Many wonder just why Newcastle City Council intends such savage cuts to valued services when other councils are avoiding wholesale slash and burn. For example Newcastle will close ten libraries whilst Durham County will reduce opening hours but close none. Gateshead will continue to fund the arts but not Newcastle. The Council leadership would have […]

I have joined the Dry January campaign to raise money for Alcohol Concern. Like many people, I enjoy having a drink socially or with a meal, but I’m as a doctor, I’m very concerned about the damage being caused by alcohol abuse & want to raise awareness of the issue. Cheap alcohol is too readily […]

Residents of The Cloister are furious about proposals to put a fllodlit football pitch directly behind their homes. When plans to rebuild St Mary’s School were discussed with residents 3 years ago, they were assured that no floodlit pitches were being considered. The proposed pitch would cause excessive noise, light pollution & disturbance & could […]

Residents of Freeman Road have had to put up with unsightly drainage works opposite their houses for over a year! The Council has been arguing with Northumbria Water about who is responsible for the water leak, but the delay in fixing the problem has led to the death of a number of trees & a […]

Residents from Killingworth Road have had to cope with water flooding into the front of their houses due to drainage problems in the street. Cllr WENDY TAYLOR arranged for the gully on Killingworth Road to be inspected & cleaned & hopefully the water is now draining away properly. Please contact WENDY, KAREN ROBINSON or BOB […]

We believe that the Labour Council in Newcastle was elected last year largely because of national factors, and it’s taking our city backwards. • Back to the days of decisions being taken in secret. • Back to top-down, unaccountable, partisan politics • Back to a lack of leadership on economic development • Back to the […]

Wildlife Corridor Route Big Walk 12 Feb February 26th is a crucial date for Save Gosforth Wildlife. On that day, Newcastle’s Labour Councillors will decide whether or not to throw out proposals to build 600 houses next to Gosforth Nature Reserve. Growing public outrage has already had an influence, but we need one last big […]

Proposals to abolish the Sheltered Housing Warden Service have been condemned by many Newcastle residents. The Labour-run City Council are proposing replacing the service with Telecare, but many elderly people value the human touch that a resident warden can provide & would be reluctant to phone for help except in an emergency. Newcastle Liberal Democrats […]

I must apologise for an error in the recent Dene FOCUS leaflet. The correct emial address for comments on the Green Belt strategy is Planning&HousingStrategy@newcastle.gov.uk. Comments must be received by tomorrow Jan 4th. Please help to save Gosforth Nature Reserve from Labour’s housing plans.

Cllrs WENDY TAYLOR, BOB RENTON & SHARON BAILEY are opposing Council plans to move a polling station from the Lochside Pub to Henderson Hall on Coach Lane. The change would cause considerable inconvenience to residents of Victoria Glade, Hayden Grange & Church Green, as Henderson Hall is much further from their homes. WENDY, BOB & SHARON […]