Gosforth eFocus No 14
MEET YOUR COUNCILLORS
Liberal Democrat Councillors will be on Gosforth High Street outside the shopping centre from 10 o'clock until noon this Saturday, 2nd August. Pop by with problems or just for a chat . Feel free to wave from your car (safety and roadworks permitting)
GOSFORTH HIGH STREET POST OFFICE "CLOSURE"
The Royal Mail is highly indignant that angry residents are calling the closure of the St Nicholas Place office a "closure". They insist it is a "relocation" (a differentiation without a difference) and threaten to reject any petition that uses the word "closure". We are sure that residents will have their own views on this and will express them clearly to the Royal Mail.
The Gosforth Liberal Democrats Councillors petition can be found at chn.ge/1ofJUOp There is also a Facebook group for people to support at www.facebook.com/savestnicholas
RACECOURSE LATEST
The British Horse Racing Board (the organisation which runs horse racing in Britain) has given permission for Newcastle Racecourse's Flat turf fixtures to be transferred to a new all-weather track.
The road signs etc which seem to have been left lying around are in relation to night time diversion routes to allow works to take place to facilitate the road widening scheme at Seaton Burn. These works are programmed to the end of December.
The advertisement trailer advertising Newcastle Racecourse - following complaints from us, Newcastle City Council has formally requested that this i t be removed by 23 July 2014 - and it was.
LITTER CLEAR UP
We are exploring whether litter pick grippers can be made available to residents who help their communities by picking up rubbish. If you'd be interested in having some, please email david.down@newcastle.gov.uk
CARE HOME MELTON PARK
Following our special Focus and neighbours talking to each other, there has been a flood of objections posted on the Council's website. Cllrs Down, Allen and Ashby put in a final summation - attached - before the closure date, as well as their previous representations. This is attached. Some 50 residents from Low Gosforth Court, Juniper Close, Woodlands Park, Heathfield Place, Brandling Drive, Brandling Mews, Beech Close, Kingsley Avenue, Linwood Place, Glamis Avenue and Bowfield Avenue have submitted a wide range of objection. Councillors have asked that the application be considered by the Committee (rather than on delegated authority of Officers) after a site visit, and that they be heard in person at the meeting which is currently expected to be on 15th August.
REGISTERING TO VOTE
If you or someone you know wants the convenience of a postal vote and haven't had one before, the application form is attached.
Under new laws, local authorities have to validate entries on the electoral register. You may have received a letter about it ( existing postal voters in particular have been verified under the new system) You can find out more atwww.gov.uk/yourvotematters Newcastle City Council may contact some people for more information - if you get a letter from them, please don't ignore it.
SWIMMING POOLS
Request for board members for North County Leisure Newcastle sites - deadline is 31 July
As of 1 July North Country Leisure (NCL) has taken on management of Gosforth, Outer West Pools and Eldon Leisure from Newcastle City Council. NCL is setting up a board of local people to manage and develop these services and is looking for volunteers. NCL is seeking community minded people with an interest in sports, leisure and cultural activities, with a range of experience and skills. These are voluntary positions for people with enthusiasm and commitment to work with local partners and staff to improve and develop valued local leisure services, within a charity framework.
To apply and for more information contact Linda Gaines: 01434 613226 or email: linda.gaines@northcountryleisure.org.uk
CYCLISTS - CALL FOR CARE AND CONSIDERATION
At our last Parklands Ward meeting we received quite a few complaints about cyclists using the footpaths in our ward and causing problems for pedestrians. In fact this is a regular complaint from our residents, many of whom are older and not always able to quickly jump out of the way of cyclists. Some residents have even had abuse shouted at them from cyclists who seem to feel that pedestrians should make way for them on the footpaths.
In response to a complaint by Cllr Pauline Allen, the reponsible Cabinet member responded " It is up to the police to enforce the law on pavement cycling. Please report any incidents to them.
In all of our cycling training with children and adults we emphasise safe, legal and courteous cycling. I know from experience how scary it can be when as a pedestrian you have a close call with a cyclist. Thankfully the number of these incidents which lead to injuries is low." Which while all true sounds rather like shoulder sloping "it ain't me, guv"
NEETS IN NORTH NEWCASTLE
Newcastle has the highest number of young people not in education, employment or training according to new figures from the Children's Board Trust. But the best area in the City is Gosforth, at 2%. There's information about a new initiative in the City here www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/newcastle-launches-learning-challenge-tackle-7465942
ST AIDAN'S COMMUNITY CENTRE
Urgently needed : donations of good quality toys and games to sell on the toy stall at the autumn fayre. Please get in touch if you fancy having a clear out over the summer and donating to a good cause! Call Ade on 07742522832. The big day is Saturday September 20th 2-4pm. Raffle tickets on sale now from all the various users groups - as always fantastic prizes up for grabs !! (We've bought ours already. How about you?)
GARDENING AND OTHER SERVICES
If you are or someone you care for is an older person in receipt of a disability benefit, MEARS may be able to help you manage your garden or carry out small repairs. They offer a free assessment through this "social enterprise" (not for profit) Contact Barbara Armstrong on 0800 1114418 or email MHINortheast.Enquiries@mearsgroup.co.uk
MEANWHILE IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS
(which doesn't go into Summer Recess until next week...)
Assisted Dying Bill [HL]: Second Reading (18 Jul 2014)
www.theyworkforyou.com/lords/
Lord Shipley: My Lords, I am not a lawyer nor am I a medical professional. I have no strong religious faith and I have had no preconceived views on this Bill. I believe we should give it a Second Reading, first, because the Supreme Court has asked us to clarify the law and, secondly, because opinion polls show a large majority in favour of a change in the law. We have a duty to consider the Bill further.......
Gosforth eFocus is brought to you by
David Down, Pauline Allen and Robin Ashby .
Liberal Democrat Councillors for Parklands Ward
Reporting email : pauline.allen@newcastle.gov.uk
Henry Gallagher, Peter Legott and David Slesenger .
Liberal Democrat Councillors for East Gosforth
Reporting email : henry.gallagher@newcastle.gov.uk
Jackie Slesenger, Bill Shepherd and Nick Cott
Liberal Democrat Councillors for West Gosforth
Reporting email : jackie.slesenger@newcastle.gov.uk
All in the great city of Newcastle upon Tyne
Write to any of them c/o 5 Rudby Close
Whitebridge Park
Gosforth
Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 5JF
Leave a message on: 07824420705
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