North East Liberal Democrats

Local Liberal Democrats work hard all year round for your communities, keeping in touch regularly with residents and dealing with issues and concerns that matter to our communities.

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Latest news from the North East Liberal Democrats

Statement by Liberal Democrat candidate for Northumbria PCC Peter Maughan

Responding to overnight events in Clapham, Liberal Democrat candidate for Northumbria PCC Peter Maughan said: "I fully understand and sympathise with the emotions of those wishing to express their grief at the abduction and murder of Sarah Everard and support efforts to end male violence against women. I also recognise the sensitivity involved in policing vigils and peaceful protest given the current coronavirus restrictions and the importance of public safety. I am aware that requests to hold a vigil in Newcastle this weekend were refused by Northumbria Police.

Local residents angry over the badly planned opening of Lambton Estate

A number of residents in Bournmoor have been left furious after the poorly planned opening of the Lambton Estate left an influx of cars parked on a busy main road, a construction access road, and blocking access to driveways.

Save the Thorney Close Inn

Local Liberal Democrats in Thorney Close Paul Edgeworth, Councillor Margaret Crosby and Councillor Stephen O'Brien, are fighting to keep the Thorney Close Inn as a pub and community meeting place. There has been talk about the current management at the club moving on, raising fears from the community that the owner of the building may try to convert it or sell the site for housing, leaving Thorney Close without a community pub and meeting place.

The latest communication on Shotley Bridge Hospital

What follows is a statement from the Clinical Commissioning Group for County Durham, lead organisation in the replacement project. It has been confirmed that the delays mentioned will result in the first spade in the ground being six months later than originally planned. “Everyone at NHS County Durham Clinical Commissioning Group (the CCG) hopes that […]

Sunderland’s NHS staff shouldn’t be “punished” by paying “extortionate parking charges”

Local councillors in Sunderland have hit out at revelations that the Government are going to end free parking for NHS staff. During the coronavirus crisis, NHS staff have been able to park at Sunderland Royal Hospital and other hospitals across the region without having to pay. The charges were dropped so that nurses, cleaners and other hospital staff could get to work without extra charges or hassle.

Shameful abuse of taxpayer’s money for political campaigning must be repaid

Following County Durham Lib Dem campaigner Michael Peacock’s complaint to parliamentary authorities that former North West Durham Labour MP Laura Pidcock had broken House of Commons expenses rules on using, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards has told Ms Pidcock she must repay back £3.8k to the public purse.

Praise for County Durham’s young people

Young people across County Durham have been recognised for their commitment to their communities. More than 1,500 youngsters from across the county signed up to The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award between April 2019 and 31 March this year. Between them, they gave almost 15,000 hours of their time to the award – volunteering within their […]

Easyjet blow - real action needed quickly on jobs, skills, transport links and local projects

The closure of Easyjet's hub at Newcastle Airport is very regrettable, and the Liberal Democrats are extremely concerned about the implications for the region, the Council and the Government. Firstly, those who are losing their jobs have our deepest sympathies. These and others now set to become unemployed need support and retraining. Newcastle City Council needs to urgently debate these matters and come up with a plan: that's why Labour's decision to block debate on our motion to invest in apprenticeships and skills training at the last meeting was so shortsighted. The Liberal Democrats will be resubmitting their motion until Labour takes its responsibilities seriously.

Road Closure Newcastle Road

One night southbound-direction only road closure of Newcastle Road, Chester le Street to enable manhole cover and frame re-setting works to be undertaken from 7pm on Tue 14/07/20 (for up to 11 hours)

Local bridges to be closed to motor traffic in Newcastle in early August for healthier, safer street

A series of bridges in local areas that have been identified as being used by higher levels of traffic than is appropriate, will be closed to traffic by Newcastle City Council to meet the rising demand for better walking and cycling facilities in residential areas. Five bridges have initially been identified, as part of a rolling programme of improvements for local areas, which include reducing traffic levels in neighbourhoods, social distancing measures in local shopping areas and developing safe routes for children to walk and cycle to schools.

Still chance to grab a gardening prize

There’s still time for County Durham gardeners to win a £30 National Garden Voucher in a council photography competition. The Garden Treasures contest has been organised by Durham County Council and encourages people to share why their beautiful outside spaces are important to them. Residents have until Monday 17 August to submit images of their […]

Council missed opportunity to express solidarity with people of Hong Kong by ban on discussion at its last meeting

Councillor Aidan King, who would have proposed the motion below on behalf of the Liberal Democrats , before it was blocked by the Labour Administration, later said : Hong Kong has become an international political football. The competition between America and China has leaked into many people's lives no more so than the peoples' of Hong Kong.

10,000 Sunderland pupils could benefit from Summer Learning Fund

Local councillors are calling on the Government to commit to a Summer Learning Fund that would support nearly 10,000 disadvantaged children across Sunderland to get ready for returning to school. 9,986 children across the city of Sunderland are eligible for free school meals and could now receive them during the six weeks holidays, following a recent Government u-turn.

Young people and unskilled will bear the brunt of unemployment this autumn - but Labour council refuses to discuss it

Amngst the motions which the Labour Adminstration blocked at Full Council last week was one about the importance of skills and apprenticeships - both for young people and those with inadequate skills for the future needs in an era of chage. Business organisations and others have repeatedly said that the human cost of the pandemic will be borne - perhaps for decades - by the young, the unskilled and those in the regions.

Planning Application Concerns Blind Lane

An application to renew planning permission to build a bungalow in the garden of 27 Blind Lane was received. A number of residents raised concerns resulting in myself referring this to a planning committee and speaking on it so that further scrutiny of it could take place. The concerns raised during the meeting were: Lack […]

Working hard all year round.

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