News Archive

 

 

Job swop for council leaders

 1st October 2008

Collecting residents’ household rubbish, emptying litter bins and dealing with pests was all in a day’s work for politicians and senior officers. Cabinet members and directors joined front line staff on their rounds as part of ‘Meet the Leadership’ recently.
The idea is to help employees feed information on key services and potential improvements, and for the leadership to gain an insight into the day-to-day issues that employees face. Other services covered included the garden waste and kerbside recycling collections; the dog warden section and bereavement care.
Council Leader Simon Tagg said: “It’s all very well making decisions in the Council Chamber, but I feel it’s essential to see how key operational services, such as refuse collection, actually work on the ground. Meet the Leadership also reinforces the link between the leadership and members of staff. Our employees are the experts at their jobs, so they have a very important role to play in the decision-making process.”
It follows last year’s event, which was hailed a success. Cllr. Tagg added: “I found the day extremely useful. I certainly picked up a lot of points, which I will be discussing with my Cabinet colleagues.”
 

 

 

Simon Tagg working to keep Post Offices open

 29th September 2008

Post offices across Staffordshire could soon be offering council services to their customers. Residents will be able to pay council tax and fines and access other services at their local branch if Post Office Ltd's latest ideas for sustaining its network go ahead.
Representatives from local authorities across the county attended a meeting at Staffordshire County Council where Simon Burman, senior marketing development manager at Post Office Ltd (POL), explained the proposals. A number of pilot schemes are already running around the country, and POL hopes authorities in Staffordshire will be the next to test the ideas. Both councils and post offices have reacted positively to the proposals.
Newcastle Borough Council leader Simon Tagg attended the meeting and said he was planning to invite Mr Burman to the borough council to discuss the ideas further. He said: "Obviously this has come too late to save the post offices which have already closed, but it could help to sustain those that are left. The borough council wants to bring services into neighbourhoods, so this could be one way of doing that. As well as allowing people to pay council tax bills at post offices, it could also help when we are carrying out consultations."
Ted Manders, head of regeneration at Stafford Borough Council, said: "We are certainly interested in this. We are looking at how we can use post offices to improve our services and the ideas that came forward were very encouraging."
Pilot schemes are currently running in Leeds and Wiltshire.
Mr Burman said: "We have two pilot schemes running, one for improving our expertise in validating identification, and another for the paying of housing benefits." During the latest wave of post office closures, 26 branches across North Staffordshire were axed.
Mike Johnstone, sub-postmaster at Little Madeley Post Office, said: "I think anything that brings in extra business would be beneficial. We've lost a of things, like television licenses, and car tax, as most people sort these things out online."
 

 

Borough Council pledges cash to Madeley community project

 27th September 2008

Newcastle Borough Council’s Cabinet is set to approve in principle support for the Madeley Community Development Project to the tune of £160,000.
The project has been put together by members of the community to develop a new village hall complex in the heart of Madeley which will provide a joined-up hub for service providers such as the police, PCT, Staffordshire County Council, Housing 21 and Newcastle Borough Council. More details of the project can be found  at: http://www.madeleycdp.co.uk/
The project was recently given planning permission by Newcastle Borough Council and the project team have made a bid to the Big Lottery for further funding. The Borough council is supporting their application.
Council Leader Simon Tagg said, "The Borough Council is keen to be involved in the Madeley project. The Council is committed to improving it services to residents and we believe we can do that by being based out in the community in which we serve. This project can be of benefit to all our resident on the rural western side of the Borough. Services that they we would hope to provide in Madeley include: Housing support services, Community Safety and a one stop shop & specialised surgeries to provide access to all council services. The cash we are willing to pump in to the project will allows us to do this."

 

 

Evidence points to keeping Pay Phones

 2nd September 2008

An investigation ordered by Newcastle Borough Councils Cabinet into the usage of BT pay phone has been received by members. Evidence suggests that there is a valid case for retaining a number of the threatened phone boxes because of high usage numbers and their proximity to busy highways and accident blackspots. A number of others are recommended to be retained because of the their historic interest.
 

Council Leader Simon Tagg who represents May Bank said, " One of the BT pay phones threatened with the axe is on May Bank High Street. Our research shows that in the last financial year 1350 calls were made from that pay phone. This proves that even in this age of mobile phones it is still an important community resource. It is centred in the heart of May Bank on a busy road that has got busier recently since the opening of the Wolstanton Link Road and is an accident blackspot. I would like the Council to use its veto to stop the May Bank pay phone and others on the BT hit list being removed."

"A number of payphones especially in the rural areas are traditional red boxes. Even though they have relatively low usage they are worthy in my view of retaining because of their historic value and as emergency phone in isolated areas.”


 

 

 New ID for the Borough Council

29th August 2008

Residents are being asked for their comments on a proposed new logo for the Borough Council. It is intended to use the striking new image to replace the existing logo used by the local authority on its stationery, vehicles, uniforms and all other corporate materials.
The Council’s Graphics and Design team together with marketing officers have produced the logo and based it on the three turret castle which forms a central part of the civic shield. The existing logo - which comprises the words Newcastle-under-Lyme in blue and green lettering with the ‘A’ in Newcastle represented by a green triangle under a blue arch - has been in use since the early 1990’s.

Council Leader Simon Tagg said, “Residents in the Borough are incredibly proud of its history and tradition. This striking, bold image is an obvious link to that heritage. We also think it is a better visualrepresentation of our area. I don’t think many people locally would be able to tell you what the old logo was supposed to represent. The design has been produced in-house by the Council’s graphics and design team and our marketing specialists. It will be introduced incrementally to ensure the authority faces no additional costs. As materials such as paper supplies, business cards, uniforms etc come to the end of their lives or we run out of stock, they will be replaced with items bearing the new logo.”

Deputy Leader Robin Studd said, “The castle means something to the people of Newcastle – it is after all where the Borough gets its name from. The Borough Council is a multi-million pound operation and it is important we brand our services with a strong, bold image. This means that when residents see staff with the logo on their uniforms, or see our waste or Streetscene vehicles bearing the logo, they are aware that it is the Borough Council providing those services for them. It should strengthen our profile in the community and enhance the link between residents who receive our services and the services themselves.”

Cabinet members will discuss the new logo at their meeting on September 10 and comments from residents will be fed into the meeting. Comments can be made by completing the form at the bottom of this page. The Council is retaining the corporate blue and green colours in the proposed new logo.

Cllr. Tagg added, “The logo is at the heart of the Council’s corporate identity and a stronger and bolder image would now be more relevant as the Council enhances its role as a community leader with a range of new, customer-orientated front line services including the transformation of the historic Guildhall as a Customer Service Centre; the overhaul of the Council’s waste services; a community focused Streetscene service.”
 

 

Keele spoil heap fire should expire naturally

8th August 2008

Former Council trainee accountant struck off by CIPFA

5th August 2008

 

£36,000 Marsh footpath project almost complete

17th July 2008

A £36,000 project to do up footpaths on Wolstanton Marsh is almost complete. Earlier this year the Conservative-led Cabinet at Newcastle Borough Council decided to use money given in developer contributions,  following the commencement of various building works in the area to fund the renovation work of the popular path network.
Borough Council Leader & May Bank Councillor Simon Tagg said, “This has been one of the biggest investment by the Council in the area in over 30 years. The footpaths when finished will be coated with protective light coloured resin that is similar to the colour of the paths before work began. These paths are really well used so we feel this a great way to spent the money gained from developers. As a result of these improvements they will be safer for everyone to use.”
Fellow May Bank Councillor Ian Matthews said, “The paths had been in a poor state for a long time so we are pleased that this work is being done. In the past flooding was a issue in bad weather when potholes filled with water. With the new surface this has become a thing of the past.”

 

 

United front over future of North Staffs Royal Mail sorting office

15th July 2008

 

 

Exposing Labours 'veil of secrecy' scam

Letter printed in The Sentinel14th July 2008

Dear Sir,

 Simon Tagg

Conservative Leader of Newcastle Borough Council.

 

 

Historic Guildhall transformation begins

25th June 2008

Residents can now see concrete evidence of the Council’s progress over its Guildhall transformation programme. Approved contractors Paragon Interiors Plc have now moved on site and begun the task of transforming the Grade II listed building into a one-stop customer service centre. The first visible signs of the works are now evident, after a compound was placed around the building.
Council Leader Simon Tagg said: “This is a very exciting stage of the Guildhall project, where we will see the Borough Council’s vision become a reality. The scheme is a win-win situation - we will not only improve the way our residents access Council services, but we can also bring an iconic building back into public use. The end result will be a building which acts as a focal point for the town centre of which we can all be proud.”
The Guildhall will become the main venue for customers’ Council enquiries when the project is completed by the end of the year. Visitors will be dealt with by customer service advisers who will ensure that the vast majority of requests are dealt with at the first point of contact. Revenues and benefits customers will be catered for in a special area on the building’s ground floor. A range of services will be found on the first floor, accessible by the Guildhall’s restored staircases or by a new customer lift. Residents who need detailed or specialist advice or services will be seen at the Civic Offices by appointment only.
In the meantime, arrangements have been made to ensure disruption to visitors and businesses is kept to a minimum. Temporary detachable bollards in the area will replace fixed posts to help improve traffic movement and enable swift deliveries.
Flower planters have been removed to facilitate the monthly Farmers’ Markets, while the compound will be reduced in size to accommodate Newcastle’s historic outdoor market.
Jeanette Hilton, customer services manager, said: “This project is a complete contrast – on the outside people will see little change to the building, whereas on the inside it will be completely modernised, while preserving the character and architectural features of this beautiful eighteenth century structure. There will be quite a lot of activity on this site during the next few months so we apologise for any inconvenience and ask that the public bear with us during these important changes.” Scaffolding is due to be erected next month, to enable some minor external improvements to be carried out.

 

 

Leaders Blog launched

30th May 2008

Computer users can now keep in touch with Newcastle Borough Council Leader Simon Tagg by clicking onto his monthly weblog. Cllr. Tagg is keeping residents up to speed with his activities as Council Leader and providing details of his busy schedule. The ‘blog’, which can be accessed via the Borough Council’s website homepage, will be updated on a monthly basis.

Current information includes details on the Council’s ‘Meet The Leadership’ initiative and the PARINS anti-racism campaign. Another new service launched by the authority’s communications department is a weekly news ‘podcast’.The podcast produces audio versions of a range of news items to keep residents informed of various Council initiatives and policies. Users can download the podcast from the authority’s website homepage as well as from Apple’s iTunes service.

Simon Tagg said, “More and more people are keeping up to date with the news by using electronic forms of communication. By launching the Leader’s blog and weekly podcast we are expanding our e-media outlets even further.”

News Podcast

Leader's Blog

 

 

Election 2008: Labour meltdown!

5th May 2008

New make up of Newcastle Borough Council Conservative 25  +5 Liberal Democrats 19  +1 Labour 12  -8 UKIP 4    +2

 

 

Declaration signed for equality and diversity

 

A campaign fighting to stamp out racism in North Staffordshire is set to add a new supporter to its list. Newcastle Borough Council has agreed to pledge its support to the work of the PARINS Partnership by signing its declaration.

PARINS (Partnership Approach to Racial Incidents in North Staffordshire), is leading the drive to create a society where people from all racial, religious and cultural backgrounds can live together in harmony. A joint venture between North Staffordshire Racial Equality Council and Stoke-on-Trent’s Citizen’s Advice Bureau, PARINS also supports victims of racism and encourages them to report incidents. The declaration contains a set of principles to ensure every individual is treated fairly and equally, regardless of colour of skin, race or religion.

Mark Barrow, the Borough Council’s Chief Executive, said: “This is a commitment on behalf of the Borough Council to support the important values that PARINS contains. We want to make a clear commitment to the community about the values we have across all levels of our business, whether it’s through our employees, our partners, or the services we provide to the public. This declaration is racially-based but actually the principles of equality apply to all groups, including disability, age and gender. It’s about treating people with respect.”

The signing of the declaration forms part of the Borough Council’s ongoing equality and diversity agenda.

Cllr. Simon Tagg, Council Leader, added: “Members of staff in all contact points have received training to enable them to deal effectively with reports of racial incidents. As a Council we are committed to providing services that are accessible to all sections of our community, irrespective of racial, ethnic, religious or cultural backgrounds.”

 

 

Meet the leadership 'on the job'!

25th March 2008

Planning has already begun for the next round of ‘Meet the Leadership’ which will take place in September 2008. Cabinet members and corporate directors are gearing themselves up to work in front line services such as waste management and Streetscene, which are based at Knutton Lane depot, for the day.
Meet the Leadership is a fairly new venture which is aimed at ultimately improving services. We are the ones making the decisions in the council chamber after all, so it makes sense to make time to find out how our decisions work on the ground. It’s also a simple but effective mechanism which allows two-way, face-to-face communication, a valuable tool that sometimes gets forgotten about in our technological day and age.
Getting stuck in alongside our members of staff sends out the message that we care about them and the services they deliver. It’s also another way of reinforcing the link between the leadership and members of staff who deliver the services. This week, councillors and directors each spent a day in services based at the Civic Offices, Jubilee Pool and the Museum and Art Gallery.
I spent my morning in the customer services area, dealing with the public’s enquiries. I handled a number of calls from all our service areas, including Streetscene and enforcement. I found it the experience valuable, as did my colleagues. We subsequently fed information back to officers, which is where service improvements can be identified.

 

 

Newcastle can keep over £1 million of Government 'blunder money'

11th March 2008

The Government will let Newcastle keep more than half of the £2 million it wrongly received in an embarrassing grant blunder. Newcastle Borough Council has been told that it will only have to repay £970,000 over two years, after it argued that the money, which came from the Local Authority Business Growth Incentive (Labgi) scheme, was needed to help regeneration. The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) overpaid the borough council by £2,020,000 over a two-year period after it confused Newcastle-under-Lyme with Newcastle Upon Tyne, with the latter being underpaid by a similar amount.
Council leader Simon Tagg, pictured right, today welcomed the Government's decision to let the authority keep more than £1 million, and insisted the repayment would not affect council tax levels.
Mr Tagg said: "I am very pleased with this outcome, as Newcastle doesn't usually get much out of the Government. Right at the start we said we would keep hold of the money until we had argued our case for keeping it. We showed the Government the council finances and told them what we would spend the money on, and in the end they allowed us to keep the money."
The borough council will pay back £370,000 straight away, with two further payments of £300,000 being made by April 2009 and April 2010. The initial repayment will come from the authority's Labgi reserve fund, and a report will go to full council in April proposing that the remaining £600,000 should be paid from contingency reserves.
Mr Tagg added: "Taking £300,000 out of the contingency reserves will have a minimal impact on the budget, and it definitely will not affect service delivery."
A spokesman for the DCLG said: "It is clear that the overpayment is a significant sum. "The council has shown a strong commitment to efficiency and is able to point to a full and imaginative programme of economic development in the area."

 

 

Civic Pride as Guildhall is brought back to life 20th February 2008 Plans have been unveiled which will breathe new life into one of Newcastle’s most historic buildings. The Borough Council has today announced plans which will see the Guildhall in the heart of the town centre brought back into public use. It will be transformed into a Customer Service Centre where all the Council’s face-to-face enquiries with customers will be dealt with. The Grade II landmark building – which dates back to 1713 – has been empty for the last couple of years but has previously been used as a pub, provision market, civic offices and court building. Proposals approved by the Borough Council’s Cabinet today (Feb 20) will see the Guildhall transformed before the end of the year. Council Leader Simon Tagg said: “This is fantastic news on two fronts. Firstly, it means we are taking positive action which will improve the way our customers can access services. And secondly, the proposal will breathe new life into one of the Borough’s most iconic and historic buildings. We propose offering access to almost all front line Council services via the new customer facilities in the Guildhall. Only complex or specialised services will be provided from the Civic Offices, by appointment.” Deputy Leader Robin Studd added: “This proposal not only enables the Council to bring the Guildhall back into community use in the shortest possible time but also supports regeneration proposals for the town centre.The report considered by Cabinet members today revealed the Borough Council plans to provide welcoming, efficient and modern facilities in a well-appointed, central location which customers can easily access. People who visit the Guildhall will be dealt with by Service Agents whose job will be to ensure the vast majority of requests are dealt with at the first point of contact. Revenues and Benefits customers will be catered for in a specially provided area on the ground floor of the Guildhall. A range of services will also be found on the first floor, accessible by the Guildhall’s impressive and newly restored staircases or by a new customer lift that will be installed for the first time. The proposed design also allows for partners to utilise the building at various times with discussions set to take place involving the PCT, police, county council, CVS, community groups, CAB and others. In parallel to the transformation of the Guildhall, a new reception with modern interview and meeting rooms will be established in the Civic Offices to receive visitors who need detailed advice in specialist areas, by appointments only. Access to the County Council’s Children’s Services reception in the Civic Offices will be unaffected by these changes. Councillor Tagg said: “This is a terrific opportunity for one of the Borough’s key buildings to be brought back into use in a way which benefits the Council’s customers while at the same time preserves the Guildhall for future generations.”

 

 

Labours £2 Million '2 Newcastles' blunder

13th February 2008

The Government has overpaid a grant to Newcastle Borough Council by £2 million - after confusing the town with Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Over the past two years Newcastle has received more than £2.5 million in Government cash as part of the Local Authority Business Growth Incentive (LABGI) scheme.
But now the Department for Communities and Local Government has written to the council saying the amount was calculated for a city the size of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, population 259,536, rather than a borough such as Newcastle-under-Lyme with 122,000 residents. The authority should have been paid around £600,000, and the department has asked for the overpayment to be returned.

But council leader Simon Tagg says the council has no intention of returning the money at this stage as it has already been set against a number of regeneration projects.  Mr Tagg said: "I'm flabbergasted that someone could have made this mistake. It's like when the Government lost those discs. The council accepted this money in good faith. It was a large amount, but we assumed it was in recognition of the work we've done to encourage business growth in the borough. Stafford received a similar amount, and I don't think Stafford is a better place to do business than Newcastle. In Newcastle was have things like the Lymedale Business Park which is full of companies all paying the full business rates, and so we thought the LABGI grant was the Government paying some of that back to us."

The LABGI scheme was conceived as a way of rewarding local authorities that encourage business growth in their areas. Last year the amount allocated to Newcastle soared from £458,000 to £2.066 million. The council had been planning to use the money on projects such as the refurbishment of the Lancaster Buildings in the High Street.
Mr Tagg added: "We have no intention of giving the money back at this stage. We want the Government to look at its figures again. If we do have to pay it back it should be over something like 20 years! We can't hand over £2 million just like that."

A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said: "This is a regrettable error, and we have taken action to rectify it. We are working closely with the councils involved, and are taking steps to ensure this does not happen again."

Newcastle business leaders back Borough Councils stance while Newcastle Labour signal they would capitulate to their masters in London

14th February 2008

Business leaders believe Newcastle should be allowed to keep the £2 million it wrongly received from the Government, in order to help regeneration. Newcastle Borough Council has received more than £2.5 million over the last two years as part of a business growth incentive scheme, after civil servants confused Newcastle-under-Lyme with Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The borough should have actually received around £600,000 and now the Government is asking for the overpayment to be returned.
But council leader Simon Tagg says that while the council has not spent this money, it has been ring-fenced for a number of regeneration projects. Newcastle Chamber of Trade believes the money from the Local Authority Business Growth Incentive (LABGI) scheme is desperately needed in the borough to help create employment and regenerate the area.
Trevor Miles, vice-president of the chamber, said: "I think it's quite amusing that central Government could send the money to the wrong place like this. It's not just the Government that makes mistakes like this, the Post Office sometimes gets the Newcastles confused as well.
"The chamber of trade welcomes any money that comes to Newcastle Borough Council. The council has done a good job in keeping costs down, but we really do need grants to improve the situation in the borough, and to help our businesses grow and expand. It would be sad if they had to give this money back, because of a mistake that the Government has made. Newcastle does need the funding to improve its deprived areas and create opportunities for employment."
The money had been earmarked for projects such as the refurbishment of Lancaster Buildings and the old St George and St Giles school building in the town centre.
But councillor Sylvia Butler, who leads the Labour Group, thinks the council will have no choice but to pay the money back and questions why nobody had queried the large grant payment until now.
She said: "I'm surprised this wasn't picked up sooner as it was a huge amount. People were surprised it was so big at the time. But the council has to give the money back. Unfortunately mistakes happen but this is money that was allocated to Newcastle-upon-Tyne and so we can't keep it. The money will be missed but if someone wrongly put some money in your bank account you wouldn't be able to keep it. I have asked an officer about the grant money, and he said some of it has gone into the budget, despite what Simon Tagg has said about it being ring-fenced."

Mr Tagg responded by saying that when the first LABGI payment was made in February 2006, the Labour Group was still in power. He said: "Nothing wrong was found at the time, and last year's payment was based on the same figures. As Stafford had received nearly £3 million, we didn't query it. The money is declared in the budget, as it has to be, but it has been ring-fenced. The Labour Group wanted to use the LABGI money to fund a zero council tax increase, and if they'd got their way that there would be no money left to pay back."
Mr Tagg says the mix-up will also not affect next year's council tax levels. Newcastle City Council, which was underpaid by more than £2.7 million, has also been contacted by the Government, and told the shortfall will be paid to the authority on March 3. A spokesman for the city council said: "The council is pleased the Government has spotted this error. Services were not affected and we have received the full amount."

 

 

Christmas card artists meet Leader

14th December 2007

Young artists from a Newcastle school have receive prizes at a special assembly after designing Council Leader Simon Tagg’s official Christmas card. Cllr. Tagg visited St. Giles’ and St. George’s Primary School on Tuesday, December 11 to give gift vouchers to Adam Pemberton, Lucy Hope and Billy Seru, all aged eight.
Adam’s design featuring Santa in his sleigh was selected for the front of the card. Lucy’s picture of a Christmas tree and Billy’s design of Santa delivering presents are depicted on the back of the cards.
A total of 27 Year Four pupils entered the competition, which was judged by Cllr. Tagg and colleagues from the Borough Council. “The standard of the designs was very high – it was difficult to choose a winner,” he said. “I would like to congratulate Adam, Lucy and Billy and their classmates for all their hard work.”
The cards will be sent to civic and community leaders in Staffordshire and the West Midlands and beyond. The children’s Christmas card designs will be on display in the main reception at Newcastle’s Civic Offices from December 12 to 24.
 

 

 

Thistleberry Latest: Investigation ordered into demolition of historic wall

17th November 2007

Newcastle Council's Planning Committee has ordered an investigation into the demolition of a historic dry stone wall on Keele Road, Thistleberry.

Councillors on the Planning Committee raised residents concerns about the lack of information from both the developer - Persimmon Homes and the highway Authority - Staffordshire County council. A report will now be brought to the next planning meeting (in December) outlining reasons why the wall was demolished, what has happened to the stone and what is going to be done about the metal barrier that replaced the wall.

Council Leader Simon Tagg who represents Thistleberry on the County Council said, "Local residents are rightly asking why no one was consulted about the removal of this wall which dates back to the 18th Century. Persimmon Homes and Staffordshire County Council have been slow to provide any detailed information.
We also have concerns over the unsightly barrier that has replaced the wall. It looks so out of place on a gateway road in to town. Hopefully the report ordered by the Planning Committee will shed some light on theses issues."

 

 

 

Letters tell true story over Road resurfacing

Letter printed in the Sentinel17th November 2007 from John Pye Chairman of R.A.G.G.S

Sir, - As chairman of the Sidmouth Ave, Gower St, Granville Ave and Northcote Place residents' association, and in response to A Watson's letter of November 14, let me firmly set the record straight. A Watson clearly implies that Councillor Stephen Holland seeks to take undue credit for the recently completed and very necessary and overdue road resurfacing.
The road resurfacing scheme apparently referred to by A Watson concerns Granville Avenue, Newcastle, which is an area covered by the residents' association of which I am the current chairman.
It is an undisputable fact that Mr Holland is, with the assistance of councillors Simon Tagg and Ian Matthews, responsible for this road being resurfaced.
Mr Holland has worked tirelessly with our residents' association, and attends almost every meeting we hold. It is a fact that without him, this road would still be in the disgusting state that it had been in for many years. I would go further than this and say that, had it not been for the equally tireless efforts of Simon Tagg some 18 months ago, Sidmouth Avenue, another road within our association boundary, would also still be in the same dangerous state that it had been in for many years. Indeed, The Sentinel reported on this issue and featured photographs of Mr Tagg with residents examining the terrible state of the road surface in Sidmouth Avenue.
Who is A Watson? Do they live anywhere in the vicinity of our residents' association? Possibly not, as they seem so very ill informed.
If they do, however, reside within our boundaries, I would like to invite him to our next meeting which will be held on November 26 at 8pm at St George's Church hall. He could then meet personally with Stephen Holland, and possibly also meet other very helpful, hard working councillors, who strive constantly to improve the quality of life of all the residents.

JOHN PYE Newcastle

 

 

Planning appeal victory for Lower Oxford Road campaigners

1st November 2007

An appeal by a developer against a decision by Newcastle Council's Planning Committee has been thrown out by Government Planning Inspectors. The application to convert an historic family house in Lower Oxford Road, Basford into 3 apartments (on 3 stories) was refused by Councillors in September 2006 because of concerns about over-development of the site, parking issues and lack of amenity space for resident.
Now a year later the Inspector has agreed with Councillor on parking and also considered the lack of usable outdoor space would result in 'unacceptable living conditions for future residents of the upper flats'.
May Bank Councillor Simon Tagg, who proposed refusal of the original application at the planning Committee said, "It was the right decision. I am pleased that the Planning Inspector has backed the Planning Committee on this and agreed with local residents' concerns. There is no doubt that the developer was attempting to maximise the use of this property, and therefore it would appear potential profit. It is the local councillors' job to speak up for residents, both present and future. This was overdevelopment of this particular site."
The property, the former Vicarage to St Marks Church, Basford hit the headlines in 2004 when 10 preserved trees were illegally cut down in the garden of the house. The then owner was forced to replant the trees a year later. A series of controversial planning applications were then submitted with permission finally being granted for 2 town houses on the garden site.

 

 

Conservatives vote to continue weekly collection

11th October 2007

Conservatives on Newcastle Borough Council's all-party Scrutiny Committee have backed a plan to increase home recycling to include plastic & cardboard while continuing a weekly collection of kitchen waste. The scheme will now go out to consultation with the public.

 

 

 

Council Leaders join workers delivering front line services

3rd October 2007

Residents saw some different faces in their neighbourhoods when Council leaders joined front line staff on their rounds. Politicians and senior officers from Newcastle Borough Council went out and about with depot staff on Friday, September 21 in a bid to gain first-hand experience in important services.          
Members of the Cabinet and Corporate Board joined teams in Streetscene, waste and recycling services and environmental services. The initiative helped staff feed information to the Council leadership on key services and potential improvements. And it gave the Cabinet and Council directors an insight into the day-to-day issues of staff on the front line.
Council Leader Simon Tagg, Chief Executive Mark Barrow and Cabinet member Mary Maxfield (pictured right) collected residents’ household rubbish.
Council Leader Simon Tagg said: “We didn’t do this because we were told to; we actually requested to do it. The Cabinet makes decisions but it was good to see how they actually work on the ground.

 

 

 

Simon Tagg elected on to Staffordshire County Council

12th July 2007

Newcastle Conservatives have won the by-elections brought about by the untimely death of Newcastle Borough & Staffordshire County Councillor Glennis Deakin in May 2007.

Newcastle Borough Council Leader Simon Tagg has won the fight for the Westlands, Thistleberry & Keele County Council Division.
While Linda Hailstones, wife of Seabridge Conservative Borough Councillor Peter Hailstones has been elected for the Westlands Ward on the Borough Council. (Simon & Linda pictured right, outside one of the threatened day care centres in the Westlands during the campaign)

Candidate Party Votes % of Vote Simon Tagg Con 1,067  41.94 Marion Reddish Lib Dem 1,005  39.50 David Beardmore Lab 268  10.53 Wayne Harling UKIP 204  8.03

 

 

Partnership at Newcastle Borough Council set to Continue

The Partnership of Conservatives and Liberal Democrats is set to continue running Newcastle Borough Council. Both Groups joined forces last year after the local elections resulted in no party having overall control of the authority.
The joint working arrangement will now go on for a further 12 months after voters went to the polls earlier this month and once more left no single party with an outright majority. Both Groups gained three seats each in the May elections with Labour losing six.

The make-up of the Council is now 20 Conservatives, 20 Labour, 18 Liberal Democrats and two UKIP members. Conservative Leader & Leader of the Council Simon Tagg said: “The Partnership has started down the road to improving the Council and we have agreed to carry on this year. The Conservative Lib Dem partnership worked well last year, both Groups recognise there is more to do and our efforts will focus on translating this into better services for the residents of Newcastle.”

Robin Studd, Liberal Democrat Leader & Deputy Leader of the Council, added: “The Government Inspectors, the Audit Commission, have recognised we are beginning to turn things round at the Council. Our challenge now is to keep our foot on the pedal and keep moving forwards. The result of the election showed that people don’t want Labour back in power. They lost seats to both ourselves and the Conservatives.”

Among the councillors who lost their seats was David Leech, the Labour group leader. He lost in Knutton to UKIP’s Derrick Huckfield. Other Labour members who lost their seats were John Macmillan (Butt Lane); last year’s Mayor Bill Sinnott (Madeley); Ray Astle (Ravenscliffe) and Michael Clarke (Wolstanton).

 

 

Simon Tagg re-elected to the Borough Council

Simon Tagg has been re-elected as May Bank ward councillor for another 4 year term. Also, in a day of drama in Newcastle the Conservatives picked up 3 seats from Labour and are now the joint largest party on Newcastle Borough Council.

MAY BANK WARD Candidate Party Votes % of Vote Tagg, Simon John CON 1227  62.89 Harrison, Stephen Peter LAB 310  15.88 Lewis, Barbara Mary UKIP 223  11.43 Wain, Chris LIB DEM 191  9.78 New makeup of the Council

Conservative 20 Labour 20 Liberal Democrats 18 UKIP 2 Party Gains/Losses Party Swing  Conservative +3  Labour -6  Liberal Democrats +3  Independent -1  UKIP

 

 

Final Election leaflet:

 

 

 

Delivering you a low 2.7% Council Tax

The Conservative/ Lib Dem administration led by Simon Tagg on Newcastle Borough Council has agreed its first budget, delivering on an election pledge and increasing council tax at the below inflation level of just 2.7% - the lowest rise in years and well below the 4.9% hike by Labour-run Staffordshire County Council.

The Budget was presented to the full council and approved on 28th February 2007.

 

Champion for Borough's children

Young people in Newcastle are set to benefit from the creation of a new trust. The Borough Children's Trust aims to bring together organisations throughout the area to support young people up to the age of 19-years-old - especially those with special needs or disadvantages.

Members will include representatives from local schools, the police and the borough council.

The trust will focus on the specific needs of children in Newcastle to deliver the aims set out in the Children Act 2004 - enjoying and achieving, staying safe, being healthy, making a positive contribution, and economic wellbeing.

It will have a two-tier structure, with the board supported by Community and Learning Partnerships based around secondary schools in the area. The partnerships are currently in development in Clayton, Kidsgrove, Chesterton, Knutton and Silverdale, and Wolstanton and Cross Heath.

Council leader Simon Tagg, who will represent the borough council on the trust, said: "A children's trust will bring together all services for children and young people in the borough. It is focused on improving outcomes for all children and young people in Newcastle up to 19-years-old.

"It will support those people who work very hard every day with children, young people and their families in schools, social services and the important voluntary sector."
 

 

Inspectors praise improving Council

 Article printed in The Sentinel, 21st February 2007

Inspectors have praised Newcastle Borough Council more than a year after it was heavily criticised. A new Audit Commission report says the current political leadership and improved council structure has provided a solid foundation for the authority to move forward.
It was previously slammed for having over-ambitious vision statements which stretched available resources in order to deliver seven corporate priorities and work on 23 areas of improvements.
Now, the latest report shows since the Conservative/Lib Dem coalition seized power from the Labour group in May's local elections, it has brought about better clarity over roles and responsibilities.
 

Simon Tagg, council leader, said: "Every member of staff at the council and the residents of Newcastle should be heartened by the messages coming out of this report. Although it's early days and we shouldn't get carried away because there is still much more to do, it shows we are now heading in the right direction. We have ended the drift of the Labour years and we are honouring our promise to the electorate last May to change the culture at the council."

The full report also sets out how the council can ensure it remains on track - by including 'obvious measurable benefits or targets' in plans and making sure major changes do not overlap.

Councillor Stephen Holland added: "Credit should be given to those people who have led these improvements since May - the council leader and deputy council leader, the officers including the council's improvement programme manager; and other members who have been involved both directly and indirectly. But we should not rest on our laurels as the report makes clear - councils have to evolve as they improve their services and meet the changing needs of their residents. It is important that as elected members we strive for the best for our council. We owe it to the people we represent."

Since inspectors were on site the council has also appointed new chief executive Mark Barrow, who takes up his post at the end of March.

 

 

Keeping Council Tax down and delivering on our promises

Families in Newcastle will have to pay the borough council just £4.36 extra a year in council tax. Annual tax bills are poised to rise by 2.7 per cent in the borough after the council agreed its budget for the 12 months from April 1.
It means residents in average Band D homes will pay £165.92 for the year, compared with £161.56 last year.
It is the first budget set by the ruling Conservative /Lib Dem coalition which took control in May 2006 and is among the lowest rises in recent years.
It will be presented to full council on Wednesday, when it is expected to be passed by a majority. Under the previous two budgets passed by Labour, the council tax rose by 4.9 per cent, the maximum allowed by the Government.

Simon Tagg, (pictured right) leader of the borough council, said: "When we were in opposition, we put forward a budget below the rate of inflation and below the rise in state pensions. Now, we are carrying that through. Council tax does have to increase to keep pace with rising costs. The council is subject to those costs, and we want to invest in our priorities."

Those priorities are:

Keeping cleaner and safer streets - an extra £200,000 has been set aside for improved CCTV monitoring
Creating a borough of opportunity - the council wants a wider range of leisure, cultural and sporting facilities. Up to £5 million will be used to fund investment projects and large scale regeneration programmes
Waste management and recycling - £220,000 is to be spent on collection of more green waste and recyclable materials
Transforming the council - about £250,000 will be set aside to develop one-stop shops where residents can drop in to sort out any council related problems.
 

Mr Tagg added: "I think residents will appreciate what we are doing." The borough demand has to be ratified by the full council next week.
Taxpayers in Newcastle welcomed the council's attempts to keep bills low. Annie Deakin, aged 56, of Kidsgrove, said: "It's another bill but I'm thankful that it can be kept low. When everything creeps up, it adds up." Meredith Birch, aged 62, also from Kidsgrove, added: "If the money is being spent on things like CCTV and good causes, it takes the sting out of the bill."


 

Please sign the Save Our Care Homes e-petition 

Sentinel article from 1st Feb 2007  

Following the news that Staffordshire County Council plans to close all council-run Care Homes & Day Care Centres in the Borough by March 2008 Cllr Simon Tagg has launched an online petition. Cllr Tagg said, "I am very concerned about what is happening, some of the most vulnerable members of our community have been made very afraid for their future. I am shocked at how this has been handled. We need to send a message to Staffordshire County Council asking them to think again about this". The e-petition states:

'We the undersigned are completely opposed to Staffordshire County Council's policy to close every Council-run Care Home and Day Centre in Newcastle Borough by March 2008. We ask Staffordshire County Council not to carry out this heartless cut in basic welfare services.'

 

 

 

19th Century map reveals Borough's past

 Article printed in The Sentinel, 3rd February 2007

An ancient map which was discovered at a church has been donated to a museum.

The map, which was found at St Giles Church in Newcastle and dates back to 1840, details the land which was owned by the Burgesses of Newcastle Borough. It has now been donated to the Borough museum at the Brampton. Burgesses traditionally held powerful positions in Newcastle and used to run the Borough alongside the town's mayor.

Pictured right - Councillor Simon Tagg, a Burgess of the Borough along with fellow Burgesses Jack Vernon & Geoff Davies and the current Mayor of Newcastle Bill Sinnott with the map.

 

 

 

 

Why are we still waiting?

May bank Councillor Simon Tagg has hit out at more inaction by Labour-run Staffordshire County Council. This follows their continued failure to deal with a problem related to the grass verge on May Bank High Street (see picture right). The muddy and chewed up stretch outside the flats was reported by Cllr Tagg to County Council Officers before Christmas.

Cllr Tagg said, "I reported this as urgent to  County Council officers not just because it is an eyesore but because many local elderly people have to cut across this grass verge to get to the shops and it is a muddy mess at the moment. Cars are continually parking on this grassed area after it appears County Council or Aspire Housing vans had parked on it to carry out work nearby. Whatever the reason, this now needs to be put right, with the soil reinstated and bollards erected  if necessary. This is not the first time that Staffordshire County Council  has failed to act. They really need to get their act together and stop letting local people down."

Cllr Tagg has now contacted Staffordshire County Council again and sent them a copy of the picture showing the state of the grass verge and requested their immediate attention.

After pressure from local May Bank Councillors the problem was finally dealt with by Staffordshire County Council.

 

 

 

Labour come under fire for link road misery

My letters to the Sentinel, January 2007 about the controversial Wolstanton link road

Sir - A Bloor has got a cheek calling May Bank residents 'nimbys' for being concerned about road safety (The Sentinel 11th January 2007).
What residents and myself were calling for in the recent Sentinel article about the Wolstanton link road was for Labour-run Staffordshire County Council to honour its pledge to make improvements to help alleviate the increased road safety issues that the new road will bring to May Bank and parts of Wolstanton. The issues of congestion on the High Street and rat-running on Basford Park Road will be made much worse by this new road. That's not just local councillors and residents saying this, it's the Council's own traffic survey!
May Bank's three Borough councillors will continue to press Staffordshire County Council and the local Labour County Councillor, who is in charge of funding for the roads in May Bank to act NOW!

(Right) Every picture tells a story: Labour-run Staffordshire County Council is responsible for the Wolstanton link road.

Sir, - Further to the letter from Mervyn Edwards (January 3) regarding the Wolstanton link road. This road, which many local people have long dreaded, is about to become a reality. In the 2003 May Bank and Basford Traffic Study, it stated that the road would lead to a 25 per cent increase in traffic though the already congested May Bank High Street. Labour-run Staffordshire County Council, which is in charge of our highways, has been aware of this for four years, but has done nothing to implement the road improvements that could reduce the impact of the extra traffic, and make our roads safer for the young and old alike. During this period, Labour county councillor Mick Clarke has promised many times to carry out these badly-needed improvements, but the people of May Bank are still waiting. A second crossing point is needed on the High Street, and an improved parking lay-by needs to be designed. Are you listening, Mick?
Mervyn Edwards points out that the Wolstanton link road is part of some dubious "grand plan", but we must not forget its effect on May Bank's pensioners and children. May Bank folk will never forget the fact that this link road was passed by Labour councillors while most Lib Dem councillors sat on their hands. All Conservative councillors voted against it.

 

Work on controversial Wolstanton link road begins

Article in the Sentinel 22nd December 2006

Work has finally got under way on the long-awaited Wolstanton link road, but residents and community leaders fear the project will create more traffic problems. Some people believe that the scheme linking the A500 with Wolstanton, will increase traffic in nearby May Bank High Street.
They say motorists wanting to get on to the D-road will choose to cut through the neighbourhood to use the link road, rather than travel on the congested Basford bank route.
Councillor Simon Tagg, who represents May Bank, said: "They might call this the Wolstanton relief road, but it will not bring any relief for May Bank.
"It was estimated in the 2003 May Bank Traffic Study that if this new link to the A500 at Wolstanton were built, it would lead to extra traffic through the already congested High Street in May Bank.
"Staffordshire County Council has known about this since 2003, and has done nothing to put improvements in place to help May Bank cope with the extra traffic the new road will create."
Eva Lycett, who lives on the High Street, said: "The traffic gets worse and worse. Sometimes you can wait for more than five minutes before you can cross.
"It's dreadful now, it really is. There is a crossing, but it's at the other end of the road, and we're all elderly people here."
Work on the £2 million link road began earlier this month - 28 years after proposals were first mooted. The 650-metre route, which will connect Wolstanton to the A500, will also serve 250 new houses being built by Bloor Homes, which is picking up bill for the development.
Campaigners fought against the plans, although its supporters insist it could bring about benefits for businesses in the area. The route will take A527 traffic out of Wolstanton High Street via Grange Lane, across former mining land above Asda, to link with the A500. Staffordshire Highways has hired Wrekin Construction to complete the 35-week project.
All earth-moving operations will take place from 8am to 6pm, and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays. Sundays will be quiet, unless the contract gets severely behind schedule.

 

 

A Happy Christmas on the cards

15th Dec 2006

Prizes have been awarded to the winners of a competition to paint a Christmas picture for Newcastle Borough Council Leader Simon Tagg's official Christmas card.

5 and 6 year olds from St Wulstan's Catholic Primary School where Cllr Tagg is a school governor all took part and painted pictures with a Christmas theme. These were then judged by Cllr Tagg and colleagues at the Council.

The winning design (pictured below), a nativity scene by Katharine Fairweather aged 6, has now been pictured on the card which will go out to over 130 civic and community leaders and officials all over Staffordshire and beyond.

Cllr Tagg said, "There were some wonderful pictures and it was hard to pick just one winner. I'd like to thank Katharine for doing the painting, and to the runners-up and all the children from St Wulstan's well done!"

"I'd also like to thank the members of staff who work so hard all year round for the children and wish the staff, children and their parents a Happy Christmas. It's nice to do something different for the Leader's card this year rather than the usual snowy scenes."

Katharine was presented with a book voucher, as was 2nd place Edward O'Malley (age 5) whose painting depicts the 3 kings and 3rd place Holly Newman (age 5) for her colourful nativity scene (pictured above: Simon, Katharine, Edward & Holly).

Cllr Tagg also awarded the whole class who took part with a tin of sweets when he visited the school for the prize giving.

A pick of the paintings and the winner and runners-up will be displayed in the reception at the Civic Offices in Merrial Street in Newcastle from now until Christmas.

 

 

CCTV cameras now monitored in town!

Article in the Sentinel 4th December 2006

A Private contractor is monitoring Newcastle town centre's CCTV network on busy weekend nights in the run-up to Christmas.The pilot scheme was launched this month in a bid to make the town a safer place for clubbers and Christmas party-goers to visit.
It is the first time that live footage has been monitored in the town. The move is intended to ensure a fast response from police to any violence. The contractor, based at Newcastle Borough Council's CCTV control centre in Knutton, informs police at the first sign of any trouble. Officers patrolling in the town centre are then directed to the scene of any fighting or confrontation.
Better CCTV coverage was named by the borough council's ruling Lib-Dem and Tory coalition as one of a number of priorities for the next year. Five new cameras have recently been installed in the town centre - three at the south end of High Street and two covering Paradise Street - taking the number of cameras in the town centre from 12 to 17. That is on top of the 33 cameras which the council installed at Midway multi-storey car park.
Council leader Simon Tagg said: "At the moment, the CCTV cameras are just recording and if anything happens the footage is studied after the event.
"With monitored CCTV, our officers will contact police as it happens. They will then be able to gather evidence from the scene, rather than look at it two weeks later. If there's an incident, an officer can use the cameras to track a suspect. A common complaint now is that recorded footage will often lose the offender as he walks out of view.The aim is to make the town centre safer, especially during the busy Christmas period."
If the scheme is a success, the council will look to bring in regular monitoring of CCTV footage, and, ultimately, 24-hour monitoring.
Inspector Mick Boyle, of Newcastle police, said: "It will assist us with crime reduction in the town centre and provide a deterrent. I'm sure it will make Newcastle a safer place."
Publican Mike Fallows, licensee of Brassingtons in the town centre, said: "I welcome this. If it's going to help put police in the right place at the right time, it's good." The council has also identified priorities over the next year to make streets cleaner and safer, improve recycling and enforce on-street parking restrictions more effectively. Councillor Tagg added: "We have also started to honour our election commitments on improved CCTV and better car-parking enforcement and we will be putting the emphasis firmly on cleaner streets and targeting litter and grot hotspots."

update on CCTV <click>

 

 

Disappointment as Lap Dancing  Club gets the go-ahead in the Town Centre

Press release 4th Dec 2006

 

 

It's a matter of priorities

2nd Dec 2006

Newcastle's Conservative / Lib Dem administration has started the process of setting out the Council's priorities. A report to the Council's Cabinet sets out the new administration's plans in a number of key areas. This follows on from the joint agreement between the Conservative & Lib Dem Groups after the May 2006 local elections which saw them wrestle power away from Labour for the first time in over 30 years and reflects the manifestos on which the two Groups fought that election.

The Council will move towards a more focused set of priorities based around - cleaner safer streets, improved recycling, and creating a Borough of opportunity for Newcastle's residents.

Cleaner Safer Streets - means:
1) Moving towards a monitored CCTV system starting with a 'peak hour' monitoring pilot over Christmas at the Council’s new CCTV control centre based at the Knutton Depot.
2) The creation of multi-skilled streetscene teams to target litter hotspots in the Borough.
3) Better on-street car parking enforcement around the town centre area.

Improved Recycling - means:
1) Start to meet the Government‘s recycling targets.
2) Increased investment in recycling - green waste, plastic and cardboard.

Borough of Opportunity means:
1) Roll out of Neighbourhood Renewal Initiatives across the Borough.
2) A 20 year Town Centre Action Plan & Regeneration
3) Set up a Borough Children’s Trust.

There is also a commitment to transform the way the Council works through the Council’s Improvement Programme which is already underway, through developing a Contact Centre and through the introduction of multi-skilling and more flexible ways of working.

Council Leader Simon Tagg said, "The document will set the Council on a new course for the next few years and is a necessary document as it will provide a focus for the improvements in service delivery we desire. We have also started to honour our election commitments on improved CCTV and better car-parking enforcement and we will be putting the emphasis firmly on cleaner streets and targeting litter & grot hotspots.

“Along with the things that we are doing outside to make the streets cleaner and safer, we also recognise that the Council has to continue to change and improve so it can deliver the service improvements. That’s why we want to transform the way the Council works and interacts with the public - our customers. We will manage performance and we will create a multi-skilled and mobile workforce to do that."
 

 

 

MP Caroline Spelman visits Newcastle

Press release 25th Nov 2006

 

Caroline Spelman MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government paid a visit to Newcastle on the evening of Thursday 23rd November 2006 as a guest of Newcastle Conservative Association.

Caroline rounded off her tour of the West Midlands by meeting with a group of Councillors from Newcastle - headed by Council Leader Simon Tagg. She then attended the Newcastle Conservative Association Annual Autumn Meal at the Borough Arms Hotel.
Caroline met with Councillors who have recently taken control of Newcastle Borough Council in partnership with the Lib Dems which ended over 30 years of Labour rule in the town.

She heard about the improvements taking place at the Council and also  discussed the Government's White Paper on the future of Local Government.

 

 

Pictured from left to right: Simon Tagg, Stephen Holland, Jeremy Lefroy, Ann Heames, Betty Cartwright, Andy Fear, (the late)Glennis Deakin & Caroline Spelman.

 

 

 

 

Update: Inspectors' positive report

Audit commission Inspectors have given the Improvement Programme at Newcastle Borough Council a significant boost. They have provided informal feedback to Council Leader Simon Tagg and acting Chief Executive Ian Jenkinson following their visit last week to the authority.
The Inspectors made a number of positive comments in a number of areas. This follows the last inspection in March 2006 (before the new Conservative / Lib Dem administration took over the council) which was critical of the Council in many areas.

Positive comments including:-

Leadership – “the new organisation structure shows clarity”; “visible leadership is being demonstrated through the Meet the Leadership sessions”; “there is increased trust between members and officers, particularly in financial areas.”
Organisation – “there is an increased understanding in this area”; “there were no dissenting voices during the inspection.”
Employee development – “reviews are now built into a planning cycle.”
Direction – “the Improvement Programme and restructuring are well-documented and clear.”
Capacity – “new structural design is helping this”; “recruitment and retention issues are also being addressed.”
Internal Communications – “really good improvements”; “team briefs are consistent and becoming embedded.”

Council Leader Simon Tagg said: “Every member of staff at the Council and the residents of Newcastle should be heartened by the messages coming out of this informal feedback. Although it is very early days and we shouldn’t get carried away, it shows we are now heading in the right direction.”
Deputy Leader Robin Studd added: " The Council has not had too many inspections in recent years where Inspectors have had positive things to say, so we should enjoy this moment and then roll our sleeves up and press ahead.”
Acting Chief Executive Ian Jenkinson also welcomed the feedback. He said: “Many thanks to everyone who took part in the inspection. We now await the formal draft report setting out the Inspector’s key messages. This review comes before the Use of Resources inspection which will look back at our achievements over the last 12 months. Although the impact of the changes we are making are not yet fully developed or embedded, our direction of change is positive and that is excellent news for the Council.”
 

 

 

May Bank latest: You decide on school's fence plan

Leaflet 27th Oct 2006

Cllr Simon Tagg would like to thank all those people who wrote letters to him recently about the May Bank Infants School headmistress’ proposals to erect a fence (with gated access) around a part of the Marsh next to the School.
Simon said, “The plans were discussed at last week’s Cabinet meeting which I chaired as Council Leader. We decided that whilst we all support safer access to the Marsh for the schoolchildren, it would have been premature to make a decision on the proposals at the moment because it became clear that inadequate consultation had been carried out.
The Council will now write to residents who live around the Marsh to ask them for their views. We believe that this is the correct way forward.”
Stephen Holland said, “A number of residents have been telling us that they were unaware of these plans, otherwise there has been a mixed response. Therefore more consultation is the best way ahead.”
Ian Matthews added, “The Marsh holds a special place in people’s hearts so it is only right that they be asked their views. I was surprised to hear Labour Councillor Mick Clarke on Radio Stoke saying that he believed there had been enough consultation and that people had already decided in favour of these proposals. You have been telling us different!”

 

 

Exclusive: Labour's £1.6 Million addiction to consultants

Press release 12th Oct 2006

New figures to be released shortly are expected to show that Labour spent £1.6 Million on consultants during their 2 years in full control of Newcastle Borough Council  - a period that ended on May 24th 2006 when they were voted out.

Council Leader Simon Tagg said, "The figures will show that  people (such as ex Council Leader David Leech and Cllr Mick Clarke) in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. Labour's attack on the new administration for engaging consultants on vital Council restructuring will now seem at the very least - foolish. The true scale of their involvement with consultants while in power is indeed shocking."  

 

 

Historic night as new structure gains Full Council approval

Press release 28th Sept 2006

New positions in the new structure proposed by Council Leader Simon Tagg and adopted by the Full Council tonight:

Ian Jenkinson - Acting Chief Executive, Head of the Paid Service and Returning Officer
Paul Clisby -      Monitoring Officer
Alan Campbell - Deputy Monitoring Officer
Alan Hill -         Interim Corporate Director (Resources)
Alan Hudson -   Corporate Director (Community Services)
Neale Clifton -  Corporate Director (Strategy, Development and Regeneration)
Ian Jenkinson - Corporate Director (Assets and Operations)

Full Council also adopted a 17 strong Senior Management structure. Full story can be found <here> 

 

 

Councillors go back to school

Council press release 23rd Sept 2006

Councillors in Newcastle will be going back to school, in an effort to encourage children to take an interest in local democracy and vote when they are old enough. Council leader Simon Tagg and fellow May Bank councillors Ian Matthews and Stephen Holland will make a number of visits to Wolstanton High School.

Councillor Tagg will visit the school of which he is an ex pupil  on October 4, 11 and 18, and November 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, when he will give pupils an insight into life as the leader of the council.He will also talk about local elections, and the session will include questions and answers.
 

 

 

Council restructuring gathers momentum after passing Scrutiny test

Press Release 11th Sept 2006

Council Leader Simon Tagg has indicated it is the joint Conservative / Lib Dem administration's intention to move forward with the restructuring and improvement of Newcastle Borough Council after the plans passed unscathed through the Council's Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday night. He confirmed that the plans will now go to the Full Council at the end of the month for ratification.
Cllr Tagg said, "Our restructuring plans met no real obstacles at the Scrutiny meeting, just a bit of political point scoring by the Labour opposition but for all their talk in the end they didn't even force it to the vote. We can now progress to the Full Council at the end of September (27th) and start the improvement of Newcastle Borough Council."
Cllr Tagg also pledged that he and his Cabinet colleagues will intervene to stop any drop in service level to the public.
"I have made it clear to my Cabinet colleagues that it is our job to ensure that the restructuring of the Council moves as smoothly as possible. Each one has been given an area of the Council's activity to monitor in order to prevent any problems arising and ensure that officers don't take their eyes of the 'service delivery' ball over the next few months."
He conceded that the next few months could be difficult as the new structure 'bedded in' but he had confidence in his Cabinet colleagues.
"Both the public and Council staff can I believe be confident that they have the right team running Newcastle at the moment. That team is changing the culture in the Civic Offices and leading a Council striving for excellence."

Cabinet member Cllr Glennis Deakin said, "The rest of the Cabinet and I are determined to see the Council improve and we intend to monitor the situation closely. It is important that we work with officers to ensure that the restructuring is managed properly."

 

 

Picture exclusive: Borough set to sweep up & recycle

Article in the Sentinel 6th September 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conservative Group Leader Simon Tagg & Cllr David Becket (pictured top right) viewing the ground breaking recycling process for street sweepings.

Newcastle Borough Council is set to increase its recycling efforts by recycling street sweepings for the first time. The move is part of the new Conservative/Lib Dem administration's new recycling strategy that has replaced the Labour Group's stated policy of moving the Borough immediately to fortnightly bin collections.
A report that goes before the Council's Scrutiny Committee on 6th September says that there is the potential for 1,300 tons of recyclable materials to be obtained from the street sweepings, which equates to an additional 2.6% towards the Government targets for the Borough of 18% in 2006/07 and 20% in 2007/08.
Council Leader Simon Tagg & Lib Dem Environment Spokesman David Becket paid a visit to a local recycling plant to view the groundbreaking process for the recycling of street sweepings on Thursday.
Simon Tagg said, "I was impressed with the process to recycle the street sweepings. Why should all that material go to a landfill site or be incinerated as is happening at the moment when it could be recycled? This will not only help us to reach the recycling targets but also protect the environment. The soil/grit material extracted can be reused as backfill on building sites and the other sweepings (leaves, wood, plastic) can be recycled in the normal way."
David Becket said, "This is a groundbreaking process which more councils are becoming alert to. Newcastle is at the forefront of this. The recycling of street sweepings along with the additional garden waste collections and the introduction of plastic bring sites as set out in our new recycling strategy will help us towards the Government's tougher targets for recycling."
 

 

Simon Tagg blasts Labour criticism of Council restructuring

Letter to the Sentinel 22th August 2006

 

 

Simon Tagg leads the improvement at Newcastle Borough Council

Press release the Sentinel 1st August 2006

 

Historic night for Newcastle: New Tagg team to lead Newcastle

Article printed in the Sentinel 25th May 2006

Labour has lost control of Newcastle Borough Council for the first time in more than 30 years. Although still the biggest individual party on the council, with 27 seats, an alliance forged between the Conservative group and the Liberal Democrats has wrested control of the borough away from Labour with a combined seat total of 31.
The Labour Party, which had lost its majority in the May 4th elections after losing five seats, is now facing up to the unfamiliar role of opposition.

The swing was brought about after a deal was thrashed out between the Tories - who won three new seats in Porthill, May Bank and Clayton to bring its total to 17 - and the Lib Dems, who increased their representation on May 7 by two to 14.
Now Conservative group leader Simon Tagg has been voted in as the new leader of Newcastle Borough Council, with Lib Dem leader Robin Studd his deputy.
Councillor Tagg said: "We are pleased that we have reached an agreement that will offer the change that the people of Newcastle clearly voted for in the recent elections.
"This is an historic opportunity and there are many challenges and difficult decisions that need to be taken to set Newcastle on the right course.
"The work will start straight away with addressing the poor financial position of the council that we will inherit form Labour."

The two parties have agreed a list of priorities for the coming year, which includes addressing the council's financial problems, improving recycling in the borough, tackling litter and anti-social behaviour, better on-street parking enforcement and working towards a fully monitored CCTV system around the town centre.

Click here to see how I got there!       Click here to see me on TV!
 

 

May Bank election 2006: Stephen Holland elected

Stephen Holland    1,126

Lib Dems                371

Labour                   326

Stephen, Simon & Ian say -Thanks for your support!

Conservatives win Newcastle's Borough wide election!

 

 

Its a scandal: Civic Office refurbishment overspend

My comments printed in the Sentinel 16th March 2006

Newcastle's civic offices have been branded the borough's Wembley Stadium after the costs of refurbishing the council chamber spiralled. Latest borough council figures show an estimated £301,560 spend on furniture, decor, blinds and curtains and other refurbishments at the civic chamber, plus £29,295 on general repairs and renewal to carpets, lighting, electrics, ceilings and linings. The council is also spending £263,221 to make the building compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act.
But when the borough council approved the works 18 months ago, the anticipated cost was £245,000, £56,560 less than the present estimate. Despite this the council's cabinet had set aside £319,000 for the works.
Councillor Simon Tagg, the Conservative group leader, hit out at what he sees as a major overspend at last night's scrutiny committee meeting.
He said: "Members may recall that the estimated cost quoted to the cabinet in November 2004 was £245,000 - so it is £50,000 over budget. At the time council leader David Leech joked that, "we hope to come well under that figure", in poking fun at Conservative objections.
"Who's the joke on now? I'd say the people of Newcastle."
After the meeting, Mr Tagg compared the civic offices refurbishment with England's national football stadium, which has run £100 million over budget.
He said: "I think it's safe to say that the council is heading for a large overspend on the project. I feel people should know about it.
"There was outrage at the idea of spending £245,000 - now it is £300,000. All for something that the public will very rarely see or use. I feel it is turning into Newcastle's Wembley Stadium."
Mr Tagg had asked for the figures to be released to the scrutiny committee.
 

 

 

CCTV latest: Monitoring is the key

My comments printed in the Sentinel 3rd Feb 2006

New town centre CCTV cameras must be monitored constantly to protect late night revellers and provide extra help to police, say councillors. They say the £40,000 investment in cameras in Newcastle can only be justified if incidents picked up by CCTV are dealt with as they happen.
Members of the borough council have welcomed the five new CCTV cameras, which will be installed on High Street and Paradise Street, but are concerned that footage will not be constantly monitored.
Councillor Simon Tagg said a team of operators keeping a constant watch on the cameras, particularly during busy Friday and Saturday nights, would ensure police receive a quick call-out should any violence flare-up. Similar fears have been raised in Stoke-on-Trent after it was claimed a £25,000 camera in Chell Heath had not picked up criminals and troublemakers, although council-run cameras in the city are monitored throughout the day.
Mr Tagg, the Conservative group leader, said: "Real time monitoring is the key to getting the most from the CCTV investment the council is making. Instead of just looking at a tape recording of an incident an hour or in some cases weeks after it has happened, it would be beneficial to have operators monitoring the CCTV and for them to be in contact with police so that a rapid reaction can be made enabling police to intervene to stop disturbances as they happen and allowing arrests to be made. At the same time monitoring can lead to enhanced evidence gathering potential from CCTV. With the present unmonitored CCTV tape review system, if a camera is pointing the wrong way, then you lose the suspect and the evidence."
Councillors have approved the scheme to put two poles on High Street and one in Paradise Street, which will hold a total of five cameras - taking the number of cameras in the town centre from 12 to 17 at a cost of about £40,000. That is on top of the 33 cameras which the borough council has just finished installing at Midway multi-storey car park.

Go to my dedicated CCTV page <click>

 

 

Message for the year ahead from Newcastle Conservative Group Leader Simon Tagg

 Press release 1st Jan 2006

Newcastle Conservative Group Leader Simon Tagg has welcomed in the New year with a message to the people of Newcastle to embrace change and ditch Newcastle's failing Labour Party. Cllr Tagg accused Labour Councillors of losing control of the Council's finances whilst presiding over a deterioration in services to the public and planning more cuts in the Council's core services in 2006.  He said "Since Labour regained control of Newcastle in 2004 they have shown breathtaking incompetence in the way they have run the affairs of our Borough. They have chosen to use the Council's reserves to support the Council's budget and then cut funding for community groups as well as  putting off important decisions.  Now they appear to want to empty our bins only once a fortnight. How could they possibly consider this when the blue box recycling is not up and running properly meaning that for an average family, the grey wheelie bin will be full after only a few days.  This is all about Labour cutting local services again."

"This situation cannot be allowed to continue.  Labour councillors cannot be allowed to blunder on  as they have in the past.  It's time for change in Newcastle.  Only the Conservative Group offers a way forward which protects local services whilst keeping council tax increases down.  The forthcoming elections in 2006 will provide voters with an opportunity to deliver their verdict on the last two years that Labour have been in full control of Newcastle Council.  Things can be different!  My Conservative team and I will be working to bring about the change needed in Newcastle in 2006."

   

 

Latest: Brewery respond to residents pub petition

Sentinel article 26th Dec 2005

A Boarded-up pub shut down after a rat infestation is set to reopen next year after a major refurbishment. More than 100 residents have been calling for answers over the future of the Hempstalls Pub, in Hempstalls Lane, Newcastle, since the venue was boarded-up in May. Now Punch Taverns, the pub's owners, has pledged to transform the pub into a food-led family inn.

Families living near the venue have given the plans a cautious welcome. Susan Smith, aged 47, who lives opposite the pub, said "When we moved here 20 years ago the pub was fine, but about five years ago it went downhill very quickly and is now an eyesore. We need a decent landlord with a strong personality to bring in customers who won't cause trouble."
The pub company's decision comes two months after 140 residents signed a petition organised by Newcastle Borough councillors Simon Tagg and Ian Matthews to spur senior management into action. The petition stated: "We feel that this is no longer an appropriate place for this type of licensed premises with its associated noise and anti-social behaviour problems. We understand that you are reviewing plans for the future of the site and we would like you to take local residents' concerns into account when you come to your decision."
Environmental officers at Newcastle Borough Council shut down the pub in May after reports rats had infested the cellar and mice were in the upstairs living quarters.
A spokesman for Punch Taverns said: "We are putting together a substantial investment project for this pub. Once these plans are finalised we will go on to make the necessary planning applications and, all being well, refurbishment work can begin. The current project schedule means we expect to open by the middle of next year."

 

 

Taking Cameron's message onto the streets of Newcastle

Press release 6th Dec 2005

Newcastle Conservatives will hit the streets early to take the message of the new party leader, David Cameron, to the people of Newcastle. Councillors and party activists will distribute a newspaper from David Cameron in Newcastle town centre on Saturday 10th Dec 2005.

Newcastle Conservative Group Leader Simon Tagg said "It's great news that David Cameron has been elected Leader by a 2 to 1 vote. This really is a fresh start for the Conservative and having a leader with the qualities of David Cameron will help us in our campaign in Newcastle."
"We want to get out bright and early on behalf of the new leader to get his message of change to people. That's why we will descend on the town centre to distribute our newspapers on Saturday."

 

 

Simon & CF raise over £200 for Children In Need!

 Press release 8th Nov 2005

 

 

Simon Tagg comments on the scrapping of Newcastle Carnival

 

May Bank Action: Petition on boarded-up pub's future

My comments printed in The Sentinel on 3rd Oct 2005

More than 100 residents living near a boarded-up pub have signed a petition demanding answers over the site's future. People living near the Hempstalls Pub, in Hempstalls Lane, Newcastle, say the venue has become a magnet for vandals since being boarded up earlier this year.
The pub's owners Punch Taverns has said it is reviewing its plans for the site. But 140 residents have so far signed the petition organised by borough councillors Simon Tagg and Ian Matthews in the hope the brewery will listen.
Mr Tagg said: "We have responded to residents' concerns about the state of the Hempstalls pub and approached the brewery, which says it is reviewing their plans for the premises. We will be sending them this petition which is signed by local people who have to live with the state the pub is in on a daily basis. All the windows are covered in metal grilles, the fence is broken and the site has become a magnet for youths and vandals. Residents have had enough and want something done."
Mr Matthews added: "The pub is an eyesore. We will also be making the borough council aware of the concern of local residents."
Environmental officers with Newcastle Borough Council shut down the pub in May after reports rats had infested the cellar and mice were in the upstairs living quarters.
Residents were delighted when the pub closed after complaining pub-goers were urinating in the car park and being loud and abusive to passers-by.
The petition states: "We feel that this is no longer an appropriate place for this type of licensed premises with its associated noise and anti-social behaviour problems. We understand that you are reviewing plans for the future of the site and we would like you to take local residents' concerns into account when you come to your decision."

 

Save Staffordshire Ambulance Service: Big isn't better

My letter printed in The Sentinel on 23rd Sept 2005

May I give my support to colleagues from the Staffordshire Moorlands over the awful proposals to merge Staffordshire's Ambulance Service with others. Our ambulance service, the envy of the rest of the country, is being put at risk because of the Government's regionalisation agenda. When will they realise that bigger isn't necessarily better and that what people want is locally-run services? The rejection recently by voters of a Regional Assembly in the North East proves there is no appetite for powers transferred to a regional 'super body'. Newcastle Borough Council will be debating this issue at a special meeting shortly and I hope councillors will reject these proposals and send a strong message to the Government.

 

 

Simon Tagg condemns decision to close Etruria Station 

 My Letter printed in The Sentinel on 28th July 2005

I would like to add to the condemnation of the decision to close Etruria Station (Sentinel, July 22). From a Newcastle perspective, we see the station as an important building block in creating the integrated transport system that North Staffordshire so badly needs. Newcastle does not have a railway station and Etruria is the closest. It is in an ideal place for a transport hub for rail, bus and car to serve Newcastle town centre and Hanley via a park and ride system. Its closure, I feel, would be a missed opportunity and undermine one of the key pillars for the regeneration of the area - a transport system that works.

 

 

Conservative reform agenda for the Council

 My comments printed in The Sentinel on 2nd & 20th June 2005 (Stress at work policy & reform of the councils constitution)

A Stress-busting policy for staff could prevent a council making further mistakes, according to a leading opposition councillor. Newcastle Borough Council aims to tackle the problem of stress among workers through initiatives in its draft Stress At Work Policy and Guidance document.
Annual staff surveys are just one proposal put forward in the document, which is set to be approved and put in place by October, In the last financial year to April 2005, council workers each clocked up an average of 11 days off sick, but it is not known how many of those were stress-related. The figure is an improvement on the 13.4 day-average from the previous year, but not as low as the 9.5-day target officers were hoping for. The eight-page proposal states the council "recognises there is no such thing as a pressure-free job", adding that "increasing demands placed on the organisation to provide quality services, the need to face legislative challenges and the continuing restrictions on available resources are likely to increase the pressures that have to be faced by employees".
Conservative group leader, Simon Tagg, hopes the stress policy will prevent the council making mistakes similar to ones he has highlighted recently, including a refused phone mast application in Clayton getting permission by default after an administrative mistake, and confidential details of the town's carnival accidentally being leaked to The Sentinel.
He said: "When people are stressed they make mistakes and I'm sure there's a lot of stress going on in the council's planning department. I think this policy could maybe help avoid future mistakes and I'm behind the policy as long as it helps those people delivering services on the frontline."

Conservative councillors have hit out at a council's ruling group after failing to set up a watchdog to combat mistakes. Simon Tagg, May Bank councillor and Newcastle's Conservative group leader, branded Newcastle Borough Council a "laughing stock" after calling for a Constitution Review Working Party to be established, following what he claimed were errors made by the authority.The council has faced a storm of criticism after a refused Orange phone mast application at the junction of Clayton Lane and Clayton Road was given permission by default after an administrative mistake.
And Mr Tagg has highlighted further "errors" which he says could have been stopped if the working party was established Speaking at the meeting, Mr Tagg said: "The constitution is the nuts and bolts which holds the council together.It sets out how it should operate, how decisions are made, and the procedures which are followed to ensure that it is run efficiently and is accountable to local people. At the moment, when things go wrong, we are told no individuals are to blame and that it's the system's fault. Well if that's the case, then lets have a look at the system.
The Conservatives want the group to review rules and regulations regarding meetings, decision-making responsibilities, financial regulations, and protocols on member and officer relations.  Mr Tagg said "We have seen in recent months a number of cases where this council has let people down - the fiasco over masts in Wolstanton and Clayton, preserved trees cut down in Basford, confidential documents accidentally leaked about the town's carnival plans and a ticking off from the District Auditor over the way the council does its financial accounting."

 

May Bank mast victory !

 My comments printed in The Sentinel on 10th June 2005  (picture: Cllr Ian Matthews and local campaigner Abi Smith) 

Controversial plans for a phone mast near an infants' school have been knocked back. T-Mobile wanted to put a 12-metre mast near the traffic lights at the junction of Alexandra Road and High Street in May Bank, Newcastle, just metres from May Bank Infants' School.
A meeting was held with residents after families living close to the proposed site - near the Cricketers Arms pub and She Devil clothes shop facing Wolstanton Marsh - said a mast would be totally out of character with the area and far too close to homes. More than 40 letters of objection were sent to the council and 163 residents signed a petition opposing the plan.
May Bank resident Mick Purcell owns Mayfield Garage just 10 metres from the site and lives in nearby Mayfield Place. The 46-year-old said: "I know we've all got mobiles but they're trying to site them too close to properties. My son's and daughter's bedrooms would have been facing the mast and we just don't know about the long term impact the emissions from these masts will have."
May Bank councillor Simon Tagg told Newcastle Borough Council's cabinet meeting the mast would be in a "sensitive area". He said: "This mast would be an eyesore in a prominent position on the Marsh and would be seen on all approaches to the High Street lights."
Mr Tagg, who said the mast had been "met with overwhelming opposition from local people", also raised concerns over possible interference with a traffic management antenna already on the site, which gives priority to buses and emergency vehicles.
Fellow May Bank councillor Ian Matthews said: "I am pleased this mast has been refused. The people around the Marsh didn't want it. It would have ruined a lovely area."                                                                                  

 

 

Transport Working party says NO GO! to congestion charging in Newcastle

 Press release 11th April 2005

 

Newcastle Councils Transport Working Party has given the thumbs down to the idea put forward by The North Staffordshire Transport Study (NSITS) in relation to congestion charging of motorist in Newcastle. In the working  parties final report to Wednesdays Scrutiny Committee it states  -  road charging and workplace charging is not an option for North Staffordshire at present and could only be contemplated after visible improvements in public transport provision and as part of a national policy for such measures (Report, Findings: G)

 May Bank Cllr Simon Tagg who is a member of the Transport Working Party said "The idea of road charging such as the congestion charge which they have in London really is a no go for Newcastle and the City too. The alternatives to a car are just  not  viable  for people to use - the buses for example"

During the working parties evidence gathering stage it met with various transport providers including the local bus companies (Report, finding: I)

My Comments printed in the Sentinel 24th March 2005

The trees illegally cut down at 1, Lower Oxford Road, Basford have at last been replanted. The property developer who axed the original 100 year old trees has complied with the Tree   Replacement Notice (TRN) that Cllr Simon Tagg pressed the council to serve on behalf of local residents.

Cllr Simon Tagg said “This is a victory for people power and I was pleased to fight for this   issue on behalf of Basford residents. Seeing the new trees in place shows that local people will not be taken for mugs by a guy trying to make a fast buck at the expense of the loca environment.”

Cllr Ian Matthews said, “It will be a long time before the new trees resemble the ones cut down but this is an important step in righting this wrong.” 

 

 

 

Community Chest move slammed

My Comments printed in the Sentinel 22nd Feb 2005

Community groups say they will struggle to survive if plans to axe a lifeline fund are passed by council leaders. The Community Chest Fund was set up by Newcastle Borough Council about four years ago, providing groups and organisations with vital funding to help with everyday costs.
But under this year's budget plans Labour councillors are proposing to remove the £50,000 annual fund while setting a council tax rise of 5%. Conservative Group Leader Simon Tagg - whos group is  proposing a rise of below 3% - attacked the move.

The Conservative budget proposal includes keeping the Community Chest Fund and committing the council to paying for peak-time monitored CCTV in the town centre and extra street cleaning. Councillor Simon Tagg said: "People have put forward a message strongly that their streets are dirty and littered, so we have put more money into increasing this valuable service.
"We have also proposed reinstating funding for the Community Chest Fund that Labour propose to cut. We feel this cut is a spiteful move, attacking voluntary and community groups who do so much, for free and in their spare time, for our communities.
"This money is not charity, but cash well spent towards building a better community. This cut has been extremely unpopular with the public and shows how out of tune Labour councillors are with the public."
 

 

Save our Court House !

My Comments Printed in the Sentinel 4th Feb 2005

Councillors are demanding to keep a magistrates court in Newcastle amid fears a proposed North Staffordshire super court is to be built in Stoke-on-Trent. Newcastle Borough Council first objected to the plan in 2003 after the Magistrates' Courts Committee (MCC) approved the merger of Newcastle and Stoke-on-Trent justices at a combined court somewhere in the region. The Department of constitutional Affairs (DCA) has issued a consultation paper requesting views on where the single court should be. Stakeholders are being asked to agree on a "red line area within which the new courthouse is to be located.But councillors in Newcastle have rejected the notion of any red line area and are taking a firm stand that they want justice administered in the borough.

Conservative group leader Simon Tagg said the council should demand that two courts remain - one in Newcastle and one in the city. He said: "We have said all along there should be two courts because of the size of the population and we should stick to that.
"If we agree to a red line area, the court will end up on the other side of the A500. We want a court in Newcastle administering justice for Newcastle people and I hope the county council and MPs will join us in this stand."
Seabridge councillor Andrew Fear, Conservative Deputy Leader added: "We need to be firm that this borough justifies its own court house, that there are sites that are suitable and we must stick to our guns and not let them sneak this in through the back door."
Councillors voted unanimously to retain a court in Newcastle, to request there be two courts covering North Staffordshire, to inform the DCA of suitable sites in Newcastle and to reject the notion of a red-line area
 

 

Half want a parish council - half don't

My Comments Printed in the Sentinel 28th Jan 2005

Residents are divided on whether they want a parish council in their village. Families in Wolstanton have given a mixed reaction to the proposal during consultation by Newcastle Borough Council.The authority sent out voting slips to more than 4,000 homes after receiving a 900-signature petition from villagers backing the move.But the results - from the 1,169 returned slips - show 616 (52 per cent) supporting the petition and 553 (47 per cent) against

Comments made by residents during the consultation ranged from the parish council being "a good thing" to there already being too much administration.The move toward a parish council would mean residents paying an extra parish precept on top of their existing council tax.
The council would have to pay a grant to the parish council of between £7,000 and £10,000. Councillors will meet next week to decide what comments to pass on to the ODPM with the petition.
 

May Bank councillor Simon Tagg, Conservative group leader, has already raised concerns about the impact on council tax bills. He says people living in certain areas of Wolstanton class themselves as residents of other areas such as Porthill, May Bank and Cross Heath and would not welcome the prospect of paying for improvements to Wolstanton. Mr Tagg feels the closeness of the vote reflects the concerns that residents have about the plans.
He said: "I wanted there to be a full and frank debate about the parish council plans and I believe we have had that in the last month and the people of Wolstanton have given support by a small margin (63) to the plans."
 

 

Families left to clean up

My Comments printed in the Sentinel on: 14th Jan 2005

Fed-up residents claim their streets were left littered with glass and paper by waste collectors. Families living in Woolliscroft Avenue and May Avenue, May Bank, say blue box recycling workers left smashed glass and rubbish behind when they collected the boxes. they say Mondays collection left behind 'an absolute mess'.

May Bank councillor Simon Tagg, whose parents live in Woolliscroft Avenue, said he had to get his own dust pan and brush out to sweep up smashed glass left behind after the collection. He said " Leaving broken glass lying in the street is very dangerous and I would have expected better from Cheshire Recycling, which operates the service. I can't believe they didn't have a dustpan and brush to hand to clean up the glass. It was just left lying there, on a route home from a local school. People want cleaner safer streets, but in Woolliscroft Avenue, we didn't have either"

No one was available for comment from Cheshire Recycling, who operate the fortnightly service for Newcastle Borough Council.

 

 

Money going to the wrong place - Labour and Lib Dems have warped priorities

My letter printed in the Sentinel on: 8th Jan 2005

Further to the letter by N Lewis, Kidsgrove (Council makeover not needed January 1, 2005), it really shows the warped priorities of the Labour and Lib Dem councillors, who voted to spend £245,000 on refurbishments of Newcastle's civic suite. Over Christmas, I took a walk around Newcastle town centre and found dangerously uneven pavements, water-filled potholes in various places, and benches in need of repair. In Castle Walk, there is not a litter bin along the entire stretch and the pavement is covered with sticky chewing gum. There are dark, badly-lit alleyways dotted around the town, which are a muggers' paradise.

Conservatives on the council voted to spend £53,000 on replacing worn and threadbare carpets and minor redecoration - a thrifty repair job on civic offices - freeing money up for what people have said is their priority - cleaner and safer streets. Labour and Lib Dem councillors would rather spend that money on plush comfy seats and expensive video display screens.

For more info on the scandal of Civic Suite refurbishments <click>
 

 

Wreaths are not political footballs

My comments printed in the Sentinel on: 20th Nov 2004

A Political party has been slammed for attempting to make political capital out of Remembrance Day by laying wreaths with the group's logo. The United Kingdom Independence Party laid a wreath at Newcastle's Remembrance Day ceremony  marked with the group's bright yellow and black pound-sign logo.

Councillors criticised the party for using Remembrance Day as a "political football" and say advertising political parties at such services is in bad taste.
Newcastle Conservative group leader Simon Tagg  took part in the Newcastle ceremony and Said " UKIP's David Nixon's wreath-laying left a bad taste in my mouth. Political parties don't put down their own wreaths because the Newcastle Mayor does so on their behalf"

"When the sergeant at arms called on local organisations and charities to come forward and lay wreaths, it was inappropriate for Mr Nixon to lay his. These wreaths are not political footballs".
 

 

Pensions - creating a partnership in saving for retirement

Pensions have been in the headlines recently and also the subject of many wild claims by supporters of a minority party in the Sentinel letter pages.

Tony Blair promised to strengthen and support occupational pension schemes, yet Gordon Brown has introducing a £5billion a year tax on pensions, and the small increase in the basic state pension has been more than swallowed up by massive council tax increases. More and more pensioners are having to go through intrusive means testing under the Pension Credit scheme to get anything extra.
 

A mountain of research is showing that we could all be wasting our time building up retirement funds - this is creating a disincentive, especially in the young to put anything aside for their old age, yet Labour politicians still claim there is no pensions crisis!
 

Conservatives have pledged to restore the link between pensions and earnings increasing the pension for a single person by £7 and a pensioner couple by £11. We will also create new lifetime savings accounts which would ensure that individuals' contributions would be matched by the Government - creating a partnership for saving to give people confidence in putting money aside for retirement.

 

This comes after its was revealed that the committee which is due to hold its first meeting on Nov. 3rd will not be able to review controversial mobile phone mast application before they go to the Planning Committee or give any recommendation on whether applications should be allowed or blocked.

The committee will also have  no scope to alter any of the councils substantive policy in relation to masts.

 

Cllr Tagg said "After  making enquires with the council as to what the role of the TWP will be, I was disappointed to learn it can do very little and will not be able to review controversial mast application before they go to the Planning Committee or give any recommendation on whether applications should be allowed or not."

 

 "A lot of councillors have put a lot of store by this working party particularly in the local press in response to residents fears of heath risks associated with these masts. It now turns out it will be a 'toothless talking shop' because its the Government that drives policy on this topic"

 

Cllr Tagg went on to call on councillors, particularly Labour ones, to lobby Government Ministers for a change of policy on masts.

 

"I call on Labour councillors to write to the Deputy PM to force a change of policy in the interests of the public - Conservatives have already taken steps on mast policy. In August we adopted a 5 point plan on masts - under this all mobile phone mast developments would require full planning permission and councils would be allowed to take precautionary health concerns into account where masts are near homes, hospitals and schools where current national planning guidance prohibits this".

 

 

Conservative Councillors press Council to ban roadside car sales scourge

May Bank, Basford and Porthill Conservative Councillors have pledged to press the Council to banish the scourge of road side car sales from their area. These cars are parked up by the roadside mainly at Lower Oxford Road, Upper Marsh, and Porthill Bank and display eye-catching ‘for sale’ signs in the windows.

May Bank Councillor Ian Matthews said, “This issue was raised at a recent meeting of the Scrutiny Committee, and following publicity from the Sentinel, there was a noticeable reduction in the number of vehicles for sale at the side of the road in May Bank, Basford and Porthill. However since then cars have gradually crept back.”