Agenda item

6 valid questions have been received from members of the public for this meeting.

 

1.      Question from R Smithson of Whitley Bay

According to the "State of Nature" report published in 2024 the UK has suffered alarming reductions in biodiversity in recent decades but the Environment Act of 2021 established the principle of "Net Biodiversity Gain" by which all new developments since February 2024 are now required to demonstrate a 10% increase in biodiversity following completion.  If a developer cannot achieve the necessary increase in biodiversity required they can buy "biodiversity credits" instead which are used to fund projects anywhere in the country.

 

Is North Tyneside Council confident that current levels of biodiversity within the Borough can be maintained or will our wildlife be effectively moved elsewhere with our ever increasing levels of urbanisation?

 

Councillor S Graham replied as follows:

 

As you have explained in your question, the Environment Act requires all developments to meet the statutory 10% biodiversity net gain. This can be delivered on-site or off-site, or a combination of both. 

 

Developers must follow the ‘Mitigation Hierarchy’ and adhere to statutory guidance provided by the Government when setting out their net gain requirements.  They are also required to follow the Biodiversity Gain Hierarchy which very much emphasises prioritising on-site measures before exploring off-site options.

 

The Environment Act (2021) also requires Local Nature Recovery Strategies to be produced by Responsible Authorities across the country to assist with nature recovery. The emerging North of Tyne Local Nature Recovery Strategy will set out priorities for nature recovery and help identify locations for net gain delivery in the future, as well as nature recovery projects.

 

We are confident, that through these measures, along with existing wildlife protections that are addressed through the planning system, that biodiversity will continue to thrive in North Tyneside.

 

R Smithson  asked the following supplementary question:

 

How closely will the amount of off-site spending credit be monitored and will the results of the off-site spending be published?

 

Councillor S Graham replied as follows:

 

Developers are required to follow the Biodiversity Gain Hierarchy which is distinct from, but complementary, to the Mitigation Hierarchy referenced.  This Hierarchy emphasizes on-site measures before exploring off-site options and this is to ensure that developments make the most effective contributions to the areas.  Local biodiversity and developers must demonstrate how they followed this Hierarchy.  Furthermore, off-site net gain measures located further away from the development site hold less net gain value.  This is designed to encourage developers to ensure their projects contribute positively to local biodiversity and the government's statutory credit scheme is purposely cost prohibitive to ensure that it is the very last resort for any development.  In addition, it's important to note that biodiversity net gain does not replace existing Wildlife legislation or local plan policies that currently protect a range of important habitats and species.  Landscape and habitat mitigation is secured for any development that impacts habitats or species protected under the law and to address planning policy requirements.

 

2.     Question from A Stenning, North Shields

North Tyneside Council recently completed renovations to Northumberland Square and Howard Street, North Shields, with support and co-funding from Historic England.  In the council’s reporting of the completed work, they noted “Howard Street offers a shared highway surface for occasional vehicle use, creating a new pedestrian and cyclist-friendly cultural scene, giving a nod to the original historic footway geometry” and underlined the use of “traditional sandstone paving”.  The council celebrated that these renovations were “highly commended at a prestigious engineering awards ceremony”.

 

The redesigned street includes a designated ‘loading zone’ but, according to the signs installed on the street, is otherwise a ‘pedestrian and cycle zone’ with no access or parking at any time, except for loading.  This was confirmed in Traffic Movements Variation Order No 1 2022 and by changes to On-Street parking regulations.

 

Since the completion of the renovations, increasing numbers of drivers have ignored the restrictions, both driving down Howard Street for reasons other than loading and parking on the pavements and loading bay for extended periods.  At 13.15 on January 9 2025, for example, 24 cars were parked on the street.  Not only does this flout traffic and parking restrictions, but it significantly limits the amenity value for pedestrians, for whom the space was explicitly designed, and damages the expensive renovations – there is extensive evidence of tyre marks and oil stains on the sandstone paving.

 

In this light, I ask the mayor and her cabinet:

 

1.       Why the parking and access restrictions on Howard Street are not being enforced?

2.     What steps the council will take to ensure that it has the powers and the capacity to enforce existing restrictions, so that the valued restoration of Howard Street meets the needs of those for whom it was designed (pedestrians and cyclists)?

 

Councillor Hannah Johnson replied as follows:

 

As part of our Ambition for North Shields, we have delivered a range of public realm improvements in Howard Street, which have complemented the restoration of Northumberland Square and helped to create a welcoming space for people walking, wheeling and cycling in the area.

 

Owing to the historic nature of the area, care was taken to minimise the visual impact which could have resulted if excessive signage or road markings had been used.  This is in line with good practice for schemes in designated conservation areas which seek to preserve and enhance their character.

 

However, we know that some vehicles that are not being used for loading, have been parking in the area.  This would suggest that it might be associated with businesses in the area.

 

We have written to local businesses about this to ask for their co-operation and following this it is intended to start to undertake enforcement of the loading bays with effect from the week commencing 27 January.

 

A Stenning asked the following supplementary question:

 

How will the enforcement, which is due to begin next week, be monitored and will it be communicated to members of the public?

 

Councillor H Johnson replied as follows:

 

Our officers will be walking around enforcing restrictions from next week, and when it comes to any cars that might not be parked up and falling under moving traffic offences that will be down to the police.  So, we're working with them to make sure that this situation doesn't happen.

 

3.    Question from C Kirkham, Shiremoor

 

As a grandparent I'm concerned about the lack of play spaces in Shiremoor that I can safely walk to with my 8 year old grandson.  Access to playgrounds is essential for children’s physical and mental health, and for the wellbeing of parents, carers and the wider community, as a recent parliamentary debate underlined.

 

The council’s play strategy (2020-2030) states that “Equipped children’s play space should be created within a safe and easy walking distance, minimising the need to cross roads and other significant barriers.”

 

It also notes that weekly recorded inspections of play sites are carried out to “examine the equipment’s basic condition, any faults from vandalism, breakages and cleanliness of the play area.”  My nearest play space is Moorside Play Area but I have to cross the, sometimes very busy, Station Road to access it.  There used to be a crossing outside ‘Pryce Right’ but it's been decommissioned.  Moreover, Moorside Play Area does not always appear to be maintained and there is often rubbish including broken glass.  My question is - what is the council position on creating and maintaining play spaces in the ward? 

 

Councillor H Johnson replied as follows:

 

We know how important play sites are for the wellbeing of children and families and there are 55 play sites across North Tyneside where we continue to invest in new equipment.

 

We have a team dedicated to looking after our play sites and all are inspected at least once a week and litter removed as part of these visits.  In addition, all play sites display a contact number where people can report any issues between visits.

 

In Shiremoor ward, we have five play sites including the award winning and unique Shiremoor Adventure Playground.

 

I know that the Moorside play site has had some unprecedented vandalism, which has meant that we have had to temporarily remove or decommission some of the kit.  However, I am pleased to say that there are plans to replace the damaged equipment.  This is part of an investment of over £130,000 on play equipment in the Shiremoor area over the next twelve months, including the provision of a brand-new toddlers play area at the adventure playground.

 

C Kirkham asked the following supplementary question:

 

I've spoken to other parents and grandparents about this and people who live in some of the newer developments in the area such as Cloverfield and the Hastings Drive estate have even further to travel than me, they also have busy roads to cross to access Play spaces.  Are there any plans to update the play spaces available where new housing is built?

 

Councillor H Johnson replied as follows:

 

There are obviously a number of play areas in Shiremoor already, particularly when it comes to the Shiremoor Adventure Playground - it's completely unique, not just within our borough, but within the North East as well.  I wouldn't necessarily think that people in Shiremoor are not catered for when it came to playground equipment and we're also again investing in the equipment, particularly at Moorside that might have been damaged, so we are investing in our existing play areas as well. 

 

4.    Question from C Davis, North Shields

 

Now that a decision has been agreed by Council to close Monkseaton High School, what are the future plans for the building.  Is it to be repurposed into a community asset or is to be demolished and sold off for housing?  If the latter is the case, could the school be bought as a community purchase. 

 

Councillor C Johnson replied as follows:

 

The school building and land is not owned by the Authority.  Whilst we remain responsible for the upkeep of the building, it is currently in the ownership of the North Tyneside Learning Trust.

 

We are working with the school leadership team and the Learning Trust on future options.  Whilst I can’t confirm what the future use would be, I can assure you that there are no plans for further housing development on that site.

 

C Davis asked the following supplementary question:

 

There is a responsibility from the Council for children with SEN and Education plans that have a named school, and if that named school happens to be Monkseaton High what will be happening with those children?

 

Councillor C Johnson replied as follows:

 

We are working directly with the parent of every child that has Monkseaton as named school to get a new named school for all of them.

 

5.    Question from H Smith, Resident of Tynemouth

 

A decision was reached at a public inquiry in May 2023 that the Borough Road bridge be maintained as a public right of way.  Prior to this the council said it would cost too much to repair.  In light of the decision of the public inquiry, has funding been allotted from the budget to ensure that repair works will commence soon.

 

Councillor H Johnson replied as follows:

 

Following the public inquiry decision in 2022 to maintain a public right of way, a further assessment of the bridge structure was undertaken.  This identified a series of repairs to deal with some immediate maintenance issues.  This work is currently being priced and we expect it to be undertaken within the next three months.

 

In tandem with this our engineers are currently looking at options for larger scale repairs required to extend the life of the structure. 

 

H Smith asked the following supplementary question:

 

What amount has been allocated and agreed in the budget, both in the short and long term?

 

Councillor H Johnson replied as follows:

 

The work is currently being priced and we'd expect it to be undertaken in the next three months.

 

6.    Question from Mr Hill, Forest Hall

 

North Tyneside College has applied for planning permission to demolish part of its building.  It has said it that three floors in the building due for demolition are not being used anyway.  This is worrying as it appears that North Tyneside College is being run down.  The reasons given are low birth rates but the college used to run very successful adult education courses as well.  This combined with the closure of Monkseaton High school and its sixth form this appears to be a worrying trend for sixth form and adult education provision.  What are the plans and timeline for ensuring North Tyneside maintains a sixth form provision and access to lifelong learning?  

 

Councillor Phillips replied as follows:

 

Young people in North Tyneside currently have access to a broad provision for post 16 education and learning.  This is locally through the 7 schools that have Sixth Forms and also through access to further education settings, including locally at Tynemet College for a wide variety of vocational courses.  

 

In January 2023, following changes to the A Level offer by Tynemet College, Cabinet reviewed the provision of school based Post 16 education in North Shields and agreed to support work with the Pele Academy Trust for the development of a school-led sixth form based at John Spence Community High School.  This work is ongoing.

 

The adult education provision across the borough is also strong including Authority’s own Ofsted rated Outstanding Adult Learning Service which offers a comprehensive range of adult skills programmes.  These are designed in collaboration with local employers to deliver against local skills improvement plans.

 

Mr Hill asked the following supplementary question:

 

Due to the role of the combined Authority and the new Mayor, does that provide more opportunities for coordinating on a wider basis than just North Tyneside Council?

 

Councillor Phillips replied as follows:

 

Yes, this will mean more opportunities for collaboration, we just need to be really careful that in any kind of new scheme going ahead that it has to gone through the very stringent DFE conditions.