Agenda and draft minutes

COUNCIL RESOLVED:

i.              That the minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2024 be approved as a correct record.

There were no declarations of interest.

Ms P Hall submitted the following question:

As you will be aware on March 29th, 2024, safety hatchings were removed from the road outside our properties and a bus lane appeared overnight, without any advanced warning or notification.

When we challenged the Council over this situation it was agreed that the work had been carried out unlawfully and the bus lane was withdrawn (covered up) after a couple of weeks.

We were then confronted with a coned situation which has been in place since April 19th, 2024. (now into the 8/9th month with great inconvenience)

On 25th June 2024…

Objections were submitted on 8th July 2024, but we have had no notification if our objections were even considered or the results of the consultation.

Regarding the Amendment

First of all, we are on the South bound carriage way coming out of the centres so this cannot be a true reflection of the situation. The order for consultation is erroneous as the justification given for the works was to provide “more direct and quicker access to Gateshead. This road is south bound to Birtley and beyond, therefore is of no benefit to the bus service in to town.

1. The Hatchings were put in place by Gateshead Council for safety reasons due to fatalities on the road and that reason is still valid today.

2. The creating of a bus Lane on this short section of road makes it extremely difficult for access and exit of our properties.

3. We are not aware of any congestion on this section of road as the police traffic cameras will show even with the A1 road works at Eighton Lodge. However, many drivers disregard the Highway Laws and begin to speed up going into a 40-speed limit and have little patience with residents trying to access or exit our properties which now requires a reversing across two lanes of road.

4. The old road situation serves extremely well and has done for more than 30 years, and we would like to know what the council is going to do now to correct this position.
5. We would like to ask the Council if they can admit that this was a mistake and rectify the situation by restoring the road markings to their former state. The Amendment 1(f) states, “for preserving or improving the amenities of the area through which the road runs” Our situation as it exists in the presence does not do this.

6. The junction at Calderwood Cresent is a very busy pedestrian crossing point to access the Stone Trough bus stop to commute to Gateshead and Newcastle and the visibility and speed is detrimental to the safety of everyone.

We have had several email communications with Councillors and council employees and had few or no responses. Can we ask what  ...  view the full minutes text for item CL147

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval of the Capital Strategy for 2025/26 to 2029/30 to support the framework used to set and monitor the Capital Programme.

COUNCIL RESOLVED:

i.              That the Capital Strategy at Appendix 2 and the Capitalisation Policy at Appendix 3 to the report be approved.

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval of the variations to the 2024/25 Capital Programme. 

COUNCIL RESOLVED:

i.              That the variations to the 2024/25 Capital Programme as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report be agreed.

ii.            That the financing of the revised programme be agreed.

iii.           To note that capital expenditure and financing requirements have been revised in line with the amended budget and none of the approved Prudential Indicators set for 2024/25 have been breached.

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval of the Housing Revenue Account 30 Year Business Plan 2024-2054, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

COUNCIL RESOLVED:

i.              That the Housing Revenue Account 30 Year Business Plan 2024-2054 be approved.

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval of the Housing Revenue Account Rent and Service Charge Setting Policy, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

COUNCIL RESOLVED:

i.              That the Housing Revenue Account Rent and Service Charge Setting Policy be approved.

Consideration was given to a report to review the Treasury Management Performance for the six months to 30 September 2024. 

COUNCIL RESOLVED:

i.              that the Treasury Management performance to 30 September 2024 be noted. 

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval of the Workforce Wellbeing Strategy, as set out as Appendix 2 to the report. 

COUNCIL RESOLVED:

i.              That the Workforce Wellbeing Strategy be approved.

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval of a new employee social media policy, as set out as Appendix 2 to the report.

COUNCIL RESOLVED:

i.              That the Employee Social Media Policy be approved.

Consideration was given to a report which notified Members of the progress on the Gateshead Plan and summarised the outcomes from the ‘Start of the Conversation’ consultation. Consideration was also given to Gateshead Council and Newcastle Council working together to prepare a joint Local Plan.

COUNCIL RESOLVED:

i.              that the preparation of a joint Local Plan working with Newcastle City Council, supported by joint governance and the development of a Memorandum of Understanding for joint working arrangements, be approved.

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval of the Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2025.

COUNCIL RESOLVED:

i.              That the Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2025 be approved.

ii.            That delegated powers be given to the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital to provide regulations to give effect to the scheme including publishing full details online.

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval of the appointment of the new Strategic Director of Integrated Adults and Social Care Services.

COUNCIL RESOLVED:

i.              The appointment of Steph Downey as its new Strategic Director of Integrated Adults and Social Care Services, effective from 22 November 2024, be approved.

Consideration was given to a report setting out details of the Councillors elected on 12 September 2024 and 24 October 2024 to Bridges and Wickham North Wards respectively, for a term ending 7 May 2026.

COUNCIL RESOLVED

i.              The election results be noted.

Consideration was given to a report which set out the proposed changes to the membership of meetings of the Council and its bodies.

COUNCIL RESOLVED:

i.              The Labour Group Appointments be approved

ii.             The Liberal Democrat Group Appointments be approved

iii.            The Independent Group Appointments be approved

(to consider any notices of motion submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9.1)

Councillor Ron Beadle moved the following motion which was seconded by Councillor Amanda Wintcher:

Council Notes:

• The construction of Gateshead Quays Car Park in 2022/23 in anticipation of the opening of the Sage Conference Centre, Arena and Hotels.
• That the Car Park cost £23m of public money from the Council’s Capital programme and LEP’s Getting Building Going Fund
• The continuing closure of the Gateshead Quays Car Park

Council Believes:

• That the Car Park should not be an under-utilised asset
• That officers should investigate options for opening the Car Park including a permit scheme for local employees at a less than commercial rate, an advertising campaign to attract commuters to Newcastle and improved signposting
• That diverting cars from crossing the Tyne Bridge during its improvement works may reduce journey times, congestion and thereby positively impact air quality

Council Resolves:

• To ask Engineering Services to conduct a feasibility study and to report to Cabinet on options for opening the Gateshead Quays Car Park.
• To ask Corporate Resources OSC to consider lessons that might be learned from the failure to realise benefits from this investment so far.

The motion, on being put to the meeting, was defeated.