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Local people are being asked for their views on the county’s highways and transport services – from the condition of roads and footpaths to the quality of cycling facilities.

Their answers will be compared with the views of other members of the public across England and Scotland, thanks to the National Highways and Transport Public Satisfaction survey.

Northumberland County Council is one of 112 local authorities to sign up to a standardised survey that will ask members of the public exactly the same questions, whether they live in Norfolk, Nottinghamshire or Northumberland.

The survey, which is being run for the tenth year, is the largest collaboration between local authorities offering the opportunity to compare results, share in best practice and identify further opportunities to work together in the future.

The questionnaire will be sent to a random sample of at least 3,300 of the county’s  residents from 19th June, followed by a reminder, with local and national results to be published in mid-October 2017.  Since the survey is based on a sample, residents that receive a copy are being urged to take part.  

Residents that receive the questionnaire can complete the survey online if they prefer, a short  link will be printed on the front of the questionnaire and they will be required to enter a code before completing the questionnaire.

The results will enable the council to find out what people in Northumberland think about these important services.

The County Council has been doing the survey since it started and the feedback sits alongside other engagement it carries out via town and parish councils to help it determine and prioritise future works and improvements.

Councillor Glen Sanderson, Cabinet Member for Environment and Local Services, said: “As one of the country’s largest counties with over 3,200 miles of road, we fully understand the importance of maintaining and improving our network.

“This survey is another way for us to get a greater understanding of residents’ views on a range of transport and highways issues and enable us to work together to improve the lives of our many communities.

“Residents views are extremely important to us so I hope very much that people are able to find the time to fill it in and let us know their thoughts.”  
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A new system of local democracy will allow communities across the county “to create their own futures”, the new administration has pledged.
 
Northumberland County Council has implemented a restructure of committees across Northumberland which will give town and parish councils a more active role and a greater say in what happens within their local areas.
 
The restructure of committees to create five new local area councils across Northumberland will see the return of democracy and accountability to local areas, allowing them to decide and determine their own futures, based on the needs of the local community.
 
The new local area councils will include; North Northumberland, Ashington & Blyth, Castle Morpeth, Tynedale and Cramlington & Bedlington and will meet bi-monthly to consider planning applications, road spending and petitions.
 
The introduction of the local area councils will allow local people across Northumberland to have a greater influence on the decisions that directly affect them and their communities.
 
Council leader Peter Jackson said: “We want to work with communities to help them create their own futures, rather than impose large projects or developments on them.
 
“These new Local Area Councils are one way to develop a better future for the whole county. For example in north Northumberland we would fully expect the local area council to work very closely with the major towns of Alnwick and Berwick on local development plans for those communities.
 
“We want to be clear this is not a return to district councils, but about bridging the gap between an autocratic, centralised county council and communities.
 
“We value the work that town and parish councils are doing and wish to work closely with them, bridging the gap with a county council some see as distant and unengaging.”


“And not only will the restructuring of the committees ensure the County Council’s policies take into account the needs and aspirations of local communities, it will also provide savings of £250,000 over the next four years from reductions in allowances, which can be ploughed back into essential daily services.”
 
To find out more information and times and dates go to the ‘meetings’ section on the front page of the council website at www.northumberland.gov.uk
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The new leadership at Northumberland County Council  is putting plans in place to improve communication and engagement with local communities.
 
One of the first services to introduce changes to the way it  operates is  the highways department which will be bringing  local town, parish and ward councillors into the heart of  its  decision making process.
 
In future, these stakeholders will be fully informed and consulted when highways improvement schemes, or Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO) are being considered in their community to ensure that all parties are fully aware of the issues and the proposed work.
 
Northumberland County Councillor,  Glen Sanderson, Cabinet Member for Environment & Local Services, said:
 
“We have listened to what residents have been telling us and  want to ensure that local people have more power and say in decisions that directly affect them and the communities in which they live.”
 
At the start of each highways improvement scheme, the County Council will draft a brief and this will be discussed with these local community representatives to ensure that the issue of concern has been fully understood and that the problems that need to be resolved have been identified.
 
If a scheme requires a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), the local town, parish and ward councillors will be consulted, followed by consultation with statutory consultees and any residents directly affected.
 
The new arrangements also seek to improve upon the existing arrangements for involving local communities in the preparation of the highways investment programme.  
 
Council officers will write to local town, parish and ward councillors annually  to share the issues that have been raised within their community and to agree local priority projects for the following year. Subject to funding and eligibility criteria,  these projects will then be incorporated into a draft programme which will be reported to the new Local Area Councils for final local comment, before being formally approved.
 
The new council  administration at Northumberland County Council is to introduce five Local Area Councils: North Northumberland, Tynedale, Castle Morpeth, Ashington & Blyth and Cramlington & Bedlington to replace the previous four Area Committees. These  area councils will meet monthly,  have added responsibilities and aim to bring decision making closer to local communities.
 
Councillor Sanderson added:  “The introduction of  five local area councils and improved partnership working with  local communities will help ensure that our investments in highways improvement schemes are tailored to meet the needs of the community and deliver better all-round results.
 
“With over 3,000 miles of roads connecting hundreds of communities, ensuring that we provide the most effective highway improvements with the funding available is a priority for this council.”
 
   
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Votes have been counted and MPs declared for the four parliamentary constituencies in Northumberland.
 
The candidates declared as MP for each of the constituencies are as follows:
 
Berwick-upon-Tweed - Anne-Marie Trevelyan, The Conservative Party Candidate
 
Blyth Valley - Ronnie Campbell, Labour Party
 
Hexham - Guy Opperman, The Conservative Party Candidate
 
Wansbeck - Ian Lavery, Labour Party
 
The elections were run by Northumberland County Council and all four counts took place overnight last night at Blyth Sports Centre.
 
The turnout for the Northumberland constituencies was 71.5% for Berwick-upon-Tweed; 67.1% for Blyth Valley; 75.1% for Hexham and 68.4% for Wansbeck.

Click here to see the declartion of results
Andy Millne
Plans for a boutique hotel at Lairds House on Front Street West were approved on Monday by the Local Planning Authority. The proposal is described as ;
"Conversion of former social club and public house into a hotel, with restaurant and bar with external alterations including new conservation roof lights to front, steel gate and railings, and to the rear new dormer windows, rear extension to include office, lobby, dining area and kitchen with two storey off-shot for recreation room and cinema. Amended plans received 28th April 2017. "
Leave your comments below.
Full details of the planning application and decision are available at https://publicaccess.northumberland.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=OLOKOYQSMXQ00

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Polling stations across the county are open today, Thursday 8 June, for the UK Parliamentary General Election.
 
The polling stations will be open from 7am - 10pm at 228 community venues across the county so if you are eligible to vote, make sure you go along and cast your vote - it can really make a difference.
 
Over recent weeks, polling cards have been sent to residents through the post informing them  of their elector number and their local polling station. While it is helpful if the card is brought along when residents vote, it is not essential, so if you’ve mislaid it, you can still vote, as long as you are registered and eligible.
 
If you are unsure where your local polling station is you can log on to the Northumberland County Council website www.northumberland.gov.uk and type your home postcode into the My Place box on the top right hand side of the home page. This will bring up details of your nearest polling station.
 
Will Booth, elections manager at Northumberland County Council said: “By casting your vote you will be helping to decide how the UK is run. Voting enables you to help decide who represents your local area in parliament and it is their job to raise local issues and support you as much as they can.”
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Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service is running a pilot initiative aimed at offering further support to former students from the Prince's Trust Team programme.  
 
Five students who still wish to improve their confidence and deal with low levels of self esteem and feelings of anxiety and depression are meeting every Thursday afternoon for twelve weeks to share their experiences and to discuss and practice strategies for overcoming personal challenges which affect their health and well being.
 
The students have been influential in the design of the programme by identifying the key areas they want to focus on as well as the duration of the course and frequency of meetings they feel will work best for them. Some examples of topics which have been covered so far are negative thinking, assertiveness, mindfulness and health and well being.  In between each session the group practice techniques they have discussed as a group and record how it has made a difference in their own personal workbook. The group are currently focusing on employability skills and how their increased confidence and coping strategies can help them in the process of applying for jobs and increase job satisfaction.
 
Leanne from Seaton Delaval said "This course I have attended has been really helpful for me having more of a positive attitude and being more assertive I have managed to express when I have not wanted to do something outside the group ,without the group I would not have been able to confidently do this".
 
Chief Fire Officer as Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service, Paul Hedley has supported the project, noting "Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service has identified an opportunity to re-engage with young people and offer a more bespoke programme of support which has involved listening to what young people feel the issues are for them and acting on it.  In view of National SAFE Week I think this type of provision is important to consider.  Addressing the health and well being issues which affect our young people can help them lead happier and safer lives".  


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