MORE LOCAL NEWS FROM ACROSS FENHAM WARD

:: NO DECISION YET ON TESCO APPLICATION

In our last FOCUS, we reported that two planning applications, one for a large Tesco store and one for facilities on the rest of the site, had been received.

Councillor Colin Daglish says: "It would appear that the planners are not currently satisfied with various aspects of the Tesco scheme, but the outcome of discussions is not yet clear."

No date has been set for councillors to decide the

applications, which are independent of each other.

:: CARD ACCOUNT STAYS WITH POST OFFICE

The Government has abandoned proposals to hand over the payment of pensions and benefits from post offices to a private company.

Thousands of people across Newcastle currently use their local Post Office to receive their pensions and benefits through the Post Office Card Account.

Had the contract been lost up to 6,000 more branches could have closed.

"This u-turn is welcome here. It means our Post Offices have a better chance of staying open," says PJ Morrissey.

:: COUNCIL TO TAKEOVER PARKING ENFORCEMENT

The city council is to take over parking enforcement from Northumbria Police in February.

Focus Editor Mitzi Emery says: "The Lib Dem Team has a list of Fenham's problem parking areas but we want to hear your suggestions too.

"So please let us know where drivers regularly park on double yellow lines, so we can ensure the Civil Enforcement Officers concentrate their attention in the right places."

:: TAKE THE PLUNGE WITH FREE SWIMMING

The Lib Dem-run city council is planning free entry into swimming pools for children and older people.

The proposal would allow the over 60s and the under 18s free entry into council-run pools.