Labour run Gateshead Council has now passed their annual budget. Labour Councillors voted to, amongst other things, cut spending on potholes and pavement repairs, cut mental health provision, and cut street light repairs. Council Tax will rise by 3.99%.
Labour councillors rejected a Lib Dem amendment to invest more in street cleaning which was to be funded by cutting an extra allowance some Labour councillors get, cutting ‘Council News’, and using £1 million from the reserves. Gateshead Council has £13 million in reserves. This is the second year running that Labour Councillors have rejected Lib Dem plans to spend more on street cleaning, despite it being the number 1 issue for residents according to the Council’s own survey.
Local campaigner Paul Diston said "Labour needs to cut the waste. I was appalled that Labour councillors voted to keep the extra allowances that some of them get, especially at a time when they are cutting mental health services and are failing to keep the streets clean".
The budget was passed, with 41 Labour councillors voting for it, and all 12 Lib Dems, including Ian Patterson, voting against it. No other parties are on the Council.
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Labour Councillors rejected Lib Dem plans for cleaner streets
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Councillor Ian Patterson and Paul Diston from the Lib Dem Focus Team have been continuing to get potholes fixed in our area.
Paul Diston has now ensured that potholes on Bolburn have been fixed (before and after photos below)
Paul said "We all know potholes are bad for motorists and pedestrians and even though Labour councillors voted to cut the pothole and pavement repairs budget by 60% at their recent budget meeting we will be continuing to press the Council to fix potholes in our area".
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A show not to be missed! Heworth Grange's talented pupils bring a community show of 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat'. All welcome. To book your ticket, visit here
Ian Patterson, who attended Heworth Grange, said "It would be great if as many residents as possible could attend and support our local school".
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Plans for new clean air tolls on Tyneside are being drawn up. It will consist of either a toll on three bridges across the Tyne, or a wider charging zone that would hit only high-polluting vehicles. You can read more about the plans in the Chronicle article here
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Can you help the Focus Team do more for Pelaw & Heworth?
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The Focus Team works hard all year round and provides a regular newsletter, 'Focus on Pelaw & Heworth', to all households in the area. We rely on local residents to help deliver this. Would you be able to spare an hour or so every few months to deliver some newsletters near to where you live? If so, please get in touch by replying to this email.
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