Latest news with #NorthTynesideCouncil
BBC News
10-07-2025
- BBC News
Shiremoor care home building destroyed in fire 'needs to be demolished'
Residents are calling for a former care home to be knocked down after the building was destroyed in a living near the site in Shiremoor, North Tyneside, fear the remains of the Stanton Lodge Care Home are dangerous following the blaze a year Avenue resident Angela Jones, 58, described it as an "eyesore" and said there was "nothing to stop kids going in and hurting themselves".North Tyneside Council said it did not own the premises but had provided external security around the site to keep people safe. On 18 June last year, a fire at the Milfield Avenue building became so bad nearby homes were evacuated. Six people aged between 13 and 21 were arrested but Northumbria Police said they would face no further action and its enquiries were ongoing. 'Wasted opportunity' A year on from the fire, those living nearby said they wanted the ruined property to be Wharrier, 78, who was one of those evacuated, said she believed the situation had "gone on too long"."It has been over a year since it happened. It is unsightly and it spoils the whole area," she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service."Something needs to be done and kids are going in now and you can hear them smashing the windows."Lynette Falke, 45, said: "It is such a prime location, I don't understand why it has not been snapped up for development. "It's right next to the Metro, right next to the coast - it's a wasted opportunity." Labour-led North Tyneside Council's director of housing and property services, Peter Mennell, said he understood the concerns."We have provided external security to monitor the site and keep residents safe," he said."We do not own the site, however, work is taking place to maintain its boundary while we explore suitable option for the acquisition and redevelopment of the site." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
28-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
North Tyneside Council 'cannot keep repairing vandal hit park'
Repairs to rectify a "long history of vandalism" at a popular play park are becoming too costly, a council has Park Playground in Backworth, North Tyneside, has been targeted by repeated vandalism since the early incidents led North Tyneside Council to install a durable surface designed to cover and protect damaged areas of the playground at a cost of £16, the council says a new area of rubber surfacing has recently been ripped, causing a small deep hole. They said the new surfacing had so far "withstood attempts to damage it, including efforts to melt it using electric scooters".Although the hole was being fixed, the council said the authority did not have the budget to "carry out ongoing repairs of this scale".The site had its play area removed in 2007 after continuous damage became too expensive to maintain, with a new playground added in 2013. Castle Park is overlooked by homes and regularly used by dog walkers, families and people travelling to and from bus stops nearby, but the council said the incidents were "rarely reported".Hannah Johnson, cabinet member for the environment, said: "Play areas are incredibly important to local families so it's really frustrating to see them damaged, especially repeatedly. "A significant amount of resources has been invested in this site over recent years to address ongoing issues. "Continued vandalism not only undermines these efforts but also places additional strain on maintenance and repair services. "We are committed to keeping the playground a safe and enjoyable space for everyone." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
22-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
North Shields social hub helps care-experienced people gain skills
A care-experienced woman says volunteering at a new social supermarket has helped her develop her communication Fairless is part of a team running the new pantry at the Riverside Family Hub in North Shields, helping families who are struggling with the cost of living and rocketing food costs. North Tyneside Council said the pantry, which opens once a week, offers a bag of store-cupboard, frozen and fresh goods for £ Fairless said the work had "inspired her to cook" from scratch and she now wanted to pursue a culinary career. The 25-year-old, who was referred to the project by the council's carer leavers team, said: "The pantry has not only given me really useful skills and experience, but it keeps me busy doing something that feels good."I've picked up so many skills for my CV, from cooking to budgeting to communicating with people. "I've learned to make meals from scratch - curries, pies, my own pizza dough." The venture is a joint project between North Tyneside Council, Future Foundations Health Information and Advice Virtual School (HIVE), a specialist teaching and youth service based at the Mayor of North Tyneside Council, Karen Clark, said: "Not only does it support our residents to access more affordable food, it provides a space for our care-experienced people to build skills for life. "The community spirit is palpable and it's evident that it's bringing people together in a really positive way." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
14-06-2025
- BBC News
North Tyneside anti-social behaviour crackdown returns
Mobile CCTV is to be used as part of efforts to crack down on anti-social behaviour at a popular beach and nearby transport a stretch of North Tyneside through the summer months, Operation Coastwatch will also see foot patrols carried out to identify "hotspot areas".Now in its 11th year, the partnership between North Tyneside Council, Northumbria Police and Metro operator Nexus will be paying "special attention" to the southern end of Longsands beach at Tynemouth, where large groups of youngsters have been gathering on Friday and Saturday weeks have seen alcohol-related incidents and fire crews being called out, the local authority said. While it added "most of the gatherings are good natured", dispersal powers will be used "where necessary to manage large crowds".Councillor Sandra Graham, cabinet member for crime and community safety, said: "We know most young people come to the beach to enjoy the warm weather and spend time with friends - and they do so responsibly."But where there are concerns, especially involving alcohol or fire-setting, it's important we step in."The Metro was described as a "key route into North Tyneside," by Erika Allen, of said police patrols on the network's trains and at its stations would provide re-assurance and deal with any anti-social behaviour, including fare dodging.A text message alert system is also available for passengers to report issues. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
28-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
North Tyneside Council by-election triggered after Labour mayor elected
Two council by-elections have been triggered in North Tyneside following Labour's narrow victory in the local mayoral of the seats, Longbenton and Benton, has been vacated by mayor Karen Clark, who was elected to her new role earlier this who is effectively the leader of North Tyneside Council, saw Labour's majority slip to just 444 votes, ahead of Reform UK's John Pat Oliver has stood down as a councillor in the Killingworth seat creating a vacancy there. Polling Day has been scheduled for 2 July. Clark - who has been a councillor and cabinet member for a number of years - replaced Labour veteran Dame Norma Redfearn, after she retired from the Conservatives, who are the official opposition on the local authority, came third in May's mayoral election, which is held every four years. In the most recent council elections in 2024, three Labour councillors were elected in Longbeton and Benton with a turnout of 32.8%, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Three Labour councillors were also returned in Killingworth, with a turnout of 35%.Applications to register to vote need to be made by midnight on Monday, 16 are required to officially register for the seats by 16:00 BST on Thursday, 5 June. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
