Jump to content

News

Bot
Labour has continued its attack on cuts to council-tax support in Northumberland, as figures show how the reductions will disproportionately impact wards it represents.
From April, all households in the county will have to pay a minimum of eight per cent of their council-tax bill, following approval for changes to save £1million a year.
At Northumberland County Council's full meeting in January, members agreed a reduction in the level of council-tax support for working-age claimants from 100 to 92 per cent.
The change attracted some fervent criticism, but was passed by 31 votes to 26, with six abstentions, while an amendment to drop the cut as part of last week's budget debate was not put to the vote as it had already been passed the previous month.
Now, Labour has released information obtained under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, in which, they say, 'the unfair nature of balancing the county's books is laid bare'.
A breakdown of the number of people to be affected in each of the 66 council wards shows that there is a large discrepancy between different areas, much of it along party-political lines.
Bot
Changes which will mean increased home-care charges for some in Northumberland have been approved in the face of criticism from opposition councillors.
A number of amendments to Northumberland County Council's charges for care and support services for adults were given final approval at the full council meeting on Wednesday, by 36 votes to 26 with one abstention.
Setting out the "complex" recommendations which include six main changes to the charging policy for non-residential care and support services, Coun Veronica Jones, cabinet member for adult health and wellbeing, said: "I don't think any of us will be welcoming these changes, but in the overall financial context, I believe they are necessary."
But Labour's Coun Susan Dungworth said: "I don't want to get bogged down in what is a very detailed report, I want to focus on who it is we're talking about here and what we are talking about again is very, very vulnerable people in our communities.
"It's like the proposals that have already gone through this council in terms of reducing council-tax support, we are attacking the most vulnerable in this community, people who are already struggling."
To illustrate her point, she read out a series of consultation responses from those receiving the care that were included in the report to councillors.
Bot
Locals fear teens are "running wild" as they gather in this Northumberland town late at night.
But police in Bedlington say they're cracking down on ringleaders who are making innocent members of the public feel unsafe.
Despite an overall reduction in criminal activity over the last year, over January and February locals say they've felt menaced by groups of teens hanging about in the streets and parks.
Police say teenagers are known to be travelling from across Northumberland to meet up in the town. With youngsters as young as 12 and as old as 19 sometimes meeting in the same parks and public places, officers say younger children are at risk of coming into contact with alcohol and drugs.
ChronicleLive visited Bedlington to find out what was happening, and sat down with Northumbria Police to find out what's being done about it.
Outside supermarkets in Bedlington, many shoppers said they'd noticed a recent spike in groups of teenagers causing disruption around the town.  
Bot
A drunk woman hurled shoes at passers-by and told police officers who offered her a lift home to "f**k off".
Lauren Nash was screaming and swearing at members of the public and throwing her shoes outside Market Tavern in Bedlington, Northumberland, overnight between January 12 and 13.
Northumbria Police officers were called to the scene on Market Place to reports of an "intoxicated female" by the owner of the pub.
Nash attempted to run away from officers, and told one “go f**k yourself you c**t” when she was offered a lift home.
Nash appeared at South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court on February 7 and pleaded guilty to one count of being drunk and disorderly in a public place.
Prosecutor Laura Lax said: "Police were called to attend the Market Tavern following a report of an intoxicated female.
Bot
Egged on by his friends, this drunk dad tried to get his mate kicked out of a hotel by telling police he was building a bomb.
Dad-of-one Steven Lambert enjoyed a night drinking Stella Artois at his home in Bedlington, Northumberland, before deciding to dial Northumbria Police.
In a bid to get a friend kicked out of the Royal Court Hotel in Coventry, the 28-year-old falsely claimed his pal was making a bomb.
Officers investigated and soon discovered the report to be false, and arrested the 28-year-old the same day.
Lambert, of Corchester Road, Bedlington, pleaded guilty to a charge of communicating false information on a bomb hoax after appearing at South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court on February 7.
He was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison - suspended for 12 months - and ordered to 300 hours of unpaid work and to pay £155 in court costs.
Bot
A man has appeared in court accused of sparking a bomb scare in Newcastle city centre after a fake device was allegedly found in a supermarket.
Tesco on Clayton Street, Newcastle , was evacuated on January 15 after a "mobile phone with wires to a battery pack" was found on a shelf.
James McDonnell, 53, of Appleby Gardens, Gateshead, appeared at Bedlington Magistrates' Court on February 11 charged with the offence.
He is also accused of stealing £160 worth of whisky.
Mr McDonnell pleaded not guilty to the bomb hoax matter and did not enter a plea to the theft charge.
He will appear at Newcastle Crown Court on March 12.
Bot
An £8 billion black hole by 2025 could swallow up popular - but discretionary - council services, local government leaders have warned.
Just to stand still and deliver the same services currently being provided today - which have already been significantly cut in the last decade - the Local Government Association (LGA) estimates that councils would need an additional £8billion more than they are expected to have by 2024-25.
The organisation has launched a campaign to influence the forthcoming Spending Review by warning about the growing risk to vital local services if the Government does not take action to secure the financial sustainability of councils.
But the LGA also said that, with the right funding and powers, councils can continue to lead their local areas, improve residents' lives, reduce demand for public services and save money for the taxpayer.
Between 2010 and 2020, councils will have lost almost 60p out of every £1 the Government had provided for services.
The LGA's chairman, Lord Porter, a Conservative, said: "The money local government has to provide vital services is running out fast and huge uncertainty remains about how councils will pay for services into the next decade and beyond.
Bot
Police are searching for a missing man who may have travelled to Scotland.
Andrew Malcolm, 46, was last seen on Bolam Place, Bedlington on Tuesday February 5 and officers are becoming increasingly concerned for his welfare.
It is believed that he may have travelled to the Dumfries and Galloway area and anyone with information is urged to get in touch.
A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: "Officers are growing increasingly concerned for his welfare and are keen to make sure he is fit & well.
"Andrew is described as white, of stocky build with a bald head. He was last seen wearing a navy blue T-shirt, black jeans, a black hoodie and black Timberland boots.
"‪It is believed he may have travelled to the Dumfries and Galloway area of Scotland.
Bot
Private surgery helped this teenager live a normal life again - but now she's facing the prospect of yet another operation.
Lucy Huddleston, 17, suffers from adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, a condition which causes her spine to be curved and twisted at the top and bottom, leaving it stuck in a distinct 'S' shape, which was getting more and more pronounced.
The only NHS-funded treatment available would have fused her spine together, severely limiting her movement.
So eager to keep Lucy moving, her family raised over £50,000 and travelled to Germany for surgery.
But now, Lucy is facing yet another costly operation as the spinal curves which had been corrected begin to worsen again.
Dad Mark Huddleston, 46, said: "We are so grateful to the people who helped raise money for the operation.


×
×
  • Create New...