Agenda and minutes

Venue: Chamber - Quadrant, The Silverlink North, Cobalt Business Park, North Tyneside, NE27 0BY. View directions

Contact: Democratic Services  Email: democraticsupport@northtyneside.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

C64/22

Minutes Silence

Minutes:

A minute’s silence was observed in respect of the passing of Councillor Carole Burdis, serving councillor for Valley ward.  Councillor Burdis was first elected in 1992 to represent the Holystone ward and then to represent Valley ward in 1996, a position she held since.

 

During her career as a councillor, she held several high profile political and civic positions in North Tyneside, including being the Civic Mayor in 2001 – 2002 and several cabinet positions, including most recently Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Public Protection.

C65/22

Public Questions pdf icon PDF 23 KB

1 valid question has been received from a member of the public for this meeting.

 

Minutes:

1.     Question from Mr Steele of Tynemouth

 

In November 2009 the council leased land on which the Rising Sun Farm in Wallsend sits, to the Registered Charity ‘The Rising Sun Farm Trading Company' for 25 years on a 'peppercorn' rent.

 

The last update I can find, dated the 27th March 2023, says that, following the ‘Rising Sun Farm Trading Company’ filing for insolvency, the farm is now the responsibility of North Tyneside Council and that the authority would be inviting expressions of interest from community-based organisations to take over the running of the farm to ensure the ‘Council can work with a new provider who will manage the farm and give it the bright future it deserves’.

 

The council also stated that it would be ‘continuing to work with both the current and former Board of Trustees to ensure the successful continuation of the lease of the council land, which has an agreement until 2034’ (Chronical Live Oct 2022). I note that, according to Companies House, there is only one active member of the board.  

Can the council give an update on the actions being taken to ensure the ecological and financial future of this valuable cultural asset?

 

Can the council give an update on the actions being taken to ensure the ecological and financial future of this valuable cultural asset?

 

Councillor C Johnson replied on behalf of the elected mayor as follows:

 

The Rising Sun Country Park and Farm are valuable assets to the Borough and over many years have been expanded and developed.

 

Following the insolvency of the Farm Trust, the Authority intervened to protect the asset and look at alternative management arrangements.  Discussions have taken place with stakeholders, with two open days held, and the future management of the Farm will now be subject to a formal procurement, which is expected to start at the end of the month.

 

Recent investment on the Rising Sun Farm site has included:

  • Compliance improvements to electrical supplies and services
  • Improvements to both the arena and septic tank
  • Fencing repairs and renewals
  • Installation of CCTV

 

I would like to assure our residents that the Authority is fully committed to securing the continued ecological and environmental benefits that Rising Sun Farm provides as a valuable community asset.

C66/22

To receive any Declarations of Interest

You are invited to declare any registerable and/or non-registerable interests in matters appearing on the agenda, and the nature of that interest.

 

Please complete the Declarations of Interests card available at the meeting and return it to the Democratic Services Officer before leaving the meeting.

 

You are also invited to disclose any dispensation from the requirement to declare any registerable and/or non-registerable interests that have been granted to you in respect of any matters appearing on the agenda.

 

Minutes:

Declarations of interest were reported as follows:

 

Councillor C Johnson – Registered Interest - Item 5, Motion 1 – Representative for the authority of Tyne and Wear Fire authority.

 

Councillor J Hunter - Registered Interest - Item 5, Motion 1 – Representative for the authority of Tyne and Wear Fire authority.

 

Councillor Karen Clark - Non registerable personal interest - Item 5, Motion 5 – A Family member is serving officer in Northumbria Police Force.

 

Councillor Davey Drummond - Registered Interest - Item 5, Motion 2 – employee of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue service

 

Councillor Joan Walker - Non registerable personal interest - Item 5, Motion 5 – A Family member is serving officer in Northumbria Police Force.

 

 

C67/22

Minutes of the meeting held on 23 November 2023 pdf icon PDF 123 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 November 2023 be taken as read, confirmed and signed by the Chair.

C68/22

Motion 1 pdf icon PDF 38 KB

5 valid Motions on Notice, signed by at least three Members of the Council, have been received for consideration at this meeting.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Matthew Thirlaway, and seconded by Councillor Gary Bell that:

 

North Tyneside Council acknowledges the devastating consequences of suicide for the individual, their family and friends, and society as a whole. We also acknowledge; that the North East has the highest rate of suicide in England and Wales, that suicide is three times more common among men and boys, and that those living in deprivation also have a higher risk of suicide.

 

North Tyneside Council is committed to preventing suicide and believes that suicide prevention is a policy priority, and that local government plays a key role in suicide prevention and mental health care.

 

· We call on the Elected Mayor to work with council officers to ensure that all council staff, including staff working in outsourced services, and Elected Members complete suicide awareness training.

 

· We call on the Elected Mayor to ask council officers to conduct a comprehensive review of council services, to identify areas of improvement in suicide prevention, and to present their findings and recommendations at a meeting of Council.

 

· We call on the Elected Mayor to write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care requesting increased funding for suicide prevention and mental health care.

 

A named vote on the substantive motion was requested by two members present.

 

Votes for the Motion:

 

Councillors L Bartoli, G Bell, L Bell, L Bones, S Burtenshaw, K Clark, D Cox, S Cox, N Craven, J Cruddas, E Darke, C Davis, D Drummond, P Earley, I Grayson, M Hall, J Harrison, A Holdsworth, Janet Hunter, V Jamieson, C Johnson, H Johnson, J Johnsson, C Johnston, J Kirwan, F Lott, W Lott, L Marshall, I McAlpine, A McMullen, J Mudzingwa,  T Mulvenna, M Murphy, T Neira, A Newman, P Oliver, R O’Keefe, J O'Shea, S Phillips, E Parker-Leonard, B Pickard, N Redfearn, W Samuel, O Scargill, J Shaw, A Spowart, M Thirlaway, J Walker, J Wallace, M Wilson.

 

The Motion was approved unanimously.

C69/22

Motion 2

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Carl Johnson and seconded by Councillor Andy Newman that:

 

Recently it was announced that Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) had proposed plans to close Wallsend fire station between 1800 and 0800, turning Wallsend fire station into a daytime only service. This council notes the financial situation of TWFRS, however, we believe that closing this station during nighttime hours would significantly impact on public safety.

 

This council therefore asks the mayor to write to TWFRS outlining North Tyneside Council’s objections to closing Wallsend fire station at night and urge them to investigate all ways to ensure Wallsend fire station remains operational 24 hours a day.

 

A named vote on the substantive motion was requested by two members present.

 

Votes for the Motion:

 

Councillors L Bartoli, G Bell, L Bell, L Bones, S Burtenshaw, K Clark, D Cox, S Cox, N Craven, J Cruddas, E Darke, C Davis, D Drummond, P Earley, I Grayson, M Hall, J Harrison, A Holdsworth, Janet Hunter, V Jamieson, C Johnson, H Johnson, J Johnsson, C Johnston, J Kirwan, F Lott, W Lott, L Marshall, I McAlpine, A McMullen, J Mudzingwa,  T Mulvenna, M Murphy, T Neira, A Newman, P Oliver, R O’Keefe, J O'Shea, S Phillips, E Parker-Leonard, B Pickard, N Redfearn, W Samuel, O Scargill, J Shaw, A Spowart, M Thirlaway, J Walker, J Wallace, M Wilson.

 

The Motion was approved unanimously.

C70/22

Motion 3

Minutes:

(Mayor N Redfearn left the meeting at this point)

 

It was moved by Councillor Erin Parker Leonard seconded by Councillor Karen Clark that:

 

When the new North East Mayoral Combined Authority (NEMCA) comes into being in 2024, it will be responsible for the aspirations and life chances of over one million women and girls living in County Durham, Sunderland, South Tyneside, Gateshead, North Tyneside, Northumberland and Newcastle.

 

It can be tempting for policy makers to think that women and men use public services in the same way, but this is often not the case. Considering the specific needs of women and girls from the beginning results in better policy making, that works for everyone.

 

We call upon the Mayor to support One Million Women and Girls campaign to ensure that NEMCA should explicitly consider the specific impact on women and girls in every policy/strategy developed, seeking to maximize positive and mitigate negative impacts on the one million women and girls who will be directly affected by any decisions.

 

An amendment was moved by Councillor Judith Wallace and seconded by Councillor Pam McIntyre as follows:

 

In the second paragraph, after women and girls, add ‘and men and boys’.

 

At the end of the third paragraph add ‘and to explicitly consider the specific impacts on men and boys, to maximise positive and mitigate negative impacts, to ensure holistic policy making.’

 

The amended motion therefore read:

 

When the new North East Mayoral Combined Authority (NEMCA) comes into being in 2024, it will be responsible for the aspirations and life chances of over one million women and girls living in County Durham, Sunderland, South Tyneside, Gateshead, North Tyneside, Northumberland and Newcastle.

 

It can be tempting for policy makers to think that women and men use public services in the same way, but this is often not the case. Considering the specific needs of women and girls and men and boys from the beginning results in better policy making, that works for everyone.

 

We call upon the Mayor to support One Million Women and Girls campaign to ensure that NEMCA should explicitly consider the specific impact on women and girls in every policy/strategy developed, seeking to maximize positive and mitigate negative impacts on the one million women and girls who will be directly affected by any decisions and to explicitly consider the specific impacts on men and boys, to maximise positive and mitigate negative impacts, to ensure holistic policy making.

 

A named vote on the amendment was requested by two members present.

 

Votes for the Amendment:

 

Councillors P McIntyre, J Wallace.

 

Votes against the Amendment:

 

Councillors L Bartoli, L Bones, G Bell, L Bell, S Burtenshaw, K Clark, D Cox, S Cox, N Craven, J Cruddas, E Darke, C Davis, D Drummond, P Earley, S Graham, I Grayson, M Hall, J Harrison, A Holdsworth, Janet Hunter, V Jamieson, C Johnson, H Johnson, J Johnsson, C Johnston, J Kirwan, F Lott, W Lott, L Marshall, I McAlpine, A McMullen, J Mudzingwa,  T Mulvenna, M Murphy, T  ...  view the full minutes text for item C70/22

C71/22

Motion 4

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Liam Bones and seconded by Councillor Bartoli that:

 

Roads and pavements are at the top of our residents priorities, and are one of the most basic things that a Council provides for its residents - yet the 2023 Highway Asset Management Plan Annual Information Report shows our roads and pavements are worse than ever.

 

Council notes that:

 

·       The report states that “The authorities additional £2m investment has made a significant contribution to maintaining the Network. However, the number of yellow and amber roads has increased considerably. This indicates that consideration should now be given to additional investment in the network in order to avoid further decline”.

 

·       In just the last year the percentage of roads deemed to be ‘good’ has plummeted from 37% to just 16%.

 

·       Just 3% of our pavements are deemed to be a ‘good’ standard.

 

·       The Government has provided over £3.3million directly to North Tyneside for pothole repairs and over £14million to the combined authority, including an additional £500,000 just last month.

 

·       The Mayor’s 2024/25 budget does not include any additional funding as requested in the Highway Asset Management Plan Annual Information Report

 

Council believes:

·       The condition of our roads and pavements is now worse than ever.

·       The Mayor must take urgent action to prevent this situation escalating further.

 

Council asks the Mayor to:

 

·       Bring forward an urgent plan to make progress on the roads and pavements backlog and start the vital work to bring our roads and pavements up to scratch.

 

An amendment was moved by Councillor C Johnson and seconded by Councillor D Drummond as follows:

 

In the introductory paragraph, after residents, remove ‘yet the 2023 Highway Asset Management Plan Annual Information Report shows our roads and pavements are worse than ever.’

 

In the first bullet point’s second sentence, after yellow, to insert ‘(Early life)’ and after amber, to insert ‘(Mid Life)’.

 

At the end of the first sentence in the second bullet point, add the sentence ‘With 22% of our roads considered ‘early life’ and 53% ‘mid life’ with only 9% of our roads being considered ‘late life’.’

 

In the third bullet point, after standard, insert ‘ when the last pavement survey was carried out in 2020, the Mayor and Labour Group have provided significant investment into pavements since then.’.

 

In the fourth bullet point, after and, remove ‘over £14million to the combined authority’.

 

At the end of the fourth bullet point, add ‘The cumulative amount the Conservative Government have cut from highways funding since 2010 could completely cover the entire roads and pavements backlog in North Tyneside.’

 

In the fifth bullet point, after budget, remove ‘does not include any additional funding’ and replace with ‘includes an additional £2 million investment as proposed by the Mayor and Labour Group’.

 

In the sixth bullet point, after is, insert ‘as seen in the HAMP in a significantly better condition than it was under the previous Conservative administration.’,  and remove ‘worse than ever’.

 

In the eighth bullet point, after Mayor, insert ‘is  ...  view the full minutes text for item C71/22

C72/22

Motion 5

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Cath Davis and seconded by Councillor Val Jamieson that:

 

North Tyneside Council has a strong track record of fighting to reduce violence against women and girls. We can also be proud of our White Ribbon status and the awareness this has allowed us to raise in relation to this important issue.

 

In 2023. the Liberal Democrat Party made a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to all 43 Police Forces in England and Wales. They found that more than 1,100 Police Officers are currently under investigation for sexual or domestic abuse. Of these (as reported in the Guardian newspaper on 23rd December 2023) one in 7 have been allowed to “carry on working as normal despite the severity of the offences.”

 

But unfortunately, these figures do not reflect the full picture as only 28 of the 43 Police Forces in England and Wales responded to the FOI request.

Disappointingly, Northumbria Police was one of those who did not respond.

 

We believe that women and girls in North Tyneside have a right to feel safe, especially when they are at their most vulnerable. It is important that our regional police force is transparent about its failings, in order to address them and to gain the trust and confidence of women and girls in North Tyneside. To this end they must be willing to share key information about how many of its Officers are, or have been, under investigation for sexual and domestic violence, and out of those investigations; how many have been suspended from duty, dismissed or prosecuted.

 

We believe it is essential that women and girls in North Tyneside feel assured that the Police Force, which is meant to protect them, has robust processes in place to ensure that Police Officers themselves are not perpetrators of sexual and domestic violence.

 

Therefore, this council asks that our Mayor write to the Northumbria Police Chief Constable and the PCC to request that the following information is released

? the number of Police Officers from April 2019 to March 2023 who have been accused of sexual or domestic violence offences;

? Of that number, how many have been investigated;

? Of the officers who have been investigated, how many were allowed to continue in their normal duties during the investigation;

? Following an investigation, how many officers were prosecuted and/or dismissed:

? An explanation of why the FOI submitted by the Liberal Democrat Party was not responded to.

 

We would also like to stress that this information should be made available to the council within the normal 20 working days timescale that applies when an FOI request is made.

 

Councillor Carl Johnson had contacted Northumbria Police, who having had no record of having the received the aforementioned FOI request from the had been unable to supply the information. Upon communicating with them, Northumbria Police supplied Councillor Carl Johnson with the requested info without waiting for a letter from the Mayor. This was given verbally given to the meeting and Councillor Johnson committed to  ...  view the full minutes text for item C72/22

C73/22

Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel pdf icon PDF 41 KB

Council is asked to consider the report and the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Council received a report which set out the recommendation of the

Independent Remuneration Panel in relation to the Members’ Allowances

Scheme for 2024/25.

 

The Authority is required to have in place a Members’ Allowance Scheme and

is required to have regard to the recommendations of the Independent

Remuneration Panel when determining such a Scheme.

 

It was moved by Councillor Carl Johnson and seconded by Councillor Anthony McMullen that Council:

 

(1)  agree the Authority’s Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2024/25; and

 

(2) agree that the Independent Remuneration Panel undertake an in-depth

review of the Authority’s Members Allowances Scheme and that Council

receives and considers a report in July 2024 following the completion of

that review.

 

 

An amendment to the report’s recommendations (pages 45 – 46) was moved by Councillor Liam Bones and seconded by Councillor Lewis Bartoli.

 

The amended section of the report therefore read:

 

1.2 Recommendation(s):

 

It is recommended that Council:

 

(1) agree the Authority’s Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2024/25; and

 

(2) agree that the Independent Remuneration Panel undertake an in-depth review of the Authority’s Members Allowances Scheme and that Council receives and considers a report in January 2025 following the completion of that review.

 

Council believes during a cost of living crisis members allowances should not be increased and therefore accepts the committees recommendation to keep allowances as they are but asks that the committee defer their meeting from July 2024 to the usual time next year, committing members to an allowance freeze for the duration of 24/25.

 

A named vote on the amendment was requested by two members present.

 

Votes for the Amendment:

 

Councillors L Bartoli, L Bones, J Johnsson, C Johnston, I McAlpine, P McIntyre, O Scargill, J Wallace.

 

 

 

Votes against the Amendment:

 

Councillors: G Bell, L Bell, S Burtenshaw, K Clark, D Cox, S Cox, N Craven, J Cruddas, E Darke, C Davis, D Drummond, P Earley, S Graham, I Grayson, M Hall, J Harrison, A Holdsworth, J Hunter, V Jamieson, C Johnson, H Johnson, J Kirwan, F Lott, W Lott, L Marshall, A McMullen, J Mudzingwa, T Mulvenna, M Murphy, T Neira, A Newman, P Oliver, R O’Keefe, J O'Shea, S Phillips, E Parker-Leonard, B Pickard, N Redfearn, W Samuel, J Shaw, A Spowart, M Thirlaway, J Walker, M Wilson.

 

The proposed amendment to the report’s recommendations was rejected by 44 votes to 8 votes.

 

Councillor Carl Johnson, as the original mover, agreed to a partial acceptance of an amendment to the report’s recommendations, as below:

 

1.2 Recommendation(s):

 

It is recommended that Council:

 

(1) agree the Authority’s Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2024/25; and

 

(2) agree that the Independent Remuneration Panel undertake an in-depth review of the Authority’s Members Allowances Scheme and that Council receives and considers a report in July 2024 following the completion of that review.

 

Council believes during a cost of living crisis members allowances should not be increased and therefore accepts the committee’s recommendation to keep allowances as they are but asks that the committee defer their meeting from July 2024 to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item C73/22

C74/22

Request for Dispensation pursuant to Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972 pdf icon PDF 42 KB

Council is asked to consider the report to grant a dispensation in respect of Councillor John Hunter, under Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972.

Minutes:

Council received a report which set out a request for a further dispensation to be considered for Councillor John Hunter on the grounds of his ill health and recommended a further dispensation be agreed for a period up to 7 May 2024.

 

It was moved by Mayor Redfearn and seconded by Councillor Carl Johnson:

 

(1) Agrees to grant of dispensation for Councillor John Hunter pursuant to Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972, for a period up to 7 May 2024, and approves Councillor Hunter’s non-attendance at meetings of the Authority during that period on medical grounds; and

 

(2) Agrees that the continued best wishes of the Council are conveyed to Councillor Hunter at this time.

 

A named vote on the report was requested by two members present.

 

On being put to the meeting the report was approved unanimously.

C75/22

Programme of Meetings 2024/25 pdf icon PDF 40 KB

The Council is asked to consider the report and recommendations in relation to the Programme of Meetings for the 2024/25 Municipal Year.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Council received a report which presented a draft programme of Council and committee meetings for the 2024/25 municipal year, and to agree which meetings should be designated for the receipt of public questions.

 

It was moved by Councillor Carl Johnson and seconded by Councillor Samuel that Council:

 

(1)      Agree the programme of meetings for 2024/25 as set out in Appendix A to the report; and

(2)      Agree that the meeting of the full Council proposed for 18 July 2024, 21 November 2024 and 23 January 2025 be those at which questions will be taken from members of the public.

 

A named vote on the report was requested by two members present.

 

On being put to the meeting the report was approved unanimously.

C76/22

Second Home Council Tax Premium - April 2025 pdf icon PDF 69 KB

Council is asked to consider the report and recommendations in relation to Council Tax Empty Property Premium.

Minutes:

On 23 November 2023 full Council agreed that with effect from 1 April 2024, the current Long-Term Empty Dwelling Council Tax Premium charged by the Authority be applied to dwellings that have been empty for 1 year rather than 2 years. It was also agreed at that meeting that full Council would receive a further report on the potential application of the power to charge a Council Tax Premium on dwellings that are occupied periodically (“second homes”).

 

This further report was moved by Councillor Carl Johnson and seconded by Councillor Samuel for consideration. The meeting was recommended to:

 

1)       agree that with effect from 1 April 2025, the Authority implements a  Second Home Premium of 100% of the Council Tax payable, in relation to dwellings that are classed as being occupied periodically; and

 

2)       agree that the Director of Resources be given authority to determine if any dwelling or class of dwelling should be exempt from the Second Home Premium as considered appropriate.

 

A named vote on the report was requested by two members present.

 

On being put to the meeting the report’s recommendations were approved unanimously.

C77/22

Chair's Announcements

To receive any announcements by the Chair of Council.

 

Minutes:

There were no announcements.

C78/22

Elected Mayor's Announcements

To receive any announcements by the Elected Mayor.

 

Minutes:

There were no announcements.

C79/22

Questions by Members of the Council pdf icon PDF 21 KB

3 valid questions on notice have been received for a response at this meeting.

 

Minutes:

Question 1 - from Councillor Liam Bones

Can the Mayor give an update on the so called 'temporary' 50mph speed limit on the Coast Road and provide the date where she expects works to be complete and the speed limit returned to the national speed limit?

Councillor Hannah Johnson provided the following response:

 

In 2023, during routine highway inspections, concerns were raised about the condition of the vehicle crash barrier which is situated on the central reservation along the length of the A1058 Coast Road. As a safety precaution, a temporary 50mph speed limit was initially introduced to safeguard all highway users and to allow a specialist company to undertake a thorough condition assessment of the barriers. 

 

The detailed condition assessment was recently completed, and the associated report is due to be issued shortly. Our highway engineers have received some initial feedback which indicates that a number of barrier sections will likely require repair or replacement as they have reached the end of their effective lifespan. We are currently developing a programme of work and are to agree a start date for the works with our specialist contractor. In the interests of highway safety, the temporary speed limit will remain in place for the duration of the works and will be removed as soon as the repair work is complete.

 

The travelling public will be kept informed through our various communications, and information signs have been deployed on site to let drivers know that the speed limit is temporary.

 

Councillor Liam Bones asked the following supplementary question.

 

Can the Cabinet member confirm this is a temporary speed limit?

 

Councillor Hannah Johnson responded the following response:

 

There's one sign as you go onto the Coast Road at Billy Mill roundabout and

there's another sign as you come into North Tyneside from Newcastle telling people very clearly it's the temporary spend limit. I specifically asked for them after admittedly having the same thoughts myself when I saw the original speed limit signs so it's clear to motorists that they are temporary.

 

Question 2 – from Councillor Olly Scargill

"Parking in our estates is a real issue. Many grass verges are churned up in the wet weather, which looks dreadful and can become slippy and dangerous. Making some of these into parking spaces will prove cost effective in the long run. Can the Mayor outline what funding she will make available to convert more of the grass verges to parking spaces across Chirton Grange and the Lynn Estate?"

Councillor Hannah Johnson provided the following response:

 

Parking on grass verges is a national problem and is frustrating for both residents and the Council.  The cause of this is often down to the design and layout of older estates which were not designed for the current high levels of car ownership and the increased size of vehicles.

The conversion of grass to hard surfacing is undertaken occasionally by the Council but only where there are exceptional circumstances such as severe and repeated damage to grassed  ...  view the full minutes text for item C79/22

C80/22

Decisions of Standards Sub-Committee pdf icon PDF 37 KB

Council is requested to note the decision of the Standards Sub-Committee from its meeting on 1 December 2023.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

This report was submitted for Council to note. Council were advised that it would not be appropriate to discuss this report as the decision has already been made and published.