County Councillor Report (Jun 2023)
wendy.pattison@northumberland.gov.uk – Tel. 07779 983072
And also on Facebook: Cllr Wendy Pattison
[All text and images provided by Cllr Wendy Pattison and used with permission. Received: 23 May 2023.]
HEDGELEY PARISH
New system launched for reporting street repairs
A new online service for people to report problems on the county’s streets has gone live.
Using FixMyStreet Pro, people can now photograph, locate and highlight an issue all by using their mobile phone.
Issues can be reported simply by going to nland.cc/fix on a mobile phone, computer, tablet or the council’s website. All reports go straight into the council’s digital systems where they can be assessed, allocated for any necessary actions and if the user sets up an account they can be informed of progress and completion.
The system will significantly improve communication with residents, help reduce duplicate reports on the same issue and even speed up responses by giving staff a precise location of where the problem is.
FixMyStreet Pro can be used to report a range of issues from potholes and faulty street lights to abandoned vehicles and incidents of fly tipping.
This new online tool is the most direct way to report anything to us that needs fixing, cleaning or clearing across the county.
In a short few clicks, people can easily alert the council to an issue and receive an update once it’s been resolved.”
The council is also looking for user feedback on the new system as part of its drive to improve value for money through continuous service improvement. People can leave their views at https://fix.northumberland.gov.uk/
Sparks set to fly at new Northumberland Welding and Fabrication training centre
Sparks are set to fly at Northumberland’s first specialist welding and fabrication training centre as it launches a recruitment drive to train the next generation of engineers.
Applications are now open for courses starting in September 2023 at the Northumberland Skills Welding and Fabrication Technical Training Centre.
Based in the heart of the Port of Blyth, the centre, which opens later this month, will equip students leaving school with the skills they need to kickstart their career in advanced manufacturing, engineering, construction, marine and clean energy sectors.
Welding short courses for adults will also be available along with bespoke packages for employers looking to upskill their workforce and a variety of apprenticeship training programmes.
The centre, which stands alongside the flagship Energy Central Learning Hub due to open in 2024 and a host of global companies, is funded by a £1.38m investment from Northumberland County Council and the courses delivered by experienced lecturers from Northumberland Skills, the council’s post-16 education provider.
With 20 welding bays, a dedicated fabrication training area and state-of-the-art equipment including CNC and robotic technology, the centre is primed to boost local skills and the economy.
Employers have told us that there is a high demand for people with specialist welding and fabrication skills and this new training centre will plug that gap and equip students of all ages with the skills they need to advance their careers. We will continue to work closely with our partners in the port, and beyond, so we can support them by investing in the workforce of the future and together we can bring more skilled jobs and rewarding careers to Northumberland.
Berwick cinema move given green light
Planning permission for a temporary cinema in Berwick while the town’s current theatre is transformed has been given the go-ahead.
North Northumberland Local Area Council approved plans for the temporary conversion of the Mob Store at Berwick Barracks to provide a 96-seat cinema facility.
Berwick Barracks are Grade I Listed buildings and are amongst the first purpose-built barracks to be built in England, completed in 1721. The Mob Store dates from the early 20th century and was used to store military equipment.
Members were told that while works are carried out on the new multi-million-pound Maltings theatre, there is a requirement to rehouse key components of the Maltings to provide continuity of facilities for visitors and the community.
The new cinema will be designed in such a way that the Mob Store can then be adapted into an archive facility when the New Maltings is completed and the Mob Store cinema is no longer required.
Scott Sherrard, Chair of Trustees, Maltings (Berwick) Trust, said: ‘The Maltings redevelopment will galvanise Berwick’s cultural and economic regeneration, spearheading a series of projects with Lottery, local and national government backing.
“Creating the temporary Mob Store Cinema is the first in a carefully planned sequence of interlinked steps. It will maintain an essential entertainment service for the town and provide vital income for The Maltings while the Eastern Lane venue is closed. It will equip the Mob Store to become the Berwick Archive’s permanent base when The Maltings moves back home – making efficient use of public funding and securing the Archive’s future in Berwick. And with work also planned on upgrading the Gymnasium Gallery, it launches the long-awaited revitalisation of the Barracks as a flagship visitor attraction for the town.”
“We appreciate that these developments will bring some unavoidable upheaval in the short term. But together they will create new opportunities for Berwick, bringing fresh energy and vitality to the town centre. Throughout the process, The Maltings will find new ways to showcase and celebrate the creative talents and interests of all our local communities because it’s our passionate belief that shared entertainment makes lives better.”
Council’s event to discuss climate change
An opportunity to play a key role in Northumberland County Council’s next Climate Change Action Plan is coming up.
The council’s climate change team is inviting people in the North Northumberland area to have their say about making Northumberland carbon neutral by 2030 and wants to hear public views on climate-related issues in the county.
On Wednesday 14 June, an event will be held between 5:45pm and 7:30pm at The Maltings, Berwick upon Tweed, to gather public perspectives on climate change, which will be used to shape the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan for the next three years.
The evening event will begin with refreshments and welcome, which will be followed by a short presentation from the climate change team. This will then be followed by three separate breakout discussions which include renewables, energy efficiency and fuel poverty, reducing transport emissions or natural resources and land management. Attendees can choose which discussion they would like to take part in on the day.
Cllr Glen Sanderson, council leader and portfolio holder for climate change will be introducing the event. Cllr Sanderson said: “Climate change is one of the greatest threats of our time. We know the importance of acting on climate change in our county and have already made good progress to help mitigate its effects.
“But we cannot do this alone and need everyone to do their bit, however small. This event is an opportunity for us to go out and speak to our local communities and find out about their challenges on the ground and explore ways we can work together to overcome these.
“I hope to see as many faces there as possible and seeing what solutions we can come up with together.”
For more information and to register for the free event, please go to: https://nland.cc/ClimateBerwick
Northumberland Holiday Provision
School holidays can be tough, long, and expensive for many families and we are pleased to say we have a fantastic free programme of activities being delivered right across the County for families and young people in Northumberland.
The holiday provision takes place during Easter, Summer and Winter school holidays.
If you have a child aged between 5 and 18, there are many holiday day camps you can access where there is great quality provision of activities including sport, art, music and more. All day camps offer a hot lunch too so what’s not to love? These are delivered by our fantastic delivery partners and are free to attend!
As well as the holiday camps, we have a range of activities and trips out for families, including, trekking with Alpaca’s, Deer Safari, Northumberland Zoo, Woodhorn Colliery and also passes for local leisure centres.
On all the offers, you will be able to pick up some lunch whether it be via a place where you visit or a café nearby.
To find out more and to book activities or take part in the holiday programme or for further information please email, admin@leadinglink.co.uk. Leading Link are managing the Holiday Activity Provision on behalf of Northumberland County Council.
