widening horizons march 2011

www.northtyneside.gov.uk twitter.com/NTCouncilTeam

March 2011

horizonswidening

Also inside...

Budget update

What’s on

Big Spring Clean

Area forums

In Bloom entry form

!Bin collect

ion

days are

changing

Refuse and recyclingcollections UPDATE

FromApril 4, refuse and recycling will becollected over four days instead of fiveto improve efficiency and reduce fuelconsumption.

We will collectTuesday to Friday with crewsworking later into the day – a move that willsave the council around £200,000 a year.

And because there will be no collectionson Mondays, there will be no disruption toresidents caused by bank holiday rescheduling.

Before the new timetable is introduced,you will receive a calendar explaining yourcollection day. The day may be unchangedbut you may find your bin is emptied at adifferent time each week.

Please note: The introduction of the newsystem means there will be NO changes toyour collection day at Easter or the followingweekend of the RoyalWedding and MayDay bank holidays.

If you have any queries about our refuse or recycling

collections, please call 0345 2000 103 or email

[email protected]

Garden waste collections

FromApril 4, Friday collections willchange to Monday. We will NOT becollecting garden waste in December,January or February – saving around£30,000 a year.

!Bin collect

ion

days are

changing

Read moreon page 9...

3

Mayor’s messageElected Mayor Linda Arkley talks about thecouncil’s budget and other issues.

Budget 2011/12A three-page update of what the new budgetwill mean for you.

What’s on in the boroughFrom fun fairs to book fairs – what’s happeningand where.

Area forumsFind out what’s going on and the date of thenext forum.

Your groupHow community spirit helped to transform anovergrown dene into a wildlife haven.

NorthTyneside in BloomDetails about this year’s contest – and thatall-important application form!

Local election updateMake sure you are able to vote onThursday,May 5.

A day in the life . . .Fostering services manager Paula Gibbons talksabout a typical day.

Chairman’s CommendationsHow you can nominate a group or individual forthis year’s awards.

Keep it localThree pages of classified adverts featuring localbusinesses.

Inside this issue5

6

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NorthTyneside Council wants to make it easierfor you to obtain the information you need.We can provide Widening Horizons in Braille,audiotape, large print and other languages.For information on other formats, please call(0191) 643 5080.

Please recycle this magazinewhen you have finished with it.

March 2011

The next issue of Widening Horizons will bedistributed from Monday, June 20.

NTC GRAPHICS 02/11 3747JWI

horizonswidening

Front cover: Ethan Christensen and EvieWard, from King EdwardPrimary School, North Shields, prepare for the Big Spring Clean.For more details about this year’s campaign, see page 22.

The council produces Widening Horizons four times ayear for the residents of NorthTyneside.

Our aim is to keep you informed about what the council and

its partners are doing to improve life for people in the borough.

The magazine is delivered to more than 90,000 households

across the borough.Copies are also available at council facilities,

including libraries, leisure centres and community centres.

Every effort is made to ensure that all information is correct

at the time of publication.

If you would like to contact the council, the general enquiries

number is 0345 2000 101 (between 7.30am and 8pm,Monday

to Friday).You can also email [email protected]

or visit the council website – www.northtyneside.gov.uk

For more ways of getting in touch with the council, including in

person or by letter, please see page 4.

If you know of a friend or neighbour who does not receive a

copy of Widening Horizons, please contact Steve Forshaw on

(0191) 643 5080 or email [email protected]

widening horizons •March 20114

We want to make it easy for youto contact the council – and thatincludes in person, by phone, byletter, online or by email.

In person

You can call in at one of our customerservice centres, located throughout theborough. Staff can provide advice andinformation on a range of council services,including housing and benefits.

Our centres are based at:

� White Swan Centre, Killingworth

� Unicorn House, Suez Street,North Shields

� Park Road,Wallsend

� VictoriaTerrace,Whitley Bay

By phone

If you have a general enquiry, you canphone the council’s contact centre on0345 2000 101 between 7.30am and 8pm,Monday to Friday. (Please note: the centretakes a high volume of calls each day andcan be very busy at peak times.)

Other main numbers are:

� Housing and Kier repairs0345 2000 102

� Environmental matters0345 2000 103

� Council tax and benefits0345 2000 104

� Racial incidents0345 2000 105

� Payments0345 2000 107

� Families Information Service0345 2000 108

� Emergencies (24hrs)(0191) 200 6800

� Social care (out-of-hours)0300 123 0812

By letter

You can write to:

NorthTyneside Council, Quadrant,The Silverlink North, Cobalt Business Park,NorthTyneside NE27 0BY.

Online

The council website –www.northtyneside.gov.uk – containsplenty of information on a wide rangeof subjects.

You can apply for planning permission,pay your council tax or report anincident of flytipping. Page after page isavailable at the click of a mouse.

Email

You can also contact the council via:[email protected]

For environmental issues:[email protected]

For housing repairs:[email protected]

For the Families Information Service:[email protected]

NorthTyneside Council is made up of20 geographic areas called wards.Each ward has three elected councillorswho represent you and your views.

If you would like to meet your localward councillor, their contact details,and the dates and times of their wardsurgeries, are available on the councilwebsite. (Click on ‘council anddemocracy’ then ‘councillors’).

You can also phone the Customerand Member Liaison Office on(0191) 643 2280.

How to get intouch with thecouncil

How to contactyour councillor

How to report ahate crimeThe ARCH network allows people livingor working in NorthTyneside – or justvisiting the borough – to report incidentsof hate crime.

You can report an incident if you are thevictim; reporting on behalf of the victim;a witness or an agency worker who feelsthe incident needs to be reported.

The victim decides what happens next –they may want advice fromVictim Supportbut not want the police involved.

ARCH allows supporting agencies towork together to ensure the right supportis offered as quickly as possible.

The 24-hour freephone number is08000 32 32 88.

You can also report an incident at anyNorthTyneside customer service centre(see list opposite), the Refugee IntegrationService (Town Hall,Wallsend),VictimSupport (Albion House, North Shields),Wallsend People’s Centre (Frank Street,Wallsend),UniversalYouth and ConnexionsServices (Wooley Street,Wallsend andRussell Street, North Shields) and AmandaNicole School of Dance (Bewicke Road,Willington Quay).

messageMayor’s

Dear resident,

This is an important time of the year for

NorthTyneside Council.

We have set our budget for the next 12

months and agreed an historic council tax

freeze. In addition, we have agreed our

main areas of work for the next four years

in a new Strategic Council Plan.

Feedback from residents through extensive

engagement over the last six months, as

well as with a range of other partners, has

helped us to identify the priorities for the

council as it moves forward.

I hope this edition ofWidening Horizons

will help you understand some of those

decisions we have taken.

This year the council has had to face

particular challenges in the current

economic climate, including the lower levels

of grants national government has available

to give local authorities.

As an organisation, we are responding to

these challenges in a number of ways.

During the budget process, all service areas

were scrutinised to examine what they do,

how they spend money and how they

perform.This has helped the council to

achieve £24m efficiencies for this year – for

example, a review of the senior

management structure has achieved savings

of £800,000.

I am pleased we have been able to protect

our schools, libraries, leisure centres and

children’s centres and keep weekly bin

collections.

You will see in the magazine that we are

launching a new plan - the ‘New Direction:

Delivering Change, Improvement and

Efficiency Plan’ - that will help us do that.

This will help us to take that work further

by looking in depth at what we do and

finding more efficient and effective ways of

working. It will include considering how we

use our buildings and transport and

ensuring we cut the cost of supplies and

contracts we have.

It will examine how we deliver services and

whether we could both improve and

deliver efficiencies by doing them differently,

such as sharing services with other councils.

It is also important that we look at how we

use our workforce and the talents of our

employees to improve the service we

provide to customers.

I am committed to ensuring that, as we go

through this period of change and

improvement, we continue to engage with

residents to get their views on what we are

doing and how we are spending our money.

A new section of the magazine feeds back

to you on the work of the area forums,

which are helping the public to get involved

in our decision making. I hope you find it

useful.

These meetings are held regularly

throughout the year in the four areas of

the borough. Sometimes we hold special

events, such as the ones in North Shields

andWallsend, to discuss plans for the town

centres.Any resident of the area is

welcome to pop along and get involved.

It is clear from the events we have already

held that residents appreciate our frontline

services.

In this edition, you can find out about some

changes we are making to our refuse

collection service that will enable us to

continue to have weekly collections.You

can also find out about some of the other

work to keep the borough clean and tidy.

As the magazine goes to press, I have heard

that our Environmental Services team has

just achieved national recognition for the

high standards they deliver.

The Clean Britain Awards involve cities,

district councils and towns from across the

country.The scheme involves a tough

judging process, with anonymous

inspections and 13 key criteria, including

litter, chewing gum, smoking-related litter,

dog fouling, fly-tipping, gritting, provision of

litter bins and general grounds

maintenance.

Points are awarded on each of the criteria,

and we are delighted that we have been

awarded the highest possible grading of five

stars, which is a fantastic achievement.

As a council, we are committed to

continuing to work hard to deliver

improved services that deliver good value

for money for our residents and council-tax

payers.

Linda Arkley

5


As a result, the council has worked to

achieve £24m of efficiencies this year.

This takes account of the £12m less in

government grants the council will receive

in the next year.

All aspects of the council’s work have been

examined to cut unnecessary spending and

make efficiencies wherever possible.

Significant savings are being achieved in

the first year – such as restructuring senior

management, which will save £800,000,

and reviewing how the council delivers

services, including waste collection, to

make them more efficient.

Taking these steps has resulted in around

90 redundancies by the end of March with

around another 50 in the next financial

year.

Despite the challenges of working within a

very tight financial framework, the council

has not increased council tax and is

confident it has set a stable budget, which

takes account of increased costs, such as

higher landfill taxes.

For the 2011/12 financial year, the

council has a net budget of £175m with

a 10-year capital investment plan of

£237m.

By the end of the budget period, it will

have £6.6m in balances and £6m in the

strategic reserves.

This is in line with the level recommended

in the reserves and balances policy and

ensures the council will be well prepared

for any challenges that lie ahead.

The contingency budget has increased

and annual borrowing will be lower.

No council tax increaseand key servicesprotectedThe government has set the council– along with other public sectorbodies – a challenge to reduce thepublic debt and continue to livewithin its means.

Staying healthy: Under the measures agreed in the budget,leisure centres – along with schools, libraries and children’scentres – will stay open.

77

The budget agreed by the council retainsweekly bin collections and there will beno closures of schools, leisure centres,libraries or children’s centres.

It also allows some additional investment inthe priority areas that matter most to thepublic:

� Extra money for safeguardingvulnerable children and adults.

� £3.4m for additional youth facilities.

� An additional £1m for each of the nextthree years for improvements to roadsand pavements.

� An extra £50,000 in dementia carein 2011/12 with major increases infunding planned for the followingyears.

� Investment in improving frontlinecustomer services, including £150,000for the telephone contact centre in2011/12 and another £200,000 thefollowing year.

� Investment in town centres, including

£150,000 forWallsend, £100,000 for

Forest Hall and £25,000 forWhitley

Lodge.

And a new £100,000 Big Society

Investment Fund is being established to

help local people take responsibility and

get involved in local issues.This is separate

from the £700,000 currently given to civil

society organisations.

Investment in servicesRent levels for council tenants in

NorthTyneside – as across the

country – are determined by the

national Rent Restructuring Policy,

which was introduced by the

government in 2002 as a way of

providing a consistent approach to

setting social housing rents.

In NorthTyneside, tenants will face

an average increase of 8.12 per cent

– or £4.72 per week.

Unfortunately, this is higher than

some neighbouring areas.

Because rents in the borough were

traditionally kept low, tenants are

facing this increase as the council

catches up with other authorities

that already charge higher rents.

The council would not have been

able to deliver a programme of

improvements to its homes if it had

not accepted the guidance and

applied the recommended increase.

Sixty per cent of our tenants receive

housing benefit so will not have to

pay the increase. For the others, the

council will be doing everything it

can to minimise the impact,

including stepping up the support,

benefit and debt advice available.

Council houserents

There will be a need to change some fees

and charges to cover increased costs for

some services.This includes:

� The cost of school meals will increase

by 20p a day – from £1.60 to £1.80 –

which is still among the lowest in

the region.

� Residents will still be able to qualify for

two free residents parking permits, if

these operate in their neighbourhood.

However, further permits will cost

£20 each.

� There is a new scale of charges for

bulky waste collections.

Where residents have a number

of small items, such as bicycles,

dining chairs and a car tyre, they

will be able to have up to eight

items collected at the same time

for £10. For larger items,

including beds, armchairs and

cookers, the cost will be £10 per

item. Items such as a bathroom

suite, a dismantled greenhouse or

a large number of tree cuttings

will cost £40.

� A replacement bin will cost £20

and a replacement caddy £5.

Fees and charges

�

Stride outLighthouseTO THE

10km family walk to St.Mary’s Lighthouse

Saturday 4 June 201110.30am start atThe Parks Sports Centre

For registration on the day please arrive no later than 10am

WIDENING HORIZONS

Sport NorthTyneside

9

Weekly collections are beingretained but we are makingchanges to improve efficiency andreduce fuel consumption andcarbon emissions.

From April 4, the council will collect refuse

and recycling over four days instead of five

– saving around £200,000 a year and

reducing the mileage travelled by our

vehicles.

And because there will be no collections

on Mondays, there will be no disruption to

residents caused by bank holiday

rescheduling.

Waste collection vehicles are fitted with

tracking devices and the data has been

used to reorganise routes, with vehicles

working together in a particular area.

Crews will collectTuesday to Friday, and

will work later into the day.This will

reduce the non-working period when the

crews leave and return to the depot.

In the run-up to the introduction of the

new system, residents will receive a

calendar showing their collection day.

You can also find out your collection day

by using a new postcode search facility on

our website.

(Please note: Even if your collection day

remains unchanged, you may find your bin

is emptied at a different time each week.

Collections will take place between

6.30am and 5pm, so please make sure

your bins are out by 6.30am on the

relevant day.)

The garden waste collection service

has gone from strength to strength

since it started six years ago.

In its first year, the scheme covered

almost 60,000 households and

collected just over 7,500 tonnes of

garden waste for composting.

Now, almost 70,000 households are

included, with more than 9,000 tonnes

being collected.

Following a review of the service,

some changes are on the way to make

it more efficient.

We will stop collections in the winter

– between December and February –

saving around £30,000 a year. This was

a proposal that many residents told us

they supported when we asked for

feedback in Widening Horizons.

Only a very small amount of garden

waste is put out for collection in

winter and it is often frozen solid and

cannot be emptied out of the bins.

Collection days will also change.

At the moment we collect on a Friday

afternoon and Saturday but from the

week beginning April 4, Friday

collections will change to Monday.

Garden wastecollectionsBin collections!

Spring is finally here and there’splenty happening over the nextfew weeks to put a spring in yourstep!

Whether it’s walking, running orcycling – or maybe all three –there are some great opportunitiesto step outside your front doorand enjoy the fresh air.

Spanish City Easter Fun FairThursday, April 21 to Monday,May 2Enjoy all the fun of the fair at this SpanishCity-themed event on the Links inWhitleyBay. For more information, contact01429 824 014.

Storm to SiegeThursday, April 21Wallsend Library (10am to 2pm)Go back in time to the CivilWar – and findout all about Cavaliers and Roundheads, suitsof armour, cooking and medicine. Childrenwill be able to dress up and have their

portrait taken.At midday, families will visitSegedunum for an afternoon of sword andpike drills.

Suitable for over-5s, please bring a packedlunch. For more details, or to book a place,phoneWallsend Library on (0191) 643 5835.

NorthTyneside 10KRoad RaceEaster Sunday, April 24From North Shields toWhitley BayThe race begins atThe Parks Sports Centrein North Shields and takes in the Fish Quay,Tynemouth Priory and a stunning stretch ofcoastline before finishing at St Mary’sLighthouse.

The annual event is a contender for one ofthe UK’s most scenic road races, and playshost to elite athletes and club runners alike.

The race is organised by the council, inpartnership with Start Fitness and NorthShields Polytechnic, and supported byHadrian SpringWater. Entry fee is £14 for aUK Athletics Club member and £16 for anon-club member.There is a range of prizesfor individuals and teams. (Runners must beover 15.)

For more details, call (0191) 643 7409,email [email protected] or visitwww.northtyneside.gov.uk

Book FairSunday, May 1Tynemouth StationCome along and browse through a widerange of books. Up to 50 stalls will beselling books to suit all tastes and pockets– from antiquarian and specialist leather-bound volumes to second-hand books andpaperbacks and from local history and novelsto children's books and printed ephemera.

The book fair runs from 10am to 4pmand entry is free. For more details, contactYlana First on (0191) 257 2180.

Reggae and Ska FestivalFriday, May 20 to Saturday, May 21Trojan Rooms, South Parade,Whitley BayTheTrojan Rooms is set to welcomemusicians from across the UK as it holds itssecond reggae and ska festival.

Each night’s entertainment starts at 8pm andruns until late.Tickets are £15 per night anddiscounts apply when all three nights arebooked.

For further information, call (0191) 251 0080,email [email protected] or visitwww.thetrojanrooms.co.uk

You can keep up-to-date withwhat’s happening in the boroughby signing up for our new eventse-newsletter.

From music festivals and surfing

competitions to road races and firework

displays, the regular electronic newsletter is

an easy way of keeping in touch.

PeteWarne, the council’s tourism and

events manager, said:“With a bumper

programme of events taking place in 2011,

Sign up for the lowdown

What’s

on

we want as many people as possible to

know what’s happening and when.

“Signing up for the e-newsletter is an

easy and convenient way of finding out

what’s on.”

To sign up, simply email

[email protected] or

phone (0191) 643 7409.

10 widening horizons •March 2011

Stride out to the LighthouseSaturday, June 4From North Shields toWhitley BayThe annual walk starts atThe Parks SportsCentre and takes in the Fish Quay andTynemouth Priory before finishing at StMary’s Lighthouse.

The entry fee is £10 for a family or group offour; £3 per person and a child under fouris free. (All children under 16 must beaccompanied by an adult.) Closing date isFriday, May 27 or when the limit of 1,000 isreached.

Application forms are available fromTheParks Sports Centre, the Lakeside Centre,Hadrian Leisure Centre andTynemouth Pool(where you can also pay) andWaves (onlypayment via cheque); libraries, children’scentres and the council website.

Armed Forces DayMonday, June 20QuadrantLocal war veterans are being invited to aspecial event to mark Armed Forces Day.

The ceremony will feature a presentation oflapel badges to ex-service personnel or tothe families of those who are currentlyserving.

Anyone who has served in the armed forces,including the volunteer and regular reservesand who currently lives in NorthTyneside, isentitled to apply for the badge.The councilwill send applications to the Ministry ofDefence.Those approved will be invited tothe presentation ceremony.

The event is organised by the council, withthe support of the NorthTynesideWarVeterans Committee.

Veterans who would like to be presented

with one of the badges at the Armed Forces

Day event should contact Malcolm

Henderson by emailing

[email protected],

phoning (0191) 643 7409 or writing to

Malcolm Henderson, Events Officer, North

Tyneside Council, QuadrantWest, Cobalt

Business Park, NorthTyneside, NE27 0BY.

Northern Rock CycloneFriday, June 24 to Sunday, June 26Newcastle and NorthumberlandFor the first time, cycling’s national road race

championships will be staged in the North

East – in conjunction with the Northern Rock

Cyclone cycling weekend.

The action starts on Friday evening with the

Leazes Criteriums – a series of thrilling races

around Leazes Park in Newcastle featuring

amateur, children’s and elite races.

Saturday sees the Northern Rock Cyclone

Challenge, involving 5,000 riders, which starts

at the Newcastle Falcons ground at Kingston

Park and heads out into the Northumberland

countryside.The challenge includes 33, 63 and

104-mile routes.

The weekend closes on the Sunday with the

elite men and women’s races – the biggest

day on the British cycling calendar – starting

and finishing in the village of Stamfordham,

near Newcastle. Last year’s races featured

Olympic stars such as Mark Cavendish and

Nicole Cooke.

For more details, visit

www.northernrockcyclone.co.uk

Mouth of theTyne FestivalFriday, July 8 to Sunday, July 10TynemouthOver the last seven years, the Mouth of the

Tyne Festival has grown into one of the

region’s favourite summer events.

Featuring three days of world-class street

theatre, live music and special one-off

performances inTynemouth and across the

river in South Shields, the festival is sure to

attract thousands of people from across

Tyneside and beyond.

You can keep up-to-date with developments,

including the eagerly-awaited announcement

of the Saturday night concert headliners,

by emailing [email protected],

visiting www.mouthofthetynefestival.com or

calling (0191) 643 7409.

Details correct at time of going to print

A council-run fitnessprogramme has been officiallydeclared good for your health.

The NorthTyneside HealthWalksscheme has been awarded nationalaccreditation by Natural England’sWalking for Health initiative, whichmeans it meets high standards forsafety, insurance and healthmonitoring.

The programme offers six differentweekly walks and aims to get peopleof all ages and fitness levels outwalking locally.

It’s a great way for people who maynormally take little exercise toimprove their fitness for free – andmeet other walkers and take in thelocal landscape at the same time.

Research has shown that walking isone of the best – and easiest – waysof preserving mental and physicalhealth.

Gillian Adam, of NorthTynesideHealthWalks, said:“We’re always keento welcome new walkers, so why notcome along and give it a try?”

All the walks are free and all you needare a pair of comfortable shoes andappropriate clothing.

For more information, contact GillianAdam on (0191) 643 7441 or [email protected]

National accoladefor walkingscheme

11

twitter.com/NTCouncilTeam

Life is tweet in North TynesideTwitter is a social networking andmicro-blogging service that enablesits users to send and read messagesknown as ‘tweets’.

Why not become part of the widerCouncil Community and follow ourofficial tweets by going totwitter.com/NTCouncilTeam

Our communications team will publishshort snippets of information, newsand links to interesting articles andresources.

We will also use this as a way ofposting reminders so you won’t missany key events, meetings or activitiesacross the borough!

Some old favourites will be

treading the boards at the

PLAYHOUSEWhitley Bay during

the next few weeks.

Folk singerTom Paxton, acclaimed

songstress Kate Rusby and local legend

Alan Price are just some of the highlights of

the theatre’s spring season.

Throw in several top tribute acts and local

productions of Oliver and Iolanthe and

there’s something for everyone.

Award-winning folkie Tom Paxton, whose

songs include Rambling Boy andThe Last

Thing On My Mind, takes the stage on

Monday, March 28.Tickets, £20.

Whitley Bay Operatic Society celebrates

its centenary with a week-long run of

Oliver, starting onTuesday,April 5.Tickets

£12, £10 for children and £38 for a family

ticket.

One of the leading lights of contemporary

folk music, Kate Rusby (right) returns to

the PLAYHOUSE on Friday,April 22.

Tickets, £21.50, £20 (conc).

Alan Price, who played with the Animals in

the 60s before launching a successful solo

career, appears onThursday,April 28.

Tickets, £18.50.

Tynemouth Gilbert & Sullivan Society

stages a four-night run of Iolanthe on

Wednesday, May 18.Tickets, £12.

The Rotary Club of North Shields stages

its 25th anniversary charity concert,

celebrating youth music in the borough,

on Sunday, May 22. It features the North

TynesideYouthTraining Band, the North

Tyneside Children’s Choir, theVermont

Big Band and the NorthTyneside Concert

Band.Tickets, £6, £5 (conc) and £4

(under-16).

Something foreveryone

Booking informationIn person: Monday to Friday

(10am to 4pm) and Saturday (10.30am

to 2.30pm)

Online: www.playhousewhitleybay.co.uk

Booking hotline: 0844 277 2771

Accessibility bookings:

(0191) 251 5484

Group bookings: (0191) 260 6006

All information correct at time of going

to print


entertaining shoppers in both town

centres.The Hall of Mirrors and face

painters – Forum Shopping Centre

(10.30am to 3.30pm).

Saturday,April 30

The Hall of Mirrors and face painters –

ParkView Shopping Centre (10.30am to

3.30pm).Traditional wood-turning display

along Bedford Street (11am to 2pm).

Chinese lion dancing, performed by a

martial arts school, at the bandstand

outside the Forum Shopping Centre

(11am to 3pm).

Saturday,May 7

Arts and crafts, badge-making – ParkView

Shopping Centre (11am to 2pm). Classic

American 4x4s on display along Bedford

Street (11am to 1pm).The original car of

Del Boy (Only Fools and Horses) on

display outside the Forum Shopping Centre

(10.30am to 3.30pm) Check out the real

deal and have a photo.

Saturday,May 14

The award-winning NorthTyneside Steel

Band will be performing inWhitley Road

(10.30am to noon) and the bandstand

outside the Forum Shopping Centre (1 to

2.30pm). Del Boy’s car will be on display in

Bedford Street (10.30am to 3.30pm).

Saturday,May 21

Del Boy’s motor will be on display in

Whitley Road (10.30am to 3.30pm).

Arts, crafts and badge making at the

Beacon Shopping Centre (11am to 2pm).

Traditional wood-turning display at the

bandstand, Forum Shopping Centre (11am

to 2pm).

Saturday,May 28

Highland dancers and a pipe band will be

entertaining the crowds along Bedford

Street (10 to 11am); Forum Shopping

Centre (noon to 1pm) andWhitley Road

(2 to 3pm).

Shoppers can enjoy musical performances

by local pupils throughout June.

What’s on inour town centresThere’s plenty happening inWhitley Bay, North Shields andWallsend during the next fewweeks. Come along and beentertained!

13

Saturday,April 2

Musical performances at ParkView

Shopping Centre,Whitley Bay (10 to 11am

and noon to 1pm); Beacon Shopping

Centre, North Shields (10 to 11am and 2

to 3pm); Forum Shopping Centre,

Wallsend (noon to 1pm and 2 to 3pm).

Saturday,April 9

Mini Mansell’s Circus will be performing

alongWhitley Road,Whitley Bay (10am to

noon) and Bedford Street, North Shields

(1pm to 3pm). Shoppers can get creative

in the Forum Shopping Centre with

Easter-themed arts and crafts and

badge-making (11am to 2pm).

Saturday,April 16

‘Mr Merlin’ will be performing his giant

rabbit illusion in the centre ofWallsend

(10am to noon) andWhitley Bay

(1 to 3pm).The Hall of Mirrors will be

transforming shoppers into all shapes and

sizes, plus face painters – Bedford Street

(10.30am to 3.30pm).

Saturday,April 23

Tyne Bridge Morris will be performing their

traditional clog dance alongWhitley Road

(11am to 12.30pm) and Bedford Street

(1pm to 3pm). Buskers will also be

Please note: All events are subject

to change or cancellation. For more

information about town centre

events, or to be added to the mailing

list, call (0191) 643 7409 or email

[email protected]


The key changes are:

� A new service 3 from Battle Hillto the Freeman Hospital viaWallsend,Walkergate and HighHeaton, extending to RegentCentre via South GosforthMetro at peak times (in partreplacing 399)

� A new service 335 from FourLane Ends to Cobalt BusinessPark via High Farm, Battle Hilland Hadrian Park

� A new service 353 to replaceArriva services 3 and 350/351between Four Lane Ends andKingston Park via Forest Hall,Killingworth, Burradon, Dudley,Seaton Burn,Wideopen andNewcastle Airport

� Improved local servicesW1/W1A,W2 andW3 inWhitley Bay to replace theexisting ‘W’ routes.

� Improvements to existingservices including additionalevening and weekend journeyson service 85A/86A (to alsoreplace service 1/2 journeys atthese times between NorthShields andWhitley Bay) andW1/W2.

� Some timetable and/or routerevisions for services 1/2, 18,32/32A, 59, 319, 333(incorporating,TB300), K1 and K2.

For full details of the changes andtimetables for the new routes, go towww.nexus.org.uk or visit yournearest NexusTravelshop.

A number of routes in the borough are

changing from Sunday, March 27.

The changes are being made following a

consultation with local people last year, in

which hundreds gave their views at

community meetings and through online

information pages.

Tobyn Hughes, Director of Customer

Services for Nexus, said:“We set out to

address the two main concerns for bus

users – they want buses that get

passengers where they want to go, at the

right times for them.

“We concentrated our changes on the 10

per cent of bus services subsidised by

Nexus using funds from local authorities,

but made sure our plans fit in with the

other 90 per cent of services which are

provided commercially by private

operators to their own routes and

timetables.

“Our plans have been revised in response

to the feedback we received during the

consultation.We would like to thank

everyone who took the time and effort to

provide us with their views on how bus

services could be improved.”

Bus routes which Nexus funds at all times

will also get a new livery, so they are easy

to identify, and a new simple fare structure

to make them more convenient for local

people to use.

Local bus servicesare changingNexus is making big changes to thelocal bus services it provides inNorthTyneside using funds fromlocal authorities.

New services:Passengers will benefitfrom changes to localbus routes.

15

It’s about everyone doing their bit.

Putting out a neighbour’s bin, going along

to a residents meeting or forming a group

to run a local facility are all examples of a

Big Society in action.

It’s a society where individuals feel big –

big enough to create real change in their

neighbourhoods.

The Big Society has three strands:

� Encouraging and supporting people to

get involved in their local community

through giving time, effort or money.

� Putting more power at a local level and

opening up how public services are

run to new and different providers.

� Providing more opportunities for

people to shape and deliver local

services.

� OurWidening Horizons 4 All

project enables people to play a

full part in the community and

we support, train and mentor

volunteers to deliver projects

which they have designed.

� The annual Big Spring Clean and

autumn environment campaigns

let individuals, schools and

groups organise clean-up events

in their area.

� Part of the Rising Sun Country

Park is managed by a social

enterprise.

� The Good Neighbour awards

encourage people to take an

active role in their local

community.

� The four area forums allow

people to have a direct say in

how the council spends some of

its budget.

See pages 16 to 19 to find out

what your local area forum is doing

and pages 20 and 21 to see how a

local community group transformed

a derelict spot into a haven for

wildlife.

What is theBig Society?The Big Society is about helpingpeople to come together toimprove their own lives and, at thesame time, moving power from thegovernment to local communities.

It is a question of who is best placed to

provide what. It could be the council,

the voluntary and community sector or

local business.

It means the council responding to

change – both at a national and local

level – and working in partnership with

a wider range of organisations. It also

means working more closely with local

people and communities and finding

out which solution is best.

The council is introducing a new

investment fund of £100,000 to help to

build a Big Society in NorthTyneside,

where everyone can do their bit and

play their part.

More information will be available on

our website when the fund is launched

in the coming months..

We are also working with local

businesses to see how we can provide

more access to support and advise local

communities who want to devise their

own solutions to local issues.

In NorthTyneside, the BigSociety is real and is happeningnow – local people takingresponsibility and developinglocal solutions to local issues.

You just have to look at the range of

community groups and organisations

that play such a vital role in daily life.

What’s happening inour borough

The Big Societyin action


The future of Forest Hall

A special NorthWest Area Forum in

Forest Hall in November saw around 100

residents give their views on how they

would like to see the area develop.

People put forward their ideas on a wide

range of local issues, including roads,

pavements, parking, signage, shops and the

appearance of local streets.

A number of residents expressed their

desire to see more specialist shops in the

village, and a wider range of places to eat

and drink; particularly coffee shops and

cafes. Many also favoured the idea of a

new village sign, as well as improved

parking.

A follow-up event will take place on

Tuesday, May 24 (6.30 to 8pm) at St

Andrew’s Church, Benton to involve

local people in the development of

Forest Hall.

As a resident of NorthTyneside, you can have your say incouncil decision-making. We hold regular public meetings,called area forums.

Each forum has its own budget to support area-based projects,including roads and pavements improvements. You can findout more about your area forum over the next few pages.

More details are available on the council website –www.northtyneside.gov.uk To get in touch with the area forums team,phone (0191) 643 2828 or email [email protected]

You can also write to: Freepost RRSS-UJSB-UGKZ,NorthTynesideCouncil, Quadrant,The Silverlink North, Cobalt Business Park,NorthTyneside, NE27 0BY.

NorthWestArea ForumIncluding Hazlerigg, Holystone, Killingworth, Benton, Longbenton,Seaton Burn, Dudley, Forest Hall.

We need your ideas

The area forum has around £50,000 tospend during 2011/12 to improve thelocal environment and we need yourideas and support.

Last year, you asked the area forum touse its budget for a range of projects,including creating a sensory garden,developing community storage facilities,installing binoculars at a local beautyspot and providing extra litter bins, gritbins, and planters.

We have already received suggestionsthis year for school bike sheds,rockeries, trees and using sustainableenergy in community buildings.As wewould like to hear more of yourcreative ideas, the deadline for gettingin touch has been extended untilFriday, May 20.You can either fill in theIdeas Form on the forum’s web pagesor contact us using one of the waysmentioned above.

Roads and pavements

You said the repair of roads andpavements was your top priority.During 2010/11 the NorthWest AreaForum has funded and completedworks in StudleyVillas, parts ofWestcroft, Brunswick Green cul-de-sacs,Great Lime Road, Glenfield Road,Agincourt and Bannockburn.

The next meeting is onTuesday, June21 at the JohnWillie Sams Centre,Dudley. (Refreshments will be servedat 5.30pm and the meeting starts at6pm.)

Benton • Longbenton • SWest Allotment • Backworth • MonWillington Quay • Holy Cross • BChirton • Riverside • Cullercoats •

Area forums

1717

The wildlife garden is an initiative of theClarence andWaterford CrescentResidents Association (CAWCRA) inWhitley Bay.

In May, residents suggested creating acommunity garden on a Nexus-ownedpiece of land (including the former stationmaster’s garden) next toWhitley BayMetro station, after repeated anti-socialbehaviour in the area.

The station master’s garden, previouslyfertile woodland, had been partiallycleared to stop people hiding in the area.Residents then protested at the loss ofplant life, wildlife habitat and local amenity.

This led to a public meeting about thelegitimate use of the space as a communitygarden.With co-operation from thecouncil, police and Nexus, the residentsestablished an enthusiastic group todevelop the project.

CAWCRA has 65 members from 23households in the two principal streetsand a number of associate members fromadjoining areas.

A grant from theWhitley Bay environmentalbudget has helped buy tools and otheritems to help with this project and a surveyof members revealed a shared concern forthe promotion of biodiversity and landscapevalue within urban areas.

The aim of CAWCRA is to protect andenhance local wildlife, promote integratedhorticulture and food growing, andreinvigorate historic and landscape values.

Whitley BayArea ForumIncluding Monkseaton, Shiremoor, Earsdon,West Allotment,

Wellfield and Backworth.

Roads and pavements

Each area forum has been given

£250,000 of additional funding to spend

on roads and pavement improvements.

People attending the forum can give

their views on which schemes should

be funded.

Last year, the area forum budget paid

for improvements on Otterburn

Avenue, Kenilworth Road, Paignton

Avenue, Churchill Avenue,Turner Street,

Madeira Avenue, Park Road, Hillcrest,

Hartside,Woodburn Square and

Brantwood Avenue.

The next meeting is on Monday,

June 20 at Livingstone Hall.

Refreshments will be served at 5.30pm

and the meeting starts at 6pm.

Local updates

Residents who attended the areaforum at Livingstone Hall in Januarywere given an update on the council’sresponse to the severe winterweather, including the gritting or roadsand pavements.

People also heard about the latestwork taking place at the Dome,including the link road, a possiblevisitor centre at St Mary’s headlandand the water play scheme atWhitley Park.

Whitley Bay Area Forum has £47,000annually to spend on environmentalprojects. Last year, it supportedprojects including the development ofBrierdene and a project to increasethe numbers of bumblebees.

Your moneyYour choice!

eaton Burn • Forest Hall • Killingworthnkseaton • Shiremoor •Whitley Bayattle Hill • Howdon •WallsendTynemouth • North Shields

The Station Master’sCommunityWildlifeGarden


Special area forumAs Widening Horizons went to print, plans

were well advanced for a special area

forum meeting to bring residents up to

date with proposals to regenerate the

Forum Shopping Centre.

We need your ideas

The area forum has around £44,000 tospend during 2011/12 to improve thelocal environment and we need yourideas and support.

Last year, you asked the area forum touse its budget to provide a range ofitems including extra litter bins, gritbins, planters, wall/fence repairs andclean-up days.

This year, we have already receivedsuggestions for creating allotments,planting a memorial garden, installing asculpture and buying trees as part of aguided, educational walk.We would liketo hear more of your creative ideas, sothe deadline for getting in touch withus has been extended until Tuesday,May 3.

You can either fill in the Ideas Form onthe forum’s web pages or contact ususing one of the ways mentioned onp16.

WallsendArea ForumIncludingWillington Quay, Battle Hill, Howdon, Holy Cross, HadrianPark, Bewick Park, High Farm,Westmorland and Northumberland.

Roads and pavements

You said the repair of roads and

pavements was your top priority.

This year, the area forum has funded

and completed works in HighView,

Stead Street, part of Boyd Road, Cross

Avenue,Windsor Drive, Rae Avenue,

Derby Gardens, Somerset Gardens,

Lincoln Avenue, Bedford Avenue,

Cheshire Gardens, Belshill Close,

Barton Close, Birkdale Close, Bowness

Avenue, Eskdale Avenue, Dinsdale

Avenue, Lauderdale Avenue.

What’s on in your area?

Here are some of the events in theWallsend area you can come along to thenext few weeks:

� Census advice drop-ins – if you needhelp with your Census form, pleasevisitWallsend Children’s Centre,North Road (Monday, March 28 orWednesday, March 30, from 9am to5pm) or Howdon Children’s Centre,Howdon Lane (Tuesday, March 29,from noon to 7pm orWednesday,March 30, from 4pm to 7pm).

� Persian Picnic in the Park –Richardson Dees Park, Saturday,April 2 (11am to 3pm).

� Friends ofWallsend Parks SpringFair – Richardson Dees Park,Saturday, May 7 (11am to 3pm).

The next meeting is onWednesday,June 1 at the Civic Hall,Wallsend.(Refreshments will be served at5.30pm and the meeting starts at6pm.)

The special meeting is onTuesday, March

22 (6.30 to 8.30pm) at the shopping

centre. For details of the next regular

meeting, see below.

Benton • Longbenton • SWest Allotment • Backworth • MonWillington Quay • Holy Cross • BChirton • Riverside • Cullercoats •

Area forums

19

North ShieldsArea ForumIncludingTynemouth, Cullercoats, Preston, Collingwood,

Chirton and Riverside.

We need your ideas

Your suggestions on how the areaforum can improve your area arealways welcome – whether it’ssomething to brighten up the streetor a pavement that needs repairing.

You can either fill in the Ideas Formon the forum’s web pages or contactus using one of the ways mentionedon p16.

You can also get an Ideas Form fromyour local customer service centre orlibrary.You can also pick up a form bycontacting your ward councillor orattending their surgery.

Ideas need to be submitted six weeksbefore each meeting. Please note,issues should be community focusedand not relate to personal mattersthat concern you as an individual.

Roads and pavements

Each area forum has had £250,000 ofadditional funding to spend on roadsand pavements improvements. Peopleattending the forum get the chance togive their views on which schemesshould be funded.

Last year, the North Shields area forumbudget paid for improvements on thefollowing roads – Howdon Road,Malvern Road, Preston Avenue,VerneRoad, Sunlea Avenue and LindisfarneTerrace.

The next meeting is onWednesday,June 29 at the Saville Exchange.Refreshments will be served at5.30pm and the meeting starts at6pm.

Your moneyYour choice!

Role of the forum

The North Shields Area Forum, like

the others in the borough, provides an

opportunity for people who live in the

area to discuss matters of common

concern.

It gives local people the chance to

understand and influence the way in

which services are provided in their

area.

At each area forum, the ward councillors

and local residents come together to discuss

topics of local concern.This includes making

recommendations on how to spend area

forum funding on improving roads and

pavements and the environment.

For details of a special meeting to discuss

plans to revamp the Beacon Shopping

Centre, see page 39.

Environmental budget

The area forum allocated its environmental budget so that each ward received equal

amounts. People identified improvements they wanted to see in their area, including the

purchase of bird boxes around Chirton Dene Park. Residents’ groups undertook planting

to brighten up their community.

eaton Burn • Forest Hall • Killingworthnkseaton • Shiremoor •Whitley Bayattle Hill • Howdon •WallsendTynemouth • North Shields

20 Widening horizons •March 2011

A dingy dene has been turned intoa heavenly haven, thanks to somegood old-fashioned communityspirit.

In October 2006, the Friends of

Brierdene began to restore and improve

the biodiversity in the overgrown dene,

which had been neglected for more than

20 years.

With support and advice from council staff

– and help from local residents and schools

– the team of volunteers cleared brambles

and litter.

They also planted grass, flowers and trees,

laid footpaths and replaced bridges in

order to attract more visitors to the spot

on the northern edge ofWhitley Bay.

And their hard work has certainly paid off.

Not only have the numbers of rare birds,

mammals and wildflowers increased but

more than four times as many people now

use the space.

Steve Stone, of the Friends of Brierdene,

said:“The amount of work that has been

achieved during the last four years was not

even considered possible when we first put

a spade into the ground.

“What we have achieved is fantastic but

without the help of the local community,

including residents, schools and especially

You can rely onthese friends!

the council, we would not have got

this far.

“It just goes to show what a community

can accomplish when it comes together

to achieve something good.”

For more details about the group, visit:

www.friendsofbrierdene.org.uk

groupyour

Community spirit: Brierdene inWhitley Bayhas been transformed by the efforts of localresidents.

21

Cup-winning effortThe Friends of Brierdene’s hardwork was recognised when thegroup was awarded this year'sWhitley BayTown Cup.

Tony Lister, Chairman of Friends of

Brierdene, said:“It’s a great honour,

especially as it follows the ‘outstanding’

rating given by the Royal Horticultural

Society in Northumbria in Bloom.

“Everyone has put in a great deal of time

and effort to turn the dene into an

attractive area for people to visit but our

hard work won’t stop.

“We’ll continue to improve the area so it

keeps its Site of Nature Conservation

Interest status, and ensure it remains an

area of natural beauty for future

generations to enjoy.”

TheWhitley BayTown Cup is awarded

every year to a local resident or

organisation that has given outstanding

service to the community or achieved an

outstanding feat.

The Chairman of the Council, Cllr Duncan

McLellan, who presented the trophy, said:

“The Friends of Brierdene are certainly

worthy winners of this year’s cup.

“The council has supported the group by

supplying some of the trees, seeds and

equipment but without the group’s hard

work and determination, the dene would

not look as spectacular as it does now.”

Previous winners of the cup, which dates

back to 1954, includeWhitley Bay Football

Club, the Royal British Legion and the

North SeaVolunteer Lifeguards. Only

individuals or organisations from the

former borough ofWhitley Bay can be

considered for the award.

Your groupIf you know of a group orcharity that is working hard toimprove the community, whynot tell Widening Horizons?

Contact editor Steve Forshawon (0191) 643 5080 or email:[email protected]

Factfile� More than 100 species of bird

and well over 200 plant species

have been recorded in the dene.

� These include sparrowhawks

breeding in the woodland,

gatekeeper butterflies,

22-spot ladybirds and tree

bumblebees.

� An elected committee meets

monthly to discuss and plan

the Friends of Brierdene’s

conservation work.

� Volunteers meet every

Wednesday and Saturday, from

10am to noon, to carry

out various tasks.

� The group works with various

local schools to arrange

conservation activities – from

hands-on work to bug hunts.

groupyour

Worthy winners: Cllr McLellanpresents the cup to Steve Stone, ofthe Friends of Brierdene.


SPRINGCLEAN

BIGCommunities and schools areinvited to help make a differenceto NorthTyneside’s environmentby getting involved in this year’sBig Spring Clean.

The annual initiative, now in its fourth year,

is organised by the council and aims to

make the borough a cleaner and greener

place to live.

Residents, businesses, community groups

and schools are being encouraged to

organise a clean-up event and register it

with the council.

The local authority will give support by

providing high visibility vests, bags and

litter pickers as well as helping to

promote it.

The council has teamed up withStraight Recycling to offer residentshome composting bins at bargainprices.

The composters quickly and easily recycleorganic and kitchen waste into a rich,nutritious compost that is ideal for retainingmoisture in the garden.

Composting turns waste into valuable foodfor your garden and can help reducecarbon emissions. Most garden waste canbe composted, as well as uncookedvegetable peelings.

Fitted with an extra wide hatch for easyaccess to finished compost, the binneeds no assembly and is easy to use.

Made from recycled plastic and suppliedwith black side hatch, the converters areavailable in two sizes – the Compact 220litre (£12) and the Giant 330 litre (£15).

To order your bin, phone 0844 5714444 between 8am and 8pm (Mondayto Friday); 9am and 7pm (Saturday) or9am and 5pm (Sunday).You can also visitwww.nt.getcomposting.com

Since the first Big SpringClean in 2008, there havebeen 81 clean-up events.

They have ranged from the unusual,

such as an abseiled litter pick down

the banksides of King Edward’s Bay,

to more traditional clean-ups like

litter picks in the borough’s parks.

Alternatively, you can get involved in one

of the clean-up events organised by the

council.

Two have already been held but two more

are scheduled, which will take place from

11am to 1pm as follows:

� Thursday,April 21: Churchill Playing

Fields – meet at the Adult Learning

Alliance building.

� Saturday, May 21: Marden Quarry –

meet at the warden cabin near the

car park.

The Big Spring Clean runs until May 27.

To register a clean-up event or to find out

if one is happening in your area, visit the

Big Clean section of the council’s website,

at www.northtyneside.gov.uk

You can also email

[email protected] or

phone 0345 2000 103.

Get involved in theBig Spring Clean!

Get composting Big SpringClean factfile

23

Garden ofRemembranceNew proposals have beendrawn up to improve theGarden of Remembrance inWhitley Bay Cemetery.

From the late 1960s until the end ofthe 1980s, the garden was an areawhere bereaved relatives could havea rose planted as part of a MemorialRose Scheme.

Subsequently, many of these rosesdied or became diseased and variousattempts to improve the growingconditions in the rose beds haveproved unsuccessful.

We are now proposing to redesignthe area and introduce alternativedisplays, which are sensitive to thisvery important area.

If you have any queries or concernsregarding the proposed work, pleaseget in touch with Brenda Chambers,Bereavement Services Manager, on(0191) 200 5862 or [email protected]

Brightening upthe coastA new floral feature is lightingup NorthTyneside’s coast.

The St Mary’s Lighthouse floral displaytakes pride of place on the Hillheadsroundabout inWhitley Bay.

The 12ft metal imitation lighthouse,which includes a solar powered lightto illuminate the feature at night,will contain white hanging lobelia,surrounded by blue lobelia -representing the sea – when it’s infull bloom this summer.

Cutting-edgeapproachThe task of maintaining aroundseven million square metresof grass in NorthTyneside isunderway for this year.

We cut grass from March through toDecember with the main growingseason in April, May and June.The rateat which grass grows depends onmany factors, such as rainfall, sunshineand soil quality.

We often get asked why grass cuttingscannot be removed.To collect allcuttings in the borough would beextremely labour intensive andincrease the cost of grass-cuttingfive fold.

Over the past few years we haveincreased the frequency of grasscutting and brought in new machineswhich cut more finely to reduce theamount of cuttings generated.

Environment NEWS...ING NEWS... BREAKING NEWS... BREAKING NEWS... BREAKING NE

NorthTyneside was the only authority inthe region to be awarded five stars forlevels of cleanliness.

The rating is based on a mixture ofunannounced inspections of randomlocations in the borough and a submissionfrom the council that highlighted various

schemes, including NorthTyneside inBloom, the Big Spring Clean and theautumn environment campaign.

Elected Mayor Linda Arkley said:“Thisaward recognises the strides we havemade to make this a cleaner and greenerborough.We’ve introduced new initiativesand enabled residents to have a greater sayin the appearance of their neighbourhoodsthrough the area forums.”

Five-star success! � � � � �The council has received five stars– the highest possible rating – inthis year’s Clean Britain Awards.


When Mike Kelley laid out someflowers in pots on the drive of hishome, he never thought it wouldlead to the entire street becominga local beauty spot.

But that’s what happened in RockcliffeAvenue,Whitley Bay, because when Mike’sefforts grew, it planted a seed among fellowresidents also keen to make the area lookits best.

And their joint work led to the avenuewinning the new “Street effort” category inlast year’s NorthTyneside in Bloom.

“It’s been a big success,” said Mike.“Whatwe’ve done has enhanced the quality ofour lives because we enjoy where we livea lot more.”

It was one day in late 2007 that Mike, as asurprise gesture to his wife Christine,decided to arrange flowers in pots andcandles on their drive.

He caught the green-fingered bug and later,as the number of flowers in pots grew,Mike moved some onto the footpath – atrend that caught on among neighbours.

As well as adding flower pots, they sharedresponsibility to water them and tidy upthe avenue and worked harder to enhancetheir own gardens.

During the summer, a passer-by can countupwards of 300 flower pots.

Mike said:“People go out of their way towalk down the avenue, including the localnursery.

“We hide ornaments among some of theflower pots as the children like looking forthem. It’s worth a million dollars to seetheir faces.

“There are other benefits too.We’venoticed people pick up litter, dog walkerstend to respect the area and there is no

more graffiti. And we’ve have seen loadsof bees, butterflies and birds that we didn’tsee before.

“It’s also brought the neighbours together– we know each other very well andhelp each other a lot. I would definitelyencourage other residents to worktogether to improve where they live.”

Communityspirit blossoms

The council is getting smarterabout where and how it plantsfloral displays to ensure bettervalue for money.

We will be focusing on less but betterquality planting in high profile areasacross the borough, such as towncentres, parks, cemeteries and thecoast.

This will be based on our own carefulassessment of locations plus feedbackfrom Area Forums where residentstold us where they felt displays werelacking.

We recognise that the boroughwould not look as good without thecontribution of many residents, whohave enhanced their ownneighbourhoods by planting flowersevery year.

There are some great examplesacross the borough and it’s somethingwe’re keen to encourage.

If you would like to get involved inbrightening up your neighbourhood,please give us a call on 0345 2000103.We can provide flowers free ofcharge for use in your local area.

Flower powerto the people

Streetwise: Christine Kelley holds the‘street effort’ trophy. Looking on (left toright) are KathrynWakeman, Mike Kelley,JeanTrotter, Marian Dunbar and JennyCraig. Picture courtesy ofThe Journal.

25

Individual allotmentFor established allotment holders of over two years.

Allotment siteAllotment holders with plots on the same site can nominate theirsite as a whole.

New allotment tenantAllotment holders of less than two years.

Business premisesAny business not eligible for “Pub, hotel or restaurant” can entertheir grounds, gardens or baskets in this category

Community effortThis category is most suited to areas where more than one street isinvolved. It recognises community spirit where groups or residentswork together to improve and make beautiful the area.

Conservation and wildlife gardenGardens tended to with the wider environment in mind. Bird boxes,hedgehog houses, butterfly enticing plants and wildflowers might allfeature in this type of garden.

Container and hanging basket displayGardens and yards using pots and baskets for decoration ratherthan your traditional planted garden.

Grow your own*This category reflects the growing popularity of growing your ownfruit and vegetables.

Small gardenFront, side or back gardens under 100sq metres.

Medium gardenFront, side or back gardens between 100 and 250sq metres.

Large gardenFront, side or back gardens over 250sq metres.

Nursery, school or collegeAllotment gardens, hanging baskets, wildlife gardens and any lookedafter area within the grounds of schools, nurseries or colleges.

Places of worshipBeautiful grounds, gardens and basket displays at places of worship.

Pub, hotel or restaurantPubs, hotels or restaurants can enter gardens, pub gardens or basketdisplays of any size.

Residential care or sheltered accommodationGrounds and gardens of residential care or shelteredaccommodation that are tended to by staff or residents.

Street effort *This category aims to recognise when residents in a street cometogether to make the area in which they live more beautiful.Thiscould be anything from ensuring all the gardens reach a goodstandard to helping a neighbour who cannot look after their owngarden.Additionally, you may choose to work together to improvethe communal areas in your street.

Young gardenerThis category aims to highlight commitment and effort shown byyoung people under-18.You do not have to have your own garden;it may be that you help out with a garden that belongs to a relative,community group, or school.You can nominate yourself orsomeone else.

JudgingNorthTyneside in Bloom judging takes place throughout July.You will be notified of your date.

Two judges will judge each category and at least one will bequalified in the field of gardening or horticulture.An ecologist willjudge the wildlife and conservation category.

Everyone who enters this year’s contest will also receive a feedbackform setting out what the judges liked about the entry and howthey feel improvements could be made.

If you have any questions about NorthTyneside inBloom, please call 0345 2000 103 or [email protected]

CategoriesPlease tick which category you would like to enter.You can enter more thanone category.

Plot no.

Plot no.

Name of entrant:

Name of contact (if different):

Address:

Postcode:

Tel No: Email:

NorthTyneside in Bloom 2011Does your garden have what it takes to win?To enter, complete and return this form to: KathrynWaugh, NorthTyneside Council,QuadrantWest, Silverlink North, Cobalt Business Park, NorthTyneside, NE27 0BY.

Entries close Friday June 10

* Flowers can be provided free of charge to support entries in this category. For further information, telephone 0345 2000 103.


Did you know?

Don’t miss any key events,meetings or activities across theborough – you can follow ourofficial tweets by going totwitter.com/NTCouncilTeam

Teamwork helpspeople find jobs

TheWorking Homes OutreachTeam

works with a range of partners and

agencies to tackle deep-rooted

unemployment in the borough.

Although the team’s main role is to help

residents in the Chirton and Riverside

wards, staff also work with people

registered atWallsend or North Shields

jobcentres.

Target priority groups include:

� Single parents

� People with disabilities

� Ex-offenders

� People with problems of drug or

alcohol misuse

Advisors work on a one-to-one basis with

customers to identify and remove barriers

that may be preventing them from starting

work.

This includes providing advice and

information on a range of issues, such as

housing, benefits, childcare or training

opportunities.

The team can also provide advice on

looking for a job, help with filling in

application forms and coaching for an

interview.

The pilot scheme aims to help 320 local

people find work.

A joint project between the

council and Jobcentre Plus has

helped more than 150 people

find a job since June.

Case history

Florence, originally from the Congobut now a British citizen, is a loneparent with one child.

She wanted to find a job but hadbeen unemployed for three years andneeded help with her CV andapplication forms.

Dianne, a member of theWorkingHomes team, had a chat about herprevious work experience, looked atavailable childcare and helped her tofill in the applications.

Florence is now working as areceptionist at the Meadows Centrein North Shields and is really enjoyingher job. Her daughter goes to anafter-school club and Florence hasmore money to support herself andher daughter.

“Dianne was very helpful,” she said.“Iam grateful for all the support she hasprovided in helping me to find a job.”

Carole Bell, the manager of theMeadows, said:“Florence is the firstpoint of contact for visitors and isalways cheerful and professional. I amdelighted to have her as a memberof staff.”

Get in touch

If you live in either the Chirton orRiverside wards and you think theWorking Homes team can help you,phone (0191) 295 2355 for aninformal chat.

If you register with the project beforeMay 11, you will be entered into aprize draw to win an 8gb iPod Nano!

27

Newcastle University has launched the

year-long project, called Sea Change NE,

to mark theYear of Sustainability 2011.

The aims are to highlight the rich diversity

of the North East coastline and encourage

people, especially the young, to explore

their local environment.

“We’re inviting everyone to capture what

the environment means to them

personally,” said Dr Jane Delany, of the

university’s Dove Marine Laboratory in

Cullercoats.

“Have you noticed something special

happening at a particular time of year or is

there a unique location that you want the

rest of the region to know about?”

Submitted pieces can represent any aspect

of the environment (natural or man-made)

along the coast, estuaries or tidal stretches

of our local rivers – anywhere from

Berwick to theTees estuary.

The pieces can explore seasonal changes –

in animals, plants and habitats – views of

nature and landscapes (above or below the

waterline), or how people use and enjoy

the coast.

“All members of the public are invited to

take part, but we are particularly keen to

hear from young people,” said Dr Delany.

“If schools would like to make this a special

project, we can provide support and

advice.”

Selected entries will be published in a book

that will be on sale throughout the region.

All profits will go to an environmental

charity nominated by schools taking part in

the project.

Formats

Photos can be colour, or black andwhite, and taken with any standard ofdigital camera or mobile phone.Drawings and paintings should be of ahigh enough resolution to be scannedand saved at 300dpi. Poems should beup to 100 words. It is not possible toreturn any submissions.

How to send your work

� Save the image (JPEG orTIF) on aCD disk, memory stick or as acomputer file.

� Save as:month_yourname_description (forexample: Feb_MrJones_Tynefish)

� Send the image by post, email ormailbigfile to the addresses below.

� Please include contact details –name, phone number, email orpostal address.

� If your entry is chosen, you will beasked to contribute a few sentencesoutlining your work and what itmeans to you.

Addresses

Post: Sea Change NE, NewcastleUniversity, Dove Marine Laboratory,Front Street, Cullercoats,Tyne andWear, NE30 4PZ. (0191) 222 3058.

Email: [email protected]

Mailbigfile:www.mailbigfile.com/free(to above email address).

For more information, visit:www.ncl.ac.uk/marine/learning/seachange

An ambitious project is inviting

local people to capture the spirit

of the region’s coastline – through

photographs, drawings or poems.

Celebrate your coast!

This article was written byAndrewYounger,a student at Churchill Community College,while on work experience.

Primary Care Trusts are the local part of yoursuch as those provided by GPs, district nurses,

NorthTyneside Primary CareTrust(PCT) and partners have launcheda new DVD that showcases howlocal families can make the changeto healthy living.

To celebrate, children who’ve changed

their lifestyles thanks to NorthTyneside

Change4Life programmes were given the

red carpet treatment when the film was

premiered at theTyneside Cinema in

Newcastle.

The PCT commissioned the movie as

part of a package of measures to help

families cut childhood obesity by getting

Approval for local pharmaciesA poll of NorthTynesideresidents about the quality oflocal pharmacy servicesconcluded that the majoritybelieve them to be either ‘verygood’ or ‘quite good’.

Some of the other key findings were:

� Extended opening hours, havingstocks of the medications requiredand clearly displayed information onopening times were all given as thingsthat could make a visit to thepharmacy easier.

� Late evening and Sunday openingwere the most popular of the optionsfor extending hours.

� The most popular suggestion forservices that would attract residentsto pharmacies was for a generalhealth check (to include bloodpressure monitoring, cholesterolchecks and testing for diabetes).

The questionnaire was part of a formalconsultation around a document called adraft Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment(PNA).

The PNAs (one each for Newcastle,NorthTyneside and Northumberland)will be used to judge applications toopen new pharmacies and to helpprimary care organisations commissionthe right services from pharmacies.

Dr Mike Guy, Medical Director at NorthTyneside PCT, said:“The feedback is veryimportant in helping us to assess currentservices and to plan for the future.”

The PNA and consultation reportare available to download fromwww.northtynesidepct.nhs.uk

involved with Change4Life support

services.

Dr Dawn Scott, public health consultant

for childhood obesity at NorthTyneside

PCT, said:“We know that children, young

people and their families need to hear

and learn about local Change4Life

programmes through the experiences of

those who’ve been there and done it.

“Hearing how children and families have

changed their lifestyles can be very

powerful. It helps to dispel some of the

myths and fears people have when they

consider joining one of the programmes.”

New movie is goodfor your health

Change4Life is a lifestyle revolutioninvolving thousands of local organisationsand charities to help mums, dads andfamilies eat well, move more and livelonger.

In NorthTyneside, there are a range ofexciting opportunities for families andchildren to change their lives.

Anyone who wants to get involved withChange4Life should register atwww.nhs.uk/change4life.


Screen stars: Dr Dawn Scott and Dr MengKhaw, acting director of public health, withsome of the young people involved in theChange4Life film.

NHS and run community healthcare services,health visitors and specialist therapists.

A national review into the futureof children’s heart services inEngland has proposed four optionsto reduce the number of hospitalsproviding children’s heart surgeryfrom 11 to six or seven.

Under the new proposals, hospitalscarrying out children’s heartsurgery would need to meet toughnew quality standards. It is envisagedthat surgical centres that do notprovide children’s heart surgery

would provide children’scardiology services – they will notclose.The Freeman Hospital inNewcastle is one of the 11hospitals currently providingchildren’s heart surgery services.

A four-month consultation on theproposals began at the end ofFebruary. For information on thefour options, and how you cangive your views, visit:www.specialisedservices.nhs.uk

Review of children’sheart services

Pupils are helping NorthTyneside nurses learn whatsuits them when it comes tostaying healthy.

Members of the borough’s Public

Health School NursingTeam have

been asking students at Norham

Community College in North Shields

and Churchill Community College in

Wallsend about the services they’d

like to see.

The aim is to use the lessons learned

from the 11 to 18 year-olds to shape

general and sexual health services in

schools – and to win a Department

of Health “You’re welcome”

accreditation.

29

Studentswelcomehaving theirsay

Fact finders: Members of thenursing team involved in the schoolsurvey.

� ��

3131

Repairs are underway

Along with many parts of the country, the

borough’s roads were badly affected by the

severe weather, which included heavy falls

of snow and prolonged sub-zero

temperatures.

A team of inspectors are assessing more

than 500 miles of road and responding to

reports from residents, drivers, councillors

and cyclists.

The council has allocated £150,000 to

carry out minor patching and resurfacing

work but some roads need a longer-term

solution and these will be considered as

part of the annual programme of work.

Highways maintenance staff will normally

inspect potholes within a day of them

being reported.

The aim is to carry out repairs within

24 hours if the pothole is considered an

immediate danger to the public –

otherwise, within 10 days.

You can report a pothole by phoning

(0191) 643 6130, emailing

[email protected]

or online at the council website,

www.northtyneside.gov.uk – using the

‘report it’ tab on the home page.

A major scheme is underway to improve

parking inTynemouth Front Street.

It includes introducing a maximum parking

stay of four hours during the day; dedicated

loading bays and extra parking for taxis.

Highways staff have repaired more

than 1,700 potholes across North

Tyneside since the beginning of

December.

We need your viewsResidents can now provide feedbackto the council after highwaymaintenance work has been carriedout in their street.

Questionnaires are posted throughthe doors of householders, asking fortheir views on various matters, suchas the level of disruption, the qualityof the work carried out and theattitude of staff.

Residents can also comment online atthe council website. Click on ‘parking,roads and transport’ on the homepage, then ‘roads, highways andpavements’ – the customer satisfactionsurvey is on the right-hand side.

The feedback will help the council tomonitor performance and improve itshighway maintenance service.

Silverlink work startsWork has started on a £2.8mimprovement scheme at theA19/A1058 Silverlink roundabout.

The work, which is due to finish in thesummer, will increase the roundabout’scapacity by 1,200 vehicles per hour.

Parts of the carriageway will bewidened from three lanes to four andnew traffic signals will be installed.

The A19 approaches will be widenedfrom two lanes to four while theCoast Road eastbound exit slip roadwill be widened from two lanes tothree.

The work will reduce congestion andimprove safety ahead of the plannedopening of bothTyne tunnels inDecember.

Making good: Highways staff are carrying out thepainstaking job of filling in the borough’s potholes.


Poll cards for Electors voting in personWe will send a poll card/notice to all voters who are voting in person.These will be delivered during the last week of Mapolling station is. You do not need your poll card/notice in order to vote but it is helpful to take it along.

Voting in personPolling stations are open from 7am until 10pm onThursday, May 5. Staff inside the polling station will ask for your name aYou can show them your poll card/notice if you have taken it, but you don’t need it to vote.All polling stations should have disabled access. If you need assistance with access, help filling in your ballot papers, or areto assist you.

Voting by postPostal voter poll cards will be delivered during the last week of March.This is to remind you that you have applied for a pApplications to vote by post will be accepted up until 5pm onThursday,April 14.Anyone aged 18 or over can apply for a postal vote.You do not need a reason to vote by post.A postal vote can be sent to your home address or any other address that you give.Postal votes can be sent overseas but you need to consider whether there will be enough time to receive and return youIf you no longer wish to vote by post, you can cancel your postal vote by writing to the electoral registration officer by 5p

When will you get your postal voting papers?Postal votes will be sent out fromTuesday April 19.Please remember to send back your postal vote as early as possible. If you haven’t received your postayou are registered to receive a postal vote and issue a replacement if necessary, up until 5pm on electi

I’ve spoilt/lost my ballot papers/postal voting statement.What do I do?You can get a replacement up until 5pm on election day. You must pick it up in person.If you have spoilt your ballot papers, you need to return the whole pack that was sent to you. A form of identification is rRemember, if you have applied to vote by post, you cannot vote in person at the polling station.

Voting by proxyApplications to vote by proxy will be accepted up until 5pm onThursday,April 21. If you become incapacitated after Apriaccepted up until 5pm on election day, subject to support by a prescribed relevant person. Contact us for further inform

XUK ParliamentaryVoting System Refere

Make sure nothing stopsYou should contact us if you have recently moved, changed your na

� Last day to submit a registration application form to be included on the Regi� Deadline to submit a new application for a postal vote – 5pm onThursday,A� Deadline to submit any changes to, or cancel existing postal or proxy votes –� Deadline to submit a new application for a proxy vote – 5pm onThursday,A� Deadline to apply for a proxy vote on grounds of a medical emergency – 5p

Importa

33

rch. Your poll card/notice will tell you where your

nd address and check you are on the electoral register.

unsure what to do, the polling station staff will be able

ostal vote.

ur ballot papers by election day.pm onThursday,April 14.

al vote byApril 27, contact us - we can checkon day.

required before a replacement ballot pack can be issued.

l 21, applications for an emergency proxy vote will beation.

endum and Local Election –Thursday,May 5 2011

s you from voting – register nowme, or your circumstances have changed in another way that may affect how you vote.

CONTACT US

Helpline:(0191) 643 2270Fax:(0191) 643 2430

Email:[email protected]

Web: www.northtyneside.gov.uk

Write or visit:Electoral ServicesNorthTyneside CouncilQuadrantThe Silverlink NorthCobalt Business ParkNorthTynesideNE27 0BY

ster of Electors (in order to be able to vote in the May election) –Thursday,April 14.April 14.– 5pm onThursday,April 14.April 21.pm on election day.

ant dates

widening horizons •December 201034

Free swims

Hadrian Leisure Centre – 3.30 to 4.30pm(Friday); 11am to 1pm (Saturday); 1 to3pm (Sunday).

Lakeside Centre – 5 to 6pm (Thursday);10.30am to 12.30pm (Saturday andSunday).

Tynemouth Pool – 4.30 to 5.30pm(Friday); 10.30am to 12.30pm (Saturdayand Sunday).

Waves – 4.30 to 5.30pm (Monday);10.30am to 12.30pm (Saturday); 3 to4.15pm (Sunday)

Healthy4Life

A free healthy lifestyle programme to

help children and families make positive

changes to maintain a healthy weight.

The clubs run at sports centres across

NorthTyneside and children take part in

fun sports and activity sessions. Families

can learn about healthy eating and how

to make a healthier lifestyle choice.

For children aged between 7 and 14.

(Children must attend with a parent or

guardian.)

To find out more, contact the Children’s

Health and ActivityTeam (CHAT) on

(0191) 643 6454 or email

[email protected]

Aqua natal classes

Expectant mums looking to keep fit can

try out the sessions atTynemouth Pool –

everyWednesday from 9.15 to 10am

and from 5 to 5.45pm.

The water-based activity uses resistancework without straining joints. Classes are£3.50 with a standard ease card and£2.50 with a priority ease card.

For more details, contact the pool on(0191) 643 2900.

Hadrian Leisure Centre

Junior dance mats (Saturday) – 1 to 2pmfor 6 to 8 year-olds;

2 to 3pm for 9 to 15 year-olds. £1.90 withease card.

Advanced circuits (Sunday) – 1.30 to2.30pm.Try this boot camp circuits class.You’ll be put through your paces! £4.30,£3.50 (with ease card) and £2.50(Priority ease card). Free for Contoursmembers.

For more details, phone the centre on(0191) 643 2025.

Keep up to date with our newelectronic newsletter!Signing up to receive the e-newsletteris an easy way of finding out what’shappening at all our leisure centres.

Just visit the council website – go to‘leisure centres’, see ‘promotions andoffers’ and register online.

Burradon Community Centrehas a programme of activities – forchildren and adults – every dayexcept Sunday.

Sessions include street dance, karate,dance mats, zumba and street soccer.Contact Donna Scott or HannahTurnbull on (0191) 643 7040 fortimes and prices.

It’s time to getactive!From aerobics to zumba – there’salways something new or differentto try out at your local leisurecentre.

Here are just some of the sessionscurrently available. For a full list ofwhat’s happening, ring your localcentre or visit the council website– www.northtyneside.gov.uk

WIDENING HORIZONS

Sport NorthTyneside

35

It’s time to getbowled over!

number of extra sessions at local bowlingclubs across NorthTyneside.

If you would like to find out about yourlocal bowling club and book a free ‘comeand try session’, please contact SportNorthTyneside on (0191) 643 7444.

Further information about the clubs inyour area can be found on thewww.sportnorthtyneside.org.uk website.

Raising awareness

Bowls North of theTyne, in partnershipwith the council’sWidening Horizons 4Sport initiative, is planning a series ofevents to help raise awareness of bowlsacross the borough and increaseparticipation.

Bowls North of theTyne has secured agrant from the Bowls Alliance which willallow a year-long calendar of events totake place across NorthTyneside,Newcastle and Northumberland.

The health and social benefits of bowlingcan be enjoyed by people of all ages andabilities.

A series of taster sessions are takingplace across the borough during May andclub members and coaches will be onhand to welcome anyone who wants togive it a go or just find out more.

The sessions will be held on Saturdays –May 7, 14, 21 and 28 – between 10am andnoon at:

� Innisfree BC – the Oxford Centre,Longbenton.

� Tynemouth Men’s BC –TynemouthPark.

� Collingwood –The Parks SportsCentre, North Shields.

Similar sessions are also planned forCowpen and Croften BC, Ponteland BCand Benfield.

In addition, theWidening Horizons 4Sport initiative will be supporting a

Would you like to tryyour hand at playingbowls?Well now youcan!

Plans for a new sports complexfor Seaton Burn have been giventhe green light by the Secretary ofState.

Detailed discussions can now starton developing the site, which will belocated on and alongside SeatonBurn recreation ground.

The new complex will include 10all-weather sports pitches, pitchand putt course, driving range andchildren’s play area.The existingbowling green and cricket pitchwill be retained.

A new indoor tennis centre hasopened at Churchill CommunityCollege,Wallsend.

It is hopedTennis @ Churchill –which has four courts – willencourage more people to takeup the game.

Students from the college will usethe centre during the day and itwill be available for tennis clubs andthe public during evenings andweekends.

A new £1.2m sports pavilion isproviding up-to-date facilities inForest Hall.

East Palmersville Sports Pavilion,off Great Lime Road, has replaceda dilapidated 40 year-old timbercommunity centre.

It features a multi-purpose activityhall, meeting room, changing rooms,kitchen, first-aid room and storageareas. Outside, there’s a floodlitmulti-use games area, footballpitches and car park.

SportsSHORTS

Businesswoman MelanieTorgersen is helping the easeEXTRA 60+ scheme to flourish.

Her flower shop, Bloomingdays, is the

latest business to support the initiative,

which provides a range of discounts for

local people aged over 60.

The shop in Front Street, Monkseaton,

joins the like of O2, Blue Reef Aquarium

and DFDS Seaways as members of the

council scheme.

“I’m delighted to be able to offer 10 per

cent off all flowers for cardholders,” she

said.“I’d encourage anyone who’s eligible

for a card to get one.

“The benefits, such as special rates at the

council’s leisure facilities, are excellent.

“Why pay more when you don’t have to?”

Having an ease EXTRA 60+ card entitlesyou to a variety of great benefits, including:

� Exclusive retail discounts and offers.

� Money off council services, including

gyms, exercise classes and allotments.

And combined membership of the

council’s libraries and leisure facilities means

there’s no need to carry two separate

cards.

Changes toease EXTRAcard scheme


It’s now easier for a young person

to get a 0-16 ease EXTRA card

and start reaping the benefits.

Since ease EXTRA’s launch in October

2009, more than 2,000 residents have

signed up to the scheme, which offers

combined library and leisure centre

membership plus exclusive deals from

a host of organisations.

There has been low demand for 17-24

ease EXTRA cards so we’ve stopped

issuing them but the 0-16 card has proved

popular.

However, many young people who want a

0-16 card told us the PASS proof of age

element prevented them applying because

it meant they had to provide a passport.

We have now removed the PASS hologram

from the card, meaning a passport is no

longer required. Existing cards will still

provide valid proof of age.

Meanwhile, although the concessionary

travel element of the card has been quite

well used, Nexus is introducing new smart

card technology to its travel passes, which is

incompatible with ease EXTRA cards.

Initiative continues to grow

As a result, new cards no longer include

concessionary travel. Existing ease EXTRA

cards cannot be used as a concessionary

travel pass after July 31, 2011.

The 0-16 ease EXTRA card and ease

EXTRA 60+ card (for residents aged 60

and over) are available from all leisure

centres and libraries.

For further information, visit

www.northtyneside.gov.uk

Take the pain outof planning yourstreet party

37

This historic image ofresidents in the Bull Ring,North Shields, having aVictoryTea to mark the endof the FirstWorldWar,was provided by the council’sLocal Studies Centre.

Whether researching your village, the

history of your house, local industry

or your family tree, the service at the

Central Library in Northumberland

Square, North Shields, is the place

to start.

The centre collects and makes

available material relating to the

people and places that make up the

borough, including census returns,

more than 50,000 photographs, maps

and newspapers dating back to 1854,

as well as a vast amount of cuttings

and other materials.

If you would like to get in touch with

the team, phone (0191) 643 5270

or email

[email protected]

Centreopens awindowon past

The RoyalWedding takes place onFriday,April 29, and some residentsmay wish to celebrate the marriageof PrinceWilliam and Kate Middletonby organising their own streetparty.

Street parties can be an enjoyable way for

neighbours to meet one another and build

community spirit.

Organising an event is usually very

straightforward and, if it’s classed as a ‘small

scale community event’, only requires filling

in a simple form.

Please get in touch with our events team

as soon as possible to discuss your plans.

They will confirm if it’s a small scale

community event – organised by and for

residents in one or two small streets – and

then ask you to complete the form.

Remember to consult your neighbours and

other local residents who may be affected

by the street party.

If it’s a larger event, the team can advise if

some form of insurance policy may be

needed and liaise with other council

departments such as highways and licensing

where necessary.

For further information, contact the events

team on (0191) 643 7409 or email

[email protected]

Royal occasion: PrinceWilliamand Kate Middleton are due

to marry on April 29.


A new initiative aims to reduce thenumber of young people drinkingalcohol and make communitiessafer for local residents.

The multi-agency 'OffWatch' project isdesigned to reduce kerbside drinking byyoung people and provide them with arange of activities on Friday and Saturdayevenings.

The locations of the sessions were agreedafter consultations with various groups ofyoung people.

In addition to the activities, youth workersare working with young people in thesouth east of the borough who have beenaffected by drinking and other riskybehaviour.

The initiative also aims to raise awarenessthat risky behaviour can have a negativeimpact on personal health and wellbeing.

More than 20 retailers in the NorthShields area have signed up to ‘OffWatch’by agreeing to mark cheaper alcohol –often bought by under-age drinkers – witha special code.

If found in the possession of young people,police and council staff can then track anybottles and cans back to the source andtake the necessary action.

Police in North Shields are working closelywith the council’s trading standards teamto offer support to off-licence staff andremind them of the need to remain vigilantso that alcohol does not get into the handsof children.

If you would like more information on‘OffWatch’, please visit the council website:www.northtyneside.gov.uk

Project aims tocurb under-agedrinking

The ‘Off Watch’ initiative involves

the council, police, local primary

care trust, Norham Community

Technology College (full service

extended school),YMCA North

Tyneside and Phoenix Detached

Youth Project .

The aims are to provide a wide

range of opportunities for young

people and to benefit residents by

creating safer communities.

Joining forces

You can help to reduce the amountof alcohol being passed on toyounger people. If you find a bottlein the street labelled ‘Safer NorthTyneside’ please:

� Make a note of the code on thebottle, the type of alcohol itcontained and where you found it.

� Call North ShieldsNeighbourhood PoliceTeam on03456 043 043 and give thecode on the bottle.

It is important that shops which maybe selling alcohol to young people,or have a problem with proxy sales,are identified.

Any person over 18 found to bebuying alcohol for younger peoplewill be prosecuted and banned fromentering shops supporting thescheme.

(Please note: Residents over 18should not report bottles bought fortheir own use – as this is not illegal.)

How youcan help

Elected Mayor Linda Arkley and othercivic leaders were among the first totravel through the newTyneTunnelwhen it opened to motorists last month.

“This is a fantastic milestone,” said MrsArkley.“It will strengthen the region’stransport network and make usincreasingly attractive for business andfurther investment.”

The new tunnel is operating with onelane in each direction while the originaltunnel is closed for refurbishment. Bothtunnels are expected to be open totraffic by the beginning of 2012.

A new book, detailing the history ofthe Spanish City Dome, is on sale for£12.99 at local libraries, touristinformation centres and St Mary’sLighthouse.

The Dome of Memories is based on lastyear’s successful exhibition, whichattracted more than 15,000 visitors,and includes previously unpublishedplans and photographs.

Copies are also on sale at localbookshops or by phoning Chris Bishopat NorthTyneside Council on(0191) 643 7413 or [email protected]

A long-established restaurant – amongthe first to benefit from a council grantsscheme – has won a national award.

Pantrini’s inWhitley Bay picked up thestaff training and development categoryat the annual National Fish & ChipAwards.

The restaurant received a £5,000 grantin 2009 to improve its shop frontage.The grants scheme is part of thecouncil’s response to helping localbusinesses in the current economicclimate.

News inBRIEF

39

Developers have confirmed plansto revamp North Shields andWallsend shopping centres.

And the public have a chance to give theirviews on the proposals at two special areaforums, organised by the council.

In North Shields, Baronsgate Estatesproposes to increase retail space at theBeacon Centre by 10,000ft and reconfigurethe existing layout to accommodate a newinternal second mall with 10 new shops.

The town is already the focus of majorinvestment by Nexus, which is carrying outa £3m rebuild of the station as part of itsMetro:all change programme.

When completed, the station will providea new gateway to the shopping centre witha bright new entrance concourse withshops and lifts to platforms for the firsttime.

InWallsend, the Forum shopping centrehas recently been acquired by NewRiver.

The council has confirmed its commitmentto work with the new owners by signinga Memorandum of Understanding with

NewRiver to significantly invest in andregenerate the shopping centre andsurrounding area.

Elected Mayor Linda Arkley said:“The shopping centres of North ShieldsandWallsend are at the heart of ourregeneration plans for both towns.

“These proposals mark a commitment by

the developers to invest in their growthand future success.The special area

forums are providing the public with anopportunity to see what is planned, and

ask any questions they may have.”

� The proposals for North Shields willbe displayed at a special area forum atthe Saville Exchange, Saville Street, on

Monday, March 21 (6.30 to 8.30pm).

� The plans forWallsend will bedisplayed at a special area forum inThe Forum Shopping Centre,WallsendonTuesday, March 22 (6.30 to 8.30pm).

Exciting plansfor town centres


The Business Factory putsthe spark into enterprise!

Flying Sparks is an exciting

new competition to discover

enterprising local people and

put them firmly in the spotlight.

The team atThe Business Factory are

looking for the most enterprising people

in NorthTyneside – Flying Sparks is

open to anyone living in the borough

(aged over 16) with a spark of an idea

for a business.

All you have to do is pitch your

business idea to a panel of entrepreneurs,

who will choose three winners to

receive intensive start-up support

packages to develop their idea.

The awards include:

� Youth Award for Under-25s

� Best Social Enterprise Idea

� Overall Flying Spark Award

The competition will take place on

Thursday, March 24, between 10am and

7pm, at the Saville Exchange in North

Shields.

The winners, or ‘Brightest Sparks’, will

get a Business in a Box fromTEDCO

containing all the information needed to

start up in business, including free business

cards and sales contacts.They will also

receive marketing and research support

fromTEDCO and a brand new NetBook.

The Business Factory’s ‘Ideas

Bank’ is a database of business

ideas and opportunities specific

to NorthTyneside. It is an online

service that clients can log into

and browse at their leisure.

If you’d prefer a morepersonal service, the IdeasTeam will be delivering thefollowing workshops tohelp you develop your ideasand start making somemoney!

It covers a range of different sectors

from manufacturing, retail and beauty

therapy to online ventures such as

setting up an eBay store.

The Ideas Bank now has nearly 400

opportunities for potential businesses,

including everything from online

ventures to franchises.Visit:

www.businessfactorynt.co.uk.

Everyone who enters Flying

Sparks will receive free one-to-one

support from the Enterprise

CoachingTeam atThe Business

Factory – so no-one will be leaving

empty-handed.

To take part in the Flying Sparks

competition, please call

(0191) 263 6092 or email

[email protected]

Need abusinessidea?

Workshops

41

The Business Factory is basedat 86 High StreetWest,Wallsend NE28 8HY.You can also call(0191) 263 6092 or email:[email protected]

Healthy eating ison the cardsTwo entrepreneurs are bringingfresh fruit and veg to the doorsof local residents with their jointventure, Harvest2Home.

CraigThompson, 31, and Graeme

Cansdale, 39, both fromWallsend, have

set up a service that allows customers

to order fruit and vegetables that are

delivered to the door.

The idea to set up Harvest2Home came

to Craig after he began researching his

family history and discovered that his great-

great-grandfather ran Atkinsons, a popular

local grocery shop where coincidentally,

Graeme’s mother had been an employee.

With their idea ready and even a name for

the business in mind, Craig and Graeme

contactedThe Business Factory to find out

how they could develop their business.

The Business Factory, on High StreetWest

inWallsend, is the council’s one-stop shop

for budding entrepreneurs.

Craig said:“I’d worked on a previous idea

with our business adviser, GeorgeWafer,

so I was keen to seek his advice when

Graeme and I decided to go for it and start

Harvest2Home.”

George provided practical advice on

starting up, such as conducting market

research and clarifying the logistics of

running a business.

“We took his advice on board,” said

Graeme.“We’ve been delivering fresh

produce direct to people’s doors now for

several months and things are looking

great as we head into 2011.”

Harvest2Home buys fresh fruit and

vegetables daily from local traders and

delivers pre-ordered selections direct to

the customer in recyclable boxes.They

also include herbs, spices and recipe cards

specific to the ingredients the customers

purchase.

By offering new and traditional recipes that

use the ingredients they deliver, Craig and

Graeme hope their customers will enjoy

seasonal food, produce less waste and save

money.

As the business progresses, the pair hope

to start working in schools to promote

healthy eating to students.

For more information about

Harvest2Home, or to place an order,

visit www.harvest-2-home.co.uk or call

0797 444 5113.

� Sales – Thursday, March 24 (9.30am to 11am) at the Bradbury Centre,North Shields.

� Market research – Monday,April 4 (1pm to 2.30pm) at HowdonCommunity Centre.

� Networking – Monday,April 11 (1pm to 2.30pm) at HowdonCommunity Centre.

� Should I take on a franchise? –Wednesday,April 13 (6pm to 8pm)at Newcastle BusinessVillage, Benton.

� Marketing – Monday,April 18 (1pm to 2.30pm) at Howdon CommunityCentre.

42 widening horizons

Young people in the borough haveelected Rebecca Leighton as theirnewYoung Mayor.

Rebecca, a student at StThomas More

High School, polled 2,836 of the 5,993

votes cast.

She took over from the previous holder of

the post, John Akinropo, at the beginning of

December.

The ballot was combined with elections for

NorthTyneside’sYouth Council and around

14,500 young people were eligible to vote.

Rebecca said:“I’m really overwhelmed to

have won and very grateful for the votes

and support. My family and school have

been especially supportive.”

Her manifesto included a promise to

improve perceptions of young people and

that’s now her priority.

“I’d like to improve the image of young

people, especially among older people

and I definitely want to carry on with

the intergenerational work that my

predecessor, John Akinropo, began,”

she added.

Elected Mayor Linda Arkley presented

Rebecca with her medal of office (below)

and witnessed the signing of theYoung

Mayor’s pledge.

She said:“I am looking forward to working

with Rebecca over the coming year and

together I hope we can make some real

improvements for young people.”

TheYoung Mayor andYouth Cabinet act

as representatives for the borough’s young

people and play an active role in the

development of services for them.

Rebecca is thenewYoung Mayor

Solar panels could be installed on

homes and buildings across the

borough.

The initiative would cut the council’s

carbon footprint, reduce fuel bills for

tenants and other householders, and

generate income for the authority.

Under the government-backed scheme,

installers would fit and maintain the

solar panels on suitable buildings at no

cost to council tenants or homeowners.

Richardson Dees Park – which forms

part ofWallsend Parks – has opened

an outdoor gym.

The gym includes stretching points,

sit-up benches and a ski stepper and is

situated next to the south gate on

Kings Road South.

The outdoor gym is one of the first

projects planned forWallsend Parks as

part of a £7m regeneration scheme.

Howdon Children’s Centre is staging a

day of fun activities on Saturday, March

26 to mark its 10th anniversary.

The event will be opened at 11am by

Newcastle Falcons star MickyWard and

there will be guest appearances by

favouriteTV characters.

Other activities include face painting,

balloon modelling, arts and crafts, and a

fancy dress parade. NorthTyneside

Steel Band and the Sea Cadets Display

Band will be performing.

News inBRIEF

43

We all take for granted the factthat our toilets flush but flushingaway other items can bedangerous and damaging to theenvironment.

Our sewerage systems were only designed

to deal with three things – urine, faeces

and toilet tissue.Anything else can cause

real problems.

It may be a case of ‘out of sight, out of

mind’ but items such as tampons, sanitary

towels, nappies, wet wipes and cotton buds

can all cause blockages in the drains, the

sewers or at the treatment works.

Unblocking the sewerage system is

expensive for NorthumbrianWater and if

you block your household drain it could

cost you a lot of money to get someone to

clear it.

It’s possible that some items, such as

condoms or used needles, can end up on

beaches or riverbanks. Not only do they

look unsightly but they can cause harm to

a young child or wildlife.

Please make sure that you dispose of your

personal waste in a responsible way.

Items such as disposable nappies, sanitary

towels, tampons and condoms should be

wrapped well and put in the bin along with

other household waste.

Unwanted oil, paint and chemicals should

be taken to the council’s recycling centre

for safe disposal. (If the material reaches

the sewage treatment works, it will kill the

natural bugs that clean the sewage.)

Grease and cooking fatshould never be poureddown the sink because it willcool, solidify and graduallyblock the pipe.

Instead, let it solidify and put it into a

container in your bin or mix it with

seeds and make fat balls for the

birds in your garden!

Used cooking oil should be allowed

to cool, poured into an old

container and put in the bin.

Small amounts can be mopped up

with kitchen towels and binned.

Around 75 per cent of blocked

drains are caused by sanitary

protection products.

An estimated 9,000 tonnes of

sanitary plastics and flushed waste

items are removed from sewage by

NorthumbrianWater every year.

Tampons can take six months to

biodegrade in the sea while plastics

can remain in the environment

almost indefinitely.

Nationally, the clean-up bill is around

£14bn every year.

To find out more, visitthe NorthumbrianWaterwebsite – www.nwl.co.uk

Think beforeyou flush

Factfile

Put your sinkon a fat-freediet!

Help keep it clean: The wrong items flusheddown the toilet can end up on the beach.They look unsightly and could be harmful tochildren or wildlife.


Paula has been with the councilsince 1994 and has managed theFostering Service for eight years.

Her job is to make sure children and young

people from NorthTyneside, who can’t live

at home with their parents, are found a

loving and supportive foster family that’s

right for them.

There are 11 social workers in her team,

supported by one fostering recruiter and

trainer and three administrators.

9am

I call into our offices atWallsendTown Hall

to pick up some files before I head out to a

‘second opinion’ visit with a couple who’ve

applied to be foster carers.

They’ve already been assessed by one of

our social workers, and now I’m going to

see them for myself. I’ve read the social

worker’s report and I need to make sure

our judgments are the same.

I do this with each and every one of our

prospective foster carers, so I know we’re

getting the right people for the job. I also

enjoy meeting them and putting a face to

a form.

11.30am

I’m back at the office to write up my

report on the visit.The couple seem very

capable and have all the qualities we’re

looking for.

My report is detailed and takes me around

two hours. I file it with their fostering

assessment, and they’ll both be presented

when the couple’s application goes to our

fostering panel for a final decision, later in

the month.

1.30pm

I wander alongWallsend High Street to

buy a sandwich for my lunch. I bring it back

to the office, and make time to catch up

with some of the team who are also having

lunch.

2.15pm

I catch up on some paperwork, which

includes verifying some Criminal Record

Bureau (CRB) checks.All our carers go

through rigorous checks – and the CRB

check is repeated every three years, for as

long as the carer remains approved by us.

I also look through some post-placement

questionnaires which have just arrived.

The questionnaires are completed by

everyone involved in a fostering placement

– including the child, the carer, the birth

parent and the social worker. It’s great

when they’re all positive and the child is

doing well. It’s one of the best parts ofthe job.

3.30pm

I’m off to a meeting of the NorthTynesideFostering Network.This is a group offoster carers who meet regularly as acommittee, to represent all our carers.The committee are elected, and carers cantake issues to the network if they don’t feelcomfortable bringing them to me or myteam.

There are no issues to raise today so thegroup are discussing their next social event– an Easter party. Our carers find regularsocial events really valuable and it alsomeans the children they look after, andtheir own children, get a chance to socialisewith each other.

A day in the life of . . .fostering service manager Paula Gibbons

45

5pm

I’m back atWallsendTown Hall for the

monthly ChildrenWho Foster group.This is

for birth children whose parents have

chosen to foster, to help them with their

experiences of sharing their home with a

foster child.

The sessions give the kids some space and

attention of their own, and they’re really

good fun.We tuck into some drinks and

snacks before the group start looking at a

new web area they’re helping to develop.

They’re also designing a new logo for their

group as they think the old one is a bit out

of date!

7pm

I arrive home a bit later than normal, so

my son is just finishing his homework.

We watch someTV together and I find out

what he’s been up to. However, I’m still on

Have you gotthe skills tofoster?

Are you?� Energetic and enthusiastic

� Resilient and positive

� Firm and fair

� Consistent and caring

Do you?� Have experience with children

� Have room in your home

What you get inreturn� Fees of up to £500 a week, paid

for 52 weeks a year

� An allowance per child

� 24-hour support

� Full and ongoing training

� 14 days paid holiday a year

We urgently need more foster carers

in NorthTyneside. If you’d like to find

out more about fostering with us,

call (0191) 643 2540 or visit


call until 8.30am tomorrow morning,

which means I’m available to offer

telephone support to foster carers who

might need extra help. I can also organise

emergency foster care if it’s needed.

11pm

I get a call from a foster carer about a

young lad who hasn't returned home to

his placement after going out with

friends.The lad has just been placed with

this carer, and this isn’t the first time he’s

been late.As we’re talking, he arrives

back, which is a relief but we agree that

her supervising social worker will get in

touch tomorrow and offer help and

support in dealing with this behaviour.

11.30pm

I head to bed, although my mobile will

stay switched on and right next to me

all night.

You can apply directly forcouncil or social housing inNorthTyneside atwww.nthomefinder.co.uk

Did you know?


These designs give an excitingglimpse into the future of shelteredaccommodation in NorthTyneside.

They show how the council’s Quality

Homes for Older People initiative is set

to transform housing for older people,

delivering more than 900 new and

refurbished homes in the borough.

It will involve extensively refurbishing 16

existing sheltered schemes and building

10 new ones.The works will also include

communal facilities, landscaped gardens

and energy efficiency measures.

The council has been awarded £112.5m

in PFI credits towards the project. Elected

Mayor Linda Arkley lobbied ministers last

year for the continued support of the

initiative, which has been confirmed.

NorthTyneside is currently in discussions

with two bidders, Solutions for North

Tyneside andTyneCare, over which will

carry out the refurbishment and

construction work.

The successful company will also be

responsible for the repair and maintenance

of the buildings and their gardens for 30

years.

As part of the process, the bidders have

been gathering views, preferences and

ideas from tenants regarding the designs

for their buildings.

Feedback has also helped demonstrate the

importance of other elements such as

better security, improved heating control in

individual apartments and buggy stores for

mobility scooters.

Once the final bidder is chosen, tenants

will be able to have their say about the

decorative finish within their homes and

the communal facilities.

Schemes lookpicture perfect

The care received by strokesurvivors in NorthTyneside isamong the best in the country.

A national review by the Care Quality

Commission into how patients are

supported with life after stroke rated

the borough as “best performing” –

the highest category available.

Areas that were highlighted for

particular praise included:

� Managing a smooth transfer home

from hospital.

� Early discharge from hospital

supported by good community care

packages.

� Good support carers, enabling family

members to care for people at home

following a stroke.

� Reviewing progress and checking up on

how people were doing.

� Helping people to choose the right

services.

More than 5,000 NorthTyneside residents

have had a stroke. Providing better stroke

Praise for stroke servicesservices and working to prevent

strokes in those at risk is a joint priority

for the council and NHS services in the

borough.

Stroke service development is included

in the joint commissioning strategy

between the council’s adult social care

service and NHS North ofTyne. It also

forms part of the work for a new joint

commissioning structure, which includes

GP consortia.

Artist’s impressions:Top – Crummock Court (TyneCare);Bottom –Victoria Court(Solutions for NorthTyneside).

If you are over 65 and have extracosts because of long-term healthproblems or disability, you may beentitled to claimAttendanceAllowance.

You could be eligible if you find it difficult

to manage some personal care tasks – like

getting in and out of bed, dressing, bathing

or eating – or if you need someone to

keep you safe.

Lesley Crawford, welfare benefits

co-ordinator with the council, said people

could qualify for the allowance even if they

didn’t have a package of care from social

services.

“It doesn’t matter how much pension or

savings you have,” she added.“These will

not be taken into consideration in assessing

your entitlement.

“You can even qualify if you live alone

and can only manage to do things by

yourself with a struggle.”

Attendance Allowance is currently paid

at two weekly rates – £47.80 or £71.40

and is based on the help someone needs,

not the condition of their health.

It is a tax-free benefit and will not reduce

other benefits, such as Pension Credit,

Housing or Council Tax Benefit.

In some cases, it can actually lead to a

substantial increase in those benefits, so

make sure you let the people who pay

your benefits know about your award.

Changes to Housing and Council Tax

Benefit - see page 57.

Benefit can providea big helping hand

47

You can request special orbulky waste collections atwww.northtyneside.gov.uk –a quick link is available under the‘Request or apply for it’ tab.

Did you know?

Better qualityof life

For more information

To find out more about

Attendance Allowance, please visit

www.direct.gov.uk or call the

Department forWork and Pensions

helpline on 0800 882200.

You may also be able to get more

details from your local NorthTyneside

Citizens Advice Bureau or Age UK

(formerly Age Concern).

George and Gillian Charman,of North Shields, weresurprised and delighted whenGeorge was awardedAttendance Allowance.

“We’d always been used to providing

for ourselves,” said Gillian.“It never

crossed my mind we might be eligible

for any benefits.

“Now we can be much more

independent. It gives us more to

look forward to and a better quality

of life.”

More independence:Gillian andGeorge Charman.

49

It gives guidance for councils to publish

their own local strategy around autism –

NorthTyneside’s draft strategy will be

agreed in March and then published on the

council’s website.

The local authority provides funds for

NorthTyneside Carers’ Centre to host a

monthly support group for carers of adults

with autism.

The group meets on the secondTuesday

of each month (10am to noon) at the

carers centre –Third Floor,YMCA Building,

ChurchWay, North Shields.

If you would like to know more, please

telephone the carers centre on 643 2298

or email [email protected]

Meanwhile, Pam Lawrence from the

North East Autism Consortium is working

with councils in the region to involve

people with autism and their families in

developing their plans.

If you would like to know more, please

telephone Pam on 0776 042 0251 or

email [email protected]

Autism strategydeveloped

Last year, the government

published a national strategy for

autism, called ‘Towards Fulfilling

and Rewarding Lives’.

Special eventSeveral groups – Education and

Services for People with Autism

(ESPA), Main Project, Daisy Chain and

the North East Autism Consortium –

are organising a two-day event to

markWorld Autism Day on April 2.

Friday,April 1 sees a conference –

free to all members of families with

autism – at MiddlesbroughTeaching

and Learning Centre, Cargo Fleet

Lane, Middlesbrough.

The following day sees a family

fun-day at Daisy Chain's Centre,

Middlesbrough. If you would like more

details, please contact Gill Linfoot

on (0191) 516 5080 or email

[email protected]

Spotlight onautismAutistic spectrum disorders(ASDs) are lifelong,developmental disabilities thataffect the way a personcommunicates and relates topeople around them.

People with autism havedifficulties in developingrelationships, understandingthe feelings of other peopleand the social norms aroundcommunication.

Widening horizons •March 201150

Your local involvement network is currentlyseeking more volunteers to ‘enter andview’ care services in NorthTyneside.

Volunteers visit health and care facilities tolook at the services they provide and listento the views of users, carers and staff.Their feedback will help the council makesure residents are getting the best qualityof care.

What would I have to do?

If you are visiting a care home, you look athow welcoming and comfortable it is andwhether it is clean and well maintained.

You listen to service users’ views on thequality and choice of food, the activitieson offer and the support they get.

You find out if they have choice andcontrol over their lives, such as when theygo to bed or wake up in the morning andwhether they can have a say about howthe service is run.

Who can become an ‘enter andview’ volunteer?

You can become a volunteer if you havean interest and some personal experience,or knowledge, of health and care services.You need to be a good listener, able tocommunicate with people and write upwhat you have seen and heard on yourvisit. You need to have the time to carryout the visits, and meet and train withother volunteers and the LINk team.

Mary Ayre joined NorthTyneside LINk’steam of ‘enter and view’ volunteers lastyear and, along with her colleagues, hasbeen talking to patients about the qualityof care at NorthTyneside General Hospital.

Mary said:“Being approached by strangerswho want to ask questions can be alarmingso we put the patient at their ease byexplaining why we are there. Some patientsare reluctant at first but soon are happy totell us their hospital experiences.”

The volunteers have to relay theinformation to hospital managers in a waythat doesn’t come across as criticism butdoes get over the views of the patients.They also make sure they include the manypositive things that patients have to sayabout hospital staff and the care theyreceived.

“It is important the hospital staff understandthe ‘enter and view’ volunteers are passing

on the patient’s words,” added Mary.“We are the patient’s messengers ratherthan giving our personal opinions on theservices.”

Mary found the ‘enter and view’ trainingsessions interesting and comprehensive.

She said:“I have learnt such a lot, met somany people with various skills who alsowant to offer their time but, most of all, Iam pleased to be able, in a small way, tocontribute something to the community.”

Got something tosay about health andsocial care servicesin NorthTyneside?Join LINk, your localinvolvement network, andhave a stronger voice.

Through LINk you can keep

up-to-date on health and social care

changes, give your views at events

and by completing surveys, represent

LINk at partnership meetings or join

the LINk Board.

Find out more about LINk –

call us on (0191) 200 1429, email

[email protected] or visit

www.linknorthtyneside.org.uk

Will I get any training?

Yes.All ‘enter and view’ volunteers mustattend our training before they do anyvisiting.You will meet other volunteers andfind out more about what is expected.

For more information, contact JohanneMears or Alison Chalmers at LINk on(0191) 200 1429 or email [email protected]

Help us toimprove services

Mary’s story

NorthTyneside LINk gives

individuals, groups and organisations

in the borough a stronger voice on

health and social care issues.

51

Making more of life at Cedar Grove

The centre inWallsend is now open longerand at weekends – Monday to Friday, 8amto 8pm; Saturday and Sunday, 8am to 4pm.There is so much happening you don’twant to miss. (Cedar Grove is for peoplesupported to access daytime activities.)

Making more of life by receivinginformation and advice

Our team gives free, confidential andimpartial advice to older people and theircarers.We can help with welfare benefits,pension, tax and other financial matters,housing and property, health & social care,your rights, local services and so muchmore!

Making more of life throughemployment, learning and personaldevelopment

Back on Board (BOB) offers professionalguidance to people looking for employmentand how to develop skills, knowledge,talents and potential. There is one-to-oneguidance, group activities and a weekly jobsclub helping job seekers to look for work,share skills and experience.

Making more of life with IT for All

At the Bradbury Centre, we offer shortcomputer courses and our team will guideyou through a course to meet your needs.We take IT into the community, too.Using laptops, the team will visit shelteredhousing, community centres and othervenues to help those less mobile to usecomputers and access the internet withconfidence.

Making more of life in Jarretts’Coffee Shop at the BradburyCentre

Nothing beats a coffee and a chat, so popalong and enjoy the delights that our coffeeshop can offer. There is always a friendlyface and someone to talk too!We areopen Monday to Friday, 10am to 2pm.

Making more of life with insuranceand other products

Age UK Enterprises offers a wide range ofproducts and services which are designedwith the over-50s in mind. Give us a call tosee what we can offer.

Making more of life across theborough

There is always something happening on astreet near you! Our community team iseverywhere, offeringTai Chi, line dancing,walking, strength and balance classes,knitting, lunch clubs and much more.

Making more of life with OPEN(Older People’s EngAGEmentNetwork)

OPEN is our way to hear what olderpeople think and give them a voice to havea greater influence over the services andissues that affect them in their community.

Come on and make more of lifewith Age UK NorthTyneside

It’s time for change!Life never stands still and we should embrace new

opportunities where we can. AtAge UK NorthTyneside,

we’re all about ‘Making more of life’.

And that is exactly what we are doing.

Age UK NorthTyneside

Bradbury Centre,13 Saville StreetWest, North Shields

Telephone: (0191) 280 8484

[email protected]

Widening horizons •March 201152

NorthTyneside’s ‘New Direction:Delivering Change, Efficiency andImprovement Plan’ will help the councilbecome more efficient and its servicesmore effective to local needs.

It will also prepare the authority for aradical and comprehensive reform to meetfuture challenges and provide more choiceand diversity in public services, in line withcentral government guidance.

However, the council’s core principle – to

deliver services to the public that meet

local needs – will remain.

Elected Mayor Linda Arkley said:“If the

council is to protect frontline services and

focus on improving outcomes for people,

then a radical and comprehensive reform

of how we do things is needed.

“We have already carried out an initial

review of the cost of all our services –

taking account of the views of our

residents, staff, businesses, community and

voluntary sector and neighbouring

authorities.

“The Change, Efficiency and

Improvement Plan sets us on a new

direction that will enable us to meet the

challenges, take on board the

opportunities and become a responsive

organisation that puts residents and

taxpayers first.”

A report on the new four-year plan was

submitted to a meeting of the council’s

Cabinet on Monday, March 7.

Its programme will aim to deliver £40m

of efficiencies, improve service quality,

strengthen the resilience of the

organisation, improve customer

experience and protect jobs locally.

This will be achieved through a

programme of 21 projects under four

themes:

� Service reform and rationalisation

� Reducing overheads

� Putting customers first

� Releasing the potential of the

workforce.

A key aspect of delivering service reform

and rationalisation will be sharing services

with other organisations.

Initial discussions are already being held

with Northumberland County Council and

Northumbria Healthcare NHSTrust

around five service areas.

New directionfor public servicesThe council has unveiled a

four-year plan that will establish a

new direction for public services

in the borough.

Your council

53

To reduce its overheads, thecouncil will be focusing onachieving efficiencies in its£154m budget for purchasingsupplies and services; £11.5mof spending on its propertyportfolio and £7.2m spending ontransport and vehicle requirementsfor its services.

Cutting the council’s £13m annual

energy and waste management bill will

also be a priority.

By achieving efficiencies, the programme

will be able to invest in improving the

experience of its customers, including

updating its technology and management

of knowledge, rolling out a network of

joint service centres and customer

‘touch points’ and establishing a

consistent and improved approach to

customer service.

In these changing and challengingtimes, the council must make sureit is using its resources to deliverthe key priorities for the borough.

It has developed a plan to set out how

this will be done over the next four years,

called theWidening Horizons Strategic

Plan.

The plan takes on board feedback from

residents on what is most important to

them and what they want to see

happening in the borough.

It sets out five key priorities:

� Our people

� Our businesses

� Our resources

� Our environment

� Our place

The plan highlights what the council will

do to make sure it is delivering what the

people of NorthTyneside need – both

now and in the future – as well as ensuring

that every penny spent of local taxpayers’

money provides excellent value for money.

It is based on four core principles, which

are at the heart of everything the council

does – ensuring residents have access to

excellent services; promoting the borough

as the first choice for businesses; widening

horizons for all our residents and visitors;

recognising the needs of a growing, and

changing, population.

Council staff are a key part of the

project, which will be delivered

through internal expertise and within

existing resources.

The focus of this aspect of the

project will be to develop leadership

and equip staff to rise to challenges;

better workforce planning and

harnessing the expertise of employees,

who have already identified potential

savings of £500,000.

Business plans will be produced by

the summer and these will form the

basis of the Council Plan and budget

proposals for 2012/13 and beyond.

Efficiency drive

Strategic Planwill deliverkey priorities

�


Here are some examples ofwhat the council is doing oneach of the five priorities inthe Strategic Plan.

Our people – giving every familythe opportunity to have an excellent

quality of life and supporting all children to

achieve their potential.

This priority will deliver new learning

opportunities, through apprenticeships and

work-based learning, including more skills

and enterprise centres.

There will be targeted support for children

and young people who are

underperforming and specialist support for

families with specific needs or living in

deprived neighbourhoods.

The initiatives offered by the council will

support residents to take independent

decisions to access health, social care and

other support they need, such as help to

tackle debt.

We will make sure that suitable housing is

available for everyone.This will include:

� Nearly £15m being invested in council

housing with new UPVC doors,

windows and double glazing for all

properties by the end of 2011/12.

� Improved homes for older people –

the Quality Homes for Older People

project – which will see 10 new

sheltered schemes and another 16

refurbished.

� Working in partnership with developers,

housing associations, private landlords

and housebuilders to deliver a mix of

housing for the borough – from

executive to affordable homes.

OurWidening Horizons 4 All programme

will continue to involve people in new

activities and opportunities. It has already

been a major success with more than

25,000 children and young people getting

involved in sports and arts activities.

2012 has been designatedYear of the

Games and NorthTyneside’s residents will

be asked to celebrate the London

Olympics and Paralympics in a borough-

wide programme of events.

Our businesses – creating astrong framework to support all businesses

and enterprises to flourish and to improve

economic opportunities.

This will include:

� Work to regenerate the North Bank of

theTyne.The potential growth of North

Sea wind farms could create 17,000

jobs in the North East, in areas

including the manufacture of wind

turbine equipment, fabrication,

installation, management and

maintenance.The council is working

with public and private sector partners

to bring new investment to the area -

and deliver a new LearningVillage

where local people can develop the

skills needed by new employers.

� The council will support business and

enterprise through its Business Forum

– with the aim of expanding the

borough’s economy and providing

more jobs. Businesses will be helped to

access Business Rate relief.

Your council

55

Our resources – responding tothe reduction in public expenditure by

changing what the council does, and how it

does it, to cut costs and inefficiency and

ensure services provide the best possible

value.

As across all areas of the country, the

council is facing a cut in spending over the

next four years.The Strategic Plan puts in

place a programme to reduce waste, drive

out inefficiencies and eradicate duplication.

The programme will look at how the

council provides all its services, ensuring

they are based on need and can deliver the

best value for money.

Where it can provide better value for

money, the council will consider sharing

services with other local authorities, as well

as looking at different ways to deliver services.

As part of this, the council will improve its

customer services – enabling residents to

have their queries dealt with speedily and

accurately, whether in person, by phone or

online.

Our environment – to makeliving and visiting NorthTyneside a great

experience, where the quality of life is

good, communities are safe and

neighbourhoods clean and green.

This will include:

� Providing high quality facilities and

places to go – parks, sports and leisure

facilities, and places for children and

young people.

� Reducing the council’s energy

consumption and waste.

� Improving the environment.

� Working with partners to tackle

alcohol-related crime and reducing

offending behaviour.

� Improving roads and pavements.

� Encouraging tourism – helped by a

programme of festivals and events.

� Developing the borough’s retail centres,

not justWallsend, North Shields,

Whitley Bay and Killingworth but also

the seven district centres atTynemouth,

Battle Hill, Collingwood Centre, Forest

Hall, Longbenton, Monkseaton and

Whitley Lodge.

� Regenerating the North Bank of the

Tyne and delivering the regeneration of

Wallsend town centre.

Our place – encouraging residentsto have a greater say and take responsibilityin their communities through a Big Societyapproach.

There are three key elements:

� Encouraging individuals to give time,effort or money.

� Strengthening community and voluntarysector organisations so they cansupport different ways of public service

delivery.

� Empowering people to become moreinvolved in decisions and theircommunities.The council is creating aBig Society Investment Fund of

£100,000 to support this work.

This will build on the structures already inplace, such as the council’s area forums andarea housing forums.

Visit the council website –www.northtyneside.gov.uk – to find outmore about the Strategic Plan.

For more information about the

Big Society in NorthTyneside, see p15.

Gain a City & Guilds qualificationin English or maths

Level One is equivalent to GCSEgrade D to GLevel Two is equivalent toGCSE grade A to C

We can help you prepare for thequalification, whether you need just a fewhours practice or up to 72 hours worthof tuition – and it’s all free!

You can begin at any point during the year,with flexible study times to fit around yourlifestyle.

These qualifications will improve your jobprospects, help you to access othertraining courses and improve your spellingand punctuation.

They can also help you to keep bettertrack of your finances and even enable youto help your children or grandchildrenwith their homework!

To find out more, ring (0191) 643 2288to book an assessment at your preferredcentre.

NorthTyneside CouncilAdult Learning Alliance

You can study at one of ouradult learning centres:

• White Swan, Killingworth• Wallsend People’s Centre• Norham CommunityTechnology College• Churchill Pavilion, Monkseaton

Moveon –move up!

www.northtyneside.gov.uk twitter.com/NTCouncilTeam

A number of changes to Housingand Council Tax benefit comeinto force on April 1. If you claimeither or both of these benefits,the changes may affect you.

The main changes are:

� Increases to non-dependant

deductions.

� Legal changes if you live in a privately-

rented property and you need, and are

provided with, overnight care.

� Legal changes if you live in a privately-

rented property and have moved or

claimed benefit since April 1, 2008.

Non-dependant deductions

If you have an adult living with you who is

not your partner, and you are in receipt

of Housing or Council Tax benefit, your

entitlement is generally reduced because

we have to make a non-dependant

deduction from your entitlement for the

adult living with you.

From April, the amount of deductions is

increasing. Claimants in receipt of Housing

benefit or Council Tax benefit who have

their entitlements reduced because of a

non-dependant deduction will receive less

benefit from April.

Legal changes if you live in a

privately-rented property and you

need, and are provided with,

overnight care

People who need, and are provided with,

overnight care and live in a home which

they rent from a private landlord may be

entitled to more housing benefit.

To qualify, you must be living in a home

rented from a private landlord; either you

or your partner must need overnight care

which is provided by someone who does

not live with you, and a bedroom must be

available for the carer to use.

Legal changes if you live in a

privately-rented property and have

moved or claimed benefit since

April 1, 2008

The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rules

have changed. This is the scheme we use

to work out how much help you get

towards your rent, based on how many

bedrooms your household needs.

The changes will mean people in receipt of

Housing benefit under the LHA rules will

receive less benefit.The changes are:

� The maximum amount of help you can

receive will be the four bedroom rate.

� Where your rent is less than the

current LHA rate, you are presently

allowed to keep up to £15

over and above your

rent (an excess).

This will stop.

� The LHA rates are reduced.This is

because the way they are assessed

has changed.

If you need any information about these

changes, please telephone our contact

centre on 0345 2000 104 or visit any

customer service centre (see list on p4).

Changes to Housingand CouncilTax benefit

You can now report, requestor pay for many council serviceswith one click from thewww.northtyneside.gov.ukhomepage.

Did you know?

57

The council’s Safer EstatesTeam isproviding greater support for victims ofanti-social behaviour.

Kirsty Sproat has taken on the new roleof victim support officer – createdfollowing suggestions from members ofthe public.

She will assist victims and witnesses bykeeping them up-to-date with theprogress of individual cases and solvingany problems that may occur. She willalso accompany witnesses to court andliaise with the police.

A new water park is to be built next toWhitley Park inWhitley Bay.

Work on the park is expected to beunderway shortly and it is hoped it willbe open by the summer.

The ambitious scheme forms part ofthe continuing regeneration of theseafront and promenade area of thetown.

An exhibition showcasing the history ofBritish surfing is running at the SpanishCity Dome until Sunday,April 10.

‘An Art History of British Surfing’features prints, artwork, memorabiliaand a collection of surfboards spanningthe last eight decades.

The exhibition is open between 10amand 5pm,Thursday to Sundays only.Entry is £2 per adult, with freeadmission for children. For more details,contact the events unit on (0191) 6437409.

News inBRIEF

Census collectors will visit households

that have not returned their forms by

Wednesday,April 6. They can answer

questions and help you fill it in.

More information about the 2011 Census

can be found at www.census.gov.uk or by

phoning 0300 0201 101.

widening horizons58

In the run-up to Census Day –March 27 – you will receive aquestionnaire asking for detailsabout your household and thepeople living or staying there.

The census, which takes place every 10

years, provides a valuable source of

information and enables government

departments and other organisations to

plan for the years ahead.

You are required by law to complete the

form but the personal information you

provide is kept confidential for 100 years.

The questionnaire, which takes about 10

minutes to complete, can be returned

using the pre-paid envelope or completed

online at www.census.gov.uk

If you need help filling in the form, the

council is holding a series of drop-in

sessions on:

Need helpwithyour census form?

� Saturday, March 26 –Whitley Bay

Library (9am to noon).

� Saturday, March 26 –Wallsend

Library (2 to 5pm).

� Saturday,April 2 –White Swan

Centre, Killingworth (9am to noon).

� Saturday,April 2 – North Shields

Library (2 to 5pm).

59

Do you know someone who givesup their time to help others?

If you do, the Chairman of the Council,

Cllr Duncan McLellan, would like to hear

from you.

Cllr McLellan, assisted by a special panel,

is seeking nominations for this year’s

Chairman’s Commendation Awards.

The scheme aims to recognise individuals

or groups who voluntarily give up their

time for the benefit of others.

All types of volunteering will be considered

for an award. It could be visiting the sick

and lonely, driving patients to hospital

appointments or helping to organise

activities or special events.

Cllr McLellan said:“NorthTyneside is

committed to building strong, active

communities and at the heart of any such

community is voluntary activity.”

Nominees should have contributed their

time, kindness and effort to one or more

of the following:

� Creating a clean and pleasant

environment.

� Creating a safe and crime-free

neighbourhood.

� Increasing training and working

opportunities for residents of the

borough.

� Improving health and health care for

members of the community.

� Making a significant difference to their

local community or an individual.

� Improving the quality of life of their

local community or an individual.

� Supporting the local

community/individual through the

provision of, or influence on, sport,

leisure, cultural activities, religious and

community affairs, social welfare or

educational services.

� Helping others to reach their potential.

� Responding to an immediate need,

significantly affecting the life or lives of

others.

Awards honourour unsung heroes

How tonominateNomination forms are available onthe council website (see chairman’spages) or from the Civic Office,phone (0191) 643 5347.The closing date is Friday, May 6.

Nominations must be for voluntaryactivity, wholly outside of paidemployment, where individuals orgroups have volunteered for asubstantial amount of time.

All nominations will be consideredby the panel, which will determinewhether they are worthy ofcommendation.

The successful nominees and theirnominators will be invited to aceremony and reception at thecouncil’s headquarters, Quadrant,hosted by the chairman.

You can pay your CouncilTaxonline at www.northtyneside.gov.uk– a quick link is available under the‘Pay for it’ tab.

Did you know?

Seeking nominations: Cllr McLellanwith his consort, wife Judy.

ABUSEHURTSAt any age

It is everyone’sresponsibility torecognise abuse,respond andrefer

REMEMBERRECOGNISERESPONDREFERRecognise harmLook out for the signs - If you or someone you

know is being treated in a way that makes you or

them unhappy it might be abuse.RespondTalk to someone you trust and ask for their help

and support - if you ignore abuse it will not go

away.

Refer to NorthTyneside Council

The council can support you in keeping yourself

safe from harm.

Call (0191)643 2777to report abuse

Keep it local

Delivering professional, high quality, affordable and remote secretarialservices to small, medium and large organisations worldwide.Tel: (0191) 262 1299.

Barkes Associates

Email: lesleyann@barkesassociates www.barkesassociates.com

North Shields-based online retailer of slimming, health and beautyproducts. Recent winner of the council’s Small Business Award.Tel: 0845 874 0200.

SlimmingSolutions.co.uk

Email: [email protected] www.slimmingsolutions.co.uk

PC and laptop repair. Business and residential customers welcome.Tel: 0800 3800 661.

HelpQuick Ltd

Email: [email protected] www.helpquick.co.uk

Based atWhitley Lodge shopping centre.We offer acupuncture,electrotherapy, manual therapy, injection therapy and massage therapy.

Physio Room

Tel: (0191) 251 5944 www.physioroom.biz

We provide PC repairs, virus removals and upgrades at your home orbusiness for a fixed cost. No fix – no fee.

Geordie Geek Computer Services

Tel: (0191) 289 3083 www.geordiegeek.com

Full service. Professional wedding photography to the highest quality foran incredibly affordable price.

I Do CheapWedding Photography

Tel: 0798 841 7179 www.idocheapweddingphotography.co.uk

Family-run business, offering all aspects of interior and exterior work.Also building projects, garage conversions, roofing and repairs.

Killingworth Decorators &Building Services

Tel: Paul andTrudy on (0191) 268 6880 or 0788 165 1905

Wall and floor tiling in ceramic, stone, marble or slate. Completebathroom renovations a speciality. Free advice and estimates.

NorthumbrianTiling Contractors

Tel: (0191) 296 5710 Email: [email protected]

Time-served tradesman.Approved local authority contractor. Freeestimates. Fully insured. 138, Park Road,Wallsend.Tel: (0191) 209 2010or 0777 937 6422

John McAndrew Plumbing

www.johnmcandrewplumbing.co.uk

Musical instruments and accessories, sheet music and songbooks,classical CDs, musical gifts and toys. Music for schools. Shop online orinstore – 22a John Street, Cullercoats.Tel: (0191) 252 3331.

enjoymuzic

Email: [email protected] www.enjoymuzic.com

NorthTyneside Council is committedto helping small businesses.

If your company is based in the borough, you can advertisein this section free of charge.

So far, around 150 local businesses have included their detailsin Widening Horizons, which is distributed to more than90,000 homes across NorthTyneside.

Just send us the following details and we’ll put your entry inthe next available issue:

• Name of company or shop• Brief (20 words maximum) description of your business• Phone, email or web address

Please note: Space is allocated on a ‘first come, first served’basis. Adverts not used in one edition will receive priorityfor the next.

The next issue of Widening Horizons will be published inJune. The deadline for adverts is May 9.Send your details to: [email protected]

NorthTyneside Council does not accept any responsibility for the businesses listed above.

61

19, Nile Street, North Shields. Specialist in ladies and gents casuals,bridal alterations, corporate uniforms, curtains and soft furnishings.

Camden Clothing Alterations

Tel: (0191) 296 0304

Public health nutritionist providing advice and support on all aspects of diet andnutrition.

Gina Gorvett Nutrition

Email: [email protected] www.ggnutrition.com

Dry carpet and upholstery cleaners to the commercial and domesticmarkets. Zero water – zero smell – zero shrinkage – zero fuss.

Zerodrytime

Tel: (0191) 257 4282 www.zerodrytime.com

Professional quality web design from a reliable and competentWhitley Baycompany, specialising in giving small businesses an Internet presence.

MalaWeb Design

Tel: 07794 771 734 www.malawebdesign.co.uk

24/7 call out.Any electrical work undertaken – from full rewire toreplacing a single light. Friendly and reliable – contact Geoff Hearn.

Hearn Electrical Services

Tel: 0787 981 2260 Email: [email protected]

Lose your fear by practising public speaking in an atmosphere offriendly encouragement.Two evenings a month atThe Kittiwake.

Tyneside Speakers’ Club

Tel: (0191) 252 9187 Email: [email protected]

High ceilings, marble fireplaces, outstanding sea views. Elegant four staraward-winning apartments in Cullercoats – ideal for visiting relatives.From £325 weekly.

Southcliff Holiday Apartments

Tel: (0191) 251 3121 www.southcliffapartments.com

We have handpicked some of the latest fashions from the US andbrought them back toTyneside. (Green Ginger shopping arcade, FrontStreet,Tynemouth.)

Zee Clothing

Tel: (0191) 447 6659

We provide childcare inWallsend and Howdon for children aged fromsix months to 12 years. Pre-school care, wraparound care and out-of-school care.

Little Diamonds Childcare Centre

Tel: (0191) 263 4022

Installation, servicing and repairs to gas appliances. Landlord CP12certificates. Domestic plumbing from tap washers to bathroom suites.Gas Safe registered.

Gas 2 Plumbing

Tel: RayWilthew on 07875 356 971 Email: [email protected]

151 ParkView,Whitley Bay.The Pure Gallery is an alternative art galleryand shop displaying affordable art and gifts.

The Pure Gallery

Tel: (0191) 251 3520 www.thepuregallery.co.uk

Are you worried about your weight? The CambridgeWeight Plan couldbe the answer. Contact Ally, your local Cambridge consultant.

CambridgeWeight Plan

Tel: (0191) 257 8918 or 0798 338 6985 Email: [email protected]

Combi boiler installations, gas appliance fitting and repairs, servicing,radiators fitted, power flushing, CP12 Landlord certificates, all types ofplumbing. Tel: (0191) 289 9931 or 0796 266 4388

MGL Plumbing and Heating


Keep it local

For quality badges, photo ID, holders, lanyards, keyrings andpromotional items at competitive prices. No minimum order. Freeartwork design and quote.Tel: 07988 171 056.

Badge Boys Inc

Email: [email protected] www.badgeboysinc.com


UK-Safety

Full architectural and design services for residential, commercial andheritage clients. RIBA chartered architect. Reasonable rates and friendlyservice.

Michael Atkinson –Architecture & Heritage


A local driving school offering quality, low-cost tuition in the NorthTyneside area. Super start-up offers available.

Learner One Driving Instruction

www.learnerone.co.uk

The best and most affordable tuition in guitar, bass guitar composition.Friendly, relaxed tuition allows students to learn at their own pace.Allstyles, ages and abilities welcome.

Penumbra Music


All aspects of interior and exterior painting and decoratingundertaken. Friendly, reliable and tidy. More than 30 years experience.

Colourcoats Decorators

Tel: (0191) 287 2036 or 07711 669 069 Email: [email protected]

We specialise in providing quality, affordable rental accommodationthroughout the North East.We offer a unique management service tolandlords at five per cent plusVAT.Albion Road, North Shields.

KIS Lettings

Tel: (0191) 640 8374 www.KISlettings.co.uk

All aspects of garden maintenance and design at affordable rates,including decking, garden walls, block paving, fencing and city gardens.Tel: 07538 995 700

The Greenkeeper

Email: [email protected] www.greenkeepergardens.co.uk

Carrying out electrical installation work and inspection & testing acrossthe North. 24-hour, 7-day emergency call-out service.

IQ Electrical

Tel: (0191) 262 5618 www.iqelectrical.co

We are a small friendly club that offers junior and adult coaching – allabilities welcome. Contact Dave on 0780 359 7005 or (0191) 2599862 (4 to 6pm weekdays).

Forest Hall CommunityTennis Club

www.foresthalltennisclub.co.uk

Landscape gardening services, based in North Shields. Services includegeneral garden maintenance, turfing, fencing, tree stump removal, patios,decking and driveways. Tel: (0191) 296 5470 or 07843 995 593

Neil Muir Gardening Services


Training providers in food hygiene, health & safety and first aid in theworkplace, home and schools. Courses held locally.Tel: (0191) 252 1575.

Email: [email protected] www.uk-safety.com

‘Paint your own pottery’ studio onWallsend High Street.We also dopersonalised ceramic gifts and parties.

Crafty Little Devils

Tel: (0191) 240 1181 www.craftylittledevils.org.uk

All aspects of plastering undertaken. Insurance work welcome. Clean,tidy and reliable service. Free estimates and advice given.

Featheredge Plastering

Tel: Craig on (0191) 268 2805 or 0779 247 1982

Mulberry is a warm, supportive counselling service that is offering afree initial consultation to local people.

Mulberry Counselling andTraining

Tel: 07778 123 236 www.mulberrycounselling.co.uk

Mobile computing repairs for homes and small businesses.No fix – no fee. Contact Karl on 0797 037 8260.

www.xooocomputing.co.uk


NorthTyneside Council does not accept any responsibility for the businesses listed above.

Keep it local

63

Itʼs the easiest, most convenient way tomake payments – once you sign up you donʼthave to worry about queues or travelling tomake a payment.

The council offers a choice of payment dates,making it easier to track your finances.

And the Direct Debit Guarantee covers all payments,so they can only be taken where the amount anddate have already been agreed by yourself.

Pay your billsby Direct Debit . . .

. . . it does exactly whatit says on the tin

Council departments that take payment byDirect Debit are:• Council Tax – (0191) 643 2355• Business Rates – (0191) 643 2365• Council Housing Rents – 0345 2000 102• Customer Accounts (such as allotment rents,

commercial rents, residential fees, homecarefees, nursery fees) – (0191) 643 2370


horizonswidening

If you have a query, pleasecontact the relevantdepartment listed alongsideor view details of all ourDirect Debit schemes onthe council website –www.northtyneside.gov.uk/directdebit

widening horizons march 2011

Documents

typical day

yourcollection day

council facilities

council andits partners

changes toyour collection

thecouncils budget

fairs whats happeningand

years contest