Mid_Term_Policy_Report_2007_LP[1][1]

Slide 1: 

John Harrison Elected Mayor of North Tyneside Mid Term Report 2007

Values and Vision : 

Values and Vision We are guided by traditional Labour Values: - a fair and just society - a sustainable environment - a good education for everyone - access to good childcare - access to good healthcare - a right to be heard We believe that we can achieve more by working together than we can on our own

Vision for North Tyneside : 

Vision for North Tyneside “Our vision for North Tyneside is for it to be a place of opportunity and hope, with a restored civic pride.” “Our vision as a Council is to have a ‘one council approach’ to delivering services to the people of North Tyneside” Embedding our values into the culture of the Council and the Borough:

Delivery of the Mayoral Pledges : 

Delivery of the Mayoral Pledges Pledge No.1: Financial Prudence - Stabilising the Council’s Finances - Introduction of 4 year Council Plan - Transforming the way the Council works - Developing a 10 year Capital Plan - Leading the Strategic Partnership - Creating a Vision for 2030 Mayoral Pledges will be delivered through the Council Plan

For our older people : 

For our older people Set up a wellbeing fund to support residents over 70 years of age  - Established and into second round of funding Introduce a garden maintenance scheme for all residents over 70  - Feasibility study and pilot project carried out Campaign for free travel to be extended to the Metro  - Free travel on the Metro for over 60s after 9.30 am Monday to Friday and all day weekends with purchase of £8 Gold Card Protect our older people from the ‘yob culture’  - Working with police to introduce neighbourhood policing teams - Increased staff in Safer Estates Team and signed up to Government’s Respect Standard in Housing

For our children : 

For our children Ensure that schools get adequate resources for teachers, books and equipment  Revision of funding formula for schools Provide good quality school meals for all children  - North Tyneside is national leader on school meals with 60% take up, against 40% nationally Introduce free school meals for all primary age children  - Proposal for 8 pilot projects developed and meals options identified Expand the Sure Start scheme to the whole of North Tyneside  - Programme for rolling-out Sure Start / Children’s Centres on track - 21st century building for schools strategy - new Burradon Primary school building and sports complex - Nutritional advisers in meals teams; new system of nutritional content of meals; controls on ingredients and suppliers

For our children : 

For our children Invest in more activities for young people  Work with young people in the design and planning of these activities  - Work with Youth Council and Area Youth Forums to design and delivery of facilities - 10 year Capital Plan completed - Play programme developed - Sports Development Plan adopted - Extension of Wellbeing Fund to include young people – The ‘Dosh Posse’

For our environment : 

For our environment Improve standard of grass cutting and street cleaning  - New neighbourhood approach to street scene issues developed Improve footpaths and roads by spending more on repairs  - Sites identified across the borough for extra investment Set up Area Hit Squads to deal with problems of litter, graffiti, etc  - £1 million spent on 13 x 3 person ‘rapid response’ environmental teams deployed across the borough to target hot-spots Improve recycling schemes and provide suitable containers with lids  - Complex negotiations begun on changing recycling contracts - New Graffiti Strategy adopted

For our neighbourhoods : 

For our neighbourhoods Stop the sale of the Linskill Centre  - Linskill Centre transferred to community-owned and democratically-controlled Linskill and North Tyneside Community Development Trust Work in partnership with our sports, community and youth groups  - New sports and leisure facility at Killingworth Regenerate Wallsend area to include a new swimming pool and regenerate Whitley Bay  Encourage investment in tourism and new jobs  - Tourism Strategy developed and to be discussed at March Cabinet - Site identified for Wallsend Pool - New changing facilities at Lockey Park - Tynemouth pool refurbished - £60 million Whitley Bay regeneration plans to be submitted to Planning Committee in February

For our housing : 

For our housing Give tenants the final say over the future of Council Housing stock  - Council Housing to be retained by Council Ensure new housing developments have at least 10% affordable housing  - 10% target met, and looking to be increased Create a new housing allocation policy  - new policy developed - £113 million four year investment to bring housing up to Decent Homes Standard agreed

For our safety : 

For our safety Use Council powers to support the Police in their fight against crime  - Crime down 21% over 2 years through range of initiatives in partnership with the Police Be tougher on people who carry out anti-social behaviour  - More people signed Acceptable Behaviour Agreements in 2006 (269) than any other part of the North East Crack down on underage alcohol and tobacco sales  - 85 test purchases in summer 2006, with 27 illegal sales

For our community : 

For our community Work in partnership with communities to develop their local area  - New Community Engagement Strategy developed Involve people in Council decisions from start to finish  - Draft Area Plans developed for each part of the Borough Provide structure for community and voluntary groups to secure funding  - New Joint Service Centres introduced in Dudley and Shiremoor - New structure in place with phased introduction planned - Neighbourhood Management pilot introduced in parts of North Shields with resident-led Management Board Put staff back into frontline services  Bring public sector organisations together  - Mayor to chair restructured North Tyneside Strategic Partnership

Other achievements : 

Other achievements Housing PFI - £100 million to invest in 33 sheltered housing schemes Burns Closes Bridge - new £4.1 million bridge in Wallsend Airport ‘special dividend’ payment of £10.1 million School’s exam performance is best ever Schools Pathfinder - £6.5 million for primary schools in north west of the Borough Waggonways win prestigious ‘Green Apple’ environmental award Equal Pay – Job Evaluation Best ever collection rates for 2005-06 Council Tax and National Non-Domestic Rates Creation of Community Wellbeing Fund

The 2007 Budget : 

The 2007 Budget Fair and Sustainable Council Tax - Below inflation Council Tax of 3.6% (RPI 4.4%) - 61 pence per week for Band A, 91 pence for Band D Record Reserves - Record reserves of £26 million, boosted by £7.6 million from Newcastle Airport dividend Job Evaluation - Amount set aside increased from £4 million to £7.815 million Spending Plans - Average Council Tax rise for unitary authorities of 3.9% - 3.3% increase on last year to £156.9 million

for 2007-08 : 

for 2007-08 Creating positive futures for young people - £102 million to schools via Dedicated Schools Grant - £46 million for continued services to children and young people - £2.6 million for Children’s Centre Initiative - £5.2 million for Beacon Hill School New Build - £12.3 million for Monkseaton High School New Build Improving Wellbeing - £45 million for continued services to the elderly - £1.4 million for strategic investment - £300,000 for the Wellbeing Fund - £243,000 for comprehensive adult mental health services - £505,000 for Improving the Care Home Environment - extra money into Teen Travel

for 2007-08 : 

for 2007-08 Strengthening our Communities - £47 million to housing services - £37 million for community-related services, including neighbourhood and cultural services - £35 million for strategic housing investment - £200,000 further investment in neighbourhood teams Transforming the Council - Continue the transformation programme to release £46 million over 4 years to reinvest in services - Move to modern, fit-for-purpose accommodation - first ever 10 year Strategic Investment Plan of £623 million

for 2007-08 : 

for 2007-08 Regenerating the borough - £3.5 million for refurbishment of Whitley Bay Playhouse (£5 million over the next two years) - an initial £6.5 million for the Whitley Bay Regeneration Strategy - £1 million for the new swimming pool in Wallsend (£7 million over the next two years) - £0.9 million for East Howdon and Wallsend regeneration schemes - £2.9 million for the Local Transport Plan - £4.9 million Battle Hill Commercial Centre Regeneration - As well as investment in: Fish Quay, West Chirton Industrial Estate, Tyne Tunnel Football Pitch Relocation, Longbenton Estate Regeneration, Clive Street Phase 2, Blue House Bridge, Killingworth Leisure Centre and Souter Park