Gosforth eFocus No 20

Re: To Let boards...

I suppose these boards and "for sale" boards are a necessary eyesore, but what annoys me is the boards that say "Sold" and "Let" and sometimes words to the effect of "Another great bit of work by us". These are the ones that seem to be left up for too long simply because the agency regard them as free advertising of their successful work. I'd like to see these boards banned since they serve no useful function for anyone but the agencies and their incentive is to leave them up.

WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES

The Labour Party decided to introduce a Newcastle Living Wage to ensure all Council employees receive at least £7.55 per hour (somewhat higher than the National Minimum Wage). Based on August's pay this costs Council Taxpayers £625,000 per annum. At a time when the Council is reducing services City wide, is this the right use of increasingly scarce resources?

DIG THIS!

Three Mile Allotments in Parklands Ward were winners at Newcastle's Dig This awards...Well done everybody!

MEANWHILE, ROAD DIGGING UP CONTINUES....

WHITEBRIDGE PARK RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

This organisation has been inactive for some years, but we are exploring reforming it. Issues it might be concerned with :

* The possibility that the threat of building on land close to the Wildlife Reserve returns

* Neighbourhood watch

* The future of local play areas

* The impact of schools parking

* Bus services​ especially for those of us becoming unable to use our cars

* Helping the community to help itself

If you'd like to get involved, please email robin.ashby5@yahoo.co.uk

BIG PLANS

The Council Plan sets out Newcastle City Council's priorities for the year ahead and the values that underpin our work. By explaining what the council will do to improve things for people in the city, it helps staff see how the work they do makes a difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn in Newcastle. The plan informs the allocation of resources through the revenue budget and capital investments, creates the basis for the planning of services across the council, and makes the council's contribution to citywide issues clear to its partners. You can see more at http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/your-council-and-democracy/policies-strategies-and-performance/our-policies-and-strategies/corporate-plan - and see a videoed message from our esteemed Assistant Chief Executive

COMING SOON

* This Saturday 20th September

Summer Fayre St Aidan's Community Centre Brunton Park 2pm-4pm

* Saturday 27th Sept​ember

1. Walk for Peace

2. Civic Cycling Ride Newcastle-Gateshead Civic Centres and back

* Saturday 4th October

1. Liberal Democrat councillors surgery on Gosforth High Street

2. Official opening, Trinity Square, Gosforth High Street

3. Official opening, new facility at Bohemians, Benson Park

and this year's flu jab sessions starting at the Grove Medical Practice

COLD CALLING ZONES

Councillors have asked for No Cold Calling Zones to be introduced at Warkworth Woods (Great Park) and Halls Estate.

RECENT PROBLEM RESPONSES

Examples of the service and action all year round you expect from your Liberal Democrat Councillors

* Tree stump in Cranbrook Avenue - Council has issued a repair order

* Links Green - Council withdraws invoice for pest control work it never got around to doing

* Great North Road - request for seat at bus stop submitted

* Melton Park - failure to make more rapid progress on streetworks leading to the former Records Office site is a result of the contractor running out of cable. Not very well organised...BTW there was a site meeting by members of the Planning Committee last week to view the impact of the bigger care home proposed.

* Macdonalds by the Racecourse have agreed to put up and empty an extra rubbish bin. They already "litter patrol" - and councillors are talking to them about the possibility of planting wild flowers in the verge of the sliproad from the A1.

BRUNTON PARK FLOOD ALLEVIATION SCHEME

The first signs of activity will appear on 6th October, when the fencing off of Lincoln Green to form a works compound will commence. This means inter alia the loss of the childrens' play area for a year. To permit all the associated works, there will be a Traffic Regulation Order introduced which will have a major impact on Brunton Park residents for the next 18 moths.

BRUNTON PARK CAR PARKING

North Gosforth Parish Council is unhappy about the way the consultation was carried out, and has submitted its own ideas - dividing the spaces into 3, some 1/2 hour. some 1 hour, some 2 hours (these last being closest to the news agent agent)

SHOUT OUT FOR....

...the people of Kielder Way, who've been out litter picking for the benefit of all.....We're hoping to provide them with litter picking tools too

ARTS OPPORTUNITIES

HELP FOR DISABLED AIR PASSENGERS

The Civil Aviation Authority has issued a new set of rules on information UK airports and airlines operating flights to and from the United Kingdom must make available to passengers with disabilities. Requirements concern making essential information available to consumers in an accessible format. Information should be provided on a single web page one click away from the home page of the operator's website or on webpages directly accessible from a single 'landing' webpage one click away from the home page.

SCOTLAND