the Ministry ofDefence.Those approved will be invited tothe presentation ceremony.
The event is organised by the council, withthe support of the NorthTynesideWarVeterans Committee.
Veterans who would like to be presented
with one of the badges at the Armed Forces
Day event should contact Malcolm
Henderson by emailing
phoning (0191) 643 7409 or writing to
Malcolm Henderson, Events Officer, North
Tyneside Council, QuadrantWest, Cobalt
Business Park, NorthTyneside, NE27 0BY.
Northern Rock CycloneFriday, June 24 to Sunday, June 26Newcastle and NorthumberlandFor the first time, cycling’s national road race
championships will be staged in the North
East – in conjunction with the Northern Rock
Cyclone cycling weekend.
The action starts on Friday evening with the
Leazes Criteriums – a series of thrilling races
around Leazes Park in Newcastle featuring
amateur, children’s and elite races.
Saturday sees the Northern Rock Cyclone
Challenge, involving 5,000 riders, which starts
at the Newcastle Falcons ground at Kingston
Park and heads out into the Northumberland
countryside.The challenge includes 33, 63 and
104-mile routes.
The weekend closes on the Sunday with the
elite men and women’s races – the biggest
day on the British cycling calendar – starting
and finishing in the village of Stamfordham,
near Newcastle. Last year’s races featured
Olympic stars such as Mark Cavendish and
Nicole Cooke.
For more details, visit
www.northernrockcyclone.co.uk
Mouth of theTyne FestivalFriday, July 8 to Sunday, July 10TynemouthOver the last seven years, the Mouth of the
Tyne Festival has grown into one of the
region’s favourite summer events.
Featuring three days of world-class street
theatre, live music and special one-off
performances inTynemouth and across the
river in South Shields, the festival is sure to
attract thousands of people from across
Tyneside and beyond.
You can keep up-to-date with developments,
including the eagerly-awaited announcement
of the Saturday night concert headliners,
by emailing [email protected],
visiting www.mouthofthetynefestival.com or
calling (0191) 643 7409.
Details correct at time of going to print
A council-run fitnessprogramme has been officiallydeclared good for your health.
The NorthTyneside HealthWalksscheme has been awarded nationalaccreditation by Natural England’sWalking for Health initiative, whichmeans it meets high standards forsafety, insurance and healthmonitoring.
The programme offers six differentweekly walks and aims to get peopleof all ages and fitness levels outwalking locally.
It’s a great way for people who maynormally take little exercise toimprove their fitness for free – andmeet other walkers and take in thelocal landscape at the same time.
Research has shown that walking isone of the best – and easiest – waysof preserving mental and physicalhealth.
Gillian Adam, of NorthTynesideHealthWalks, said:“We’re always keento welcome new walkers, so why notcome along and give it a try?”
All the walks are free and all you needare a pair of comfortable shoes andappropriate clothing.
For more information, contact GillianAdam on (0191) 643 7441 or [email protected]
National accoladefor walkingscheme
11
twitter.com/NTCouncilTeam
Life is tweet in North TynesideTwitter is a social networking andmicro-blogging service that enablesits users to send and read messagesknown as ‘tweets’.
Why not become part of the widerCouncil Community and follow ourofficial tweets by going totwitter.com/NTCouncilTeam
Our communications team will publishshort snippets of information, newsand links to interesting articles andresources.
We will also use this as a way ofposting reminders so you won’t missany key events, meetings or activitiesacross the borough!
Some old favourites will be
treading the boards at the
PLAYHOUSEWhitley Bay during
the next few weeks.
Folk singerTom Paxton, acclaimed
songstress Kate Rusby and local legend
Alan Price are just some of the highlights of
the theatre’s spring season.
Throw in several top tribute acts and local
productions of Oliver and Iolanthe and
there’s something for everyone.
Award-winning folkie Tom Paxton, whose
songs include Rambling Boy andThe Last
Thing On My Mind, takes the stage on
Monday, March 28.Tickets, £20.
Whitley Bay Operatic Society celebrates
its centenary with a week-long run of
Oliver, starting onTuesday,April 5.Tickets
£12, £10 for children and £38 for a family
ticket.
One of the leading lights of contemporary
folk music, Kate Rusby (right) returns to
the PLAYHOUSE on Friday,April 22.
Tickets, £21.50, £20 (conc).
Alan Price, who played with the Animals in
the 60s before launching a successful solo
career, appears onThursday,April 28.
Tickets, £18.50.
Tynemouth Gilbert & Sullivan Society
stages a four-night run of Iolanthe on
Wednesday, May 18.Tickets, £12.
The Rotary Club of North Shields stages
its 25th anniversary charity concert,
celebrating youth music in the borough,
on Sunday, May 22. It features the North
TynesideYouthTraining Band, the North
Tyneside Children’s Choir, theVermont
Big Band and the NorthTyneside Concert
Band.Tickets, £6, £5 (conc) and £4
(under-16).
Something foreveryone
Booking informationIn person: Monday to Friday
(10am to 4pm) and Saturday (10.30am
to 2.30pm)
Online: www.playhousewhitleybay.co.uk
Booking hotline: 0844 277 2771
Accessibility bookings:
(0191) 251 5484
Group bookings: (0191) 260 6006
All information correct at time of going
to print
12 widening horizons •March 2011
entertaining shoppers in both town
centres.The Hall of Mirrors and face
painters – Forum Shopping Centre
(10.30am to 3.30pm).
Saturday,April 30
The Hall of Mirrors and face painters –
ParkView Shopping Centre (10.30am to
3.30pm).Traditional wood-turning display
along Bedford Street (11am to 2pm).
Chinese lion dancing, performed by a
martial arts school, at the bandstand
outside the Forum Shopping Centre
(11am to 3pm).
Saturday,May 7
Arts and crafts, badge-making – ParkView
Shopping Centre (11am to 2pm). Classic
American 4x4s on display along Bedford
Street (11am to 1pm).The original car of
Del Boy (Only Fools and Horses) on
display outside the Forum Shopping Centre
(10.30am to 3.30pm) Check out the real
deal and have a photo.
Saturday,May 14
The award-winning NorthTyneside Steel
Band will be performing inWhitley Road
(10.30am to noon) and the bandstand
outside the Forum Shopping Centre (1 to
2.30pm). Del Boy’s car will be on display in
Bedford Street (10.30am to 3.30pm).
Saturday,May 21
Del Boy’s motor will be on display in
Whitley Road (10.30am to 3.30pm).
Arts, crafts and badge making at the
Beacon Shopping Centre (11am to 2pm).
Traditional wood-turning display at the
bandstand, Forum Shopping Centre (11am
to 2pm).
Saturday,May 28
Highland dancers and a pipe band will be
entertaining the crowds along Bedford
Street (10 to 11am); Forum Shopping
Centre (noon to 1pm) andWhitley Road
(2 to 3pm).
Shoppers can enjoy musical performances
by local pupils throughout June.
What’s on inour town centresThere’s plenty happening inWhitley Bay, North Shields andWallsend during the next fewweeks. Come along and beentertained!
13
Saturday,April 2
Musical performances at ParkView
Shopping Centre,Whitley Bay (10 to 11am
and noon to 1pm); Beacon Shopping
Centre, North Shields (10 to 11am and 2
to 3pm); Forum Shopping Centre,
Wallsend (noon to 1pm and 2 to 3pm).
Saturday,April 9
Mini Mansell’s Circus will be performing
alongWhitley Road,Whitley Bay (10am to
noon) and Bedford Street, North Shields
(1pm to 3pm). Shoppers can get creative
in the Forum Shopping Centre with
Easter-themed arts and crafts and
badge-making (11am to 2pm).
Saturday,April 16
‘Mr Merlin’ will be performing his giant
rabbit illusion in the centre ofWallsend
(10am to noon) andWhitley Bay
(1 to 3pm).The Hall of Mirrors will be
transforming shoppers into all shapes and
sizes, plus face painters – Bedford Street
(10.30am to 3.30pm).
Saturday,April 23
Tyne Bridge Morris will be performing their
traditional clog dance alongWhitley Road
(11am to 12.30pm) and Bedford Street
(1pm to 3pm). Buskers will also be
Please note: All events are subject
to change or cancellation. For more
information about town centre
events, or to be added to the mailing
list, call (0191) 643 7409 or email
14 widening horizons •March 2011
The key changes are:
� A new service 3 from Battle Hillto the Freeman Hospital viaWallsend,Walkergate and HighHeaton, extending to RegentCentre via South GosforthMetro at peak times (in partreplacing 399)
� A new service 335 from FourLane Ends to Cobalt BusinessPark via High Farm, Battle Hilland Hadrian Park
� A new service 353 to replaceArriva services 3 and 350/351between Four Lane Ends andKingston Park via Forest Hall,Killingworth, Burradon, Dudley,Seaton Burn,Wideopen andNewcastle Airport
� Improved local servicesW1/W1A,W2 andW3 inWhitley Bay to replace theexisting ‘W’ routes.
� Improvements to existingservices including additionalevening and weekend journeyson service 85A/86A (to alsoreplace service 1/2 journeys atthese times between NorthShields andWhitley Bay) andW1/W2.
� Some timetable and/or routerevisions for services 1/2, 18,32/32A, 59, 319, 333(incorporating,TB300), K1 and K2.
For full details of the changes andtimetables for the new routes, go towww.nexus.org.uk or visit yournearest NexusTravelshop.
A number of routes in the borough are
changing from Sunday, March 27.
The changes are being made following a
consultation with local people last year, in
which hundreds gave their views at
community meetings and through online
information pages.
Tobyn Hughes, Director of Customer
Services for Nexus, said:“We set out to
address the two main concerns for bus
users – they want buses that get
passengers where they want to go, at the
right times for them.
“We concentrated our changes on the 10
per cent of bus services subsidised by
Nexus using funds from local authorities,
but made sure our plans fit in with the
other 90 per cent of services which are
provided commercially by private
operators to their own routes and
timetables.
“Our plans have been revised in response
to the feedback we received during the
consultation.We would like to thank
everyone who took the time and effort to
provide us with their views on how bus
services could be improved.”
Bus routes which Nexus funds at all times
will also get a new livery, so they are easy
to identify, and a new simple fare structure
to make them more convenient for local
people to use.
Local bus servicesare changingNexus is making big changes to thelocal bus services it provides inNorthTyneside using funds fromlocal authorities.
New services:Passengers will benefitfrom changes to localbus routes.
15
It’s about everyone doing their bit.
Putting out a neighbour’s bin, going along
to a residents meeting or forming a group
to run a local facility are all examples of a
Big Society in action.
It’s a society where individuals feel big –
big enough to create real change in their
neighbourhoods.
The Big Society has three strands:
� Encouraging and supporting people to
get involved in their local community
through giving time, effort or money.
� Putting more power at a local level and
opening up how public services are
run to new and different providers.
� Providing more opportunities for
people to shape and deliver local
services.
� OurWidening Horizons 4 All
project enables people to play a
full part in the community and
we support, train and mentor
volunteers to deliver projects
which they have designed.
� The annual Big Spring Clean and
autumn environment campaigns
let individuals, schools and
groups organise clean-up events
in their area.
� Part of the Rising Sun Country
Park is managed by a social
enterprise.
� The Good Neighbour awards
encourage people to take an
active role in their local
community.
� The four area forums allow
people to have a direct say in
how the council spends some of
its budget.
See pages 16 to 19 to find out
what your local area forum is doing
and pages 20 and 21 to see how a
local community group transformed
a derelict spot into a haven for
wildlife.
What is theBig Society?The Big Society is about helpingpeople to come together toimprove their own lives and, at thesame time, moving power from thegovernment to local communities.
It is a question of who is best placed to
provide what. It could be the council,
the voluntary and community sector or
local business.
It means the council responding to
change – both at a national and local
level – and working in partnership with
a wider range of organisations. It also
means working more closely with local
people and communities and finding
out which solution is best.
The council is introducing a new
investment fund of £100,000 to help to
build a Big Society in NorthTyneside,
where everyone can do their bit and
play their part.
More information will be available on
our website when the fund is launched
in the coming months..
We are also working with local
businesses to see how we can provide
more access to support and advise local
communities who want to devise their
own solutions to local issues.
In NorthTyneside, the BigSociety is real and is happeningnow – local people takingresponsibility and developinglocal solutions to local issues.
You just have to look at the range of
community groups and organisations
that play such a vital role in daily life.
What’s happening inour borough
The Big Societyin action
16 widening horizons •March 2011
The future of Forest Hall
A special NorthWest Area Forum in
Forest Hall in November saw around 100
residents give their views on how they
would like to see the area develop.
People put forward their ideas on a wide
range of local issues, including roads,
pavements, parking, signage, shops and the
appearance of local streets.
A number of residents expressed their
desire to see more specialist shops in the
village, and a wider range of places to eat
and drink; particularly coffee shops and
cafes. Many also favoured the idea of a
new village sign, as well as improved
parking.
A follow-up event will take place on
Tuesday, May 24 (6.30 to 8pm) at St
Andrew’s Church, Benton to involve
local people in the development of
Forest Hall.
As a resident of NorthTyneside, you can have your say incouncil decision-making. We hold regular public meetings,called area forums.
Each forum has its own budget to support area-based projects,including roads and pavements improvements. You can findout more about your area forum over the next few pages.
More details are available on the council website –www.northtyneside.gov.uk To get in touch with the area forums team,phone (0191) 643 2828 or email [email protected]
You can also write to: Freepost RRSS-UJSB-UGKZ,NorthTynesideCouncil, Quadrant,The Silverlink North, Cobalt Business Park,NorthTyneside, NE27 0BY.
NorthWestArea ForumIncluding Hazlerigg, Holystone, Killingworth, Benton, Longbenton,Seaton Burn, Dudley, Forest Hall.
We need your ideas
The area forum has around £50,000 tospend during 2011/12 to improve thelocal environment and we need yourideas and support.
Last year, you asked the area forum touse its budget for a range of projects,including creating a sensory garden,developing community storage facilities,installing binoculars at a local beautyspot and providing extra litter bins, gritbins, and planters.
We have already received suggestionsthis year for school bike sheds,rockeries, trees and using sustainableenergy in community buildings.As wewould like to hear more of yourcreative ideas, the deadline for gettingin touch has been extended untilFriday, May 20.You can either fill in theIdeas Form on the forum’s web pagesor contact us using one of the waysmentioned above.
Roads and pavements
You said the repair of roads andpavements was your top priority.During 2010/11 the NorthWest AreaForum has funded and completedworks in StudleyVillas, parts ofWestcroft, Brunswick Green cul-de-sacs,Great Lime Road, Glenfield Road,Agincourt and Bannockburn.
The next meeting is onTuesday, June21 at the JohnWillie Sams Centre,Dudley. (Refreshments will be servedat 5.30pm and the meeting starts at6pm.)
Benton • Longbenton • SWest Allotment • Backworth • MonWillington Quay • Holy Cross • BChirton • Riverside • Cullercoats •
Area forums
1717
The wildlife garden is an initiative of theClarence andWaterford CrescentResidents Association (CAWCRA) inWhitley Bay.
In May, residents suggested creating acommunity garden on a Nexus-ownedpiece of land (including the former stationmaster’s garden) next toWhitley BayMetro station, after repeated anti-socialbehaviour in the area.
The station master’s garden, previouslyfertile woodland, had been partiallycleared to stop people hiding in the area.Residents then protested at the loss ofplant life, wildlife habitat and local amenity.
This led to a public meeting about thelegitimate use of the space as a communitygarden.With co-operation from thecouncil, police and Nexus, the residentsestablished an enthusiastic group todevelop the project.
CAWCRA has 65 members from 23households in the two principal streetsand a number of associate members fromadjoining areas.
A grant from theWhitley Bay environmentalbudget has helped buy tools and otheritems to help with this project and a surveyof members revealed a shared concern forthe promotion of biodiversity and landscapevalue within urban areas.
The aim of CAWCRA is to protect andenhance local wildlife, promote integratedhorticulture and food growing, andreinvigorate historic and landscape values.
Whitley BayArea ForumIncluding Monkseaton, Shiremoor, Earsdon,West Allotment,
Wellfield and Backworth.
Roads and pavements
Each area forum has been given
£250,000 of additional funding to spend
on roads and pavement improvements.
People attending the forum can give
their views on which schemes should
be funded.
Last year, the area forum budget paid
for improvements on Otterburn
Avenue, Kenilworth Road, Paignton
Avenue, Churchill Avenue,Turner Street,
Madeira Avenue, Park Road, Hillcrest,
Hartside,Woodburn Square and
Brantwood Avenue.
The next meeting is on Monday,
June 20 at Livingstone Hall.
Refreshments will be served at 5.30pm
and the meeting starts at 6pm.
Local updates
Residents who attended the areaforum at Livingstone Hall in Januarywere given an update on the council’sresponse to the severe winterweather, including the gritting or roadsand pavements.
People also heard about the latestwork taking place at the Dome,including the link road, a possiblevisitor centre at St Mary’s headlandand the water play scheme atWhitley Park.
Whitley Bay Area Forum has £47,000annually to spend on environmentalprojects. Last year, it supportedprojects including the development ofBrierdene and a project to increasethe numbers of bumblebees.
Your moneyYour choice!
eaton Burn • Forest Hall • Killingworthnkseaton • Shiremoor •Whitley Bayattle Hill • Howdon •WallsendTynemouth • North Shields
The Station Master’sCommunityWildlifeGarden
18 widening horizons •March 2011
Special area forumAs Widening Horizons went to print, plans
were well advanced for a special area
forum meeting to bring residents up to
date with proposals to regenerate the
Forum Shopping Centre.
We need your ideas
The area forum has around £44,000 tospend during 2011/12 to improve thelocal environment and we need yourideas and support.
Last year, you asked the area forum touse its budget to provide a range ofitems including extra litter bins, gritbins, planters, wall/fence repairs andclean-up days.
This year, we have already receivedsuggestions for creating allotments,planting a memorial garden, installing asculpture and buying trees as part of aguided, educational walk.We would liketo hear more of your creative ideas, sothe deadline for getting in touch withus has been extended until Tuesday,May 3.
You can either fill in the Ideas Form onthe forum’s web pages or contact ususing one of the ways mentioned onp16.
WallsendArea ForumIncludingWillington Quay, Battle Hill, Howdon, Holy Cross, HadrianPark, Bewick Park, High Farm,Westmorland and Northumberland.
Roads and pavements
You said the repair of roads and
pavements was your top priority.
This year, the area forum has funded
and completed works in HighView,
Stead Street, part of Boyd Road, Cross
Avenue,Windsor Drive, Rae Avenue,
Derby Gardens, Somerset Gardens,
Lincoln Avenue, Bedford Avenue,
Cheshire Gardens, Belshill Close,
Barton Close, Birkdale Close, Bowness
Avenue, Eskdale Avenue, Dinsdale
Avenue, Lauderdale Avenue.
What’s on in your area?
Here are some of the events in theWallsend area you can come along to thenext few weeks:
� Census advice drop-ins – if you needhelp with your Census form, pleasevisitWallsend Children’s Centre,North Road (Monday, March 28 orWednesday, March 30, from 9am to5pm) or Howdon Children’s Centre,Howdon Lane (Tuesday, March 29,from noon to 7pm orWednesday,March 30, from 4pm to 7pm).
� Persian Picnic in the Park –Richardson Dees Park, Saturday,April 2 (11am to 3pm).
� Friends ofWallsend Parks SpringFair – Richardson Dees Park,Saturday, May 7 (11am to 3pm).
The next meeting is onWednesday,June 1 at the Civic Hall,Wallsend.(Refreshments will be served at5.30pm and the meeting starts at6pm.)
The special meeting is onTuesday, March
22 (6.30 to 8.30pm) at the shopping
centre. For details of the next regular
meeting, see below.
Benton • Longbenton • SWest Allotment • Backworth • MonWillington Quay • Holy Cross • BChirton • Riverside • Cullercoats •
Area forums
19
North ShieldsArea ForumIncludingTynemouth, Cullercoats, Preston, Collingwood,
Chirton and Riverside.
We need your ideas
Your suggestions on how the areaforum can improve your area arealways welcome – whether it’ssomething to brighten up the streetor a pavement that needs repairing.
You can either fill in the Ideas Formon the forum’s web pages or contactus using one of the ways mentionedon p16.
You can also get an Ideas Form fromyour local customer service centre orlibrary.You can also pick up a form bycontacting your ward councillor orattending their surgery.
Ideas need to be submitted six weeksbefore each meeting. Please note,issues should be community focusedand not relate to personal mattersthat concern you as an individual.
Roads and pavements
Each area forum has had £250,000 ofadditional funding to spend on roadsand pavements improvements. Peopleattending the forum get the chance togive their views on which schemesshould be funded.
Last year, the North Shields area forumbudget paid for improvements on thefollowing roads – Howdon Road,Malvern Road, Preston Avenue,VerneRoad, Sunlea Avenue and LindisfarneTerrace.
The next meeting is onWednesday,June 29 at the Saville Exchange.Refreshments will be served at5.30pm and the meeting starts at6pm.
Your moneyYour choice!
Role of the forum
The North Shields Area Forum, like
the others in the borough, provides an
opportunity for people who live in the
area to discuss matters of common
concern.
It gives local people the chance to
understand and influence the way in
which services are provided in their
area.
At each area forum, the ward councillors
and local residents come together to discuss
topics of local concern.This includes making
recommendations on how to spend area
forum funding on improving roads and
pavements and the environment.
For details of a special meeting to discuss
plans to revamp the Beacon Shopping
Centre, see page 39.
Environmental budget
The area forum allocated its environmental budget so that each ward received equal
amounts. People identified improvements they wanted to see in their area, including the
purchase of bird boxes around Chirton Dene Park. Residents’ groups undertook planting
to brighten up their community.
eaton Burn • Forest Hall • Killingworthnkseaton • Shiremoor •Whitley Bayattle Hill • Howdon •WallsendTynemouth • North Shields
20 Widening horizons •March 2011
A dingy dene has been turned intoa heavenly haven, thanks to somegood old-fashioned communityspirit.
In October 2006, the Friends of
Brierdene began to restore and improve
the biodiversity in the overgrown dene,
which had been neglected for more than
20 years.
With support and advice from council staff
– and help from local residents and schools
– the team of volunteers cleared brambles
and litter.
They also planted grass, flowers and trees,
laid footpaths and replaced bridges in
order to attract more visitors to the spot
on the northern edge ofWhitley Bay.
And their hard work has certainly paid off.
Not only have the numbers of rare birds,
mammals and wildflowers increased but
more than four times as many people now
use the space.
Steve Stone, of the Friends of Brierdene,
said:“The amount of work that has been
achieved during the last four years was not
even considered possible when we first put
a spade into the ground.
“What we have achieved is fantastic but
without the help of the local community,
including residents, schools and especially
You can rely onthese friends!
the council, we would not have got
this far.
“It just goes to show what a community
can accomplish when it comes together
to achieve something good.”
For more details about the group, visit:
www.friendsofbrierdene.org.uk
groupyour
Community spirit: Brierdene inWhitley Bayhas been transformed by the efforts of localresidents.
21
Cup-winning effortThe Friends of Brierdene’s hardwork was recognised when thegroup was awarded this year'sWhitley BayTown Cup.
Tony Lister, Chairman of Friends of
Brierdene, said:“It’s a great honour,
especially as it follows the ‘outstanding’
rating given by the Royal Horticultural
Society in Northumbria in Bloom.
“Everyone has put in a great deal of time
and effort to turn the dene into an
attractive area for people to visit but our
hard work won’t stop.
“We’ll continue to improve the area so it
keeps its Site of Nature Conservation
Interest status, and ensure it remains an
area of natural beauty for future
generations to enjoy.”
TheWhitley BayTown Cup is awarded
every year to a local resident or
organisation that has given outstanding
service to the community or achieved an
outstanding feat.
The Chairman of the Council, Cllr Duncan
McLellan, who presented the trophy, said:
“The Friends of Brierdene are certainly
worthy winners of this year’s cup.
“The council has supported the group by
supplying some of the trees, seeds and
equipment but without the group’s hard
work and determination, the dene would
not look as spectacular as it does now.”
Previous winners of the cup, which dates
back to 1954, includeWhitley Bay Football
Club, the Royal British Legion and the
North SeaVolunteer Lifeguards. Only
individuals or organisations from the
former borough ofWhitley Bay can be
considered for the award.
Your groupIf you know of a group orcharity that is working hard toimprove the community, whynot tell Widening Horizons?
Contact editor Steve Forshawon (0191) 643 5080 or email:[email protected]
Factfile� More than 100 species of bird
and well over 200 plant species
have been recorded in the dene.
� These include sparrowhawks
breeding in the woodland,
gatekeeper butterflies,
22-spot ladybirds and tree
bumblebees.
� An elected committee meets
monthly to discuss and plan
the Friends of Brierdene’s
conservation work.
� Volunteers meet every
Wednesday and Saturday, from
10am to noon, to carry
out various tasks.
� The group works with various
local schools to arrange
conservation activities – from
hands-on work to bug hunts.
groupyour
Worthy winners: Cllr McLellanpresents the cup to Steve Stone, ofthe Friends of Brierdene.
widening horizons •March 201122
SPRINGCLEAN
BIGCommunities and schools areinvited to help make a differenceto NorthTyneside’s environmentby getting involved in this year’sBig Spring Clean.
The annual initiative, now in its fourth year,
is organised by the council and aims to
make the borough a cleaner and greener
place to live.
Residents, businesses, community groups
and schools are being encouraged to
organise a clean-up event and register it
with the council.
The local authority will give support by
providing high visibility vests, bags and
litter pickers as well as helping to
promote it.
The council has teamed up withStraight Recycling to offer residentshome composting bins at bargainprices.
The composters quickly and easily recycleorganic and kitchen waste into a rich,nutritious compost that is ideal for retainingmoisture in the garden.
Composting turns waste into valuable foodfor your garden and can help reducecarbon emissions. Most garden waste canbe composted, as well as uncookedvegetable peelings.
Fitted with an extra wide hatch for easyaccess to finished compost, the binneeds no assembly and is easy to use.
Made from recycled plastic and suppliedwith black side hatch, the converters areavailable in two sizes – the Compact 220litre (£12) and the Giant 330 litre (£15).
To order your bin, phone 0844 5714444 between 8am and 8pm (Mondayto Friday); 9am and 7pm (Saturday) or9am and 5pm (Sunday).You can also visitwww.nt.getcomposting.com
Since the first Big SpringClean in 2008, there havebeen 81 clean-up events.
They have ranged from the unusual,
such as an abseiled litter pick down
the banksides of King Edward’s Bay,
to more traditional clean-ups like
litter picks in the borough’s parks.
Alternatively, you can get involved in one
of the clean-up events organised by the
council.
Two have already been held but two more
are scheduled, which will take place from
11am to 1pm as follows:
� Thursday,April 21: Churchill Playing
Fields – meet at the Adult Learning
Alliance building.
� Saturday, May 21: Marden Quarry –
meet at the warden cabin near the
car park.
The Big Spring Clean runs until May 27.
To register a clean-up event or to find out
if one is happening in your area, visit the
Big Clean section of the council’s website,
at www.northtyneside.gov.uk
You can also email
phone 0345 2000 103.
Get involved in theBig Spring Clean!
Get composting Big SpringClean factfile
23
Garden ofRemembranceNew proposals have beendrawn up to improve theGarden of Remembrance inWhitley Bay Cemetery.
From the late 1960s until the end ofthe 1980s, the garden was an areawhere bereaved relatives could havea rose planted as part of a MemorialRose Scheme.
Subsequently, many of these rosesdied or became diseased and variousattempts to improve the growingconditions in the rose beds haveproved unsuccessful.
We are now proposing to redesignthe area and introduce alternativedisplays, which are sensitive to thisvery important area.
If you have any queries or concernsregarding the proposed work, pleaseget in touch with Brenda Chambers,Bereavement Services Manager, on(0191) 200 5862 or [email protected]
Brightening upthe coastA new floral feature is lightingup NorthTyneside’s coast.
The St Mary’s Lighthouse floral displaytakes pride of place on the Hillheadsroundabout inWhitley Bay.
The 12ft metal imitation lighthouse,which includes a solar powered lightto illuminate the feature at night,will contain white hanging lobelia,surrounded by blue lobelia -representing the sea – when it’s infull bloom this summer.
Cutting-edgeapproachThe task of maintaining aroundseven million square metresof grass in NorthTyneside isunderway for this year.
We cut grass from March through toDecember with the main growingseason in April, May and June.The rateat which grass grows depends onmany factors, such as rainfall, sunshineand soil quality.
We often get asked why grass cuttingscannot be removed.To collect allcuttings in the borough would beextremely labour intensive andincrease the cost of grass-cuttingfive fold.
Over the past few years we haveincreased the frequency of grasscutting and brought in new machineswhich cut more finely to reduce theamount of cuttings generated.
Environment NEWS...ING NEWS... BREAKING NEWS... BREAKING NEWS... BREAKING NE
NorthTyneside was the only authority inthe region to be awarded five stars forlevels of cleanliness.
The rating is based on a mixture ofunannounced inspections of randomlocations in the borough and a submissionfrom the council that highlighted various
schemes, including NorthTyneside inBloom, the Big Spring Clean and theautumn environment campaign.
Elected Mayor Linda Arkley said:“Thisaward recognises the strides we havemade to make this a cleaner and greenerborough.We’ve introduced new initiativesand enabled residents to have a greater sayin the appearance of their neighbourhoodsthrough the area forums.”
Five-star success! � � � � �The council has received five stars– the highest possible rating – inthis year’s Clean Britain Awards.
widening horizons •March 201124
When Mike Kelley laid out someflowers in pots on the drive of hishome, he never thought it wouldlead to the entire street becominga local beauty spot.
But that’s what happened in RockcliffeAvenue,Whitley Bay, because when Mike’sefforts grew, it planted a seed among fellowresidents also keen to make the area lookits best.
And their joint work led to the avenuewinning the new “Street effort” category inlast year’s NorthTyneside in Bloom.
“It’s been a big success,” said Mike.“Whatwe’ve done has enhanced the quality ofour lives because we enjoy where we livea lot more.”
It was one day in late 2007 that Mike, as asurprise gesture to his wife Christine,decided to arrange flowers in pots andcandles on their drive.
He caught the green-fingered bug and later,as the number of flowers in pots grew,Mike moved some onto the footpath – atrend that caught on among neighbours.
As well as adding flower pots, they sharedresponsibility to water them and tidy upthe avenue and worked harder to enhancetheir own gardens.
During the summer, a passer-by can countupwards of 300 flower pots.
Mike said:“People go out of their way towalk down the avenue, including the localnursery.
“We hide ornaments among some of theflower pots as the children like looking forthem. It’s worth a million dollars to seetheir faces.
“There are other benefits too.We’venoticed people pick up litter, dog walkerstend to respect the area and there is no
more graffiti. And we’ve have seen loadsof bees, butterflies and birds that we didn’tsee before.
“It’s also brought the neighbours together– we know each other very well andhelp each other a lot. I would definitelyencourage other residents to worktogether to improve where they live.”
Communityspirit blossoms
The council is getting smarterabout where and how it plantsfloral displays to ensure bettervalue for money.
We will be focusing on less but betterquality planting in high profile areasacross the borough, such as towncentres, parks, cemeteries and thecoast.
This will be based on our own carefulassessment of locations plus feedbackfrom Area Forums where residentstold us where they felt displays werelacking.
We recognise that the boroughwould not look as good without thecontribution of many residents, whohave enhanced their ownneighbourhoods by planting flowersevery year.
There are some great examplesacross the borough and it’s somethingwe’re keen to encourage.
If you would like to get involved inbrightening up your neighbourhood,please give us a call on 0345 2000103.We can provide flowers free ofcharge for use in your local area.
Flower powerto the people
Streetwise: Christine Kelley holds the‘street effort’ trophy. Looking on (left toright) are KathrynWakeman, Mike Kelley,JeanTrotter, Marian Dunbar and JennyCraig. Picture courtesy ofThe Journal.
25
Individual allotmentFor established allotment holders of over two years.
Allotment siteAllotment holders with plots on the same site can nominate theirsite as a whole.
New allotment tenantAllotment holders of less than two years.
Business premisesAny business not eligible for “Pub, hotel or restaurant” can entertheir grounds, gardens or baskets in this category
Community effortThis category is most suited to areas where more than one street isinvolved. It recognises community spirit where groups or residentswork together to improve and make beautiful the area.
Conservation and wildlife gardenGardens tended to with the wider environment in mind. Bird boxes,hedgehog houses, butterfly enticing plants and wildflowers might allfeature in this type of garden.
Container and hanging basket displayGardens and yards using pots and baskets for decoration ratherthan your traditional planted garden.
Grow your own*This category reflects the growing popularity of growing your ownfruit and vegetables.
Small gardenFront, side or back gardens under 100sq metres.
Medium gardenFront, side or back gardens between 100 and 250sq metres.
Large gardenFront, side or back gardens over 250sq metres.
Nursery, school or collegeAllotment gardens, hanging baskets, wildlife gardens and any lookedafter area within the grounds of schools, nurseries or colleges.
Places of worshipBeautiful grounds, gardens and basket displays at places of worship.
Pub, hotel or restaurantPubs, hotels or restaurants can enter gardens, pub gardens or basketdisplays of any size.
Residential care or sheltered accommodationGrounds and gardens of residential care or shelteredaccommodation that are tended to by staff or residents.
Street effort *This category aims to recognise when residents in a street cometogether to make the area in which they live more beautiful.Thiscould be anything from ensuring all the gardens reach a goodstandard to helping a neighbour who cannot look after their owngarden.Additionally, you may choose to work together to improvethe communal areas in your street.
Young gardenerThis category aims to highlight commitment and effort shown byyoung people under-18.You do not have to have your own garden;it may be that you help out with a garden that belongs to a relative,community group, or school.You can nominate yourself orsomeone else.
JudgingNorthTyneside in Bloom judging takes place throughout July.You will be notified of your date.
Two judges will judge each category and at least one will bequalified in the field of gardening or horticulture.An ecologist willjudge the wildlife and conservation category.
Everyone who enters this year’s contest will also receive a feedbackform setting out what the judges liked about the entry and howthey feel improvements could be made.
If you have any questions about NorthTyneside inBloom, please call 0345 2000 103 or [email protected]
CategoriesPlease tick which category you would like to enter.You can enter more thanone category.
Plot no.
Plot no.
Name of entrant:
Name of contact (if different):
Address:
Postcode:
Tel No: Email:
NorthTyneside in Bloom 2011Does your garden have what it takes to win?To enter, complete and return this form to: KathrynWaugh, NorthTyneside Council,QuadrantWest, Silverlink North, Cobalt Business Park, NorthTyneside, NE27 0BY.
Entries close Friday June 10
* Flowers can be provided free of charge to support entries in this category. For further information, telephone 0345 2000 103.
widening horizons •March 201126
Did you know?
Don’t miss any key events,meetings or activities across theborough – you can follow ourofficial tweets by going totwitter.com/NTCouncilTeam
Teamwork helpspeople find jobs
TheWorking Homes OutreachTeam
works with a range of partners and
agencies to tackle deep-rooted
unemployment in the borough.
Although the team’s main role is to help
residents in the Chirton and Riverside
wards, staff also work with people
registered atWallsend or North Shields
jobcentres.
Target priority groups include:
� Single parents
� People with disabilities
� Ex-offenders
� People with problems of drug or
alcohol misuse
Advisors work on a one-to-one basis with
customers to identify and remove barriers
that may be preventing them from starting
work.
This includes providing advice and
information on a range of issues, such as
housing, benefits, childcare or training
opportunities.
The team can also provide advice on
looking for a job, help with filling in
application forms and coaching for an
interview.
The pilot scheme aims to help 320 local
people find work.
A joint project between the
council and Jobcentre Plus has
helped more than 150 people
find a job since June.
Case history
Florence, originally from the Congobut now a British citizen, is a loneparent with one child.
She wanted to find a job but hadbeen unemployed for three years andneeded help with her CV andapplication forms.
Dianne, a member of theWorkingHomes team, had a chat about herprevious work experience, looked atavailable childcare and helped her tofill in the applications.
Florence is now working as areceptionist at the Meadows Centrein North Shields and is really enjoyingher job. Her daughter goes to anafter-school club and Florence hasmore money to support herself andher daughter.
“Dianne was very helpful,” she said.“Iam grateful for all the support she hasprovided in helping me to find a job.”
Carole Bell, the manager of theMeadows, said:“Florence is the firstpoint of contact for visitors and isalways cheerful and professional. I amdelighted to have her as a memberof staff.”
Get in touch
If you live in either the Chirton orRiverside wards and you think theWorking Homes team can help you,phone (0191) 295 2355 for aninformal chat.
If you register with the project beforeMay 11, you will be entered into aprize draw to win an 8gb iPod Nano!
27
Newcastle University has launched the
year-long project, called Sea Change NE,
to mark theYear of Sustainability 2011.
The aims are to highlight the rich diversity
of the North East coastline and encourage
people, especially the young, to explore
their local environment.
“We’re inviting everyone to capture what
the environment means to them
personally,” said Dr Jane Delany, of the
university’s Dove Marine Laboratory in
Cullercoats.
“Have you noticed something special
happening at a particular time of year or is
there a unique location that you want the
rest of the region to know about?”
Submitted pieces can represent any aspect
of the environment (natural or man-made)
along the coast, estuaries or tidal stretches
of our local rivers – anywhere from
Berwick to theTees estuary.
The pieces can explore seasonal changes –
in animals, plants and habitats – views of
nature and landscapes (above or below the
waterline), or how people use and enjoy
the coast.
“All members of the public are invited to
take part, but we are particularly keen to
hear from young people,” said Dr Delany.
“If schools would like to make this a special
project, we can provide support and
advice.”
Selected entries will be published in a book
that will be on sale throughout the region.
All profits will go to an environmental
charity nominated by schools taking part in
the project.
Formats
Photos can be colour, or black andwhite, and taken with any standard ofdigital camera or mobile phone.Drawings and paintings should be of ahigh enough resolution to be scannedand saved at 300dpi. Poems should beup to 100 words. It is not possible toreturn any submissions.
How to send your work
� Save the image (JPEG orTIF) on aCD disk, memory stick or as acomputer file.
� Save as:month_yourname_description (forexample: Feb_MrJones_Tynefish)
� Send the image by post, email ormailbigfile to the addresses below.
� Please include contact details –name, phone number, email orpostal address.
� If your entry is chosen, you will beasked to contribute a few sentencesoutlining your work and what itmeans to you.
Addresses
Post: Sea Change NE, NewcastleUniversity, Dove Marine Laboratory,Front Street, Cullercoats,Tyne andWear, NE30 4PZ. (0191) 222 3058.
Email: [email protected]
Mailbigfile:www.mailbigfile.com/free(to above email address).
For more information, visit:www.ncl.ac.uk/marine/learning/seachange
An ambitious project is inviting
local people to capture the spirit
of the region’s coastline – through
photographs, drawings or poems.
Celebrate your coast!
This article was written byAndrewYounger,a student at Churchill Community College,while on work experience.
Primary Care Trusts are the local part of yoursuch as those provided by GPs, district nurses,
NorthTyneside Primary CareTrust(PCT) and partners have launcheda new DVD that showcases howlocal families can make the changeto healthy living.
To celebrate, children who’ve changed
their lifestyles thanks to NorthTyneside
Change4Life programmes were given the
red carpet treatment when the film was
premiered at theTyneside Cinema in
Newcastle.
The PCT commissioned the movie as
part of a package of measures to help
families cut childhood obesity by getting
Approval for local pharmaciesA poll of NorthTynesideresidents about the quality oflocal pharmacy servicesconcluded that the majoritybelieve them to be either ‘verygood’ or ‘quite good’.
Some of the other key findings were:
� Extended opening hours, havingstocks of the medications requiredand clearly displayed information onopening times were all given as thingsthat could make a visit to thepharmacy easier.
� Late evening and Sunday openingwere the most popular of the optionsfor extending hours.
� The most popular suggestion forservices that would attract residentsto pharmacies was for a generalhealth check (to include bloodpressure monitoring, cholesterolchecks and testing for diabetes).
The questionnaire was part of a formalconsultation around a document called adraft Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment(PNA).
The PNAs (one each for Newcastle,NorthTyneside and Northumberland)will be used to judge applications toopen new pharmacies and to helpprimary care organisations commissionthe right services from pharmacies.
Dr Mike Guy, Medical Director at NorthTyneside PCT, said:“The feedback is veryimportant in helping us to assess currentservices and to plan for the future.”
The PNA and consultation reportare available to download fromwww.northtynesidepct.nhs.uk
involved with Change4Life support
services.
Dr Dawn Scott, public health consultant
for childhood obesity at NorthTyneside
PCT, said:“We know that children, young
people and their families need to hear
and learn about local Change4Life
programmes through the experiences of
those who’ve been there and done it.
“Hearing how children and families have
changed their lifestyles can be very
powerful. It helps to dispel some of the
myths and fears people have when they
consider joining one of the programmes.”
New movie is goodfor your health
Change4Life is a lifestyle revolutioninvolving thousands of local organisationsand charities to help mums, dads andfamilies eat well, move more and livelonger.
In NorthTyneside, there are a range ofexciting opportunities for families andchildren to change their lives.
Anyone who wants to get involved withChange4Life should register atwww.nhs.uk/change4life.
28 widening horizons •March 2011
Screen stars: Dr Dawn Scott and Dr MengKhaw, acting director of public health, withsome of the young people involved in theChange4Life film.
NHS and run community healthcare services,health visitors and specialist therapists.
A national review into the futureof children’s heart services inEngland has proposed four optionsto reduce the number of hospitalsproviding children’s heart surgeryfrom 11 to six or seven.
Under the new proposals, hospitalscarrying out children’s heartsurgery would need to meet toughnew quality standards. It is envisagedthat surgical centres that do notprovide children’s heart surgery
would provide children’scardiology services – they will notclose.The Freeman Hospital inNewcastle is one of the 11hospitals currently providingchildren’s heart surgery services.
A four-month consultation on theproposals began at the end ofFebruary. For information on thefour options, and how you cangive your views, visit:www.specialisedservices.nhs.uk
Review of children’sheart services
Pupils are helping NorthTyneside nurses learn whatsuits them when it comes tostaying healthy.
Members of the borough’s Public
Health School NursingTeam have
been asking students at Norham
Community College in North Shields
and Churchill Community College in
Wallsend about the services they’d
like to see.
The aim is to use the lessons learned
from the 11 to 18 year-olds to shape
general and sexual health services in
schools – and to win a Department
of Health “You’re welcome”
accreditation.
29
Studentswelcomehaving theirsay
Fact finders: Members of thenursing team involved in the schoolsurvey.
� �������������
3131
Repairs are underway
Along with many parts of the country, the
borough’s roads were badly affected by the
severe weather, which included heavy falls
of snow and prolonged sub-zero
temperatures.
A team of inspectors are assessing more
than 500 miles of road and responding to
reports from residents, drivers, councillors
and cyclists.
The council has allocated £150,000 to
carry out minor patching and resurfacing
work but some roads need a longer-term
solution and these will be considered as
part of the annual programme of work.
Highways maintenance staff will normally
inspect potholes within a day of them
being reported.
The aim is to carry out repairs within
24 hours if the pothole is considered an
immediate danger to the public –
otherwise, within 10 days.
You can report a pothole by phoning
(0191) 643 6130, emailing
or online at the council website,
www.northtyneside.gov.uk – using the
‘report it’ tab on the home page.
A major scheme is underway to improve
parking inTynemouth Front Street.
It includes introducing a maximum parking
stay of four hours during the day; dedicated
loading bays and extra parking for taxis.
Highways staff have repaired more
than 1,700 potholes across North
Tyneside since the beginning of
December.
We need your viewsResidents can now provide feedbackto the council after highwaymaintenance work has been carriedout in their street.
Questionnaires are posted throughthe doors of householders, asking fortheir views on various matters, suchas the level of disruption, the qualityof the work carried out and theattitude of staff.
Residents can also comment online atthe council website. Click on ‘parking,roads and transport’ on the homepage, then ‘roads, highways andpavements’ – the customer satisfactionsurvey is on the right-hand side.
The feedback will help the council tomonitor performance and improve itshighway maintenance service.
Silverlink work startsWork has started on a £2.8mimprovement scheme at theA19/A1058 Silverlink roundabout.
The work, which is due to finish in thesummer, will increase the roundabout’scapacity by 1,200 vehicles per hour.
Parts of the carriageway will bewidened from three lanes to four andnew traffic signals will be installed.
The A19 approaches will be widenedfrom two lanes to four while theCoast Road eastbound exit slip roadwill be widened from two lanes tothree.
The work will reduce congestion andimprove safety ahead of the plannedopening of bothTyne tunnels inDecember.
Making good: Highways staff are carrying out thepainstaking job of filling in the borough’s potholes.
32 widening horizons •March 2011
Poll cards for Electors voting in personWe will send a poll card/notice to all voters who are voting in person.These will be delivered during the last week of Mapolling station is. You do not need your poll card/notice in order to vote but it is helpful to take it along.
Voting in personPolling stations are open from 7am until 10pm onThursday, May 5. Staff inside the polling station will ask for your name aYou can show them your poll card/notice if you have taken it, but you don’t need it to vote.All polling stations should have disabled access. If you need assistance with access, help filling in your ballot papers, or areto assist you.
Voting by postPostal voter poll cards will be delivered during the last week of March.This is to remind you that you have applied for a pApplications to vote by post will be accepted up until 5pm onThursday,April 14.Anyone aged 18 or over can apply for a postal vote.You do not need a reason to vote by post.A postal vote can be sent to your home address or any other address that you give.Postal votes can be sent overseas but you need to consider whether there will be enough time to receive and return youIf you no longer wish to vote by post, you can cancel your postal vote by writing to the electoral registration officer by 5p
When will you get your postal voting papers?Postal votes will be sent out fromTuesday April 19.Please remember to send back your postal vote as early as possible. If you haven’t received your postayou are registered to receive a postal vote and issue a replacement if necessary, up until 5pm on electi
I’ve spoilt/lost my ballot papers/postal voting statement.What do I do?You can get a replacement up until 5pm on election day. You must pick it up in person.If you have spoilt your ballot papers, you need to return the whole pack that was sent to you. A form of identification is rRemember, if you have applied to vote by post, you cannot vote in person at the polling station.
Voting by proxyApplications to vote by proxy will be accepted up until 5pm onThursday,April 21. If you become incapacitated after Apriaccepted up until 5pm on election day, subject to support by a prescribed relevant person. Contact us for further inform
XUK ParliamentaryVoting System Refere
Make sure nothing stopsYou should contact us if you have recently moved, changed your na
� Last day to submit a registration application form to be included on the Regi� Deadline to submit a new application for a postal vote – 5pm onThursday,A� Deadline to submit any changes to, or cancel existing postal or proxy votes –� Deadline to submit a new application for a proxy vote – 5pm onThursday,A� Deadline to apply for a proxy vote on grounds of a medical emergency – 5p
Importa
33
rch. Your poll card/notice will tell you where your
nd address and check you are on the electoral register.
unsure what to do, the polling station staff will be able
ostal vote.
ur ballot papers by election day.pm onThursday,April 14.
al vote byApril 27, contact us - we can checkon day.
required before a replacement ballot pack can be issued.
l 21, applications for an emergency proxy vote will beation.
endum and Local Election –Thursday,May 5 2011
s you from voting – register nowme, or your circumstances have changed in another way that may affect how you vote.
CONTACT US
Helpline:(0191) 643 2270Fax:(0191) 643 2430
Email:[email protected]
Web: www.northtyneside.gov.uk
Write or visit:Electoral ServicesNorthTyneside CouncilQuadrantThe Silverlink NorthCobalt Business ParkNorthTynesideNE27 0BY
ster of Electors (in order to be able to vote in the May election) –Thursday,April 14.April 14.– 5pm onThursday,April 14.April 21.pm on election day.
ant dates
widening horizons •December 201034
Free swims
Hadrian Leisure Centre – 3.30 to 4.30pm(Friday); 11am to 1pm (Saturday); 1 to3pm (Sunday).
Lakeside Centre – 5 to 6pm (Thursday);10.30am to 12.30pm (Saturday andSunday).
Tynemouth Pool – 4.30 to 5.30pm(Friday); 10.30am to 12.30pm (Saturdayand Sunday).
Waves – 4.30 to 5.30pm (Monday);10.30am to 12.30pm (Saturday); 3 to4.15pm (Sunday)
Healthy4Life
A free healthy lifestyle programme to
help children and families make positive
changes to maintain a healthy weight.
The clubs run at sports centres across
NorthTyneside and children take part in
fun sports and activity sessions. Families
can learn about healthy eating and how
to make a healthier lifestyle choice.
For children aged between 7 and 14.
(Children must attend with a parent or
guardian.)
To find out more, contact the Children’s
Health and ActivityTeam (CHAT) on
(0191) 643 6454 or email
Aqua natal classes
Expectant mums looking to keep fit can
try out the sessions atTynemouth Pool –
everyWednesday from 9.15 to 10am
and from 5 to 5.45pm.
The water-based activity uses resistancework without straining joints. Classes are£3.50 with a standard ease card and£2.50 with a priority ease card.
For more details, contact the pool on(0191) 643 2900.
Hadrian Leisure Centre
Junior dance mats (Saturday) – 1 to 2pmfor 6 to 8 year-olds;
2 to 3pm for 9 to 15 year-olds. £1.90 withease card.
Advanced circuits (Sunday) – 1.30 to2.30pm.Try this boot camp circuits class.You’ll be put through your paces! £4.30,£3.50 (with ease card) and £2.50(Priority ease card). Free for Contoursmembers.
For more details, phone the centre on(0191) 643 2025.
Keep up to date with our newelectronic newsletter!Signing up to receive the e-newsletteris an easy way of finding out what’shappening at all our leisure centres.
Just visit the council website – go to‘leisure centres’, see ‘promotions andoffers’ and register online.
Burradon Community Centrehas a programme of activities – forchildren and adults – every dayexcept Sunday.
Sessions include street dance, karate,dance mats, zumba and street soccer.Contact Donna Scott or HannahTurnbull on (0191) 643 7040 fortimes and prices.
It’s time to getactive!From aerobics to zumba – there’salways something new or differentto try out at your local leisurecentre.
Here are just some of the sessionscurrently available. For a full list ofwhat’s happening, ring your localcentre or visit the council website– www.northtyneside.gov.uk
WIDENING HORIZONS
Sport NorthTyneside
35
It’s time to getbowled over!
number of extra sessions at local bowlingclubs across NorthTyneside.
If you would like to find out about yourlocal bowling club and book a free ‘comeand try session’, please contact SportNorthTyneside on (0191) 643 7444.
Further information about the clubs inyour area can be found on thewww.sportnorthtyneside.org.uk website.
Raising awareness
Bowls North of theTyne, in partnershipwith the council’sWidening Horizons 4Sport initiative, is planning a series ofevents to help raise awareness of bowlsacross the borough and increaseparticipation.
Bowls North of theTyne has secured agrant from the Bowls Alliance which willallow a year-long calendar of events totake place across NorthTyneside,Newcastle and Northumberland.
The health and social benefits of bowlingcan be enjoyed by people of all ages andabilities.
A series of taster sessions are takingplace across the borough during May andclub members and coaches will be onhand to welcome anyone who wants togive it a go or just find out more.
The sessions will be held on Saturdays –May 7, 14, 21 and 28 – between 10am andnoon at:
� Innisfree BC – the Oxford Centre,Longbenton.
� Tynemouth Men’s BC –TynemouthPark.
� Collingwood –The Parks SportsCentre, North Shields.
Similar sessions are also planned forCowpen and Croften BC, Ponteland BCand Benfield.
In addition, theWidening Horizons 4Sport initiative will be supporting a
Would you like to tryyour hand at playingbowls?Well now youcan!
Plans for a new sports complexfor Seaton Burn have been giventhe green light by the Secretary ofState.
Detailed discussions can now starton developing the site, which will belocated on and alongside SeatonBurn recreation ground.
The new complex will include 10all-weather sports pitches, pitchand putt course, driving range andchildren’s play area.The existingbowling green and cricket pitchwill be retained.
A new indoor tennis centre hasopened at Churchill CommunityCollege,Wallsend.
It is hopedTennis @ Churchill –which has four courts – willencourage more people to takeup the game.
Students from the college will usethe centre during the day and itwill be available for tennis clubs andthe public during evenings andweekends.
A new £1.2m sports pavilion isproviding up-to-date facilities inForest Hall.
East Palmersville Sports Pavilion,off Great Lime Road, has replaceda dilapidated 40 year-old timbercommunity centre.
It features a multi-purpose activityhall, meeting room, changing rooms,kitchen, first-aid room and storageareas. Outside, there’s a floodlitmulti-use games area, footballpitches and car park.
SportsSHORTS
Businesswoman MelanieTorgersen is helping the easeEXTRA 60+ scheme to flourish.
Her flower shop, Bloomingdays, is the
latest business to support the initiative,
which provides a range of discounts for
local people aged over 60.
The shop in Front Street, Monkseaton,
joins the like of O2, Blue Reef Aquarium
and DFDS Seaways as members of the
council scheme.
“I’m delighted to be able to offer 10 per
cent off all flowers for cardholders,” she
said.“I’d encourage anyone who’s eligible
for a card to get one.
“The benefits, such as special rates at the
council’s leisure facilities, are excellent.
“Why pay more when you don’t have to?”
Having an ease EXTRA 60+ card entitlesyou to a variety of great benefits, including:
� Exclusive retail discounts and offers.
� Money off council services, including
gyms, exercise classes and allotments.
And combined membership of the
council’s libraries and leisure facilities means
there’s no need to carry two separate
cards.
Changes toease EXTRAcard scheme
36 widening horizons •March 2011
It’s now easier for a young person
to get a 0-16 ease EXTRA card
and start reaping the benefits.
Since ease EXTRA’s launch in October
2009, more than 2,000 residents have
signed up to the scheme, which offers
combined library and leisure centre
membership plus exclusive deals from
a host of organisations.
There has been low demand for 17-24
ease EXTRA cards so we’ve stopped
issuing them but the 0-16 card has proved
popular.
However, many young people who want a
0-16 card told us the PASS proof of age
element prevented them applying because
it meant they had to provide a passport.
We have now removed the PASS hologram
from the card, meaning a passport is no
longer required. Existing cards will still
provide valid proof of age.
Meanwhile, although the concessionary
travel element of the card has been quite
well used, Nexus is introducing new smart
card technology to its travel passes, which is
incompatible with ease EXTRA cards.
Initiative continues to grow
As a result, new cards no longer include
concessionary travel. Existing ease EXTRA
cards cannot be used as a concessionary
travel pass after July 31, 2011.
The 0-16 ease EXTRA card and ease
EXTRA 60+ card (for residents aged 60
and over) are available from all leisure
centres and libraries.
For further information, visit
www.northtyneside.gov.uk
Take the pain outof planning yourstreet party
37
This historic image ofresidents in the Bull Ring,North Shields, having aVictoryTea to mark the endof the FirstWorldWar,was provided by the council’sLocal Studies Centre.
Whether researching your village, the
history of your house, local industry
or your family tree, the service at the
Central Library in Northumberland
Square, North Shields, is the place
to start.
The centre collects and makes
available material relating to the
people and places that make up the
borough, including census returns,
more than 50,000 photographs, maps
and newspapers dating back to 1854,
as well as a vast amount of cuttings
and other materials.
If you would like to get in touch with
the team, phone (0191) 643 5270
or email
Centreopens awindowon past
The RoyalWedding takes place onFriday,April 29, and some residentsmay wish to celebrate the marriageof PrinceWilliam and Kate Middletonby organising their own streetparty.
Street parties can be an enjoyable way for
neighbours to meet one another and build
community spirit.
Organising an event is usually very
straightforward and, if it’s classed as a ‘small
scale community event’, only requires filling
in a simple form.
Please get in touch with our events team
as soon as possible to discuss your plans.
They will confirm if it’s a small scale
community event – organised by and for
residents in one or two small streets – and
then ask you to complete the form.
Remember to consult your neighbours and
other local residents who may be affected
by the street party.
If it’s a larger event, the team can advise if
some form of insurance policy may be
needed and liaise with other council
departments such as highways and licensing
where necessary.
For further information, contact the events
team on (0191) 643 7409 or email
Royal occasion: PrinceWilliamand Kate Middleton are due
to marry on April 29.
widening horizons •March 201138
A new initiative aims to reduce thenumber of young people drinkingalcohol and make communitiessafer for local residents.
The multi-agency 'OffWatch' project isdesigned to reduce kerbside drinking byyoung people and provide them with arange of activities on Friday and Saturdayevenings.
The locations of the sessions were agreedafter consultations with various groups ofyoung people.
In addition to the activities, youth workersare working with young people in thesouth east of the borough who have beenaffected by drinking and other riskybehaviour.
The initiative also aims to raise awarenessthat risky behaviour can have a negativeimpact on personal health and wellbeing.
More than 20 retailers in the NorthShields area have signed up to ‘OffWatch’by agreeing to mark cheaper alcohol –often bought by under-age drinkers – witha special code.
If found in the possession of young people,police and council staff can then track anybottles and cans back to the source andtake the necessary action.
Police in North Shields are working closelywith the council’s trading standards teamto offer support to off-licence staff andremind them of the need to remain vigilantso that alcohol does not get into the handsof children.
If you would like more information on‘OffWatch’, please visit the council website:www.northtyneside.gov.uk
Project aims tocurb under-agedrinking
The ‘Off Watch’ initiative involves
the council, police, local primary
care trust, Norham Community
Technology College (full service
extended school),YMCA North
Tyneside and Phoenix Detached
Youth Project .
The aims are to provide a wide
range of opportunities for young
people and to benefit residents by
creating safer communities.
Joining forces
You can help to reduce the amountof alcohol being passed on toyounger people. If you find a bottlein the street labelled ‘Safer NorthTyneside’ please:
� Make a note of the code on thebottle, the type of alcohol itcontained and where you found it.
� Call North ShieldsNeighbourhood PoliceTeam on03456 043 043 and give thecode on the bottle.
It is important that shops which maybe selling alcohol to young people,or have a problem with proxy sales,are identified.
Any person over 18 found to bebuying alcohol for younger peoplewill be prosecuted and banned fromentering shops supporting thescheme.
(Please note: Residents over 18should not report bottles bought fortheir own use – as this is not illegal.)
How youcan help
Elected Mayor Linda Arkley and othercivic leaders were among the first totravel through the newTyneTunnelwhen it opened to motorists last month.
“This is a fantastic milestone,” said MrsArkley.“It will strengthen the region’stransport network and make usincreasingly attractive for business andfurther investment.”
The new tunnel is operating with onelane in each direction while the originaltunnel is closed for refurbishment. Bothtunnels are expected to be open totraffic by the beginning of 2012.
A new book, detailing the history ofthe Spanish City Dome, is on sale for£12.99 at local libraries, touristinformation centres and St Mary’sLighthouse.
The Dome of Memories is based on lastyear’s successful exhibition, whichattracted more than 15,000 visitors,and includes previously unpublishedplans and photographs.
Copies are also on sale at localbookshops or by phoning Chris Bishopat NorthTyneside Council on(0191) 643 7413 or [email protected]
A long-established restaurant – amongthe first to benefit from a council grantsscheme – has won a national award.
Pantrini’s inWhitley Bay picked up thestaff training and development categoryat the annual National Fish & ChipAwards.
The restaurant received a £5,000 grantin 2009 to improve its shop frontage.The grants scheme is part of thecouncil’s response to helping localbusinesses in the current economicclimate.
News inBRIEF
39
Developers have confirmed plansto revamp North Shields andWallsend shopping centres.
And the public have a chance to give theirviews on the proposals at two special areaforums, organised by the council.
In North Shields, Baronsgate Estatesproposes to increase retail space at theBeacon Centre by 10,000ft and reconfigurethe existing layout to accommodate a newinternal second mall with 10 new shops.
The town is already the focus of majorinvestment by Nexus, which is carrying outa £3m rebuild of the station as part of itsMetro:all change programme.
When completed, the station will providea new gateway to the shopping centre witha bright new entrance concourse withshops and lifts to platforms for the firsttime.
InWallsend, the Forum shopping centrehas recently been acquired by NewRiver.
The council has confirmed its commitmentto work with the new owners by signinga Memorandum of Understanding with
NewRiver to significantly invest in andregenerate the shopping centre andsurrounding area.
Elected Mayor Linda Arkley said:“The shopping centres of North ShieldsandWallsend are at the heart of ourregeneration plans for both towns.
“These proposals mark a commitment by
the developers to invest in their growthand future success.The special area
forums are providing the public with anopportunity to see what is planned, and
ask any questions they may have.”
� The proposals for North Shields willbe displayed at a special area forum atthe Saville Exchange, Saville Street, on
Monday, March 21 (6.30 to 8.30pm).
� The plans forWallsend will bedisplayed at a special area forum inThe Forum Shopping Centre,WallsendonTuesday, March 22 (6.30 to 8.30pm).
Exciting plansfor town centres
40 widening horizons •March 2011
The Business Factory putsthe spark into enterprise!
Flying Sparks is an exciting
new competition to discover
enterprising local people and
put them firmly in the spotlight.
The team atThe Business Factory are
looking for the most enterprising people
in NorthTyneside – Flying Sparks is
open to anyone living in the borough
(aged over 16) with a spark of an idea
for a business.
All you have to do is pitch your
business idea to a panel of entrepreneurs,
who will choose three winners to
receive intensive start-up support
packages to develop their idea.
The awards include:
� Youth Award for Under-25s
� Best Social Enterprise Idea
� Overall Flying Spark Award
The competition will take place on
Thursday, March 24, between 10am and
7pm, at the Saville Exchange in North
Shields.
The winners, or ‘Brightest Sparks’, will
get a Business in a Box fromTEDCO
containing all the information needed to
start up in business, including free business
cards and sales contacts.They will also
receive marketing and research support
fromTEDCO and a brand new NetBook.
The Business Factory’s ‘Ideas
Bank’ is a database of business
ideas and opportunities specific
to NorthTyneside. It is an online
service that clients can log into
and browse at their leisure.
If you’d prefer a morepersonal service, the IdeasTeam will be delivering thefollowing workshops tohelp you develop your ideasand start making somemoney!
It covers a range of different sectors
from manufacturing, retail and beauty
therapy to online ventures such as
setting up an eBay store.
The Ideas Bank now has nearly 400
opportunities for potential businesses,
including everything from online
ventures to franchises.Visit:
www.businessfactorynt.co.uk.
Everyone who enters Flying
Sparks will receive free one-to-one
support from the Enterprise
CoachingTeam atThe Business
Factory – so no-one will be leaving
empty-handed.
To take part in the Flying Sparks
competition, please call
(0191) 263 6092 or email
Need abusinessidea?
Workshops
41
The Business Factory is basedat 86 High StreetWest,Wallsend NE28 8HY.You can also call(0191) 263 6092 or email:[email protected]
Healthy eating ison the cardsTwo entrepreneurs are bringingfresh fruit and veg to the doorsof local residents with their jointventure, Harvest2Home.
CraigThompson, 31, and Graeme
Cansdale, 39, both fromWallsend, have
set up a service that allows customers
to order fruit and vegetables that are
delivered to the door.
The idea to set up Harvest2Home came
to Craig after he began researching his
family history and discovered that his great-
great-grandfather ran Atkinsons, a popular
local grocery shop where coincidentally,
Graeme’s mother had been an employee.
With their idea ready and even a name for
the business in mind, Craig and Graeme
contactedThe Business Factory to find out
how they could develop their business.
The Business Factory, on High StreetWest
inWallsend, is the council’s one-stop shop
for budding entrepreneurs.
Craig said:“I’d worked on a previous idea
with our business adviser, GeorgeWafer,
so I was keen to seek his advice when
Graeme and I decided to go for it and start
Harvest2Home.”
George provided practical advice on
starting up, such as conducting market
research and clarifying the logistics of
running a business.
“We took his advice on board,” said
Graeme.“We’ve been delivering fresh
produce direct to people’s doors now for
several months and things are looking
great as we head into 2011.”
Harvest2Home buys fresh fruit and
vegetables daily from local traders and
delivers pre-ordered selections direct to
the customer in recyclable boxes.They
also include herbs, spices and recipe cards
specific to the ingredients the customers
purchase.
By offering new and traditional recipes that
use the ingredients they deliver, Craig and
Graeme hope their customers will enjoy
seasonal food, produce less waste and save
money.
As the business progresses, the pair hope
to start working in schools to promote
healthy eating to students.
For more information about
Harvest2Home, or to place an order,
visit www.harvest-2-home.co.uk or call
0797 444 5113.
� Sales – Thursday, March 24 (9.30am to 11am) at the Bradbury Centre,North Shields.
� Market research – Monday,April 4 (1pm to 2.30pm) at HowdonCommunity Centre.
� Networking – Monday,April 11 (1pm to 2.30pm) at HowdonCommunity Centre.
� Should I take on a franchise? –Wednesday,April 13 (6pm to 8pm)at Newcastle BusinessVillage, Benton.
� Marketing – Monday,April 18 (1pm to 2.30pm) at Howdon CommunityCentre.
42 widening horizons
Young people in the borough haveelected Rebecca Leighton as theirnewYoung Mayor.
Rebecca, a student at StThomas More
High School, polled 2,836 of the 5,993
votes cast.
She took over from the previous holder of
the post, John Akinropo, at the beginning of
December.
The ballot was combined with elections for
NorthTyneside’sYouth Council and around
14,500 young people were eligible to vote.
Rebecca said:“I’m really overwhelmed to
have won and very grateful for the votes
and support. My family and school have
been especially supportive.”
Her manifesto included a promise to
improve perceptions of young people and
that’s now her priority.
“I’d like to improve the image of young
people, especially among older people
and I definitely want to carry on with
the intergenerational work that my
predecessor, John Akinropo, began,”
she added.
Elected Mayor Linda Arkley presented
Rebecca with her medal of office (below)
and witnessed the signing of theYoung
Mayor’s pledge.
She said:“I am looking forward to working
with Rebecca over the coming year and
together I hope we can make some real
improvements for young people.”
TheYoung Mayor andYouth Cabinet act
as representatives for the borough’s young
people and play an active role in the
development of services for them.
Rebecca is thenewYoung Mayor
Solar panels could be installed on
homes and buildings across the
borough.
The initiative would cut the council’s
carbon footprint, reduce fuel bills for
tenants and other householders, and
generate income for the authority.
Under the government-backed scheme,
installers would fit and maintain the
solar panels on suitable buildings at no
cost to council tenants or homeowners.
Richardson Dees Park – which forms
part ofWallsend Parks – has opened
an outdoor gym.
The gym includes stretching points,
sit-up benches and a ski stepper and is
situated next to the south gate on
Kings Road South.
The outdoor gym is one of the first
projects planned forWallsend Parks as
part of a £7m regeneration scheme.
Howdon Children’s Centre is staging a
day of fun activities on Saturday, March
26 to mark its 10th anniversary.
The event will be opened at 11am by
Newcastle Falcons star MickyWard and
there will be guest appearances by
favouriteTV characters.
Other activities include face painting,
balloon modelling, arts and crafts, and a
fancy dress parade. NorthTyneside
Steel Band and the Sea Cadets Display
Band will be performing.
News inBRIEF
43
We all take for granted the factthat our toilets flush but flushingaway other items can bedangerous and damaging to theenvironment.
Our sewerage systems were only designed
to deal with three things – urine, faeces
and toilet tissue.Anything else can cause
real problems.
It may be a case of ‘out of sight, out of
mind’ but items such as tampons, sanitary
towels, nappies, wet wipes and cotton buds
can all cause blockages in the drains, the
sewers or at the treatment works.
Unblocking the sewerage system is
expensive for NorthumbrianWater and if
you block your household drain it could
cost you a lot of money to get someone to
clear it.
It’s possible that some items, such as
condoms or used needles, can end up on
beaches or riverbanks. Not only do they
look unsightly but they can cause harm to
a young child or wildlife.
Please make sure that you dispose of your
personal waste in a responsible way.
Items such as disposable nappies, sanitary
towels, tampons and condoms should be
wrapped well and put in the bin along with
other household waste.
Unwanted oil, paint and chemicals should
be taken to the council’s recycling centre
for safe disposal. (If the material reaches
the sewage treatment works, it will kill the
natural bugs that clean the sewage.)
Grease and cooking fatshould never be poureddown the sink because it willcool, solidify and graduallyblock the pipe.
Instead, let it solidify and put it into a
container in your bin or mix it with
seeds and make fat balls for the
birds in your garden!
Used cooking oil should be allowed
to cool, poured into an old
container and put in the bin.
Small amounts can be mopped up
with kitchen towels and binned.
Around 75 per cent of blocked
drains are caused by sanitary
protection products.
An estimated 9,000 tonnes of
sanitary plastics and flushed waste
items are removed from sewage by
NorthumbrianWater every year.
Tampons can take six months to
biodegrade in the sea while plastics
can remain in the environment
almost indefinitely.
Nationally, the clean-up bill is around
£14bn every year.
To find out more, visitthe NorthumbrianWaterwebsite – www.nwl.co.uk
Think beforeyou flush
Factfile
Put your sinkon a fat-freediet!
Help keep it clean: The wrong items flusheddown the toilet can end up on the beach.They look unsightly and could be harmful tochildren or wildlife.
44 widening horizons •March 2011
Paula has been with the councilsince 1994 and has managed theFostering Service for eight years.
Her job is to make sure children and young
people from NorthTyneside, who can’t live
at home with their parents, are found a
loving and supportive foster family that’s
right for them.
There are 11 social workers in her team,
supported by one fostering recruiter and
trainer and three administrators.
9am
I call into our offices atWallsendTown Hall
to pick up some files before I head out to a
‘second opinion’ visit with a couple who’ve
applied to be foster carers.
They’ve already been assessed by one of
our social workers, and now I’m going to
see them for myself. I’ve read the social
worker’s report and I need to make sure
our judgments are the same.
I do this with each and every one of our
prospective foster carers, so I know we’re
getting the right people for the job. I also
enjoy meeting them and putting a face to
a form.
11.30am
I’m back at the office to write up my
report on the visit.The couple seem very
capable and have all the qualities we’re
looking for.
My report is detailed and takes me around
two hours. I file it with their fostering
assessment, and they’ll both be presented
when the couple’s application goes to our
fostering panel for a final decision, later in
the month.
1.30pm
I wander alongWallsend High Street to
buy a sandwich for my lunch. I bring it back
to the office, and make time to catch up
with some of the team who are also having
lunch.
2.15pm
I catch up on some paperwork, which
includes verifying some Criminal Record
Bureau (CRB) checks.All our carers go
through rigorous checks – and the CRB
check is repeated every three years, for as
long as the carer remains approved by us.
I also look through some post-placement
questionnaires which have just arrived.
The questionnaires are completed by
everyone involved in a fostering placement
– including the child, the carer, the birth
parent and the social worker. It’s great
when they’re all positive and the child is
doing well. It’s one of the best parts ofthe job.
3.30pm
I’m off to a meeting of the NorthTynesideFostering Network.This is a group offoster carers who meet regularly as acommittee, to represent all our carers.The committee are elected, and carers cantake issues to the network if they don’t feelcomfortable bringing them to me or myteam.
There are no issues to raise today so thegroup are discussing their next social event– an Easter party. Our carers find regularsocial events really valuable and it alsomeans the children they look after, andtheir own children, get a chance to socialisewith each other.
A day in the life of . . .fostering service manager Paula Gibbons
45
5pm
I’m back atWallsendTown Hall for the
monthly ChildrenWho Foster group.This is
for birth children whose parents have
chosen to foster, to help them with their
experiences of sharing their home with a
foster child.
The sessions give the kids some space and
attention of their own, and they’re really
good fun.We tuck into some drinks and
snacks before the group start looking at a
new web area they’re helping to develop.
They’re also designing a new logo for their
group as they think the old one is a bit out
of date!
7pm
I arrive home a bit later than normal, so
my son is just finishing his homework.
We watch someTV together and I find out
what he’s been up to. However, I’m still on
Have you gotthe skills tofoster?
Are you?� Energetic and enthusiastic
� Resilient and positive
� Firm and fair
� Consistent and caring
Do you?� Have experience with children
� Have room in your home
What you get inreturn� Fees of up to £500 a week, paid
for 52 weeks a year
� An allowance per child
� 24-hour support
� Full and ongoing training
� 14 days paid holiday a year
We urgently need more foster carers
in NorthTyneside. If you’d like to find
out more about fostering with us,
call (0191) 643 2540 or visit
www.northtyneside.gov.uk
call until 8.30am tomorrow morning,
which means I’m available to offer
telephone support to foster carers who
might need extra help. I can also organise
emergency foster care if it’s needed.
11pm
I get a call from a foster carer about a
young lad who hasn't returned home to
his placement after going out with
friends.The lad has just been placed with
this carer, and this isn’t the first time he’s
been late.As we’re talking, he arrives
back, which is a relief but we agree that
her supervising social worker will get in
touch tomorrow and offer help and
support in dealing with this behaviour.
11.30pm
I head to bed, although my mobile will
stay switched on and right next to me
all night.
You can apply directly forcouncil or social housing inNorthTyneside atwww.nthomefinder.co.uk
Did you know?
46 widening horizons •March 2011
These designs give an excitingglimpse into the future of shelteredaccommodation in NorthTyneside.
They show how the council’s Quality
Homes for Older People initiative is set
to transform housing for older people,
delivering more than 900 new and
refurbished homes in the borough.
It will involve extensively refurbishing 16
existing sheltered schemes and building
10 new ones.The works will also include
communal facilities, landscaped gardens
and energy efficiency measures.
The council has been awarded £112.5m
in PFI credits towards the project. Elected
Mayor Linda Arkley lobbied ministers last
year for the continued support of the
initiative, which has been confirmed.
NorthTyneside is currently in discussions
with two bidders, Solutions for North
Tyneside andTyneCare, over which will
carry out the refurbishment and
construction work.
The successful company will also be
responsible for the repair and maintenance
of the buildings and their gardens for 30
years.
As part of the process, the bidders have
been gathering views, preferences and
ideas from tenants regarding the designs
for their buildings.
Feedback has also helped demonstrate the
importance of other elements such as
better security, improved heating control in
individual apartments and buggy stores for
mobility scooters.
Once the final bidder is chosen, tenants
will be able to have their say about the
decorative finish within their homes and
the communal facilities.
Schemes lookpicture perfect
The care received by strokesurvivors in NorthTyneside isamong the best in the country.
A national review by the Care Quality
Commission into how patients are
supported with life after stroke rated
the borough as “best performing” –
the highest category available.
Areas that were highlighted for
particular praise included:
� Managing a smooth transfer home
from hospital.
� Early discharge from hospital
supported by good community care
packages.
� Good support carers, enabling family
members to care for people at home
following a stroke.
� Reviewing progress and checking up on
how people were doing.
� Helping people to choose the right
services.
More than 5,000 NorthTyneside residents
have had a stroke. Providing better stroke
Praise for stroke servicesservices and working to prevent
strokes in those at risk is a joint priority
for the council and NHS services in the
borough.
Stroke service development is included
in the joint commissioning strategy
between the council’s adult social care
service and NHS North ofTyne. It also
forms part of the work for a new joint
commissioning structure, which includes
GP consortia.
Artist’s impressions:Top – Crummock Court (TyneCare);Bottom –Victoria Court(Solutions for NorthTyneside).
If you are over 65 and have extracosts because of long-term healthproblems or disability, you may beentitled to claimAttendanceAllowance.
You could be eligible if you find it difficult
to manage some personal care tasks – like
getting in and out of bed, dressing, bathing
or eating – or if you need someone to
keep you safe.
Lesley Crawford, welfare benefits
co-ordinator with the council, said people
could qualify for the allowance even if they
didn’t have a package of care from social
services.
“It doesn’t matter how much pension or
savings you have,” she added.“These will
not be taken into consideration in assessing
your entitlement.
“You can even qualify if you live alone
and can only manage to do things by
yourself with a struggle.”
Attendance Allowance is currently paid
at two weekly rates – £47.80 or £71.40
and is based on the help someone needs,
not the condition of their health.
It is a tax-free benefit and will not reduce
other benefits, such as Pension Credit,
Housing or Council Tax Benefit.
In some cases, it can actually lead to a
substantial increase in those benefits, so
make sure you let the people who pay
your benefits know about your award.
Changes to Housing and Council Tax
Benefit - see page 57.
Benefit can providea big helping hand
47
You can request special orbulky waste collections atwww.northtyneside.gov.uk –a quick link is available under the‘Request or apply for it’ tab.
Did you know?
Better qualityof life
For more information
To find out more about
Attendance Allowance, please visit
www.direct.gov.uk or call the
Department forWork and Pensions
helpline on 0800 882200.
You may also be able to get more
details from your local NorthTyneside
Citizens Advice Bureau or Age UK
(formerly Age Concern).
George and Gillian Charman,of North Shields, weresurprised and delighted whenGeorge was awardedAttendance Allowance.
“We’d always been used to providing
for ourselves,” said Gillian.“It never
crossed my mind we might be eligible
for any benefits.
“Now we can be much more
independent. It gives us more to
look forward to and a better quality
of life.”
More independence:Gillian andGeorge Charman.
49
It gives guidance for councils to publish
their own local strategy around autism –
NorthTyneside’s draft strategy will be
agreed in March and then published on the
council’s website.
The local authority provides funds for
NorthTyneside Carers’ Centre to host a
monthly support group for carers of adults
with autism.
The group meets on the secondTuesday
of each month (10am to noon) at the
carers centre –Third Floor,YMCA Building,
ChurchWay, North Shields.
If you would like to know more, please
telephone the carers centre on 643 2298
or email [email protected]
Meanwhile, Pam Lawrence from the
North East Autism Consortium is working
with councils in the region to involve
people with autism and their families in
developing their plans.
If you would like to know more, please
telephone Pam on 0776 042 0251 or
email [email protected]
Autism strategydeveloped
Last year, the government
published a national strategy for
autism, called ‘Towards Fulfilling
and Rewarding Lives’.
Special eventSeveral groups – Education and
Services for People with Autism
(ESPA), Main Project, Daisy Chain and
the North East Autism Consortium –
are organising a two-day event to
markWorld Autism Day on April 2.
Friday,April 1 sees a conference –
free to all members of families with
autism – at MiddlesbroughTeaching
and Learning Centre, Cargo Fleet
Lane, Middlesbrough.
The following day sees a family
fun-day at Daisy Chain's Centre,
Middlesbrough. If you would like more
details, please contact Gill Linfoot
on (0191) 516 5080 or email
Spotlight onautismAutistic spectrum disorders(ASDs) are lifelong,developmental disabilities thataffect the way a personcommunicates and relates topeople around them.
People with autism havedifficulties in developingrelationships, understandingthe feelings of other peopleand the social norms aroundcommunication.
Widening horizons •March 201150
Your local involvement network is currentlyseeking more volunteers to ‘enter andview’ care services in NorthTyneside.
Volunteers visit health and care facilities tolook at the services they provide and listento the views of users, carers and staff.Their feedback will help the council makesure residents are getting the best qualityof care.
What would I have to do?
If you are visiting a care home, you look athow welcoming and comfortable it is andwhether it is clean and well maintained.
You listen to service users’ views on thequality and choice of food, the activitieson offer and the support they get.
You find out if they have choice andcontrol over their lives, such as when theygo to bed or wake up in the morning andwhether they can have a say about howthe service is run.
Who can become an ‘enter andview’ volunteer?
You can become a volunteer if you havean interest and some personal experience,or knowledge, of health and care services.You need to be a good listener, able tocommunicate with people and write upwhat you have seen and heard on yourvisit. You need to have the time to carryout the visits, and meet and train withother volunteers and the LINk team.
Mary Ayre joined NorthTyneside LINk’steam of ‘enter and view’ volunteers lastyear and, along with her colleagues, hasbeen talking to patients about the qualityof care at NorthTyneside General Hospital.
Mary said:“Being approached by strangerswho want to ask questions can be alarmingso we put the patient at their ease byexplaining why we are there. Some patientsare reluctant at first but soon are happy totell us their hospital experiences.”
The volunteers have to relay theinformation to hospital managers in a waythat doesn’t come across as criticism butdoes get over the views of the patients.They also make sure they include the manypositive things that patients have to sayabout hospital staff and the care theyreceived.
“It is important the hospital staff understandthe ‘enter and view’ volunteers are passing
on the patient’s words,” added Mary.“We are the patient’s messengers ratherthan giving our personal opinions on theservices.”
Mary found the ‘enter and view’ trainingsessions interesting and comprehensive.
She said:“I have learnt such a lot, met somany people with various skills who alsowant to offer their time but, most of all, Iam pleased to be able, in a small way, tocontribute something to the community.”
Got something tosay about health andsocial care servicesin NorthTyneside?Join LINk, your localinvolvement network, andhave a stronger voice.
Through LINk you can keep
up-to-date on health and social care
changes, give your views at events
and by completing surveys, represent
LINk at partnership meetings or join
the LINk Board.
Find out more about LINk –
call us on (0191) 200 1429, email
[email protected] or visit
www.linknorthtyneside.org.uk
Will I get any training?
Yes.All ‘enter and view’ volunteers mustattend our training before they do anyvisiting.You will meet other volunteers andfind out more about what is expected.
For more information, contact JohanneMears or Alison Chalmers at LINk on(0191) 200 1429 or email [email protected]
Help us toimprove services
Mary’s story
NorthTyneside LINk gives
individuals, groups and organisations
in the borough a stronger voice on
health and social care issues.
51
Making more of life at Cedar Grove
The centre inWallsend is now open longerand at weekends – Monday to Friday, 8amto 8pm; Saturday and Sunday, 8am to 4pm.There is so much happening you don’twant to miss. (Cedar Grove is for peoplesupported to access daytime activities.)
Making more of life by receivinginformation and advice
Our team gives free, confidential andimpartial advice to older people and theircarers.We can help with welfare benefits,pension, tax and other financial matters,housing and property, health & social care,your rights, local services and so muchmore!
Making more of life throughemployment, learning and personaldevelopment
Back on Board (BOB) offers professionalguidance to people looking for employmentand how to develop skills, knowledge,talents and potential. There is one-to-oneguidance, group activities and a weekly jobsclub helping job seekers to look for work,share skills and experience.
Making more of life with IT for All
At the Bradbury Centre, we offer shortcomputer courses and our team will guideyou through a course to meet your needs.We take IT into the community, too.Using laptops, the team will visit shelteredhousing, community centres and othervenues to help those less mobile to usecomputers and access the internet withconfidence.
Making more of life in Jarretts’Coffee Shop at the BradburyCentre
Nothing beats a coffee and a chat, so popalong and enjoy the delights that our coffeeshop can offer. There is always a friendlyface and someone to talk too!We areopen Monday to Friday, 10am to 2pm.
Making more of life with insuranceand other products
Age UK Enterprises offers a wide range ofproducts and services which are designedwith the over-50s in mind. Give us a call tosee what we can offer.
Making more of life across theborough
There is always something happening on astreet near you! Our community team iseverywhere, offeringTai Chi, line dancing,walking, strength and balance classes,knitting, lunch clubs and much more.
Making more of life with OPEN(Older People’s EngAGEmentNetwork)
OPEN is our way to hear what olderpeople think and give them a voice to havea greater influence over the services andissues that affect them in their community.
Come on and make more of lifewith Age UK NorthTyneside
It’s time for change!Life never stands still and we should embrace new
opportunities where we can. AtAge UK NorthTyneside,
we’re all about ‘Making more of life’.
And that is exactly what we are doing.
Age UK NorthTyneside
Bradbury Centre,13 Saville StreetWest, North Shields
Telephone: (0191) 280 8484
Widening horizons •March 201152
NorthTyneside’s ‘New Direction:Delivering Change, Efficiency andImprovement Plan’ will help the councilbecome more efficient and its servicesmore effective to local needs.
It will also prepare the authority for aradical and comprehensive reform to meetfuture challenges and provide more choiceand diversity in public services, in line withcentral government guidance.
However, the council’s core principle – to
deliver services to the public that meet
local needs – will remain.
Elected Mayor Linda Arkley said:“If the
council is to protect frontline services and
focus on improving outcomes for people,
then a radical and comprehensive reform
of how we do things is needed.
“We have already carried out an initial
review of the cost of all our services –
taking account of the views of our
residents, staff, businesses, community and
voluntary sector and neighbouring
authorities.
“The Change, Efficiency and
Improvement Plan sets us on a new
direction that will enable us to meet the
challenges, take on board the
opportunities and become a responsive
organisation that puts residents and
taxpayers first.”
A report on the new four-year plan was
submitted to a meeting of the council’s
Cabinet on Monday, March 7.
Its programme will aim to deliver £40m
of efficiencies, improve service quality,
strengthen the resilience of the
organisation, improve customer
experience and protect jobs locally.
This will be achieved through a
programme of 21 projects under four
themes:
� Service reform and rationalisation
� Reducing overheads
� Putting customers first
� Releasing the potential of the
workforce.
A key aspect of delivering service reform
and rationalisation will be sharing services
with other organisations.
Initial discussions are already being held
with Northumberland County Council and
Northumbria Healthcare NHSTrust
around five service areas.
New directionfor public servicesThe council has unveiled a
four-year plan that will establish a
new direction for public services
in the borough.
Your council
53
To reduce its overheads, thecouncil will be focusing onachieving efficiencies in its£154m budget for purchasingsupplies and services; £11.5mof spending on its propertyportfolio and £7.2m spending ontransport and vehicle requirementsfor its services.
Cutting the council’s £13m annual
energy and waste management bill will
also be a priority.
By achieving efficiencies, the programme
will be able to invest in improving the
experience of its customers, including
updating its technology and management
of knowledge, rolling out a network of
joint service centres and customer
‘touch points’ and establishing a
consistent and improved approach to
customer service.
In these changing and challengingtimes, the council must make sureit is using its resources to deliverthe key priorities for the borough.
It has developed a plan to set out how
this will be done over the next four years,
called theWidening Horizons Strategic
Plan.
The plan takes on board feedback from
residents on what is most important to
them and what they want to see
happening in the borough.
It sets out five key priorities:
� Our people
� Our businesses
� Our resources
� Our environment
� Our place
The plan highlights what the council will
do to make sure it is delivering what the
people of NorthTyneside need – both
now and in the future – as well as ensuring
that every penny spent of local taxpayers’
money provides excellent value for money.
It is based on four core principles, which
are at the heart of everything the council
does – ensuring residents have access to
excellent services; promoting the borough
as the first choice for businesses; widening
horizons for all our residents and visitors;
recognising the needs of a growing, and
changing, population.
Council staff are a key part of the
project, which will be delivered
through internal expertise and within
existing resources.
The focus of this aspect of the
project will be to develop leadership
and equip staff to rise to challenges;
better workforce planning and
harnessing the expertise of employees,
who have already identified potential
savings of £500,000.
Business plans will be produced by
the summer and these will form the
basis of the Council Plan and budget
proposals for 2012/13 and beyond.
Efficiency drive
Strategic Planwill deliverkey priorities
�
54 widening horizons •March 2011
Here are some examples ofwhat the council is doing oneach of the five priorities inthe Strategic Plan.
Our people – giving every familythe opportunity to have an excellent
quality of life and supporting all children to
achieve their potential.
This priority will deliver new learning
opportunities, through apprenticeships and
work-based learning, including more skills
and enterprise centres.
There will be targeted support for children
and young people who are
underperforming and specialist support for
families with specific needs or living in
deprived neighbourhoods.
The initiatives offered by the council will
support residents to take independent
decisions to access health, social care and
other support they need, such as help to
tackle debt.
We will make sure that suitable housing is
available for everyone.This will include:
� Nearly £15m being invested in council
housing with new UPVC doors,
windows and double glazing for all
properties by the end of 2011/12.
� Improved homes for older people –
the Quality Homes for Older People
project – which will see 10 new
sheltered schemes and another 16
refurbished.
� Working in partnership with developers,
housing associations, private landlords
and housebuilders to deliver a mix of
housing for the borough – from
executive to affordable homes.
OurWidening Horizons 4 All programme
will continue to involve people in new
activities and opportunities. It has already
been a major success with more than
25,000 children and young people getting
involved in sports and arts activities.
2012 has been designatedYear of the
Games and NorthTyneside’s residents will
be asked to celebrate the London
Olympics and Paralympics in a borough-
wide programme of events.
Our businesses – creating astrong framework to support all businesses
and enterprises to flourish and to improve
economic opportunities.
This will include:
� Work to regenerate the North Bank of
theTyne.The potential growth of North
Sea wind farms could create 17,000
jobs in the North East, in areas
including the manufacture of wind
turbine equipment, fabrication,
installation, management and
maintenance.The council is working
with public and private sector partners
to bring new investment to the area -
and deliver a new LearningVillage
where local people can develop the
skills needed by new employers.
� The council will support business and
enterprise through its Business Forum
– with the aim of expanding the
borough’s economy and providing
more jobs. Businesses will be helped to
access Business Rate relief.
Your council
55
Our resources – responding tothe reduction in public expenditure by
changing what the council does, and how it
does it, to cut costs and inefficiency and
ensure services provide the best possible
value.
As across all areas of the country, the
council is facing a cut in spending over the
next four years.The Strategic Plan puts in
place a programme to reduce waste, drive
out inefficiencies and eradicate duplication.
The programme will look at how the
council provides all its services, ensuring
they are based on need and can deliver the
best value for money.
Where it can provide better value for
money, the council will consider sharing
services with other local authorities, as well
as looking at different ways to deliver services.
As part of this, the council will improve its
customer services – enabling residents to
have their queries dealt with speedily and
accurately, whether in person, by phone or
online.
Our environment – to makeliving and visiting NorthTyneside a great
experience, where the quality of life is
good, communities are safe and
neighbourhoods clean and green.
This will include:
� Providing high quality facilities and
places to go – parks, sports and leisure
facilities, and places for children and
young people.
� Reducing the council’s energy
consumption and waste.
� Improving the environment.
� Working with partners to tackle
alcohol-related crime and reducing
offending behaviour.
� Improving roads and pavements.
� Encouraging tourism – helped by a
programme of festivals and events.
� Developing the borough’s retail centres,
not justWallsend, North Shields,
Whitley Bay and Killingworth but also
the seven district centres atTynemouth,
Battle Hill, Collingwood Centre, Forest
Hall, Longbenton, Monkseaton and
Whitley Lodge.
� Regenerating the North Bank of the
Tyne and delivering the regeneration of
Wallsend town centre.
Our place – encouraging residentsto have a greater say and take responsibilityin their communities through a Big Societyapproach.
There are three key elements:
� Encouraging individuals to give time,effort or money.
� Strengthening community and voluntarysector organisations so they cansupport different ways of public service
delivery.
� Empowering people to become moreinvolved in decisions and theircommunities.The council is creating aBig Society Investment Fund of
£100,000 to support this work.
This will build on the structures already inplace, such as the council’s area forums andarea housing forums.
Visit the council website –www.northtyneside.gov.uk – to find outmore about the Strategic Plan.
For more information about the
Big Society in NorthTyneside, see p15.
Gain a City & Guilds qualificationin English or maths
Level One is equivalent to GCSEgrade D to GLevel Two is equivalent toGCSE grade A to C
We can help you prepare for thequalification, whether you need just a fewhours practice or up to 72 hours worthof tuition – and it’s all free!
You can begin at any point during the year,with flexible study times to fit around yourlifestyle.
These qualifications will improve your jobprospects, help you to access othertraining courses and improve your spellingand punctuation.
They can also help you to keep bettertrack of your finances and even enable youto help your children or grandchildrenwith their homework!
To find out more, ring (0191) 643 2288to book an assessment at your preferredcentre.
NorthTyneside CouncilAdult Learning Alliance
You can study at one of ouradult learning centres:
• White Swan, Killingworth• Wallsend People’s Centre• Norham CommunityTechnology College• Churchill Pavilion, Monkseaton
Moveon –move up!
www.northtyneside.gov.uk twitter.com/NTCouncilTeam
A number of changes to Housingand Council Tax benefit comeinto force on April 1. If you claimeither or both of these benefits,the changes may affect you.
The main changes are:
� Increases to non-dependant
deductions.
� Legal changes if you live in a privately-
rented property and you need, and are
provided with, overnight care.
� Legal changes if you live in a privately-
rented property and have moved or
claimed benefit since April 1, 2008.
Non-dependant deductions
If you have an adult living with you who is
not your partner, and you are in receipt
of Housing or Council Tax benefit, your
entitlement is generally reduced because
we have to make a non-dependant
deduction from your entitlement for the
adult living with you.
From April, the amount of deductions is
increasing. Claimants in receipt of Housing
benefit or Council Tax benefit who have
their entitlements reduced because of a
non-dependant deduction will receive less
benefit from April.
Legal changes if you live in a
privately-rented property and you
need, and are provided with,
overnight care
People who need, and are provided with,
overnight care and live in a home which
they rent from a private landlord may be
entitled to more housing benefit.
To qualify, you must be living in a home
rented from a private landlord; either you
or your partner must need overnight care
which is provided by someone who does
not live with you, and a bedroom must be
available for the carer to use.
Legal changes if you live in a
privately-rented property and have
moved or claimed benefit since
April 1, 2008
The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rules
have changed. This is the scheme we use
to work out how much help you get
towards your rent, based on how many
bedrooms your household needs.
The changes will mean people in receipt of
Housing benefit under the LHA rules will
receive less benefit.The changes are:
� The maximum amount of help you can
receive will be the four bedroom rate.
� Where your rent is less than the
current LHA rate, you are presently
allowed to keep up to £15
over and above your
rent (an excess).
This will stop.
� The LHA rates are reduced.This is
because the way they are assessed
has changed.
If you need any information about these
changes, please telephone our contact
centre on 0345 2000 104 or visit any
customer service centre (see list on p4).
Changes to Housingand CouncilTax benefit
You can now report, requestor pay for many council serviceswith one click from thewww.northtyneside.gov.ukhomepage.
Did you know?
57
The council’s Safer EstatesTeam isproviding greater support for victims ofanti-social behaviour.
Kirsty Sproat has taken on the new roleof victim support officer – createdfollowing suggestions from members ofthe public.
She will assist victims and witnesses bykeeping them up-to-date with theprogress of individual cases and solvingany problems that may occur. She willalso accompany witnesses to court andliaise with the police.
A new water park is to be built next toWhitley Park inWhitley Bay.
Work on the park is expected to beunderway shortly and it is hoped it willbe open by the summer.
The ambitious scheme forms part ofthe continuing regeneration of theseafront and promenade area of thetown.
An exhibition showcasing the history ofBritish surfing is running at the SpanishCity Dome until Sunday,April 10.
‘An Art History of British Surfing’features prints, artwork, memorabiliaand a collection of surfboards spanningthe last eight decades.
The exhibition is open between 10amand 5pm,Thursday to Sundays only.Entry is £2 per adult, with freeadmission for children. For more details,contact the events unit on (0191) 6437409.
News inBRIEF
Census collectors will visit households
that have not returned their forms by
Wednesday,April 6. They can answer
questions and help you fill it in.
More information about the 2011 Census
can be found at www.census.gov.uk or by
phoning 0300 0201 101.
widening horizons58
In the run-up to Census Day –March 27 – you will receive aquestionnaire asking for detailsabout your household and thepeople living or staying there.
The census, which takes place every 10
years, provides a valuable source of
information and enables government
departments and other organisations to
plan for the years ahead.
You are required by law to complete the
form but the personal information you
provide is kept confidential for 100 years.
The questionnaire, which takes about 10
minutes to complete, can be returned
using the pre-paid envelope or completed
online at www.census.gov.uk
If you need help filling in the form, the
council is holding a series of drop-in
sessions on:
Need helpwithyour census form?
� Saturday, March 26 –Whitley Bay
Library (9am to noon).
� Saturday, March 26 –Wallsend
Library (2 to 5pm).
� Saturday,April 2 –White Swan
Centre, Killingworth (9am to noon).
� Saturday,April 2 – North Shields
Library (2 to 5pm).
59
Do you know someone who givesup their time to help others?
If you do, the Chairman of the Council,
Cllr Duncan McLellan, would like to hear
from you.
Cllr McLellan, assisted by a special panel,
is seeking nominations for this year’s
Chairman’s Commendation Awards.
The scheme aims to recognise individuals
or groups who voluntarily give up their
time for the benefit of others.
All types of volunteering will be considered
for an award. It could be visiting the sick
and lonely, driving patients to hospital
appointments or helping to organise
activities or special events.
Cllr McLellan said:“NorthTyneside is
committed to building strong, active
communities and at the heart of any such
community is voluntary activity.”
Nominees should have contributed their
time, kindness and effort to one or more
of the following:
� Creating a clean and pleasant
environment.
� Creating a safe and crime-free
neighbourhood.
� Increasing training and working
opportunities for residents of the
borough.
� Improving health and health care for
members of the community.
� Making a significant difference to their
local community or an individual.
� Improving the quality of life of their
local community or an individual.
� Supporting the local
community/individual through the
provision of, or influence on, sport,
leisure, cultural activities, religious and
community affairs, social welfare or
educational services.
� Helping others to reach their potential.
� Responding to an immediate need,
significantly affecting the life or lives of
others.
Awards honourour unsung heroes
How tonominateNomination forms are available onthe council website (see chairman’spages) or from the Civic Office,phone (0191) 643 5347.The closing date is Friday, May 6.
Nominations must be for voluntaryactivity, wholly outside of paidemployment, where individuals orgroups have volunteered for asubstantial amount of time.
All nominations will be consideredby the panel, which will determinewhether they are worthy ofcommendation.
The successful nominees and theirnominators will be invited to aceremony and reception at thecouncil’s headquarters, Quadrant,hosted by the chairman.
You can pay your CouncilTaxonline at www.northtyneside.gov.uk– a quick link is available under the‘Pay for it’ tab.
Did you know?
Seeking nominations: Cllr McLellanwith his consort, wife Judy.
ABUSEHURTSAt any age
It is everyone’sresponsibility torecognise abuse,respond andrefer
REMEMBERRECOGNISERESPONDREFERRecognise harmLook out for the signs - If you or someone you
know is being treated in a way that makes you or
them unhappy it might be abuse.RespondTalk to someone you trust and ask for their help
and support - if you ignore abuse it will not go
away.
Refer to NorthTyneside Council
The council can support you in keeping yourself
safe from harm.
Call (0191)643 2777to report abuse
Keep it local
Delivering professional, high quality, affordable and remote secretarialservices to small, medium and large organisations worldwide.Tel: (0191) 262 1299.
Barkes Associates
Email: lesleyann@barkesassociates www.barkesassociates.com
North Shields-based online retailer of slimming, health and beautyproducts. Recent winner of the council’s Small Business Award.Tel: 0845 874 0200.
SlimmingSolutions.co.uk
Email: [email protected] www.slimmingsolutions.co.uk
PC and laptop repair. Business and residential customers welcome.Tel: 0800 3800 661.
HelpQuick Ltd
Email: [email protected] www.helpquick.co.uk
Based atWhitley Lodge shopping centre.We offer acupuncture,electrotherapy, manual therapy, injection therapy and massage therapy.
Physio Room
Tel: (0191) 251 5944 www.physioroom.biz
We provide PC repairs, virus removals and upgrades at your home orbusiness for a fixed cost. No fix – no fee.
Geordie Geek Computer Services
Tel: (0191) 289 3083 www.geordiegeek.com
Full service. Professional wedding photography to the highest quality foran incredibly affordable price.
I Do CheapWedding Photography
Tel: 0798 841 7179 www.idocheapweddingphotography.co.uk
Family-run business, offering all aspects of interior and exterior work.Also building projects, garage conversions, roofing and repairs.
Killingworth Decorators &Building Services
Tel: Paul andTrudy on (0191) 268 6880 or 0788 165 1905
Wall and floor tiling in ceramic, stone, marble or slate. Completebathroom renovations a speciality. Free advice and estimates.
NorthumbrianTiling Contractors
Tel: (0191) 296 5710 Email: [email protected]
Time-served tradesman.Approved local authority contractor. Freeestimates. Fully insured. 138, Park Road,Wallsend.Tel: (0191) 209 2010or 0777 937 6422
John McAndrew Plumbing
www.johnmcandrewplumbing.co.uk
Musical instruments and accessories, sheet music and songbooks,classical CDs, musical gifts and toys. Music for schools. Shop online orinstore – 22a John Street, Cullercoats.Tel: (0191) 252 3331.
enjoymuzic
Email: [email protected] www.enjoymuzic.com
NorthTyneside Council is committedto helping small businesses.
If your company is based in the borough, you can advertisein this section free of charge.
So far, around 150 local businesses have included their detailsin Widening Horizons, which is distributed to more than90,000 homes across NorthTyneside.
Just send us the following details and we’ll put your entry inthe next available issue:
• Name of company or shop• Brief (20 words maximum) description of your business• Phone, email or web address
Please note: Space is allocated on a ‘first come, first served’basis. Adverts not used in one edition will receive priorityfor the next.
The next issue of Widening Horizons will be published inJune. The deadline for adverts is May 9.Send your details to: [email protected]
NorthTyneside Council does not accept any responsibility for the businesses listed above.
61
19, Nile Street, North Shields. Specialist in ladies and gents casuals,bridal alterations, corporate uniforms, curtains and soft furnishings.
Camden Clothing Alterations
Tel: (0191) 296 0304
Public health nutritionist providing advice and support on all aspects of diet andnutrition.
Gina Gorvett Nutrition
Email: [email protected] www.ggnutrition.com
Dry carpet and upholstery cleaners to the commercial and domesticmarkets. Zero water – zero smell – zero shrinkage – zero fuss.
Zerodrytime
Tel: (0191) 257 4282 www.zerodrytime.com
Professional quality web design from a reliable and competentWhitley Baycompany, specialising in giving small businesses an Internet presence.
MalaWeb Design
Tel: 07794 771 734 www.malawebdesign.co.uk
24/7 call out.Any electrical work undertaken – from full rewire toreplacing a single light. Friendly and reliable – contact Geoff Hearn.
Hearn Electrical Services
Tel: 0787 981 2260 Email: [email protected]
Lose your fear by practising public speaking in an atmosphere offriendly encouragement.Two evenings a month atThe Kittiwake.
Tyneside Speakers’ Club
Tel: (0191) 252 9187 Email: [email protected]
High ceilings, marble fireplaces, outstanding sea views. Elegant four staraward-winning apartments in Cullercoats – ideal for visiting relatives.From £325 weekly.
Southcliff Holiday Apartments
Tel: (0191) 251 3121 www.southcliffapartments.com
We have handpicked some of the latest fashions from the US andbrought them back toTyneside. (Green Ginger shopping arcade, FrontStreet,Tynemouth.)
Zee Clothing
Tel: (0191) 447 6659
We provide childcare inWallsend and Howdon for children aged fromsix months to 12 years. Pre-school care, wraparound care and out-of-school care.
Little Diamonds Childcare Centre
Tel: (0191) 263 4022
Installation, servicing and repairs to gas appliances. Landlord CP12certificates. Domestic plumbing from tap washers to bathroom suites.Gas Safe registered.
Gas 2 Plumbing
Tel: RayWilthew on 07875 356 971 Email: [email protected]
151 ParkView,Whitley Bay.The Pure Gallery is an alternative art galleryand shop displaying affordable art and gifts.
The Pure Gallery
Tel: (0191) 251 3520 www.thepuregallery.co.uk
Are you worried about your weight? The CambridgeWeight Plan couldbe the answer. Contact Ally, your local Cambridge consultant.
CambridgeWeight Plan
Tel: (0191) 257 8918 or 0798 338 6985 Email: [email protected]
Combi boiler installations, gas appliance fitting and repairs, servicing,radiators fitted, power flushing, CP12 Landlord certificates, all types ofplumbing. Tel: (0191) 289 9931 or 0796 266 4388
MGL Plumbing and Heating
Email: [email protected]
Keep it local
For quality badges, photo ID, holders, lanyards, keyrings andpromotional items at competitive prices. No minimum order. Freeartwork design and quote.Tel: 07988 171 056.
Badge Boys Inc
Email: [email protected] www.badgeboysinc.com
widening horizons •March 201162
UK-Safety
Full architectural and design services for residential, commercial andheritage clients. RIBA chartered architect. Reasonable rates and friendlyservice.
Michael Atkinson –Architecture & Heritage
Tel: 07800 593 347 Email: [email protected]
A local driving school offering quality, low-cost tuition in the NorthTyneside area. Super start-up offers available.
Learner One Driving Instruction
www.learnerone.co.uk
The best and most affordable tuition in guitar, bass guitar composition.Friendly, relaxed tuition allows students to learn at their own pace.Allstyles, ages and abilities welcome.
Penumbra Music
Tel: 0751 864 8992 Email: [email protected]
All aspects of interior and exterior painting and decoratingundertaken. Friendly, reliable and tidy. More than 30 years experience.
Colourcoats Decorators
Tel: (0191) 287 2036 or 07711 669 069 Email: [email protected]
We specialise in providing quality, affordable rental accommodationthroughout the North East.We offer a unique management service tolandlords at five per cent plusVAT.Albion Road, North Shields.
KIS Lettings
Tel: (0191) 640 8374 www.KISlettings.co.uk
All aspects of garden maintenance and design at affordable rates,including decking, garden walls, block paving, fencing and city gardens.Tel: 07538 995 700
The Greenkeeper
Email: [email protected] www.greenkeepergardens.co.uk
Carrying out electrical installation work and inspection & testing acrossthe North. 24-hour, 7-day emergency call-out service.
IQ Electrical
Tel: (0191) 262 5618 www.iqelectrical.co
We are a small friendly club that offers junior and adult coaching – allabilities welcome. Contact Dave on 0780 359 7005 or (0191) 2599862 (4 to 6pm weekdays).
Forest Hall CommunityTennis Club
www.foresthalltennisclub.co.uk
Landscape gardening services, based in North Shields. Services includegeneral garden maintenance, turfing, fencing, tree stump removal, patios,decking and driveways. Tel: (0191) 296 5470 or 07843 995 593
Neil Muir Gardening Services
Email: [email protected]
Training providers in food hygiene, health & safety and first aid in theworkplace, home and schools. Courses held locally.Tel: (0191) 252 1575.
Email: [email protected] www.uk-safety.com
‘Paint your own pottery’ studio onWallsend High Street.We also dopersonalised ceramic gifts and parties.
Crafty Little Devils
Tel: (0191) 240 1181 www.craftylittledevils.org.uk
All aspects of plastering undertaken. Insurance work welcome. Clean,tidy and reliable service. Free estimates and advice given.
Featheredge Plastering
Tel: Craig on (0191) 268 2805 or 0779 247 1982
Mulberry is a warm, supportive counselling service that is offering afree initial consultation to local people.
Mulberry Counselling andTraining
Tel: 07778 123 236 www.mulberrycounselling.co.uk
Mobile computing repairs for homes and small businesses.No fix – no fee. Contact Karl on 0797 037 8260.
www.xooocomputing.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
NorthTyneside Council does not accept any responsibility for the businesses listed above.
Keep it local
63
Itʼs the easiest, most convenient way tomake payments – once you sign up you donʼthave to worry about queues or travelling tomake a payment.
The council offers a choice of payment dates,making it easier to track your finances.
And the Direct Debit Guarantee covers all payments,so they can only be taken where the amount anddate have already been agreed by yourself.
Pay your billsby Direct Debit . . .
. . . it does exactly whatit says on the tin
Council departments that take payment byDirect Debit are:• Council Tax – (0191) 643 2355• Business Rates – (0191) 643 2365• Council Housing Rents – 0345 2000 102• Customer Accounts (such as allotment rents,
commercial rents, residential fees, homecarefees, nursery fees) – (0191) 643 2370
www.northtyneside.gov.uk
horizonswidening
If you have a query, pleasecontact the relevantdepartment listed alongsideor view details of all ourDirect Debit schemes onthe council website –www.northtyneside.gov.uk/directdebit