Building a better North Tyneside

Council plan

Residents are being invited to help shape the Elected Mayor and Cabinet’s refreshed vision for the borough – aimed at building a better North Tyneside.

In May Norma Redfearn CBE was elected for a third term and announced her Cabinet members the following week.

Now, the Council Plan is being updated to reflect the priorities for the Mayor and Cabinet over the next four years, taking into account the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the borough. 

The refreshed Council Plan outlines a vision of building a better North Tyneside looking to the future; and listening to and working better for residents.

The plan features five themes aimed at creating a North Tyneside that is thriving, family-friendly, caring, secure and green.

Deputy Mayor Cllr Carl Johnson said: “Through this plan we will build on our excellent track record of delivery over the past eight years and address the key challenges we now face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“It is a plan to build a better North Tyneside and to restore hope and confidence in the future where we tackle inequalities and discrimination and ensure that no-one is left behind.

“It is a plan for a thriving North Tyneside – with regeneration across the whole of the borough, more good quality jobs, apprenticeships and access to skills training, support for businesses and keeping our libraries and leisure centres open as part of a vibrant cultural offer.

“It is a plan for a family-friendly North Tyneside – with high-quality education, outstanding children’s services and making sure our kids have the very best start in life.

“We will also be making sure we are a caring North Tyneside – with great care to everyone who needs it and support for our brilliant local community groups and the essential work they do.

“It is a plan for a secure North Tyneside – tackling anti-social behaviour, investing in our roads and pavements, providing affordable homes and tackling food poverty.

“And we look ahead to the very longer term – to protect our borough for generations long into the future with a green North Tyneside – increasing what can be recycled, cracking down on littering, improving ways for safe walking and cycling and planning how to make North Tyneside carbon net-zero by 2030.”

Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn CBE added: “This is our plan for North Tyneside but we know the council cannot deliver it all on its own. We work in partnership with our residents, our businesses, our community and voluntary sector and other key organisations such as the NHS, the police, fire and rescue services.

“And we will listen – it is important to make sure that this plan is the right one. So, over the next month we will be asking people what they think of these initial proposals.”

At its meeting on Monday night (28 June) Cabinet agreed the initial proposals for a new Our North Tyneside Council Plan and the engagement approach.

The council will be working hard to involve as many residents as possible in all parts of the borough, in all areas of the community and in particular those on low incomes and hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic, to give their views to help inform the Plan.

A six-week engagement process is underway and will initially be held online and virtually, subject to any further easing of restrictions in the meantime.

Information about how to take part will be displayed in the four main customer first centres, libraries, leisure centres and North Tyneside Living accommodation. 

Find out more here.