Agenda item

To receive an update report on progress with delivering the Our North Tyneside Plan 2021-2025.

Cabinet received an update report on progress in delivering the objectives of the refreshed Our North Tyneside Plan 2021-2025 as set out in the ‘Our North Tyneside Performance Report’ at Appendix 1 to the report.

The Council Plan was refreshed in 2021 following the Mayoral Election on 6 May to reflect the policy priorities of the incoming administration.  Following consultation with residents and key stakeholders, Full Council agreed the refreshed Our North Tyneside Plan 2021-2025 on 23 September 2021. The priorities and objectives in the refreshed Our North Tyneside Plan Performance built on the work carried over the last 9 years and addressed the key challenges to build a better North Tyneside. The report had been developed to monitor progress against the new priorities and objectives set out in the Council Plan. 

This report when read in conjunction with Appendix 1 provided an overview of performance since the start of the plan and identified the agreed activities that the Authority would pursue in the future. In addition, it provided comparator information, such as national or regional performance, as there were several issues where North Tyneside was facing similar challenges as other parts of the country. 

Some of the highlights of the Our North Tyneside Plan Performance Report were:-

·       Delivery of the Affordable Homes Programme was on track and a 10-year Delivery Plan was agreed by Cabinet in February 2022.  The number of long-term vacant dwellings was currently at its lowest level in seven years.

·       In August 2022, Cabinet approved the Carbon Net-Zero 2030 Action Plan including over 150 actions to decarbonise the Authority’s operations and the Borough as a whole. 

·       £8m funding had been secured from the Green Homes Grant Local Delivery Scheme to install low carbon heating, energy efficiency measures and renewable energy systems in homes with low-household incomes. To date over 800 measures had been installed in 700 homes so far. 

·       Regeneration work was well underway in North Shields including public realm improvements, a new integrated transport hub, and new town square. Planning permission had been granted for new family homes at the former Unicorn House Site and works were due to commence later in 2023.  £1.7m in grant funding had been secured from the North of Tyne Combined (NTCA) to develop a Cultural and Creative Zone and work had commenced on the new Riverside Embankment Walkway to connect the town centre and Fish Quay.  Planning permission for a new Ferry Landing on Western Quay was granted in December 2022. However, the Levelling Up Fund bid by NEXUS for that project was unsuccessful and alternative funding solutions were now being pursued. £19.13m of grant funding had been secured from Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) to fund the capital works at the transport hub, embankment walkway and gateways an additional £1.85m had been secured from DLUHC to fund the new town square.

·       In Whitley Bay, improvement works to the Northern Promenade were completed and £4.5m funding from the Active Travel Fund had been secured to provide a continuous segregated walking and cycling route between St Mary’s Lighthouse and Tynemouth.  In summer 2023, Master Planning activity would commence for Whitley Bay Town Centre.

·       In Wallsend, engagement on the draft Masterplan was underway and a final version will be presented to Cabinet for approval in May 2023.  £499,000 Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) funding had been secured for a range of improvements at Segedunum Roman Fort and Museum.  An expression of interest had been submitted to the National Heritage Lottery Fund to secure £5m of funding for developments at Segedunum Roman Fort and Museum and a decision was expected in June 2023.  The Round 2 Levelling Up bid to deliver public realm improvements along the High Street together with transport connections and enhancements to Segedunum was unsuccessful, however, there remained a final submission round in Autumn 2023 for which a revised bid would be submitted.  Funding had been secured from the North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA) to fund project activity in and around Wallsend High Street including £1.28m capital grant for public realm and active travel work and £66,000 grant for revenue activity including events which would help drive footfall, shop front grants, business support and resource to be based within the town centre to support businesses to start-up and grow. 

·       In the North West of the borough, £75,000 of feasibility funding had been secured from NTCA for Northumberland Line Economic Corridor priorities. This included funding to re-design, scope and map a visitor/ heritage trail using the existing waggonways and heritage assets. Killingworth Lake concept plans had been developed and officers were now working to identify eligible funding streams to progress the proposals. Work was continuing with partners to secure investment and encourage more and better jobs to be delivered at Indigo Park.

·       Beaches and warden managed parks in the borough continue to be recognised nationally for their high standards.  Three beaches had retained their Blue Flags and Seaside Awards and this year eight parks were awarded Green Flag Awards, including Chirton and Redburn Dene Parks who secured this for the first time in 2022.

·       In response to residents feeling increasingly concerned about community safety issues, a multi-agency North Tyneside Anti-Social Behaviour Task Force had been established to develop and deliver a shared plan to tackle anti-social behaviour as a partnership making a difference for residents, communities, visitors and businesses.  The trend of anti-social behaviour reported to Northumbria Police was decreasing and the rate per population is now 19.3 per 1,000 residents, which was the lowest level in four years in North Tyneside.

·       Support was delivered to low-income households across the borough through the Council Tax Support Scheme and Hardship Support Scheme. As well as a number of initiatives including the Holiday Activities and Food Programme, Household Support Fund and Poverty Intervention Fund to address health and socio-economic inequalities.

·       The education offer in the borough was strong compared to national and regional comparators, however an area of focus remained to close the gap between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged pupils, which had widened in North Tyneside, as it had regionally and nationally, following the COVID-19 pandemic. 

·       The Authority was continuing to meet the social care needs of its residents and had seen an increase in demand for social care. Many residents were presenting with more complex needs as a legacy of Covid restrictions.  The Authority’s Carepoint Team was integrated with the NHS and had staff based at all local acute hospitals. This team had been key in ensuring that our hospitals had maintained bed availability over the winter and that A&E services had not been overwhelmed. The Authority’s Reablement Service continued to be one of the highest performing in the country supporting its residents to regain skills and the confidence to return home after a stay in hospital.

Resolved that the progress made to deliver the updated objectives of the Our North Tyneside Plan 2021-2025, be noted.