Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats

Ouseburn Ward Info

Ouseburn Ward Lib Dem Focus Team:Gareth Cooper, Gareth Kane and Stephen Psallidas

Please see the 'Contacts' section for details of how to contact Ouseburn Ward Lib Dems.

Ward Surgeries:

• Caring Hands Charity, Wretham Place, Shieldfield - 2nd Monday of the month, except August and Bank Holidays - 11.30am to 12.30am
• Ouseburn Community Centre, Newington Road - 3rd Saturday of the month, except August and Bank Holidays - 11.15 am to 12 noon
• St Ann's Tenants' Hut, Breamish Street, Battlefield - 3rd Saturday of the month, except August and Bank Holidays - 10.00am to 11.00am
• Surgery also held half an hour before Ward Committee meetings (venue varies), see publicity for details.

See below for our latest Twitter feed updates, or follow us directly on www.twitter.com/ouseburnlibdems!

Updates from ouseburnlibdems

• Posted by Cllr Gareth Kane

  In reply to Northumbria Police

  MT Northumbria Police: Operation Oak is a continued success dlvr.it/3QGDy6 > well done Cllr S Psallidas for bringing it to Ouseburn!

  May 25, 2013 3:12 PM

  Reply Retweet

• Posted by Cllr Gareth Kane

  Thorough enjoyed the 'Live Witness' celebration of 40 years of Live Theatre last night - one of the many delights of Ouseburn Ward.

  May 25, 2013 9:14 AM

  Reply Retweet

• Posted by NewcastleCityCouncil

  Bin collection days will not change as a result of the bank holiday. Please put your bin out on your normal day ow.ly/lhqsZ

  May 23, 2013 6:16 PM

  Reply Retweet

• Posted by Cllr Gareth Kane

  Whoa. Back from Hotspur Primary - those kids sure like their recycling! Struck me that, unlike my generation, they see it as the norm.

  May 23, 2013 6:14 PM

  Reply Retweet

• Public lecture at St Ann's Church, Breamish St, 8th June 7pm, £5. "Nature or Nurture?" : results of survey following 1000 local families.

  May 22, 2013 6:35 PM

  Reply Retweet

• There will be major works along the Metro service line through Shieldfield this summer, incl a works compound in Manors campus car park.

  May 22, 2013 2:12 PM

  Reply Retweet

More updates

• Sep 25, 2011:
  • Important Community Facility Gets Underway in Shieldfield
    Construction work is due to begin on Tuesday 27th September on a long-awaited "Multi Use Games Area" on Napier Street in Shieldfield. The facility is targeted particularly at young people, who asked for it in a community consultation. Funding for the facility was approved by Liberal Democrat councillors in the ward early in 2011, and has come partially from the Ward Capital Fund set up by the previous Lib Dem-run administration, and partially from funds provided by the developers of new student halls in the neighbourhood. Cllr Stephen Psallidas commented: "I'm really pleased to see the MUGA project get underway. It has taken longer than hoped, and has faced funding challenges and more recently a problem with illegal car parking on the site. However I and my colleagues have worked hard to resolve these issues. It should be a very popular facility with young people in the area and I look forward to seeing it completed." The MUGA is costing some £93,000 and is expected to be completed within about 6-8 weeks. 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
• Apr 22, 2011:
  • Shieldfield Social Club - petition received
    A petition by residents opposed to the demolition of Shieldfield Social Club so as to build a 100-bed student hall, has been received by Planners. The Executive Director of Regeneration has confirmed to Cllr Gareth Cooper that the petition will be considered when coming to a decision. Gareth Cooper commented: "I and my councillor colleagues have objected to this application. There are enough student halls in Shieldfield, and it is leading to a lack of balance in the community. I hope that the Development Control Committee will listen to the voice of residents in this matter, when they make their decision on 27th May." 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 4, 2010:
  • Recycling in Flats Update
    North Heaton Councillors KAREN and DOREEN have secured agreement from the council to extend the popular recycling collection arrangements to residents of blocks of flats in the ward. Residents of the Spinney and Dene Court have previously had to make their own arrangements, but will at last be covered by new recycling facilities for their blocks. This has taken a while to agree but we're pleased it's now proceeding. GREG is also looking to provide a ward budget grant to Dene Court flats residents to fund the cost of plant hire needed to install cavity wall insulation through the Newcastle Warm Zone energy conservation project. In Ouseburn ward local councillors Gareth Kane, Gareth Cooper and Stephen Psallidas have been working hard to provide recycling for residents whose properties make blue wheelie bins impractical. Alison Court and Heaton Park Court have been included in the current phase while flats around st Ann's Close should be coming on board later this year. 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
• Jun 8, 2010:
  • Lottery votes needed for Stables
    Ouseburn Ward councillor Gareth Cooper is urging residents of the ward, and residents of other areas who support the Stepney Bank Stables, to vote for them to receive a substantial Lottery funding boost. Gareth said: "Stepney Bank Stables have done an excellent job helping thousands of young people across the years to improve their skills and confidence, as well as generally promoting a positive and unusual experience for people of all ages to ride and care for horses. They richly deserve the opportunity to increase their services to the community." Residents can vote for the Stables by visiting http://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards/vote.cfm?id_category=2&id_entry=91 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 6, 2009:
  • LIB DEMS CALL FOR SIGNIFICANT NEW POWERS TO REGULATE LANDLORDS IN NEW GREEN PAPER
    Reports that the Government is to include a new requirement for registration of all landlords in a Green Paper due to be produced later this month have received a cool reaction from Newcastle Lib Dem campaigners. Initial reports in the Times newspaper suggest that a new green paper may require a £50 registration fee for all landlords, as part of proposals to ensure better management of rented housing which would require minimum standards to be met and landlords who intimidate tenants to be 'struck off'. However, Newcastle East Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesman Greg Stone is calling for the Government to ensure that any new legislation gives local authorities significantly enhanced powers in respect of rented housing policy and is not just an excuse to introduce a "stealth tax" on landlords. Rented housing is set to be an important issue in the constituency at the next General Election. The Lib Dems are making the topic an election priority and are campaigning for more controls on the sector, which has mushroomed in recent years as a result in the growth of the student population. "The Lib Dems have been campaigning on the issue of rented housing in Newcastle East for many years in the face of sneering and inaction from Labour," said Greg Stone. "The news that a Green Paper is imminent is welcome, and we welcome the news that a registration requirement for all landlords is to be introduced as we have called for this for a long time. "However we very much hope that it will offer more than just a stealth tax on landlords, as there is a real need for substantive powers to significantly raise standards in the rented sector. "We call upon the Government to include change of use planning permission requirements for conversion of residential properties into rented houses of multiple occupation, and to introduce a new duty to make landlords responsible for ensuring that the exterior of properties are properly maintained and subject to an annual inspection. "Failure to introduce significant new powers will leave the Green Paper toothless to tackle the issues raised with us by local residents, and will be a major missed opportunity." 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 23, 2009:
  • Lib Dems disappointed at Portland Green student housing decision
    A major new student housing development has been approved in Ouseburn Ward. The site, known as Portland Green, is located to the west side of City Stadium and may eventually house up to 2000 students. Lib Dem ward councillors objected to the planning application, but it was approved by the Development Control Committee in mid February. Local councillor Gareth Kane spoke against the application at the DCC. He said "I'm disappointed that this was approved. I and my councillor colleagues don't have anything against students, who help to bring learning and economic benefits to Newcastle. However, we do feel that the community balance in the Shieldfield area has swung too far, and if Portland Green and other student accommodation in Shieldfield get built, we estimate that by 2012, 5 out of 6 residents of Shieldfield will be students." Gareth Cooper added: "The Portland Green developers have been required to make a very substantial contribution to the area, and we will be working with local residents' groups to make sure that the money is spent on residents' priorities as far as possible. This will at least help to bring some direct benefit to the local neighbourhood." 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 17, 2009:
  • DOUBLING OF TUITION FEES WOULD BE DISASTER FOR THOUSANDS OF NEWCASTLE STUDENTS, SAY LIB DEMS
    Newcastle East Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman Greg Stone has expressed grave concerns over reports that university vice-chancellors are contemplating doubling the cost of tuition fees after the next General Election. With two major universities and an estimated student population of between 15,000 and 20,000 voters, Newcastle East has one of the most student-dominated electorates of any seat in the country. The seat is set to be a battle between Labour, who introduced tuition fees, and the Liberal Democrats, who remain the only major party to support scrapping of tuition fees. The sitting Labour MP Nick Brown orchestrated a last minute switching of sides by Labour backbenchers to very narrowly win the vote to introduce them in 2004. Greg Stone, Liberal Democrat, Parliamentary spokesman for Newcastle East, said "As an ex-funding manager for a North East university, I acknowledge that university funding is a key issue and investment is vital if our institutions are to grow and to remain competitive in an international field. "It is vital for our universities to develop research and new technologies if our economy is to prosper in the future, but at the same time, we must not prevent our young people from becoming the graduates of the future by pricing them out of higher education. "I am desperately worried that at a time of economic recession it looks increasingly likely that both Labour and the Conservatives will not oppose the vice-chancellors' plans to massively increase tuition fees by well in excess of inflation. "It will inevitably hit many of the students currently at our universities, not to mention many families who are struggling to save to afford to send their children to university in the future. "This will be disastrous news for not only the thousands of students in Newcastle East now, but for thousands of hardworking families on middle incomes in the constituency who look set to see the financial bar to university education raised even higher at a time when graduate jobs are in short supply. "Only the Liberal Democrats will fight the next election on a platform of scrapping tuition fees and allowing universities to be properly funded by scrapping ludicrous white elephants like the £10bn ID Card Scheme. "Labour's MP will have to explain to thousands of students and thousands of A-Level students in Newcastle East why he caved in on tuition fees, and why Labour is failing to take action to prevent further massive rises in the financial burden on their shoulders. "I expect Labour's vote amongst students to collapse at the next election if this plan becomes a reality." 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 10, 2009:
  • LIB DEMS FORM CAMPAIGN GROUP FOR STUDENT CONSTITUENCIES
    The Lib Dems in Newcastle are to link up with fellow Lib Dem campaigners in other university cities to drive forward the Lib Dem message that their party best represents university constituencies and the interests of students, academics and long-term residents alike. The network has been launched by Lib Dem MP for Leeds North West Greg Mulholland, whose seat includes the two Leeds universities. Other Lib Dem held university constituencies such as Cardiff Central, Sheffield Hallam, Manchester Withington, Oxford West, and Cambridge are also in the group, along with one of the main Lib Dem target seats in the North East, City of Durham. The group will support joint campaigning on issues such as the abolition of student tuition fees, which according to the Daily Telegraph secured the Lib Dems over 50% of the student vote in the 2005 General Election, as well as identifying joint responses to issues including better regulation of student rented sector housing to tackle bad landlords and anti social behaviour. Greg Stone, a former manager at a North East university and Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesman for Newcastle East, said "The student population in Newcastle East is one of the highest in the country, and clearly the student vote will be hugely influential at the next election. "We will be reminding student voters that the local Labour MP played a major role in the introduction of tuition fees, putting the interests of the Labour government ahead of local people. "By joining up with colleagues in other university seats, I intend to champion effective solutions to issues such as student housing and community safety based on good practice from elsewhere in the country." 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 9, 2009:
  • LIB DEMS ARE THE ONLY PARTY TO CHALLENGE TUITION FEES, SAYS CHALLENGER
    A senior Lib Dem councillor has welcomed the party's decision to reaffirm its long standing policy of scrapping tuition fees for university undergraduates at its Spring Conference in Harrogate. Councillor Greg Stone, who is leading the challenge to Labour Government Chief Whip Nick Brown, said his party was the only one challenging tuition fees. The Lib Dems also announced plans to extend the policy of free tuition to part time students in a new policy paper on post-18 education. The proposals for higher and further education, which aim to make high quality education and training available to all, include: scrapping tuition fees for first higher education degree qualifications fully funding the off the job training costs of apprenticeships improving access to HE for under represented groups reforming the bursary scheme to make it available more fairly across universities opposing Labour's cuts to adult education entitlement Councillor Greg Stone, Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesman for Newcastle East, said "Newcastle East has one of the highest concentrations of student voters of any constituency in the country, including areas such as Jesmond, Heaton, Sandyford, and Battlefield/St Ann's, as well as the new University of Northumbria campus. "There are over 15,000 students living here, yet Labour MP Nick Brown played a crucial role in introducing tuition fees. "I'm also aware of far too many students from less well off local families put off from going to university because of the cost. "These are bright and able young people who are desperately worried about being saddled with debts of £10,000 or more even before living costs are considered. "The Lib Dems believe that everyone deserves the chance to develop the skills and knowledge that will give them the best opportunities in life, and that the country cannot afford not to create a highly skilled workforce to lead us out of recession. "The Lib Dems are the only major party committed to scrapping tuition fees for full and part time students, and improving access to apprenticeships, so that everyone can get the best education possible without being crippled by debt. "Labour have let down thousands of students and families in Newcastle East on this issue." 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 27, 2009:
  • HOUSING MINISTER DITHERS IN RESPONSE TO LIB DEM CALL FOR MORE PLANNING POWERS TO TACKLE 'STUDENTIFICATION'
    A Housing Minister has come under fire from a senior Newcastle Liberal Democrat over student housing. IaIn Wright admitted in a letter that the Government had yet to make up its mind on adopting a call by Lib Dem-run Newcastle City Council to change planning law on conversion of residential properties into multi occupancy lets for students. The Lib Dems are pushing for the Government to adopt "change of use class" powers which would increase regulation of the buy-to-let market by requiring persons seeking to convert family dwellings into private rented student housing to secure planning permission for "change of use". At present there is no restriction on such conversions in England, although the devolved Northern Irish government has introduced a similar policy. Councillor Greg Stone, Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesman for Newcastle East, said that residents of the "inner east" parts of the city, including Jesmond, Heaton, and Sandyford were "crying out" for more powers to address the long-term trend of studentification, but the Government was "dithering" over whether to introduce the plan. In the minister's response to a letter from the city council seeking clarification of the Government's intentions, Mr Wright replied: "We have recently published research work which looked at the issue of the UCO [use class order] and HMOs [houses of multiple occupation]. "The research work was commissioned to identify good practice in areas that manage to cope relatively well with high concentrations of HMOs, to test whether these ideas could have a wider application in those areas which have difficulty with such issues and to determine whether, and if so what, planning policy is a suitable lever to tackle these problems… "Once we have finished considering the report's recommendations we will consult on possible options for change. I anticipate that this will be soon." Greg Stone said "People in my constituency are crying out for action on this issue. "The introduction of change of use class powers for student housing conversions would give the local authority significantly more power to control the spread of private rented student housing and would prevent further loss of family housing stock. "It would be a vital tool in securing a sustainable balance between family and student housing, to go alongside the city council's policy of increasing provision of purpose built student accommodation. "However, the proposal appears to be gathering dust in the minister's in-tray. "The Government has been sitting on this report since September but has failed to act, and the minister is unable to give a timetable for when they will begin consultation on this matter. "The Lib Dems want real action on this issue as soon as possible on behalf of the people of Newcastle East, whilst Labour are only offering dithering and delay until after the General Election. "As Lib Dem spokesman for Newcastle East I pledge to make this issue a top election priority." 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
• Sep 26, 2008:
  • LIB DEMS CLAIM VICTORY ON STUDENT HOUSING POLICY AFTER LABOUR FINALLY AGREE TO DEMANDS
    A senior Lib Dem campaigner has welcomed an announcement that Housing Minister Caroline Flint is to introduce new proposals to address "studentification" in university towns such as Newcastle in a new Housing Green Paper - but has expressed regret that the move has taken so long. Councillor Greg Stone, Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesman for Newcastle East, is also calling for a loophole in the Government's plans to be tightened. Reports suggest that the Government will finally back Lib Dem calls to extend Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO) planning and licensing powers already operating in Northern Ireland throughout Britain, allowing local authorities more power to regulate the private rented sector of student accommodation by requiring formal "change of use class" planning permission to convert dwellings into student rented properties. The city council agreed a motion from North Jesmond Lib Dem councillor Ron Armstrong in 2007 which calls for exactly the type of measures Flint is proposing Massive growth in the student population of the city - currently estimated at 36,000 - in recent years was not addressed by the previous Labour council administration, who did little to encourage new purpose built accommodation, and permitted a significant number of affordable and family homes in these areas to be converted to student rentals. Since 2004, the Lib Dem council administration has introduced local planning policies to restrain further proliferation in established family residential areas, and has encouraged development of new purpose built student accommodation blocks close to campus and in edge of city centre locations. In the period between 2000 and 2008, the student private rented sector has expanded from 2% to nearly 5% of the total homes in the city, with major knock on effects for availability of housing. Greg Stone said: "It is welcome to see that the Government has finally taken on board the persistent and continuous Lib Dem call for action on this matter over the last decade, but it has come many years too late in Newcastle. "First we had to wait five years for Labour to introduce HMO licensing powers, only to find that the eventual 2003 Act failed to give sufficient power to councils to address this issue. "We have long called for England to have the same powers as Northern Ireland on this matter, which has a major impact on quality of life for students and locals alike in areas of my constituency such as Jesmond, Sandyford and Heaton. "Students and the universities are vital and very welcome contributors to the life and economy of Newcastle but the failure to manage the impact of massive growth in numbers between 1997 and 2004 by Labour has caused problems. "By contrast, the Lib Dems have been proved right in our proactive approach to this issue. "Residents support our efforts to restrict further proliferation, and by supporting new purpose built accommodation, we hope to see the excess private rented stock converted back into affordable homes for first time buyers and families. "However, we are concerned that another recent announcement by Caroline Flint - which proposed a change in the law to allow householders to extend their properties or convert attic space without planning permission - offers a loophole which student landlords could exploit. "I am already aware of numerous applications of this type in my own ward of North Heaton, which we fear are attempts to circumvent the council's student housing restraint policy by adding more bedrooms to facilitate conversion of dwelling houses into HMOs. This inconsistency needs to be addressed." MOTION AGREED BY NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL 4 April 2007 This Council notes that: *In England a family house and a house in multiple occupation ( HMO) with up to 6 tenants are in the same Use Class, in planning terms, which means that planning permission is not required to use what was a family house as an HMO. *In Northern Ireland the planning rules were changed in 2004, so that planning permission is needed to use a family house as an HMO. *If the planning rules in England were changed to those pertaining in Northern Ireland, it would be much easier to control the distribution and local density of HMOs in the City. Therefore Council resolves to ask the Government to change the planning rules in England to those of Northern Ireland, in respect of the use of family homes as HMOs. 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 10, 2008:
  • LIB DEM WARNING AS LABOUR BLOW THE ROOF OFF STUDENT CONVERSION PLANNING RESTRICTIONS
    A senior Newcastle councillor has reacted with concern to news that the Government is to scrap planning red tape on conversion of attic spaces to bedrooms. Housing Minister Caroline Flint said the plans would enable families to extend their homes without the need to apply for planning permission. The Government hopes the change will make it easier for families, who are unable to move because of the credit crunch, to create more space in their existing homes. Greg Stone, Parliamentary spokesman for Newcastle East, warned the move could seriously undermine efforts taken by Newcastle City Council's Liberal Democrat administration to introduce an "Area of Housing Mix". The policy is designed to prevent massive proliferation of student rented housing in areas of the city like Jesmond, Heaton and Sandyford. The Lib Dems have introduced local planning policies which seek to make it more difficult for landlords to buy up family homes in established family residential areas and turn them into multi-occupancy student rentals, following previously unchecked growth in concentration of rented student accommodation in these parts of the city. Councillor Greg Stone, a councillor for North Heaton, said: "While we don't want to see people penalised who genuinely wish to expand their homes by means of loft conversions or extensions perhaps because of changing family circumstances or as an alternative to moving to a larger house during the credit crunch, we have serious reservations about this plan which appears to have been unilaterally announced without consultation by Labour. "My experience in Heaton and that of my councillor colleagues in Newcastle East is that the restrictions introduced by the Lib Dems after years of Labour complacency are an essential defence against landlords who seek to buy up family houses, convert the attic spaces, and add on extensions to cram in as many bedrooms as possible for renting to students. "I will be asking the city council to take urgent steps to clarify the position with the Government in order to protect the safeguards introduced by the Lib Dems. "There will be huge concern and anger in Jesmond, Heaton and Sandyford if Caroline Flint's panic measure allows more family homes to be lost to a surge of student conversions." 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 8, 2008:
  • SAVE OUR POST OFFICES: THE LAST PUSH
    Lib Dem campaigners, including Newcastle MEP Fiona Hall, Ron Beadle and Greg Stone, gather outside Walbottle village Post Office in a final push to save nine of Newcastle's post offices from closure Liberal Democrats from across Newcastle have come together for one final push to save nine of Newcastle's post offices - just days before their future is decided. The Lib Dems gathered at Walbottle village Post Office - one of the nine threatened with the axe - having collected more than 1,000 signatures from local people opposing the closures. At Walbottle the petitions and many letters of protest - all collected since the nine closures were announced six weeks ago - were posted in order that they reach Post Office Ltd by August 11, the deadline for the end of the public consultation. Newcastle MEP Fiona Hall, who was among the protestors gathered at Walbottle, said: "Posting these 1, 000 signatures today has been an appropriate way we can show Post Office Ltd that people in Newcastle want their post office services to stay open. "Many local people need, and in some cases depend on their post offices." Ron Beadle, Parliamentary spokesman for Newcastle North, added: "The way the consultation works is that at the end of all this, even if one of the 'Newcastle nine' post offices are saved, another post office - not necessarily on the current target list - will be forced to close in its place. "It is a frustrating catch 22 and just shows that the past six weeks have been nothing more than a sham consultation." The branches facing closure are: :: Clayton Road :: Howard Street :: Kenton Road :: Union Society :: Walkerville :: Brunswick Village :: Garden Village :: Walbottle :: West Denton Under the Labour Government plans more than 2,500 post offices across the country face being shut - despite public outcry - and many more closed under the Conservatives. The Liberal Democrat plan to save the Post Office network would see £2 billion invested. Recently a motion was proposed in the House of Commons demanding the Government halt their plans to make 2,500 branches shut up shop. Newcastle Labour MPs Doug Henderson, Nick Brown and Jim Cousins voted against the motion and backed the closure programme. :: To contact Post Office Ltd please see www.postoffice.co.uk/networkchange or telephone 08457 22 33 44 or email consultation@postoffice.co.uk. 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 2, 2007:
  • Refusal of Wimpey site planning permission was "right result"
    Commenting on the refusal by the Development Control Committee this morning to grant permission for the proposed major development by Wimpey at the mouth of the Ouseburn River, local ward councillor Stephen Psallidas commented: "The new development was a substantial improvement on the previous design, the infamous 'Wimpey Tower'. The company did make more of an effort to consult, and to take on board residents' concerns; the proposed public space was a great improvement. But the issue of the local parking demand in this constricted area has been of serious concern to local residents. And the major underlying problem is not going to go away: a 13-storey block of this scale and massing is simply too large for this location, and spoils the world-famous sightlines along the Tyne. This was the right result for local communities." 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, 2007:
  • Ouseburn Lib Dems welcome consultation on Licensing 'Saturation Zone'
    Stephen Psallidas in the Blagdon St area, just off Melbourne St, where there has been an issue with alcohol-related antisocial behaviour Ouseburn Ward Lib Dems have welcomed the latest draft of the 'Saturation Zone' map in their ward. Following comments by the ward councillors, the proposed boundary has been extended to include New Bridge Street and all the way east to the Ouseburn River. Local councillor Stephen Psallidas said: "The Saturation Zone requires businesses to prove that any new alcohol licences will not cause additional problems due to noise, litter and anti-social behaviour - otherwise they will not get a licence. The current zone was set up in 2003 and includes much of the Central Quayside, but stops halfway along Melbourne Street. Due to more flats and student halls having been built in the Battlefield area since 2003, there has been a big increase in the number of bars and pubs in the area, and we have been getting increasing complaints from residents. There is also an issue with antisocial behaviour in the Blagdon Close area (see picture). Given the above, we think it's right to extend the Zone boundary to include New Bridge St. We also feel that there needs to be consultation about whether there are now enough pubs and licensed premises in the Ouseburn Valley. We have asked for consultation to take place with businesses, but would also be pleased to hear from any residents or pubgoers." 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 8, 2007:
  • Labour 'rubbished' - Lib Dems have 100% record!
    Stephen Psallidas stands in a spotless back lane, which is devoid of wheelie bins after a Lib Dem campaign to encourage residents to take them in South Heaton Liberal Democrats have exposed the Labour Party's misleading claims about rubbish collection. Labour's South Heaton branch has claimed on their website that it is all the Lib Dems' fault that excess bags of refuse or discarded items next to wheelie bins are not collected from back lanes, even "when the bin lorry has just been in your street!" Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman, Cllr Stephen Psallidas has embarrassed the Labour Party by revealing in a Question to Council (http://tinyurl.com/2odbey) that: The Labour-run Council brought in wheeled bins in 1999, and the Labour-run Council agreed at that time that excess waste next to the bins would not be collected (for health and safety reasons). The Lib-Dem run Council has done an excellent job in improving service standards for cleaning back lane mess and flytipping. Clearup rates in South Heaton within the agreed timescales have increased from 75% in 2004/5 to a staggering 100% so far in 2006/7! South Heaton Lib Dem campaigner Henry Gallagher added: "While precise figures are not available, we know that many, many tons of dumped refuse and fly-tipping are in fact removed from the back lanes in South Heaton every year. On top of all this, local Lib Dem councillors have been running campaigns across Heaton and Jesmond to educate residents about leaving their wheelie bins out all week, and not dumping bin liners in the back lane. The local Police have told us that burglary using wheelie bins has dropped substantially in that time. Unlike Lazy Labour who are content just to snipe from the sidelines, the Lib Dems are taking real action to clear up our environment!" Stephen said: "The truth is now out. South Heaton Labour Party either have appalling memories, are too inexperienced to understand the issues, or are trying to deliberately mislead residents about this important local issue. We leave it to readers to decide which." 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