Gosforth eFocus 44 - Fireworks news and more

FIREWORKS DISPLAY THIS SATURDAY 7TH NOVEMBER

Gosforth Round Table - Bonfire & Fireworks Display, Broadway West Playing Fields, Gosforth
There will be a wide range of attractions on the night and refreshments will be available.
Time: Gates open at 6:15pm and display starts at 7pm.
Cost: Adults £4 and children £2. All proceeds go to local charity.

WEEKEND ROADWORKS AT BROADWAY ROUNDABOUT ON GREAT NORTH ROAD

Fuller details at the bottom of this eFocus

MEET YOUR COUNCILLORS

Liberal Democrat councillors from all the 3 Gosforth wards will be on Gosforth High Street (outside the shopping centre) between 10 am and noon.

QUESTIONS ABOUT GOSFORTH TRAFFIC ISSUES

A large number of questions were asked about traffic issues across Gosforth at a recent Parklands Ward Committee. They have been gathered together, along with answers from Officers, and put on line. They can be seen as Gosforth Traffic issues autumn 2015 at http://newcastle-libdems.org.uk/en/document/traffic-and-highways#document

HIGH STREET AREA BUILDING WORK

Work is beginning to demolish the old Social Services building at Lansdowne Terrace East. There will be a temporary closure of the pavement and parking spaces on that side of Spital Terrace during the works. Sunderland housebuilder Gentoo intends to build eight town houses on the site starting in January 2016.

There is a separate proposal to build two homes at the rear of 212 High Street. Go to https://publicaccessapplications.newcastle.gov.uk/online-applications/ and search for: 2015/1481/01/DET

Finally the council has sold the Old Fire Station / Housing Office for £525,000. We await news of what the buyer intends to do. http://www.lshauctions.co.uk/national/lot/33202

CHURCH ROAD SCHEME TO GO AHEAD

At an appeals committee on Monday 2nd November it was decided to allow the council to proceed with the plan to change the entrances into Moor Road North, Belle Vue Avenue and Rectory Grove to be no entry for except for cyclists from Church Road.

People in the area are quite split on this issue. Even in the streets directly affected there are residents both in favour and against. Plus of course many people in the surrounding area fear the outcome may lead to extra traffic on their streets.

However a decision has been made and we now have to make it work. We would expect the police to help out with enforcement once the no entry zones come into effect, otherwise it would be pointless doing it.

The committee has recommended that the council look to adding yellow lines on the Grove Park side of St Nicholas Avenue near to the Church Avenue junction to discourage parking thereby protecting the sightlines of drivers turning out of St Nicholas Ave. This seems sensible.

"We have also asked what protection can be given to other streets, such as The Grove, Rectory Road and Rectory Terrace. For example we have asked for the white lines to be repainted at the junction of Rectory Road/Stoneyhurst Rd to make clear which drivers have priority. We have also asked if it is possible to have repeater 20mph signs or painted 20mph roundels, and perhaps also have electronic driver speed feedback signs installed.

"We think the city council has a responsibility to give those on the surrounding streets as much protection as possible as it is the council's changes that will be creating the extra traffic on those streets," said Councillor Henry Gallagher.

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AROUND CHRISTON ROAD

There have been a number of reports of increasing anti-social behaviour. This has centred in two places. One is the park behind the Gosforth Residents Hut. The other is on the grassed area between the bungalows and metro line.

East Gosforth Councillors have arranged a public meeting to which they will invite the police and others to discuss this with the community. It is in the Gosforth Residents Hall on Christon Road, on Tuesday 17th November at 19:00

ANTI FLOODING MEASURES AT MOOR ROAD SOUTH AND MOORFIELD

Improvements to the drainage in Moor Road South and at the junction of Moor Road South and Moorfield are to take place. These improvements are to reduce the risk of flooding from surface water in the street by creating additional capacity in the sewerage network and installing a connection into the culvert that runs under the street.

Works will commence on Monday 09 November and are anticipated to last between 6 and 8 weeks. There will be a lane closure on Moor Road South while the works are taking place but at this stage the council are not anticipating having to close the road. Access and egress for residents will be maintained throughout. The works will be carried out during the day between 8am and 4pm.

SHARING THE SPACE

"In the last few days of October we received some idea of how the impasse over the football pitches used by Red House Farm Football Club will be resolved. We now have decisions from both the Council Planning Committee and the Leisure Department of the Council who are "landlords". "Unfortunately, they're not exactly straightforward decisions to explain" said Councillor Robin Ashby, who spoke against proposals to fence off the pitches.
The outcome - which is explained below - has probably left no-one 100% happy. But at least the compromise may be the basis for starting to try to try to build bridges between the club and the local community.
"It's clear that both the Planning Committee and the Leisure Department see the space being one that the Club and local residents should share, on a sensible basis" said Councillor Pauline Allen.
It will take some time for the club to see if it can raise the money to fund the artificial pitch so nothing will happen, in a hurry - perhaps even for two or three years.
"Meanwhile, the councillors in both Fawdon and Parklands Wards want to express our willingness to help create better relations and end the war of words that has gone on for too long" said Councillor David Down.

THE DECISION Planning Committee approval for an artificial pitch with floodlights and 3m fence; also a 3m fence around a second pitch.
BUT the Leisure Department of the Council will allow ONLY the artificial pitch to be fenced, no others - and their decision goes.
AND the Planning Committee added an extra condition that there MUST be a "community use agreement" put in place if the artificial pitch comes about.

ORCAS

Named after the sea creature, these cycle lane dividers are now in use in Gosforth. The link below is from the company that produces them, with videos of testing they have done with cyclists and cars. http://www.rediweldtraffic.co.uk/products/kerbing-islands/cycle-lane-products/

LABOUR'S FAILED BUS SCHEME WILL COST US MILLIONS

Controversial Labour plans for a "Quality Contract Scheme" to take control of bus services from the bus companies have been left in tatters after inspectors agreed it did not meet key tests on value for money, consultation, and reliability of its financial projections. A great deal of time and money was spent on developing the scheme despite Liberal Democrat opposition concerns over the viability of the project and the risk to local taxpayers.

Liberal Democrat councillors are in favour of improvements to the local bus network, and we support the idea that less profitable routes and services (such as evenings and weekends) should be funded from the proceeds of profit making ones. But this has to be affordable and we expressed concerns that the Tyne and Wear scheme - the first in the country - was not based on sound figures and risked an expensive court battle with bus companies.

"We think the north east Labour council leaders and transport bosses need to rethink their plans after they were roundly rejected by the independent inspectors. We think improvements to fares, routes, services, buses, bus stops, fares, and customer service can best be achieved by the councils and bus companies co-operating in a voluntary "quality partnership", instead of being on opposing sides in a courtroom where the losers will be bus passengers and local taxpayers. Unless this happens, and quickly, it has been reported that the bus companies will seek millions of pounds in compensation", said Councillor Nick Cott.

SILVER LINING

Silver Lining is the drop - in club for the over 50s in Gosforth, Fawdon and Kenton - so please drop in!
It's held at the Kenton Park Sports Centre, Anfield Rd, off Hillsview Ave or just through the park north of the shopping centre and library on Halewood Avenue.
There's a monthly topic and a presenter, with time for questions and comments - for interest and friendship.
Thursday 12 November "MORE THAN JUST AN ANGEL": All about Antony Gormley and his work
Thursday 10 December. THE STORY OF GREGGS - The local company that grew and grew
Thursday 7 January, COMMEMORATING THE GREAT WAR - memorials and plaques in the Gosforth area (and the stories that lie behind them) And there's a leaflet "Gosforth and the Great War", written by (Lord) John Shipley and the Gosforth Community History Group, available at Gosforth Library and at Trinity Centre.
ALL WELCOME Just drop in: for each or every meeting, whichever attracts you - 10.30am for 10.45 start, a break for a cuppa and biscuit, finish by noon. No charge. Tell your friends too!

PLANNING PERMISSION FOR RUGBY, CRICKET CLUBS

Gosforth Sports Association - the umbrella group for Gosforth Rugby FC and Newcastle City Cricket Club - has moved a step forward with granting of planning permission to enable an improved club house to be created, off street car parking to reduce nuisance on match days, and lights to enable rugby training to take place 2 nights a week in winter. Three rugby pitches will be laid out north-south (posts can already be seen) but the application didn't include any fencing off. Community activities like the annual fireworks display and responsible dog walking will still be welcome.

GOSFORTH CENTRAL PARK NEWS

Remembrance Sunday event in the park on Sunday morning

The annual Wreath-Making session will take place on the 12th December plus an adults session later that day to show how to make Christmas wreaths.

GCP event organisers, Karen & Claire, have suggested a 'Santa Event' in December - so all of is with white beards are rather nervous!

Liz Bray, one of their volunteers, has conducted a survey of all their shrubs and trees and produced a comprehensive guide/manual to the upkeep and maintenance of them. As Autumn is a good time to deal with many shrubs, that will become one of the tasks in the weeks to come.

The Council have agreed to fund refurbishment of the Children's Playground. This will occur very soon. The Council employees who regularly check the condition of the playground and tennis courts are good at their job and are very keen to keep them in good condition. Similarly, the men who regularly empty the litter bins have gone out of their way to ensure the Park remains looking good : "We are indeed lucky to have such cooperation," says the GCP committee

ANNUAL NORTH EAST LIBERAL DEMOCRATS CONFERENCE

This was held on October 24th at the Jury's Inn, Gateshead Quays with guest speakers were Baroness Sal Brinton, the party president, and Lord Shipley, who gave an informed and authoritative assessment of the recent announcement of a devolution deal for the North East, potentially including a "Metro Area Mayor" covering everywhere from Barnard Castle to Berwick (excluding the Tees Valley). The party's feeling is that devolution to the region is vital, but we want to see greater democratic safeguards around transparency and accountability of the (Labour-only) North East Combined Authority's decision making. We would also want to see the announced proposals for a mayor to be a step towards an elected assembly - if it is appropriate for London, it should be possible here.
A number of policy motions were debated, including an emergency resolution in support of the Teesside steel industry proposed by former Redcar MP Ian Swales, as well as motions on youth employment and apprenticeships and brownfield housing. You can see key speeches online

http://newcastle-libdems.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d3c6df6d574dc809ea5d411f3&id=6d901bdda4&e=2b466c7f6c Baroness Sal Brinton

http://newcastle-libdems.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d3c6df6d574dc809ea5d411f3&id=5708cde3f0&e=2b466c7f6c Lord Shipley devolution speech

COUNCIL REPORT

The full Council meeting for November will take place at the Civic Centre at 7pm tonight. The public are welcome
Our councillor group continue to hold the Labour administration to account on the city council and work for improvements in our wards.
The group have recently challenged the council on issues including raising educational attainment, improving the city's roads and pavement maintenance programme, sports pitches, welfare reform, the council's traded services, and on controversial plans to alter the northern city centre's traffic network.

COUNCIL TAX SCAM ALERT

Fraudsters have been phoning victims, mostly aged 60 and over, telling them that they have been placed in the wrong council tax bracket for a number of years and are entitled to a rebate. They then ask for an administration fee in advance, of between £60-£350. The victim provides the details and makes the payment, but then is no longer able to make contact with the person they spoke to on the phone. If you know someone who may be vulnerable to this scam, please advise them never to respond to unsolicited phone calls, and that Newcastle City Council will not ever phone out of the blue to discuss a council tax rebate. If someone thinks they have been a victim of fraud, they should hang up the phone and wait five minutes to clear the line, then call the bank or card issuer to report the fraud (where possible, use a different phone line to make the call). Fraud can be reported by telephone: 0300 123 2040.

MELTON HOUSE

This is the new name for the care home under construction on the site of the old Northumberland Records Office. A number of signs have recently materialised on the Great North Road.
Following contacts by councillors, all sub-contractors working on site were made aware of our concerns during the construction about parking, littering and speeding.

BOUNDARY REVIEW

Newcastle City Council is currently undergoing a boundary review process overseen by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England. It is expected to recommend new boundaries for the city council elections in 2018, and may also make recommendations on the number of members for the new council.
Liberal Democrat councillor David Faulkner has co-ordinated an impressive initial submission to the Commission, in which we set out a case for reducing the city council from 26 wards and 78 councillors to 20 wards and 60 councillors. Such a shift would reflect the changing political context of the Leader and Cabinet model of running the city council, and would leave Newcastle with comparable representation per head of population as other major cities. You can see more information on this at www.newcastle-libdems.org.uk

CONGRATULATIONS

to long-standing Liberal supporters Denis and June Mills, of High Heaton, who recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary, and received a card from the Queen (and a letter of congratulation from Lib Dem leader Tim Farron!
Denis continues to help out with delivery of Focus in his street and can remember when Newcastle East had a Liberal MP before 1945 (Sir Robert Aske, aka "Tea Party Bob" for his custom of hosting a tea party for his constituents after his election victory!). If you'd like to help us with conventional Focus delivery, we always welcome new volunteers.

THIS WEEKEND'S ROADWORKS

Newcastle City Council has advised us of its intention to provide specialist road surfacing to the carriageway at the new cycle crossings situated on Broadway East and West. The work has been planned to start from 6th November and finish on 7th November 2015 and will involve the existing road surface being removed and replaced with a new green coloured surface.

Broadway East Zebra Crossing Remove existing road surface and resurface with green coloured surface. 6th Nov 19:00 - 24:00

Junction Closed Diverted traffic via Harewood Road

Broadway West Zebra Crossing Remove existing road surface and resurface with green coloured surface. 7th Nov 19:00 - 24:00

Lane Closures via 4 way traffic signals.

Vehicle access to residents and businesses will be maintained where possible, however delays will be inevitable. Normal access will be available prior to the start and following the finish of each working shift.

Please be aware that after the removal of the existing surface the temporary running surface will be uneven until the new surface is laid. Caution will be needed in the presence of working machinery.

The works involve twilight shift working on both evenings; and the Council apologises for the inconvenience this may cause, but this is necessary to minimise disruption to traffic on a major arterial route.