Agenda item

Five 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 Johnston that:

Over the last few years the residents of Tynemouth and Cullercoats have had to suffer increasing levels of antisocial behaviour as visitor numbers to our coast have increased. This has ranged from vandalism and criminal damage to knife attacks and assaults and our residents have been left to pick up the mess. Our swimmers and dog walkers are met each morning with bottles, cans and used barbecues strewn across our beaches. Much of this antisocial behaviour comes via our Metro system and what is perceived by many as free travel to and from the coast. Those that wish to come and cause trouble do not even need to pay the price of a ticket. The Council believes that installing ticket barriers that are manned at strategic times would assist

in deterring and monitoring those who wish to come and cause antisocial behaviour.  The Council therefore ask The Mayor to write to Nexus requesting that:

1. They install ticket barriers on Tynemouth and Cullercoats Metro Station before Summer 2023 to assist in reducing ASB at the coast.

2. These barriers are manned by Nexus staff at strategic times to be agreed between the Police, Nexus and the Council when levels of antisocial behaviour are high.

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

To add the following paragraphs after paragraph 1:

“North Tyneside council notes the decision of NEXUS to make permanent the extra security officers which are currently on the network and as a direct result of this and the multi-agency operation coast watch saw ASB numbers on the metro go down year on year.

Notes the Conservative government have cut the NEXUS capital renewals program budget which would be used to fund investment into ticket barriers.

Notes North Tyneside council staff clean and litter pick the beach every day.”

To add an additional bullet point after bullet point 2:

“3. Write to the Transport Secretary asking him to increase NEXUS budget to allow for capital investment into ticket barriers.”

The amended motion therefore read:

Over the last few years the residents of Tynemouth and Cullercoats have had to suffer increasing levels of antisocial behaviour as visitor numbers to our coast have increased. This has ranged from vandalism and criminal damage to knife attacks and assaults and our residents have been left to pick up the mess. Our swimmers and dog walkers are met each morning with bottles, cans and used barbecues strewn across our beaches. Much of this antisocial behaviour comes via our Metro system and what is perceived by many as free travel to and from the coast. Those that wish to come and cause trouble do not even need to pay the price of a ticket. The Council believes that installing ticket barriers that are manned at strategic times would assist in deterring and monitoring those who wish to come and cause antisocial behaviour.

North Tyneside council notes the decision of NEXUS to make permanent the extra security officers which are currently on the network and as a direct result of this and the multi-agency operation coast watch saw ASB numbers on the metro go down year on year.

Notes the Conservative government have cut the NEXUS capital renewals program budget which would be used to fund investment into ticket barriers.

Notes North Tyneside council staff clean and litter pick the beach every day.

The Council therefore ask The Mayor to write to Nexus requesting that:

1. They install ticket barriers on Tynemouth and Cullercoats Metro Station before Summer 2023 to assist in reducing ASB at the coast.

2. These barriers are manned by Nexus staff at strategic times to be agreed between the Police, Nexus and the Council when levels of antisocial behaviour are high.

3. Write to the Transport Secretary asking him to increase NEXUS budget to allow for capital investment into ticket barriers. 

The amendment, on being put to the meeting, was approved by 46 votes to 8 votes.

The substantive motion, on being put to the meeting, was approved unanimously.