Welcome to our summer edition of Citylife. This issue is packed with lots of things to see and do over the coming months. There really is something for everyone, so get out and enjoy a summer of activities.

This edition of Citylife sees a new coalition government in place, as well as new councillors across wards in the city.  And following your comments, we’ve included more stories about what councillors are doing in Newcastle.

And don’t miss our regular credit crunch feature with helpful advice about money and savings, as well as feedback on our budget consultation on.

We’ve got some great stories throughout this bumper edition including progress on regeneration schemes and information on training opportunities across the city.

Enjoy!

You can also read a PDF version of this edition.

And a PDF of our special Summer Wrap.

You can listen to our podcast too.

News

Decade for city’s farmers’ market
The Newcastle Farmers’ Market is about to hit double figures.

On target
The council has kept its spending within its 2009/10 budget.

Cash for carers
Carers across Newcastle were given the chance to make important decisions on how the council spends its £50,000 budget.

City welcomes new Lord Mayor
In May, the city welcomed Cllr Brenda Hindmarsh as Newcastle’s next Lord Mayor at a Civic Centre ceremony.

Good Lords!
The Leader of Newcastle City Council, John Shipley, has been awarded a peerage in the Dissolution Honours List.

Good housekeeping
More than 8,800 people received benefits advice and support from the council generating more than £10m in benefits.

Features

Workfirst is first class for Northumbria University
the council’s WorkFirst initiative arranges work experience and skills development for people with disabilities, with a view to supporting them into longer term employment.

Hundreds sign up to celebrate City Library's first birthday
Visitors to Newcastle’s City Library were invited to celebrate its first birthday on the 7 June by adding their names to its massive birthday card.

Making the budget work
Our budget and council tax for 2010/11 was agreed by the city council earlier this year.

Gavin goes for gold with the Future Jobs Fund
The Newcastle Future Jobs Fund is working with the council, Newcastle Futures, Jobcentre Plus and the Tyne and Wear City Region to get 360 young and disadvantaged people in Newcastle real job opportunities.

Benefits - getting it right first time
Making a claim for Housing and Council Tax Benefit can be easier than you might think! We want to pay you your correct benefit entitlement as soon as possible.

A unique opportunity for Byker
Are you a tenant on the Byker Estate? If you are, you are going to have a chance to play a part in its future.

Go West
Things are moving in the west end of the city. The transformation of the west end is gathering pace with work starting on the £275m regeneration of Scotswood.

We've got a cunning 1PLAN
A bold new vision for the future of Newcastle and Gateshead called the ‘1PLAN’ has been published by the city council and its partners.

History for all
One group in Newcastle is proving that history does not have to be confined to dusty books.

Radio for older people made by younger ones
The Elders Council broadcasts a monthly radio programme, ‘Everyone’s tomorrow – today!’ on the community radio station NE1fm.

The mean green (and yellow) weedkilling machine
You’ve probably seen this little beauty around the pavements of Newcastle, but do you know what it’s doing? It’s targeting and destroying the weeds that attack our pavements.

Pothole heroes
Let us introduce you to the team who have been working their socks off to fill in the potholes which have developed since the winter.

Baffled by benefits?
Baffled by benefits? Find out more about them and how you can claim.

The Elders Council of Newcastle: 10 years old!
The Elders Council held its tenth AGM on 9 June.

Trips out with your bus pass
The Elders Council has published a brochure ‘Summer Outings with a Concessionary Bus Pass’, which lists many interesting trips that older people can take with their bus pass.

A champion for victims of anti-social behaviour
Victims of anti-social behaviour in Newcastle now have someone to turn to for support and help, thanks to a new victims’ champion, Janet Kidwell.

Scrutiny - watching what we're doing
While the council’s Executive members make decisions for their service areas, there are a group of people who are looking carefully at what they’re doing.

Regulars

Newcastle's debt advice
Newcastle’s debt advice team provides free advice and information about the different options and support available.

Bridging NewcastleGateshead (BNG)
Read the latest news from Bridging NewcastleGateshead (BNG)

Your Homes Newcastle (YHN)
Read the latest news from Your Homes Newcastle (YHN)

News from Newcastle PCT
Read the latest news from Newcastle PCT.

Community News

100 years of girl guides
Girls from across the city have been enjoying parties, activity days and outings as part of Girlguiding UK’s centenary celebrations.

Ready? Let's win!
A small community centre in Kenton is producing award winning cheerleaders. Northern Sparkles meet on Tuesdays and Fridays

Grassroots funding for community groups
Are you part of a community or voluntary group?

A Flynn-tastic Contact Centre
When Mrs Flynn put in a call to the council about her back gate, she was really surprised when, not long afterwards, she came home to find she had a new one.

Every Child Matters

Somebody else's child, everyone's responsibility
By law, if you’re looking after someone’s child, who’s not a close family member, for more than 28 days, you need to tell the council.

Meet Newcastle's future politicans
Meet Newcastle's future politicans

Checking life stages for babies
Checking life stages for babies

Improving Your Environment

Love your city
Love your city

Do your bit to put a stop to fires
Deliberate fires to wheelie bins, rubbish and discarded household goods can ruin your neighbourhood; making it look run down and causing residents to feel unsafe.

Brown bin garden waste
About 20% of what we throw away is garden waste. Instead of sending this to landfill, it could be composted. It is vitally important that garden waste is diverted from landfill and used in a way that benefits the environment.