'People have had mixed messages from the Government, and at times, the Council's political leadership, about the Coronavirus , which have raised expectations that things would get better more quickly. But restrictions during this festive period reveal the seriousness of the situation, and the Council needs to play its part now more than ever. We urge residents to stay safe and remember the basics of hands, face and space at all times,' says Cllr Nick Cott, Liberal Democrats Leader of the Opposition.

Newcastle City Council's announcements regarding their intention to "retain" changes to GosforthHigh Street have shocked Liberal Democrats councillors in Gosforth. Despite attempting to engage constructively with the Council on matters of concern, local representatives received no forewarning of these announcements, and have not endorsed them being made permanent in their current form.

http The FAQs on the Council website https://protect-eu.mimecast.com/s/wachCWL3Di4yNpJHBOWn9?domain=newcastle.gov.uk are kept up to date and include information on any disruption to Council services. In particular all waste is due to be collected as programmed, but please check the FAQs on a regular basis to keep informed of any changes.

Opposition Liberal Democrats' councillors are in a state of shock as it has become clear that the Labour Administration have failed to fully account for the Climate Emergency in the Council's budget proposals for 2020-21.

Responding to questioning at the Finance & Budget Monitoring Scrutiny Sub-Committee, Officers admitted that the numerous committees established with great fanfare by Leader of the Council, Cllr Forbes, to address climate and environment matters would have no formal role in feeding into the Council's budget consultation process, and may even report too late to influence the Council's spending priorities for the coming financial year.

We live in dark times. Our democracy is under threat, Cllr Colin Ferguson (seen here with his colleague Cllr Phil Hall) told Newcastle City Council last night. He went on : Our Government seems more interested in playing party political games and maneuvering for personal advantage than in attempting to heal the deep divisions cutting across society. The various figures at the top of the Tory Party seem pathologically obsessed with driving forward with Brexit, come hell or high water.

"The news that the councils seem to be no longer considering the possibility of the £12.50 daily charge for the Central Motorway and Coast Road will be a relief to many people, but it isn't immediately obvious that the new proposals comply with the relevant air quality targets", says Cllr Greg Stone, Liberal Democrats opposition spokesperson on transport and air quality. "These plans appear to do nothing to improve identified air quality problem areas like Shields Road, the Cradlewell, Gosforth High Street, and the Coast Road.

The effect of car engines idling near schools is under increasing scrutiny. As well as damaging young lings and health, the latest research shows that drivers are poisoning themselves too. Liberal Democrats are campaigning to get drivers to turn off their engines when stopped near schools by persuasion at the moment. This poster outside a local school shows all the problems that arise from the practice of not turning off.