Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats

Fawdon Ward

Your Fawdon Ward Liberal Democrat councillors are active all year round in representing their constituents. You can contact them at any time with a problem or query - see the 'Contacts' page for details. Alternatively you can meet them at their surgeries at:

Fawdon Community Centre, Fawdon Park Road - Every Thursday - 5.30pm to 6.30pm

Kenton Customer Service Centre - every second Monday of the month - 5.30pm to 6.30pm

• Dec 24, 2010:
  • Caught in a TRAP
    Fawdon councillors and local residents are dismayed that the restaurant development on the site of the former Trap public house on Kenton Road will go ahead after a revised planning application had to be accepted. The council refused the first application in February on grounds that it was too big and out of character for the area. The applicant appealed and the planning inspector appointed by the government to hear the appeal rejected all of the council's objections except for concerns about the residential accommodation for the staff. So although the appeal had failed, it was on limited grounds, and meanwhile the applicant had already put in a second application. This second application made some small changes to the height of the building and the restaurant's capacity, and dealt with the inspector's objections about the living accommodation. The Council's Development Control Committee and the Council's planning officers have had little option but to accept the revised application although Councillor Ron Clark and three other members voted no, against the advice of the planning officers. "We're pleased that what is a real eyesore will now be demolished, but we're still deeply unhappy about the size of the proposed development, and about the inevitable problems of noise and parking that could still be caused" said Councillor David Faulkner. "If the planning inspector had supported the council then I've no doubt that the council would have turned down this revised application" said Councillor Faulkner who sent in a formal objection to the application. "Can I thank the seven residents who sent in letters of objection, those who signed the petition and those who spoke against the development " said Cllr Faulkner. "I'm only sorry that the planning inspector pulled the rug away from under us all with his judgement on the appeal. We'll be keeping a sharp eye on the development to make sure that the applicant doesn't step out of line with any of the conditions. I do wonder, in the present economic climate, whether the funding for such a large development will be found easily". 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
• Feb 26, 2010:
  • TOWERBLOCK TO BE DEMOLISHED
    At long last Fawdon House has been cleared of the final tenant, the lights switched off and the planning application submitted for the building to be demolished. This will happen floor by floor over a period of months rather than by a big bang demolition. The continued safe and convenient working of the shopping centre is important. The block was built in 1967 and the small bed sits proved increasingly difficult to let, despite the efforts of the housing management staff. It would have cost around £2 million to include the block in the modernisation programme of Your Homes Newcastle. The money can be put to better use elsewhere for modernisation. The block will be reduced to first floor level - to be level with the shopping centre roof - and a built up felt floor covering applied to the concrete slab. "There are no plans for any replacement building," said Councillor Brenda Hindmarsh. "So we will finally say goodbye to a real eyesore." 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 24, 2009:
  • NEWS IN BRIEF FROM FAWDON WARD
    :: THE BIG LUNCH - A BIG SUCCESS Among the many great new ideas at Fawdon Communtiy Centre was the Big Lunch idea in July. Around 40 people, many of them new to the area, were invited for Sunday lunch and family entertainment. Most important of all they got to know their new neighbours. "The funding came from the council but the work was done by volunteers at the community centre," said Councillor Ron Clark. "Well done to them." :: VIEWS SAUGHT ON GOSFORTH TRANSPORT CHANGES Residents should have received information about proposals to improve traffic flows and help pedestrians, public transport, cyclists and car/van users in the Gosforth area. If agreed, proposals for Gosforth High Street, the Blue House and Haddricks Mill roundabouts and for the Church Road/Salters Road junctions will be submitted for Government funding. Information is available at www.newcastle.gov.uk/gti :: CHANGES TO ROUTE OF BUS NUMBER 10/11 After concerns raised by residents, Brenda Hindmarsh raised route changes with the operations Director of Stagecoach. Service 10/11 has been changed from Kenton to the Great North Roadvia the Blue House roundabout to running via the Cowhill and Claremont Road. Stagecoach explained that usage on the Great North Road/Grandstand Rd East section was very low and users had alternatives such as the 30 and 31. The new routing is better used and gives new access to the RVI and the University. It also avoids the considerable delays at the Blue House roundabout that disrupted service reliability at rush hours. :: WARD COMMITTEE GRANTS Recent meetings have agreed funding for Mountfield Play group (equipment); summer activities for young people at Shandon Way and Fawdon community centres; design fees for the proposed extension to Kenton Park Sports Centre; Fawdon Park sports development project; community activities at Lea Green Court Tenants Association and North Kenton Vets; Fawdon Music Appreciation Group; a project offering computer training to older and disabled people in their homes. :: NEW WARD CO-ORDINATOR TAKES OVER Each ward in the city has a nominated ward coordinator, who liases between the council and other agencies and community groups. For the last few months our regular ward co-ordinator Rob Gillie has been on secondment to another role. Chris Mason has been carrying out the job and is now moving on to another ward - many thanks for your work in the area Chris. Replacing Chris until Rob finishes his secondment will be Helen Hindmarch. 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 22, 2009:
  • PREVENTING FLOODING
    Every few months we seem to have spells of torrential rain that test the drains, gullies, sewers and watercourses. Northumbrian Water has spent £2.5 million on improvements to the drainage in the Red House Farm area. However, it didn't prevent some houses there being flooded yet again last autumn. The last very wet spell in July saw agencies working better together in the area and there was praise from residents. Northumbrian Water quickly brought in pumps to take surface and mains water into the Ouseburn but covered up the outlets to stop the excess water in the Ouseburn going back up the system and overwhelming it, as has happened in the past. The council has been able to make sandbags available much more quickly than in the past, and under new legislative opportunities will soon be able to take coordinating responsibility among the different agencies. A major drop-in session at Northern Rugby club was held in July to enable residents to view the latest information and to quiz the Environment Agency, Northumbrian Water and the Council. The outlet pipes from the latest housing development in the Great Park, to the north of the Ouseburn, will only be connected when new and bigger suds are dug and after an independent assessment of their capacity. "The last thing we want is yet more water going into the Ouseburn and creating an overflow risk," said Councillor Ron Clark. 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 21, 2009:
  • STAR CENTRE APPLICATION TO BE HEARD BY COUNCILLORS
    Proposals for a housing redevelopment for young families on the former Star Centre site (junction of Jubilee Road and Kenton Road) will go to the council's development control committee in November. The proposal has been opposed by some residents who have presented a petition. Your councillors support the proposal, having received assurances from Your Homes Newcastle about the selection and vetting of tenants. These will be short tenancies before the tenants move to longer-term secure tenancies in other YHN properties. Contrary to information circulated anonymously in the area, the young people will very definitely have no history of any form of trouble whatsoever. "Some people seem to have a downer on anything to do with young people," said Councillor David Faulkner "We need to offer housing opportunities to young families to help give them a good start together. 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 20, 2009:
  • PAYBACK TIME FOR OFFENDERS
    Offenders have been paying back for their crimes by working to improve our local parks under the "Justice Seen, Justice Done" scheme. "At Fawdon Park, many hundreds of hours have been put in, under supervision, to clear glass and rubbish, paint fences and play equipment, remove graffiti and cut back the bushes," said Councillor Brenda Hindmarsh. "Residents voted for Fawdon Park for this work. However, since early September similar work has been taking place in North Kenton Park. "This has been well received by the public." The work has taken place with the close involvement of the Council's neighbourhood response teams for equipment and ensuring that all waste was cleared away daily. 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
  • KEEPING SAFE, TACKLING CRIME AND BAD BEHAVIOUR
    Whilst environmental crimes such as graffiti, fly-tipping, litter and dog-fouling have reduced in our area, we need to keep on top of it. Fawdon and Kenton was amongst the worst in the city's environmental index (league table) but has improved a lot. Councillor Brenda Hindmarsh said: "Crime and anti-social behaviour has also reduced a lot in the last five years as we now have more community police, wardens in the hotspots, new community support officers and better working between police, council and housing staff. "But there are still big problem areas in and around our parks in Fawdon and North Kenton and in and around the Wildlife Trust grounds in Coxlodge. The attention of all agencies is on these hotspot areas." Over the past five years many other new initiatives have been introduced in our area - introducing alcohol exclusion zones (preventing on-street drinking); extending the night noise team coverage; the Bottlewatch scheme to tackle broken glass; more inspections of premises selling alcohol (and prosecutions for selling to underage drinkers); the junior warden scheme; greater use of on-the-spot fines; the Safe Neighbourhoods Action and Problem-Solving teams. 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 19, 2009:
  • KINGSTON PARK ROAD AND FOOTBALL PARKING
    The installation of fencing on the north side has happened at long last and the south side will follow once problems with utility pipes and mains have been resolved. "The fencing will have to be extended as parkers are using the grassed area east of the football club car park entrance," said Councillor Brenda Hindmarsh. "This needs to be prevented too. There will be reseeding of the areas badly rutted by inconsiderate parkers." 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 18, 2009:
  • GETTING YOUR VIEWS
    There have been over 500 responses to the consultation on the future of the recreation ground in Fawdon, with lots of good ideas. A project board will now be set up, to include representation from residents and of course the management committee of the association and existing users. They will develop a plan, which in itself will need to be consulted on. Areas for attention are the access, signage and parking; possible extra uses within the building (and any case for extending it); and improving the layout, management, uses and security of the grounds. 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:
  • INVESTING MORE IN ROADS AND PAVEMENTS
    Resurfacing has taken place at Kinross Drive, Colgrove Way and Winton Way in North Kenton, with Warrington Road, Renwick Avenue, Charles Avenue and King George Road (all off Fawdon Park Road) to follow. The resurfacing of Aln Avenue has been agreed but is on hold because of planned utilities' work. These are the latest in the programme for road and pavement improvements in our area, with more in the pipeline. "After years of under-investment by the former council, we have allocated extra cash and are slowly but surely dealing with the worst," said Councillor Ron Clark. "But we'd be the first to admit that there's a lot still to do. "The good news is that there has been a big reduction in claims against the council for injuries from broken pavements. "That reduces insurance costs - helping keep council tax down but also releasing resources for continued improvements." 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:
  • SANOFI'S £100m INVESTMENT IN FAWDON
    Congratulations to Sanofi Aventis, the pharmaceutical company based on Edgefield Avenue, for opening its new high-tech packaging plant on the Fawdon site. Councillor David Faulkner attended the opening ceremony at the company, which employs nearly 500 people locally. "Sanofi has invested a staggering £100m in the past eight years at Fawdon," said David. "Over half of the factory output is now for export, and the investment has secured local jobs for years into the future." Older residents will remember the Sterling Organics name, and at different times the factory has produced products as varied as Andrews Liver Salts, Milk of Magnesia, Solpadeine, Panadol and Co-codamol. Today the plant produces nearly four billion dry tablets and capsules such as Plavix (for treating strokes, hear attacks and hardening of the arteries), Xatral and Epilem. 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 HOMES FOR FAWDON
    It's great to see that the tenants have moved into the new council bungalows at Souter Court in Coxlodge and at Apsley Court in North Kenton. "Along with new homes in Throckley, these are the first council houses built in the city for 25 years," said Councillor David Faulkner. "Through its housing company Your Homes Newcastle, the council is providing leadership at a time when the private sector is not building because of the credit crunch." On a summer visit to Newcastle, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg toured the North Kenton development and helped install a solar panel on the roof of one of the bungalows. In allocating bungalows, Your Homes Newcastle (YHN) give some priority those who are currently in bigger houses that can be released for rent to families. YHN has also introduced a scheme to address under-occupation more generally. Tenants who register to move to a smaller rented property will be given additional priority and a financial incentive based on the number of bedrooms that are given up - £500 for each bedroom, so moving to a one-bedroom bungalow from a 3 bedroom house will attract £1,000. The scheme is of course entirely voluntary, and is welcomed by your local councillors. 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 17, 2009:
  • MORE CASH FOR FAWDON WARD
    The Council has increased all of the budgets for locally-decided spending. In addition to all normal council budgets, the ward will see a 25% rise in the ward committee budget for local projects and groups over three years, plus a new budget for capital projects of £100,000 over three years. There is another pot this year of nearly £30,000 for small environmental projects plus £100,000 in each of the next three years for renewing roads and pavements. Let us hear your ideas for what needs to be done, or about projects for which your group needs support. All proposals are discussed and agreed through the ward committees. 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
• Jul 27, 2008:
  • FAWDON SURGERY SAVED
    The local Fawdon surgery has been saved from closure. The Lib Dem Team of Brenda Hindmarsh, Ron Clark and David Faulkner had been campaigning to keep the surgery open. A petition had been launched and many local people signed it after it was revealed that the Fawdon surgery may close. The Park Medical Group had been consulting on an option of amalgamating its practices on one site at Kingston Park - meaning that Fawdon would have closed. Councillor Brenda Hindmarsh says: "We're delighted to hear this news, as the loss of the surgery would have been a blow to our community, especially older people and those with young families who might have found it difficult to travel elsewhere. "I thank all the residents who signed the petition that I handed in to the council." 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 BOOZE LICENCE BID LAUNCHED
    A new application by the operators of Red House Food Store in Belsay Gardens to allow the sale of alcohol has been received by the city council. The application is for sales from 9am to 9pm Monday to Sunday. The previous application was turned down by the council's Licensing Committee and subsequently on appeal by magistrates in 2006. Councillor David Faulkner represented the views of residents at these hearings and will do so again. "I have received a large number of complaints by residents on similar grounds to last time," said Councillor Faulkner. "There are with concerns about a renewal of the anti-social behaviour that was such a problem before the previous licensee had the licence withdrawn." Councillor Faulkner adds: "A petition with a large number of signatures in favour of a licence was handed into the council some weeks ago, so the decision will not be an easy one for the committee." The hearing is likely to be in September or October. 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
  • FAWDON HIT BY BUS CHANGES
    Local bus services in Fawdon Ward are again being cut back from the end of August. Service 15/16 between the city centre and Kenton will have its frequency reduced from four buses per hour to two. Councillor Ron Clark says: "We also have to advise residents that the experiment to re-route the No 6 along Kingston Park Road and Broadway West has not been a success, and there have been few users. "Nexus tell us that it will return to its previous route along Jubilee Road." Bus operator Stagecoach told the city council that many services in the city are running with income from passengers covering only half or less of their operating costs. 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
• May 30, 2007:
  • Fawdon Ward now covered by drinking ban
    Lembit Opik MP meets your Fawdon Lib Dem councillors to help deliver the good news of the ban on drinking in public Since the end of May 2007, all of Fawdon Ward is covered by an order banning alcohol on the streets, in parks and in other public places. This gives the police and their community support officers power to seize and dispose of alcohol from people carrying open cans and bottles outdoors. "We welcome this move which will help make our area safer", says David Faulkner. "It will remove anti-social behaviour in the form of noise and intimidation that comes from people drinking out in the open. It should also mean less broken glass around our public places". The order also includes parts of Gosforth, Blakelaw and the rest of Kenton. Action has already been taken to enforce the order by stopping people drinking outside pubs, such as The Trap on Kenton Road, which does not have a licence for "beer gardens" or similar. We would be interested to hear from residents living close to those pubs who have had longer opening hours since last November - how has it affected you and your neighbours? Let us know. If you have trouble with noise and disorder, call the Night-Watch team on 0845 6052222 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