Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats

South Heaton Ward

The Lib Dems are very active in South Heaton Ward. Please contact Mark Nelson for further information - see the 'Contacts' page for details. You can also see our FOCUS back archive in the 'Downloads' area.

• May 27, 2009:
  • SURE SUCCESS
    After expressing concern for some time at the dilapidated state of the closed down former High Heaton Tenants Association building near the Spinney, the Lib Dem Focus team are delighted to announce that plans are being made to clear the site and replace it with a brand new Sure Start children's centre for under 5's. There are several Sure Start centres across Newcastle but none in our part of the city to date. Councillor Greg Stone says: "We are therefore delighted that the city council is supporting efforts to create a new community facility offering childcare, nursery education, and support for parents on the site of the HHTA, which should be open by late 2010/ early 2011. "This will help to remove the existing derelict eyesore and will complement the refurbished library facility. "We are also investigating feasibility of getting extra funding to add a 'community room' extension to the new building, and want to ensure that the traffic and parking impact is minimised. "This is great news and shows that the Lib Dems are continuing to invest in the regeneration of our area." Meanwhile a new "support hub" is being established by Newcastle Futures at the East End Customer Service Centre on Shields Road to support people with financial advice, job search help, and advice and guidance to help people find work. 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 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 DEM BACKS ALLOTMENT CALL FOR HEATON
    Newcastle East Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman Greg Stone has offered support to a call by Heaton residents for more allotment provision in the area. Greg has received a petition noting that there is currently up to three-year waiting lists for plots in the area, following a resurgence in the popularity of allotments and of growing your own healthy food. Existing sites at Armstrong Park and St Gabriels, Iris Brickfield, Thropton Terrace, and Walkergate Hospital are all full. Local councillor Greg said: "I was pleased to receive a petition from local residents asking the council to investigate providing more sites in the area, and I will be presenting this to the Lord Mayor at the next meeting of the city council. "The city council has provided a widely welcomed new modern allotment facility off Walker Road in recent years, but there is an acknowledged shortage in the Heaton area. "The situation is not helped by the fact that there is a shortage of undeveloped land in the area, given the tightly packed terraces. "As such I will be asking the council to explore the possibility of creating a new site on land close to Jesmond Dene or at Coach Lane." 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
  • 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
• Feb 26, 2009:
  • LIB DEM BACKS HEATON CAMPAIGN AGAINST BRITISH LEGION 'STUDENT BAR' PLANS
    A senior Liberal Democrat is calling on Newcastle City Council to reject a licensing application to convert a former social club into a "student bar". Councillor Greg Stone, who is the Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesman for Newcastle East, is leading the fight against turning the former British Legion Club on Chillingham Road into a "Student Study and Cultural Club". Local residents fear, that the club, which is very close to Ravenswood Primary School, will be a student pub in all but name. Neighbours of the club, which has been disused for several years, have already fought off previous attempts by the owner to convert the premises into an Indian restaurant and an African club. Greg Stone, who is also the city councillor for the North Heaton area, is supporting residents who are campaigning against the proposals. "I fully agree with residents that this would be an inappropriate place for a large licensed premises, given its proximity to the primary school, a dangerous roundabout, and many residential properties," he said. "The north end of Chillingham Road is much less commercial than the main part of the street, and it is strongly felt that an additional drinking establishment aimed at students would not be suitable in this area. "We are calling on the council's licensing committee to turn down this application as being completely unsuitable, and call on the owners of this property to find a use for this building that will be acceptable to the local community." It is understood that objections to the proposal have been lodged by the council's planning, highways, and public health departments, as well as Greg Stone, ward colleague Councillor Doreen Huddart, and more than 25 neighbours. The application is due to be heard at a hearing on March 5. 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 15, 2009:
  • LABOUR'S SPEED CAMERA PLAN WOULD COST £1.3 BILLION
    The Labour Party's plan to put a speed camera on every street corner in Newcastle would cost £1.3 billion, according to figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats. The proposal has been branded as "financial madness" by the ruling Liberal Democrats. If implemented this year would force a council tax rise of 67.8% on households in Newcastle . Labour has demanded that every residential street in the city - a total of 3,300 - should have an average speed camera installed to limit vehicles to 20mph. Labour Councillor Henri Murison has run a website campaign, written letters to local newspapers and tabled motions to city council making this demand. To accede to his barmy plan would cost £1.3 billion. The cost is so high because the typical yellow Gatso cameras - which are installed on many of Newcastle 's main roads - cannot be calibrated for speeds of 20mph. Special cameras, which operate in pairs and measure speed over a fixed point, would have to be used. These cost £196,000 a pair. For Councillor Murison's campaign to be effective each residential street would require two pairs - a total cost of £392,000 per street. With 3,300 streets, Councillor Murison's plan would cost Newcastle taxpayers nearly £1.3bn. This does not include yearly running costs. It has been estimated that an additional 75 to 100 council staff would be required to visit the 6,600 sets of cameras every three or four days to remove the data on motorists caught speeding. "To fund this crackpot scheme the council would have to borrow the £1.3 billion over a period of 25 years," said Lib Dem Finance spokesman Peter Allen. "To service this debt the council would be expected to pay around £65 million a year back each year, for 25 years. "The council would be forced to raise council tax by 67.8% this year. For Band D council tax payer it would mean their council tax bill rising from £1,447 to £2,333 overnight. "Councillor Murison's proposal - like many of his ideas - is ill-thought out financial madness and would saddle council tax payers with an horrendous bill for the next 25 years." Instead the Lib Dem-run city council is pressing ahead with its long-term manifesto commitment of introducing a mandatory 20mph across Newcastle 's residential streets using mainly street signs. The £1.4 million cost of the programme is funded from the some of the dividend the City Council received from Newcastle Airport, so will not cost council tax payers a penny. 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
• Nov 30, 2008:
  • REVAMP PLANS MUST INCLUDE METRO STATION
    The Liberal Democrats are continuing to press council planners to ensure that upgrades to Chillingham Road Metro station are included in the Siemens site regeneration plans, with a view to securing private sector developer contributions to the cost. Councillor Greg Stone, Parliamentary spokesman for Newcastle East, says: "We have asked the council to ensure that the plans include a more attractive 'public realm' with better and safer pedestrian links to residential areas and new developments." Councillor Stone is a member of the Tyne & Wear Passenger Transport Authority and is continuing to lobby NEXUS to secure 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
  • LIB DEMS OPPOSE OFF LICENCE APPLICATION
    Councillor Greg Stone is to represent objectors at a magistrates hearing regarding a new off licence on Addycombe Terrace in December. Greg says: "We opposed this application at the council licensing committee and feel there are already plenty of off licences in the area. "We are concerned about the possible effect on anti social behaviour in Iris Brickfield Park." The Lib Dem Focus Team also recently objected to an application by the Echo Bar on Chillingham Road to open after midnight and have external drinking areas. "We are pleased to report that the company listened to concerns and dropped the proposal," says Councillor Greg Stone. 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
  • LIB DEMS SLAM LABOUR'S FAILURE ON STUDENT GRANTS AND EDUCATION ALLOWANCE
    South Heaton Liberal Democrat Focus Team has reacted with disappointment to news that the Labour Government has got it sums wrong on student numbers. As a result, the Government has admitted it will have to scrap partial student grants to middle-income families. An estimated 40,000 students will lose out on their grant entitlement. The news is a further let down for students and families in South Heaton after Labour MP Nick Brown did a u-turn on opposing tuition fees on the grounds that grants would be reintroduced. Councillor Greg Stone, Parliamentary spokesman for Newcastle East, says: "This is further proof that Nick Brown puts the interest of the Labour Government ahead of the interests of local people. "This after his votes to close post offices and to introduce the 10p tax change which left thousands of local people worse off." Meanwhile, the Government has been forced to admit that it has badly bungled the payment of the weekly Education Maintenance Allowance to hundreds of 16-18 students in Newcastle, following massive delays to payments nationwide. Many 16-18 year old students say that they are at risk of dropping out of college or training because they can't afford to continue. 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
  • SIEMENS SITE SET FOR REGENERATION
    The city council is pressing forward with plans to regenerate the former Siemens sites on the Shields Road and the Fossway. Newcastle College propose to create a new Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Construction and Renewable Energy on one part of the site including a prestigious landmark building. Greg Stone, Newcastle East Parliamentary Spokesman, said: "We think this will be an excellent use for a site given its long tradition of energy-related engineering. "This will help to support economic development, training opportunities and jobs in the East End." The plan is that the new facility will open in 2011/12. Councillor Stone, who represents North Heaton, added: "We would like to see a mix of uses for the remainder of the site including workspace for small businesses and community enterprises and affordable housing. "We also want to see the road system improved in this area - the junction at Newcastle Shopping Park is a nightmare and badly needs to be redesigned." 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
  • MOLINEUX HEALTH CENTRE - CAN WE FIX IT?
    South Heaton Lib Dems are to write to the council and NHS Primary Care Trust asking them to complete the landscaping of the area around the new health centre. Councillor Greg Stone explains: "At one end of the street is nice new paving - but at the other end, the planned car parking area is a bit of a shambles. "The new centre is very welcome but we think it would look much nicer if they finished the job off." 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 7, 2008:
  • LEARNING AND SKILLS COUNCIL CHALLENGED ON 16-18 EDUCATIONAL MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE CRISIS
    A senior Newcastle Liberal Democrat has called upon Tyneside education chiefs to provide information on the extent of the crisis hitting payments of education maintenance allowances to 16 to 19 year old students. Councillor Greg Stone, Parliamentary spokesman for Newcastle East, said that the president of the Association of Colleges has recently claimed that up to three quarters of eligible students are experiencing problems with their EMA payments of up to £30 a week - leaving many in financial difficulty. The problem has been attributed to a major failure of the private company IT system set up to administer the scheme. Students who qualify for these grants are typically on low incomes and are studying to improve their basic and vocational skills at FE colleges and other vocational training providers. Councillor Stone, who is also the chair of the Newcastle Futures employability project, said: "I am deeply concerned at the incompetent way this scheme is being administered. I am hearing worrying reports that students are finding themselves unable to cover costs such as travelling to and from college. I understand that many students are considering whether or not they can afford to continue in education due to the problems with their EMA payments. This is not good news in a contracting jobs market at a time when we need an increasingly skilled workforce "I intend to table questions to the next meeting of Newcastle City Council about the extent of this problem in the city, and will be writing to Newcastle College and the Learning and Skills Council to identify what steps are being taken to address the problem at local level. "However, the ultimate responsibility for this shambolic state of affairs lies with the Government, who have known about this problem for several months yet have failed to take decisive action to address this crisis. "Labour are very fond of proclaiming this initiative as a flagship policy, but the disastrous way it is being implemented is nothing short of 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
• 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
• 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