eFocus Whickham, Sunniside, Swalwell, Dunston, Lobley Hill, Marley Hill and Byermoor August 2019 no. 121

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Summer is upon us but the weather this weekend is not looking good. So we are bringing you news that one event scheduled for Saturday is being postponed. We also bring you the latest on housing plans for Dunston Hill and Lobley Hill. Meanwhile, Marley Hill Bowling Club's pavilion rises from the ashes and Chase Park wins a coveted award.

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Thank You (Again!)

Jonathan Wallace at the count for the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner.

Local residents experienced their third election of the year on 18th July 2019 when a by-election was held for the position of Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner. Cllr Jonathan Wallace was the Lib Dem candidate, standing against Labour, Conservatives and Independent.

The contest was sparked when the previous Labour holder of the office resigned to take up a better job with the Conservative government. The resulting by-election cost £2.5 million and the position is up for election yet again in May next year.

In Gateshead, the Lib Dems came a good second, taking 27% of the vote while Labour took 40%. Lib Dems also came second in Newcastle. Alas, across the whole of Northumbria (ie Tyne and Wear and Northumberland), the picture was more mixed. As expected, Labour retained the post but their vote share crashed, down 20%.

"Thank you to everyone who voted for me on 18th July," said Jonathan. "With only 15% of people across the Northumbria area voting, the Police Commissioner system has failed to engage with people.

"I will continue to argue that the system is an appalling waste of money which should be scrapped. The old system of a police authority made up of local councillors worked well and was a fraction of the cost of police commissioners."

The video above was shot by Jonathan at the election count on 19th July and gives a flavour of what happens once the polls close.

Green flag for Chase Park

Chase Park in Whickham can now count itself as one of the best parks in the country after being awarded the coveted Green Flag.

The international award which is now in its third decade is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest environmental standards, is well maintained and has excellent visitor facilities. 1970 parks and open spaces out of a total of 27,000 across the UK have been awarded Green Flag status.

Cllr Sonya Hawkins said, "I am delighted for residents and especially the volunteers who work so hard in Chase Park that Green Flag status has been awarded. Well done to everyone involved with the park."

Family Fun Day

Chase Park will be hosting a Family Fun Day on Saturday 10th August, 11am to 6pm. There will be a funfair, free face painting, bouncy castle and craft and food stalls. All welcome.

Rising from the ashes in Marley Hill

Marley Hill bowling club house arson Oct 18 (4)

Marley Hill Bowling Club's pavilion before the clean up (above) and afterwards (below).

Marley Hill's Bowling Club pavilion has risen from the ashes after an arson attack on the building last year. Bowlers clubbed together to clean up the smoke damaged building and restore it. Most damage to the building was from smoke caused by arsonists setting fire to rubber mats in the pavilion. Fortunately there was no structural damage.

Despite the attack, bowlers at the club continued to attend their matches and tournaments while cleaning up the building. The Club has also gained charity status and Gateshead Council's cabinet has agreed to lease the green and pavilion to them. It means Marley Hill is in the first wave of clubs in the borough to take control of their bowling greens and not rely on Gateshead Council to maintain them.

There will be an official re-opening of the pavilion at 10am on Friday 6th September, to be performed by the Mayor of Gateshead.

"Club members have refused to back down in the face of adversity," said Cllr Jonathan Wallace. "And they have welcomed the opportunity to take on the maintenance and running of the green and pavilion, therefore ensuring it has a sound future."

Anyone interested in playing bowls at Marley Hill or joining the club can contact the secretary, Alan Thompson, on acthompson@hotmail.co.uk.

What next for Dunston Hill housing plans?

Whickham Highway building work Mar 18 (1)

One of the issues raised regularly with the local Lib Dem Focus team is the housing plans for Dunston Hill and the former Central Nursery site. Many people are wondering why nothing has happened there yet. So here is a quick recap about what has happened:

Labour removed the 3 sites at the top of Dunston Hill and Lobley Hill from the greenbelt in 2015 so they can be used for house-building.
At the end of 2018, by a majority of just one vote, the council's planning committee gave planning permission for houses on the two sites owner by Persimmon.
Plans for the Central Nursery site were granted in outline - ie the plans did not include specifics about the actual houses and layout.
The Central Nursery site currently remains in council ownership but has not yet been offered for sale.

Cllr Peter Maughan, who led the battle to keep the area in the greenbelt, said, "The council has not yet decided whether to sell the site to a developer or to retain ownership and build houses themselves. If the latter approach is taken, it could mean a mix of some social housing and some for sale, with the profits going to the council to support local services.

"At this point, no decision has been taken. It may be that Persimmon are waiting on the council to decide what to do with the Central Nursery before starting to build on their two sites."

Pictured above: the only work to have taken place on the proposed housing areas in Dunston Hill and Lobley Hill was an archeological excavation in March 2018.

Sunniside birds of prey day postponed

The Whinnies Community Garden were planning to hold a birds of prey day on Saturday 10th August 2019. However, because of severe weather forecast for this weekend, the event has been postponed to Saturday 24th August when everyone is welcome to come along to the garden (behind the Simply Local shop on Gateshead Road) to see the birds, enjoy the garden and buy locally made jams and produce grown in the garden.

Photo above at the event last years - Cllr Jonathan Wallace meets a wise old owl.

Helping people with dementia who go missing

A new scheme has been launched by Northumbria Police to help people with dementia who go missing return back to their families more quickly.

Carers, family members and friends are encouraged to complete a form called the Herbert Protocol with vital information such as medication needs, photographs, mobile numbers and places where the individuals would have gone.

In the event of a family member or friend going missing, the form can be handed to the police to reduce the time it takes to gather the information.

You can download the form on this link.

Tyne and Wear Fire Service rated good

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service has been graded as 'Good' across all three inspection areas following the first independent review by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services. The inspection looked at how effectively and efficiently the Service prevents and protects the public from, and responds to, fires and other emergencies.

Cllr John McClurey said, "This report is very good news and all the officers and staff of the Service are to be congratulated on their hard work and this achievement."