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

Drive-thru birth registration service introduced

A special ‘drive-thru’ service has enabled the families of more than a hundred babies born in County Durham to register their births. Local authorities were forced to suspend birth registrations in March in response to Government guidance on preventing the spread of coronavirus. Changes to the rules mean that councils are now able to restart […]

Eldon Square shopping centre - what's its future?

INTU, the owners of Eldon Square shopping centre, in which the Council has a financial interest, has appointed KPMG to make contingency plans for the group to go into administration. INTU is in talks with lenders, with a deadline for renewing its revolving credit facility contingency waivers this week. It is seeking an 18 month standstill including repayment of maturing debt, a company statement on 23rd June confirmed, saying "there is no certainty as to whether INTU will achieve a standstill."

Applications invited for council apprenticeships

More than 30 apprenticeship vacancies at a North East local authority will offer new career opportunities for people looking to earn as they learn. Durham County Council is recruiting apprentices across a wide range of occupations, with roles available from entry-level to degree-level apprenticeships. People have until Sunday 19 July to apply for the following […]

Extension Picktree Lodge

Kitchen, dining, bedroom and en-suite extension to rear and alterations. Full details of the application are contained in the following link and search using the reference DM/20/01278/FPA: https://publicaccess.durham.gov.uk/online-applications/ Further information on how to comment on planning applications can be found: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/8276/Find-a-planning-application

Residents parking restrictions come back into force on 1st July

Residents living in controlled parking zones across Sunderland are being reminded to apply for, renew and display parking permits as restrictions come back into force on 1st July. The permit zones stopped being enforced during the coronavirus lockdown, and applications for new permits were suspended.

Speaking out on mental health in Newcastle despite Labour's gagging attempt

There is no doubt that the COVID 19 epidemic has had serious detrimental effects on mental health, Councillor Dr Wendy Taylor had intended to say to Newcastle City Council tonight. But the Labour Administration rushed through a suspension of standing orders so Liberal Democrats were unable to speak out on this vital issue.

Fury as Hastings Hill subway vandalised in middle of upgrade works

An eyesore subway between Grindon, Hastings Hill and Pennywell has been vandalised in the middle of upgrade works, sparking fury from the local community. The Hastings Hill subway under the A183 (Chester Road) is being refurbished to provide a brighter, cleaner way to get between Grindon and Hastings Hill estates and the new ALDI supermarket on the former Dewhirst site at Pennywell.

University Metro station subway due to re-open after 6 month closure

A key access route to University Metro station from Thornhill and Ashbrooke is due to re-open after a 6 month closure. The subway under Durham Road which links University Metro station and Sunderland University's City Campus with nearby Thornhill and Ashbrooke has been out of action since January 2020 after it was hit by a massive arson attack.

Call for speed calming measures outside Portland Academy

A car crash outside Portland Academy school in Doxford has led local councillor Heather Fagan to demand measures to reduce speeding on roads in the area. The roundabout outside Portland Academy on Weymouth Road - between Hall Farm, Chapelgarth and Moorside estates - was the scene of a car smash at the weekend, with bollards, lights and signs on the roundabout being destroyed.

Demand speed calming measures on Weymouth Road

Join Doxford's Lib Dem councillor Heather Fagan in demanding Sunderland Council installs speed calming measures along Weymouth Road as quickly as possible. Measures are in the pipeline, but following recent accidents we need action now. Please sign the petition below, and share with friends, family and neighbours.

Footpath Resurfacing Camperdown Avenue

A section of Camperdown Avenue’s footpath will be resurfaced by the Council. This is a continuation of the footpath work that has been ongoing over last few years. There has not been a date confirmed when this will take place but it will occur before March 2021. Durham County Council are only beginning highways work […]

Tailored support to help County Durham residents get job-ready

People who have lost their job or are looking for new employment are being offered help in County Durham. Durham County Council is encouraging residents aged 25 and over to take advantage of a tailored support programme which could boost their chances of finding work. The council’s Employability Durham Team is urging people to contact […]

Suspension of democratic accountability at Newcastle City Council meeting sparks alarm - "We are not a one Party state" says Liberal Democrats Leader

The Liberal Democrats Opposition on Newcastle City Council is alarmed at Labour's attempt to severely restrict the normal business of Council by stretching the use of established procedures to extraordinary lengths. Liberal Democrat Councillors have previously welcomed the return of Council meetings, bringing forward timely motions addressing the need for more help for young people to get skills training, support for the Black Lives Matter movement, calls for action on mental health, and the crisis in Hong Kong. However, the public agenda states an intention, furiously opposed at Constitutional Committee by Liberal Democrat representatives, to force a vote to reject all but a narrow set of agenda items led by Cabinet members.

"Transformational" elected mayor a year on - not much action, few targets, lack of substance, but new offices

When the North of Tyne Devolution Deal and elected mayor were announced, many of the opinion-formers in the business world, media and PR sector, and upper echelons of the public sector in our region were keen to hail the news as "transformational" for the North of Tyne. A reasonable observer might feel that a little time may be needed to get up and running and put its plans into action. Yet a year on from the election of Mayor Driscoll, it is difficult to see much sign of the promised transformation, and few in the region can point to many substantial achievements to date.

Skills service continues to reach hundreds of families

A County Durham learning service has adapted during the coronavirus outbreak to continue to reach hundreds of adults and children. The home delivery of learning packages means that, to date, 274 adults and 414 children have continued to engage with East Durham Trust, which delivers community learning on behalf of Durham County Council’s Adult Learning […]

Working hard all year round.

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