Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats

Castle Ward

Castle Ward is the northernmost ward in Newcastle. Your Lib Dem councillors are always pleased to hear from you with any queries, problems or suggestions - please contact them via the 'Contacts' page. Alternatively you can meet them in person at their monthly surgeries at:

St John's Church, Kingston Park Shopping Centre - 1st Tuesday of each month - 6.00pm to 7.00pm

15 minutes before Parish Council meetings at Brunswick, Hazlerigg and Dinnington (See Parish Notice Boards for Variations)

• Feb 26, 2010:
  • NEW HOMES TO BE BUILT IN BRUNSWICK VILLAGE
    A total of 11 bungalows are to be built on land at Drysdale Crescent in Brunswick Village. The development, which includes off-street parking, sheds and boundary fencing, was granted conditional planning permission by the council's Development Control Committee. Councillor Ian Graham said: "The bungalows will be built by Your Homes Newcastle and will be available for rent by local people. "I am pleased YHN is building more homes for rent as there is a desperate need for more homes in Newcastle. "These bungalows are likely to be let to older people freeing up two and three bedroom properties for families." Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Nov 15, 2009:
  • CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED AGAINST HEALTH BOSSES A&E PLANS
    The Liberal Democrats have launched a campaign against plans that may see sick Newcastle patients requiring emergency treatment being rushed by ambulance to a hospital near Cramlington. Newcastle North campaigner Ron Beadle has launched a petition against a decision that might see patients taken to a new hospital being built in Northumberland instead of going to the Freeman or Royal Victoria Infirmary hospitals in Newcastle. A petition features in Ron Beadle's latest newspaper Newcastle News, which is being delivered across Newcastle North during November, and online at www.newcastle-libdems.org.uk The decision by the NHS North of Tyne could see thousands of residents living in Gosforth, Kingston Park, Hazlerigg, Brunswick and Dinnington taken to Cramlington in an emergency. Ron Beadle, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary spokesman for Newcastle North, said: "I would urge local residents to sign the petition. "The more people that sign the petition the stronger the case we can present to NHS North of Tyne to get the decision reversed. "Local people in the north of Newcastle who are really angry at this announcement, which was taken without consultation - and came totally out of the blue." "This decision was taken by an unelected and unaccountable body, without offering the opportunity for full comment on the detail of the proposals." The new accident and emergency hospital is being built off the A19, close to the Moor Farm roundabout. The Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is opposing the plans, citing the close proximity of the new hospital to the Royal Victoria Infirmary. The Trust also said the new hospital threatened development of the Great North Children's Hospital at the RVI because of proposals for paediatric care at Cramlington. The £100 million Great North Children's Hospital is due for completion in spring of next year and will be centre of excellence for the North East. Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Nov 12, 2009:
  • HEALTH BOSSES' A&E PLANS ARE 'WRONG'
    Newcastle residents requiring emergency medical treatment face being rushed by ambulance to a hospital near Cramlington under plans approved by health bosses. Instead of going to hospitals in Newcastle, people may be taken to a new hospital being built in Northumberland. The decision by the NHS North of Tyne could see thousands of residents living in Gosforth, Kingston Park, Hazlerigg, Brunswick and Dinnington taken to Cramlington in an emergency. And so far none of them have been consulted about the move. Ron Beadle, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary spokesman for Newcastle North, has launched a campaign with other Liberal Democrats to reverse the decision. "It is quite wrong that gravely ill patients should in an emergency be rushed by ambulance to Cramlington instead of being taken to their nearest hospital in Newcastle," Ron Beadle said. "Residents I have spoken with in the north of Newcastle are really angry at this announcement. "They don't want to be treated in Northumberland - they want to be treated in their local hospital." Mr Beadle, who is fighting to win Newcastle North from Labour at the next General Election, said there were also transport issues to consider, which appear to have been overlooked by NHS North of Tyne. "How does a Newcastle pensioner, who does not drive, get to a hospital near Cramlington easily to visit a loved one?" he asked. "Most residents in the north of the city can at least get a bus to the Freeman or the RVI." Under the proposals any patient being transferred from Cramlington to another hospital might go to hospitals in North Tyneside, Wansbeck or other parts of Northumberland. "If Newcastle residents must be treated in Cramlington in the first instance, why can't they then be transferred to a hospital in Newcastle?,"said Ron Beadle. The new accident and emergency hospital is being built off the A19, close to the Moor Farm roundabout. The Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is opposing the plans, citing the close proximity of the new hospital to the Royal Victoria Infirmary. The Trust also said the new hospital threatened development of the Great North Children's Hospital at the RVI because of proposals for paediatric care at Cramlington. The £100 million Great North Children's Hospital is due for completion in spring of next year and will be centre of excellence for the North East. Councillor Liz Langfield, Executive Member for Adult Care and Health at Newcastle City Council, said: "It would be an absolute disaster if the new hospital at Cramlington undermined this flagship project before it even opens. "Of course we support anything that will improve the health of our neighbours in Northumberland but his should not at the detriment of people in Newcastle. "The fact that these decisions are being taken by an unelected and unaccountable body, without offering the opportunity for full comment on the detail of the proposals, is a disgrace." Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Oct 16, 2009:
  • NEWS IN BRIEF FROM CASTLE WARD
    :: CHAIR RETIRES The long serving chair of Hazlerigg Parish Council, Jen Dodds-Storey, has retired and is moving away. Councillor Anita Lower presented her with a leaving present to thank Jen for her work. "We wanted to thank Jen for all her work over the years for Hazlerigg thanks for all her hard work." Louise Fairley has been appointed chair. :: NEW SURE START CENTRE The new Sure Start Centre at Brunswick should be completed by the new year. Meanwhile, work is continuing replace Hazlerigg park with councillors working closely with the parish council, parents and youth group. The local councillors will be using the results from the recent ward survey to form part of Castle's Neighbourhood Charter. Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Oct 15, 2009:
  • FIGURES SHOW CRIME IS FALLING IN CASTLE
    Local residents can now report crime online at Northumbria Police's new website. The new service is part of the force's 'policing pledge', which sets a series of key promises to residents. Meanwhile, crime rates in Castle Ward have fallen 6.3% in the last year. The level of crime is regarded as "average" when compared to the rest of the Northumbria force area. Councillor Ian Graham said: "I am pleased crime is falling locally." For more information check out www.northumbria.police.uk/your_neighbourhood/newcastle/Gosforth_and_Great_Park/index.asp Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Oct 14, 2009:
  • NEW MUGA OPENS FOR FIRST TIME
    The new MUGA - multi-use games area - has opened on Dinnington's recreation ground. The Horton, Havannah and Brenkley Tenants and Residents Group raised over £120,000 to make the dream a reality. The Banks Foundation, which is the charitable arm of the mining group, contributed £80,000 towards the costs. The Castle Ward Committee and the city council also made grants to help the project. Councillor Ian Laverick said: "Anita, Ian and I are really pleased that this project has opened. "The MUGA looks fantastic and is already proving to be very popular with local people. "It is as testament to the hard work of local residents that it has happened. "Our thanks go to everyone involved in this project." Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Oct 11, 2009:
  • FINDING OUT WHAT YOU THINK
    Castle Ward councillors are currently carrying out a survey across the ward to find out what residents would like to be changed or improved. The Liberal Democrats have been knocking on doors in Kingston Park and are now working their way across the Northern Villages. "The information will be used to create the new ward charter which will set the priorities for the ward and help us to target issues which are important to local people," said Councillor Anita Lower Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
  • CARE HOME CELEBRATES 21 YEARS
    A local care home has recently celebrated its 21st birthday. To mark the milestone Cranlea House raised funds to build a sensory garden, which will be open to all residents. Local councillor Anita Lower officially opened the garden on September 21. Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
  • PARK AND RIDE BEGINS AT THE GREAT PARK
    A new park and ride service has begun operating at the Great Park - connecting the north of Newcastle to the city centre. Motorists can park their cars for free and then pay the driver the fare when they get on the bus. The scheme has space for 500 vehicles and runs from 7am to 7pm Monday to Saturday. Councillor Anita Lower, who is chairman of the Newcastle Great Park Advisory Committee, said: "The park and ride scheme is providing people with quick access to Haymarket via Gosforth High Street. "We are in talks with the Great Park Consortium and bus operator Arriva to provide additional services in the New Year." Day returns cost £3 for adults and kids half price. Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
  • NEW SCHOOL OPENS IT'S DOORS
    Newcastle's newest school has opened its doors to pupils for the first time. Brunton First School caters for children aged four to nine and is designed to serve the community being created by the Great Park development. The school includes six state-of-the-art classrooms, two multi-purpose halls, a studio and a food technology room. It is also surrounded by extensive grounds, including a football pitch, a multi-use games area, a playground and gardens. Castle Ward councillor Anita Lower said: "The school is a landmark in the development of the Great Park as a new community needs a school at its heart. "The Castle Ward Focus Team is really pleased Brunton First School has opened. "Modern facilities are vitally important to ensure local children make the most of their opportunities." Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Aug 30, 2009:
  • NEW SCHOOL OPENS
    The new Brunton First School situated on the Newcastle Great Park is to open on September 7 with two classes, reception and year 1. The school is already full for this year, however any parent wanting a place for their child should talk to the school. The construction work has been completed earlier than scheduled and further works on the site will include a pre-school facility. The school is also available for hire, providing much needed community space in the Great Park. Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
  • Dinnington Multi Use Games Area official opening
    The official opening of the new MUGA at Dinnington Recreation Ground will take place at 11am on wednesday 2nd September. The MUGA was a project of the Horton, Havannah and Brenkley Tenants and Residents Association, they were successful in raising almost £120,000 from a variety of sources including £80,000 from the Banks Mining Charitable Fund and various contributions from City Council departments and the ward committee. The opening will include organised activities for young people and refreshments will be provided Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Jul 17, 2009:
  • New School For Castle Ward
    The new Brunton First School in Newcastle Great Park is scheduled to open in September, the school will start with two classes, reception and year 1. Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
  • Brunton Lane Closure
    Brunton Lane has been closed to through traffic for upto 18 months to prevent further damage to the utilities. The permanent closure is part of the Newcastle Great Park masterplan, residents west of the closure will be able to use the new link road that will be constructed to the extra care home from the Sage approach road. Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
  • £120,000 Multi use games area for Dinnington
    The multi use games area at dinnington recreation field is nearing completion, work has cost £120,000 the money being raised by the Horton Havannah and Brenkley Tenants and Residents Association with donations from Banks Foundation (£80,000), city council departments and the local ward committee. The plans are to have an official opening during the summer. Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Mar 1, 2009:
  • PLANS APPROVED FOR LOCAL MUGA
    Planning permission has been granted to build the MUGA - multi-use games area - in Dinnington. Newcastle City Council's Development Control Committee granted planning permission for the project on the village's recreation ground. The Horton, Havannah and Brenkley Tenants and Residents Group raised over £120,000 to make the dream a reality. The Banks Foundation, which is the charitable arm of the mining group, contributed £80,000 towards the costs. Councillor Anita Lower says: "Ian, Ian and I are really pleased that this project is going ahead. "It is as testament to the hard work of local residents that it has happened. "Our thanks go to everyone involved." The plans for the MUGA have been prepared and a contractor will be appointed to start work as soon as possible. Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
  • MORE LOCAL NEWS FROM DINNINGTON
    The local Liberal Democrat Team has agreed to install a series of dropped kerbs across the village to provide better access to local services. Meanwhile Councillors Anita Lower, Ian Graham and Ian Laverick have agreed to contribute £700 from ward funds towards the cost of a destination map for the village. Councillor Anita Lower explains: "Dinnington Parish Council plans to install the map on the village green near to the bus stop." Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Jan 7, 2009:
  • LIB DEMS INVEST IN THE FUTURE
    Millions of pounds look set to be spent on Newcastle's communities during the economic crisis. The Lib Dem-run city council plans to invest £21 million into energy efficiency, regeneration and boosting the economy. The cash will be borrowed, but council tax will still have to go up by 2.9% to cover the loan, meaning a rise of 65p per week for a family living in a Band D household. The Lib Dem council leaders are sticking to their pledge to keep the rise below the rate of inflation for the fifth year running - even though the amount Newcastle has been given by the Government has increased by only 1.75%, the joint lowest in the country. The three-year investment will secure jobs in the face of the credit crunch. Councillor Peter Allen, executive member for resources, said: "We've kept to our original election pledge when we took control of the council - bills down at or below the rate of inflation - and we're now delivering for the fifth year running. "At the same time we've invested extra in the services people have told us are most important to them, such as our hugely popular rapid response teams, improving the environment in every ward round the city. "We've achieved all this because we run an efficient operation, and we'll be tightening our belts further next year to the tune of £20 million plus, whilst still protecting frontline services." The council is saving around £20 million by cutting 500 posts - many of them managers and administrative staff. Front line jobs will be protected. The £21m investment will be spent on projects people in the city have raised as a priority, including: :: £7m extra spending on road and pavement repairs and improvements. :: £1.4m extra on grants for disabled facilities to make improvements in people's homes. :: £75,000 extra on Newcastle WarmZone, helping those facing fuel poverty. :: £800,000 extra on works at Walker Quay. :: £4m extra in a new regeneration fund to support various schemes across Newcastle. By using local external contractors for building work, jobs will be secured and no manpower will be taken away from frontline services. A scheme to help low-income first-time buyers with shared equity loans and cash from the Government and developers is on the cards, and more staff to help homeowners avoid repossessions. The council is also pledging to work with developers to help them out as the demand for homes drops, to increase the amount of affordable social housing in the city and to offer support packages for small businesses. Council leader John Shipley said: "As well as keeping council tax bills down, and protecting frontline services, there is much that the council can do to help businesses and individuals survive the economic recession. "Our budget proposals includes an extra £21 million of spending on infrastructure and regeneration projects - which will help keep many people in work in the construction industry locally. "We're also continuing with a package of interventions to help people in debt crisis, to help housebuilders and homebuyers alike, and to help small businesses. "Without this extra spending package, our council tax bills would have been even lower, but we think that supporting the city's economy through this crisis is simply the right thing to do." The council's draft budget proposals will go out for consultation before being put to councillors in March. Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Dec 17, 2008:
  • AIRPORT BUSINESS PARK EXPANSION PLANS APPROVED
    Councillors have approved plans for a new business park at Newcastle Airport, which is expected to create up to 1,500 jobs. The plans were recently approved by the council's Development Control Committee. Local residents in Woolsington Village were concerned about an increase in traffic through the village but these problems have now been resolved. Plans for access via Middle Drive have been dropped and all traffic will get into the park from Ponteland Road. Traffic calming measures are also proposed. The £20 million scheme is part of ambitious plans to expand the airport. The park will be on land south of the airport freight village and east of Main Road, Woolsington. There will be 465 parking spaces and a small shop and cafe. Ron Beadle, Newcastle North Parliamentary spokesman, says: "I am pleased that the concerns of local residents have been addressed. "Creating up to 1,500 new jobs is especially welcome in these difficult financial times." Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Sep 2, 2008:
  • LABOUR AXES NINE POST OFFICES IN NEWCASTLE
    Newcastle Liberal Democrats are angry that Labour has closed nine of the city's Post Offices despite residents' protests The axe today fell on nine of Newcastle's Post Offices despite hard-fought campaigns by local residents to keep them open. Thousands of people held public meetings, signed petitions and wrote letters protesting at the decision by Post Office Ltd to close the local branches. The closures in Newcastle are part of the Labour Government's programme to shut 2,500 Post Offices nationwide. There was also shock at the announcement that a six-week consultation has begun on the future of St Anthony's Post Office in Walker. This Post Office is facing closure because a branch has been saved in Blaydon. Newcastle's Labour MPs, Doug Henderson, Nick Brown and Jim Cousins, had the chance to halt the closure programme during a vote in the House of Commons but instead supported the Government and rejected the opposition motion. Ron Beadle, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary spokesman for Newcastle North, said: "More than 1,000 people signed a Liberal Democrat petition to keep our Post Offices open. "But yet again the Labour Government is showing how is has stopped listening to local people in Newcastle. "The loss of these nine branches will hit communities in Newcastle hard. "Post Offices are vital assets for many local people and these closures will cause difficulties, particularly for older people and those with mobility problems." Under Labour, thousands of Post Offices have already closed, while under the Conservatives 3,500 post offices were axed. Ron Beadle added: "Newcastle's Labour MPs had the perfect opportunity in Parliament to show their support for Post Offices. "Instead they put the Labour Party before the people of Newcastle and voted with their Government to back the closure programme." The Liberal Democrats have a plan that would save the Post Office network. "We would invest £2 billion through public shared ownership, which would revitalise the network and keep open a vital local service for millions of people across the UK," said Ron. The Post Offices that will close are: :: Clayton Road :: Howard Street :: Kenton Road :: Union Society :: Walkerville :: Brunswick Village :: Garden Village :: Walbottle :: West Denton Published and promoted by Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats, 3 Bloomsbury Ct, Newcastle, NE3 4LW Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY