Venue: Chamber - Quadrant, The Silverlink North, Cobalt Business Park, North Tyneside, NE27 0BY
Contact: Sonia Stewart Email: sonia.stewart@northtyneside.gov.uk
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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: Councillor E Darke declared a personal and non-registerable interest in Item 6 Motion 1 as they would qualify for the proposed exemption of the garden waste charge.
Councillor J Harrison declared a personal and non-registerable interest in Item 6 Motion 1 as they would qualify for the proposed exemption of the garden waste charge.
Councillor J Hunter declared a personal and non-registerable interest in Item 6 Motion 1 as they would qualify for the proposed exemption of the garden waste charge.
Councillor N Huscroft declared a personal and non-registerable interest in Item 6 Motion 1 as they would qualify for the proposed exemption of the garden waste charge.
Councillor D Lilly declared a personal and non-registerable interest in Item 6 Motion 1 as they would qualify for the proposed exemption of the garden waste charge.
Councillor F Lott declared a personal and non-registerable interest in Item 6 Motion 1 as they would qualify for the proposed exemption of the garden waste charge.
Councillor W Lott declared a personal and non-registerable interest in Item 6 Motion 1 as their partner would qualify for the proposed exemption of the garden waste charge.
Councillor T Mulvenna declared a personal and non-registerable interest in Item 6 Motion 1 as they would qualify for the proposed exemption of the garden waste charge.
Councillor M Thirlaway declared a personal and non-registerable interest in Item 6 Motion 3 as they have a family member who has Parkinsons.
Councillor J Wallace declared a personal and non-registerable interest in Item 6 Motion 1 as they would qualify for the proposed exemption of the garden waste charge. |
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Minutes of the meeting held on 18 July 2024 Additional documents: Minutes: Resolved that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 18 July 2024 be taken as read, confirmed and signed by the Chair. |
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Proposed Appointments to Audit Committee (Co-opted Chair and Deputy Chair) PDF 53 KB
The position of Chair has been vacant since March 2024 when the previous Chair reached the maximum term of office of 10 years. The Authority has conducted a recruitment exercise to fill this vacancy and this report sets out the process followed and proposed appointments to the position of Chair and Deputy Chair.
Minutes: Council received a report that set out the process followed, and proposed appointments, to the positions of Chair and Deputy Chair for the Audit Committee.
It was moved by the Councillor C Johnson and seconded by the Elected Mayor that:
Council agrees to the recommendation that the Authority appoint Dr Stuart Green as co-opted Chair of Audit Committee and Lisa Sproats as co-opted Deputy Chair of Audit Committee for a term of two years.
Votes for the Motion:
Councillors T Bailey, J Bartoli, L Bartoli, Linda Bell, Louise Bell, L Bones, P Bunyan, B Burdis, S Burtenshaw, B Clark, K Clark, S Cox, J Cruddas, E Darke, L Darke, S Day, D Drummond, P Earley, S Graham, C Gray, I Grayson, T Hallway, J Harrison, A Holdsworth, J Hunter, N Huscroft, C Johnson, H Johnson, J Johnsson, J Kirwin, D Lilly, F Lott, W Lott, L Marshall, I McAlpine, C McGinty, A McMullen, J Montague, J Mudzingwa, T Mulvenna, M Murphy, T Neira, A Newman, K Nott, P Oliver, R O’Keefe, S Phillips, B Pickard, N Redfearn, W Samuel, Dr O Scargill, J Shaw, A Spowart, M Thirlaway, J Walker, J Wallace, J Webster.
The Motion was approved unanimously by all 57 members present.
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Children and Young People's Plan 2024-2025 PDF 72 KB The purpose of this report is to seek Council’s approval of the refreshed Children and Young People’s Plan 2024-2025 appended to this report, and for the refreshed Plan to be published on the Authority's website.
The current Children and Young People’s Plan 2021–2025 was developed in early 2020 and published in 2021 following approval by full Council on 18 March 2021. The Plan is due to be fully reviewed in 2025.
Additional documents: Minutes: As Cabinet Member responsible for Supporting and Protecting Children, Councillor P Earley proposed to withdraw the refreshed Children and Young People’s Plan 2024-2025 report as there were amendments to be made to the plan which would need to go back to Cabinet for approval. The report would be returned to Council as a later date.
The report was therefore withdrawn from the agenda. |
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Motion 1: Exempting Pensioners from the new Garden Waste Charge PDF 21 KB Three valid Motions on Notice, signed by at least three Members of the Council, have been received for consideration at this meeting.
Additional documents: Minutes: Three valid Motions on Notice, signed by at least three Members of the Council, have been received for consideration at this meeting.
It was moved by Councillor L Bartoli and seconded by Councillor C McGinty that:
North Tyneside Council notes:
· The recent decision by the Labour cabinet to introduce an annual charge of £30 for garden waste collections, which will apply from March 2025. · The financial difficulties faced by many pensioners in North Tyneside, particularly in light of the recent changes to the Winter Fuel Allowance, which may significantly reduce their income and increase their financial burdens. · That pensioners are often on fixed incomes, and any additional charges for essential services, such as garden waste collection, could further strain their ability to meet basic living costs.
North Tyneside Council believes:
· That the introduction of a garden waste charge may disproportionately impact pensioners, who may already be facing difficult choices due to reduced financial support and rising living costs. · That in recognition of the unique challenges faced by pensioners, particularly those related to changes in the Winter Fuel Allowance, it is appropriate and fair to offer them an exemption from this new charge. · Gardening contributes significantly to pensioners physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. · That providing an exemption for pensioners would demonstrate the Authority’s commitment to supporting its most vulnerable residents and would help to mitigate the financial pressures they face.
North Tyneside Council asks the Mayor to:
· Request that cabinet explore an exemption from the £30 annual garden waste charge for all pensioners residing in the borough. · Ensure that any exemption which may be introduced is easily accessible, with a straightforward application process, and is well-publicised to ensure that all eligible pensioners are aware of and can benefit from it.
Votes against the Motion:
Councillors T Bailey, Linda Bell, Louise Bell, P Bunyan, B Burdis, S Burtenshaw, B Clark, K Clark, S Cox, J Cruddas, E Darke, L Darke, S Day, D Drummond, P Earley, S Graham, C Gray, I Grayson, T Hallway, J Harrison, A Holdsworth, J Hunter, N Huscroft, C Johnson, H Johnson, J Kirwin, F Lott, W Lott, L Marshall, A McMullen, J Montague, J Mudzingwa, T Mulvenna, M Murphy, T Neira, A Newman, K Nott, P Oliver, R O’Keefe, S Phillips, B Pickard, N Redfearn, W Samuel, J Shaw, A Spowart, M Thirlaway, J Walker, J Webster.
Votes for the Motion:
Councillors J Bartoli, L Bartoli, L Bones, J Johnsson, D Lilly, I McAlpine, C McGinty, Dr O Scargill, J Wallace.
The Motion was rejected by 48 votes to 9. |
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Motion 2: Pop-Up Recycling Centres Minutes: It was moved by Councillor L Bones and seconded by Councillor I McAlpine that:
North Tyneside Council notes:
· The unacceptably high levels of fly-tipping across North Tyneside, which continue to be a significant environmental and financial burden on the council and residents. · The long-running “Clean-up Days” that are currently organised in housing estates funded through the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). While these events have proven effective at reducing fly-tipping in areas where they operate, they are limited in scope and do not extend to all neighbourhoods within the borough, leaving gaps in coverage. · Newcastle City Council’s “Pop-up Recycling Centres” initiative, which has successfully increased access to recycling facilities across the city, reducing the distance and effort required for residents to properly dispose of their waste and recyclables.
North Tyneside Council believes:
· That tackling the issue of fly-tipping requires the adoption of new and innovative approaches, especially in areas where existing waste management strategies don’t seem to work. The current clean-up initiatives, though beneficial, do not serve all areas equally, and new solutions must be explored to ensure borough-wide access to recycling services. · The introduction of mobile, community-based “Pop-up Recycling Centres” could provide a flexible, convenient option for residents who may otherwise struggle to access static recycling centres. This approach could help reduce fly-tipping by offering regular, well-publicised opportunities for residents to dispose of their waste responsibly, closer to their homes. · Expanding access to waste disposal facilities through pop-up centres would not only help combat illegal dumping but could also increase recycling rates, contributing to North Tyneside’s sustainability and waste reduction goals.
North Tyneside Council asks the Mayor and Cabinet to:
· Explore how a scheme of “Pop-up Recycling Centres” could be introduced across North Tyneside, including a detailed review of the Newcastle City Council model. This review should consider the frequency, locations, and types of waste accepted at the pop-up sites. · Engage in a consultation process with residents, local businesses, and community groups to identify areas of highest need for improved waste disposal services and gauge public interest in the pop-up recycling scheme. · Investigate potential funding streams to support the year-round operation of a pop-up recycling centres. This should include exploring external funding sources and how existing budgets such as Neet Streets can support this activity. Additionally, an assessment should be made of the potential cost savings from reduced fly-tipping, which could offset the costs of running the scheme. · Request the Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordination and Finance Committee examine and report on the review and engagement report and outcomes.
Councillors T Bailey, Linda Bell, Louise Bell, P Bunyan, B Burdis, S Burtenshaw, B Clark, K Clark, S Cox, J Cruddas, E Darke, L Darke, S Day, D Drummond, P Earley, S Graham, C Gray, I Grayson, T Hallway, J Harrison, A Holdsworth, J Hunter, N Huscroft, C Johnson, H Johnson, J Kirwin, F Lott, W Lott, L Marshall, A McMullen, J Montague, J Mudzingwa, T Mulvenna, M Murphy, T Neira, A Newman, K Nott, P Oliver, R ... view the full minutes text for item C37/24 |
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Motion 3: Disabled Parking Badges for Residents with Parkinson's Minutes: (Councillor M Thirlaway left the Chamber)
It was moved by Councillor Dr O Scargill and seconded by Councillor J Johnsson that:
North Tyneside Council notes that:
• Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive neurological condition that severely impacts the lives of over 145,000 people in the UK, including residents in North Tyneside. The symptoms of Parkinson’s can vary greatly from person to person and fluctuate not only day-to-day but even hour-to-hour, often including mobility issues, tremors, freezing, pain, and extreme fatigue. • The Equality Act 2010 recognises Parkinson’s as a long-term disability from the point it starts to affect daily life, with such effects worsening over time. People with Parkinson’s are legally entitled to reasonable adjustments in public life to account for their mobility and safety needs. • The Blue Badge Scheme provides vital parking concessions for individuals with severe mobility issues, allowing them to access destinations more easily. However, the current eligibility criteria, set by the Department for Transport, does not fully take into account the fluctuating and unpredictable nature of Parkinson’s symptoms. • Concerns raised by Parkinson’s UK and members of the North Tyneside Parkinson’s community indicate that many individuals with the condition are being denied Blue Badges, despite significant mobility challenges. The current application process does not adequately reflect the needs of those whose ability to walk may vary throughout the day, nor does it take into consideration the necessity for these individuals to be close to their vehicles due to sudden changes in symptoms. • The Parkinson’s UK Campaign highlights that the rigidity of the current Blue Badge criteria is deterring individuals with Parkinson’s from applying, exacerbating feelings of isolation and creating unnecessary barriers to independence.
Council asks the Mayor to:
• Write to the Secretary of State for Transport, calling on the government to review and amend the Blue Badge eligibility criteria to better account for fluctuating conditions like Parkinson’s and other progressive neurological diseases, ensuring that mobility assessments reflect the full impact of such conditions on daily life and also introduce a clear, accessible appeal process for Blue Badge applicants who are denied, ensuring they are given an adequate chance to provide further medical evidence or clarification regarding their condition. • Request that officers provide additional support and guidance to individuals with Parkinson’s or other progressive conditions in navigating the Blue Badge application process.
Votes for the Motion:
Councillors T Bailey, J Bartoli, L Bartoli, Linda Bell, Louise Bell, L Bones, P Bunyan, B Burdis, S Burtenshaw, B Clark, K Clark, S Cox, J Cruddas, E Darke, L Darke, S Day, D Drummond, P Earley, S Graham, C Gray, I Grayson, T Hallway, J Harrison, A Holdsworth, J Hunter, N Huscroft, C Johnson, H Johnson, J Johnsson, J Kirwin, D Lilly, F Lott, W Lott, L Marshall, I McAlpine, C McGinty, A McMullen, J Montague, J Mudzingwa, T Mulvenna, M Murphy, T Neira, A Newman, K Nott, P Oliver, R O’Keefe, S Phillips, B Pickard, N Redfearn, W Samuel, Dr O Scargill, J Shaw, A ... view the full minutes text for item C38/24 |
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Chair's Announcements To receive any announcements by the Chair of Council.
Minutes: The Chair told the Meeting about some recent events where he represented the Council at the Cenotaph to honour the Veterans and at a Veteran’s 100th Birthday Party.
The Chair also attended the 160th anniversary of St Paul’s Church in Whitley Bay and International Day to learn about different histories and cultures at home in the North East.
The Chair announced his chosen charity, Acorns, based in North Shields which is a group that supports those directly impacted by abuse but also works to support the children and the young people from those families. This can make a huge difference as children involved with the fallout of an abusive relationship may be impacted for the rest of their lives. The Chair noted he would be contacting all the members soon and asking for their support. |
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Elected Mayor's Announcements To receive any announcements by the Elected Mayor.
Minutes: The Elected Mayor spoke and reminded members that Monkseaton High School was under consultation and an announcement had not been made that it was due to close. She asked that members remember this in their dealings with the public so as not to cause unnecessary alarm and upset.
The Mayor also reminded members that it had been a previous administration that outsourced Council work to Capita, and that discussions were now underway to bring these teams back into the Council. |
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Questions by Members of the Council PDF 13 KB Eight valid questions on notice have been received for a response at this meeting.
Minutes: 1. Question to the elected Mayor from Councillor David Lilly Who, decided to alter the configuration of the Farringdon Road, Mast Lane and Broadway roundabout, and for what purpose?
Councillor Hannah Johnson provided the following response: The scheme at Broadway, Farringdon Road and Mast Lane roundabout originated following requests from the school crossing patrol and nearby schools for crossing improvements at the junction.
Officers reviewed the area following the request and noted that pedestrians were required to cross three lanes of traffic using narrow traffic islands. The crossing point on the northern side of the roundabout was also subject to drainage issues with standing surface water occurring on the crossing point during wet weather.
The purpose of the scheme was to improve safety for school children and all other users at the junction by improving the crossing facilities on Broadway, reducing the approach lanes to single lane and reduce the size of the junction to encourage slower vehicle movements.
Following completion of the scheme, the Council has received positive feedback from parents and members of the public.
Councillor D Lilly asked the following supplementary question. The new roundabout configuration has removed four filter left exits from the roundabout, removed the bus stop from the layby and placed it on the main road about 25 metres from the roundabout and about 15 metres from the Crossing, resulting in regular long tailbacks caused by buses parking on the road over the crossing and over the roundabout onto the other side of the roundabout. So, how can this be an improvement in either traffic flow or pedestrian safety?
Councillor Hannah Johnson provided the following response:
I regularly use that road, given I live in the area, and I don't think I've once been caught up on the Broadway since it's been done. Obviously whenever we do schemes like this we keep an eye on what happens, and I can assure you that we will continue to keep an eye on the traffic loads around that area.
2. Question to the elected Mayor from Councillor Liam Bones Does the Mayor agree with Councillor Kirwin that Councillors currently have to ‘jump through endless hoops to get jobs done’ and what discussions has she had regarding setting up new committees to allow Councillors to better oversee the running of local services?
Mayor Redfearn provided the following response: I do not agree with that statement. In this borough we have a system in place which allows Councillors to be effective representatives of the people they serve. We have a group of council officers committed to ensuring the organization is effective and they do consider the politicians opinions. We have invested significantly in technology to ensure Councillors and members of the public are able to see results themselves and get things changed via the Customer First Team. We have systems in place which allow all our residents and members to be significantly better informed and get things done. I also want to say again that I have an ... view the full minutes text for item C41/24 |