Newcastle City Council

Contacts
What's happening in your ward
Local council services
Reporting problems
Your ward committee and getting involved
Further information

Contacts

• Councillors
• Find your MP and Parliamentary Constituency
• Byker Ward Surgeries
• Ward Co-ordinator: Caroline Collinson
  Phone: 277 3564
  E-mail: caroline.collinson@newcastle.gov.uk
• Neighbourhood Response Manager: Jim Forster
  Phone: 278 3009
  E-mail: jim.a.forster@newcastle.gov.uk

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What's happening in your ward

Over 60? You are more than twice as likely to be killed or injured in a house fire
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service has launched a new fire safety campaign aimed at older people. The theme is ‘it takes years to build up memories – and just seconds for them to go up in flames.’ The fire and rescue service staff, in uniform and carrying photographic ID badges, are currently visiting people over 60 in Newcastle offering home safety checks and fitting free smoke alarms where necessary.
If you live in Byker and are over 60 or know someone who is, please call our freephone number on 0800 032 7777 or visit www.twfire.gov.uk to request a home safety check.

Byker In Bloom Garden Competition 2010
Entry is now open to this annual event to promote best kept gardens and areas of Byker.  The categories are:

• Best Front Garden
• Best Back Garden / Yard
• Best Balcony or High Rise Garden
• Best Effort by a Group (Resident, Youth Group or School entry)
• Best Commercial/Business Premises
• Best Sheltered Housing Scheme
• Best Edible Gardener  (New category for food growers)
• Overall Winner
• Outstanding Effort

Entry forms are available from: Shields Road Customer Service Centre, East End Pool and Library, Byker and St. Anthony’s Housing Offices, and local community centres. You can also download an application form here (pdf, 59Kb)
Closing date for entries is 16 July 2010.
Please send completed entry forms to Caroline Collinson, Byker ward Co-ordinator, Heaton Complex, Room 21, First Floor, Trewitt Road, Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 5DY.
Judging will take place on 20 and 21 July 2009 (weather permitting)
Prizes and certificates will be presented by the Lord Mayor of Newcastle Councillor Brenda Hindmarsh at the Newcastle Garden and Allotment Show on Sunday 5 September 2010.

Byker Community Housing Trust Proposal - Latest
The Council and YHN have been working together to find the best way of delivering a full improvements solution for the Byker Estate. The previous Housing Minister, John Healey, visited the estate, which resulted in Byker being given the opportunity to create a Community Trust, which would be managed by residents and other key representatives such as Newcastle City Council and Your Homes Newcastle.
Basically, if the Trust was agreed, the Government would write off the debt linked with Byker to help fund an improvement programme for the estate, which would focus on improving:

• Community safety such as gating
• Energy efficiency
• Environmental issues
• Access to the estate and parking
• Investment in local areas of the estate

A Trust will only be introduced if local tenants vote for one.  
A ballot is on schedule to take place in October, when we need tenants to use their vote to tell us if a Trust is what they want. We’ll do our best between now and then to update you on any changes or developments to the plans. View the latest newsletter (pdf, 1.7Mb)
For more information on Byker Community Trust and how to get involved, visit the Byker Community Trust webpage.

Summer Reading Blast Off at East End Library
Are you brave enough to take a giant leap to the final frontier this summer? Join our Space Hop reading challenge from Saturday 26 June where your mission will be to read six books over the summer holidays. Everyone who signs up can keep track of the books they read on a special fold out poster and it’s free to join. If you triumph in your space mission you will be presented with a certificate from East End Library Mission Control and be entered into a fantastic prize draw.
Your school holidays begin when Space Hop summer challenge launches at East End Library on Saturday 24 July. Drop in anytime between 1-4pm. No booking required. See how monster masks are made and come face to face with Dr Who’s oldest and deadliest enemy- a dalek!
From Saturday 24 July – Sunday 5 September 2010, there will be a range of free Space Hop events in East End library.
Come along every Friday 2.30-3.30pm for interplanetary crafts.
Wednesday 4 August 2.30-3.30pm - Charlie’s Space Hop magic show. Fun for all the family.
Wednesday 11 August 2.30-4pm - Science Families Workshop ‘The Magic of Magnets’
Tuesday 24 August 2.30-4pm - Science Families Workshop ‘Build your own Solar System’
Thursday 26 August 2-4pm - Jack and Daniel’s Space Hop Quick comics.
There’s also plenty more fun to be had on the Space Hop website. You can find out about cool new books to read, comment on books you’ve enjoyed and join in games that are out of this world! Read blogs from your favourite authors on www.spacehop.org.uk. For further Space Hop information keep checking this website or phone East End library on 0191 278 8400. Events need to be booked, unless otherwise stated. Children under the age of eight must be accompanied by a parent or carer. It’s time to prepare for blast off!

Byker Task Group Report
Housing Minister John Healey MP has approved a report by the Byker Task Group recommending a major programme of investment in this unique grade II* listed  estate. These proposals will bring £48 million into Byker and put the community in control of investment in the estate, redesigning homes, making them greener and creating new employment opportunities for local people. Read more about the Byker Task Group and view the full report.

Victoria Tunnel
Have you been down the Victoria Tunnel yet?
If not, why not book on to a free tour while you still can. The grant for this Heritage Lottery funded project expires in February - after which an admission fee may be introduced to cover costs. The Victoria Tunnel is a nineteenth century waggonway which runs under the city from the Town Moor down to the Tyne. In WWII it was converted into an air raid shelter. A 700m section of tunnel in the Ouseburn opened for guided tours in May this year. There are currently 5 public tours a week, spaces are limited so booking is essential. Group tours available by request.
For further information and to download the current tour programme and booking request form, please visit www.newcastlecommunityheritage.org/victoriatunnel

Ouseburn Valley Summer Walks 2010
All events are on Tuesday evenings and begin at 7pm. Visitors should meet outside the Ship Inn at the bottom of Stepney bank except where noted. All walks and visits are free although donations towards the costs of the Ouseburn Trust heritage group are always welcome. Accompanied children are welcome, although parents or guardians must take responsibility for them.
Further details may be obtained by emailing heritage@OuseburnTrust.org.uk or visit www.ouseburntrust.org.uk 
6 July - General introduction to the Lower Ouseburn valley
Please meet outside the Ship Inn under Byker Bridge at 7pm
The history of the lower Ouseburn valley can be read through its buildings and street names. We’ll walk round and look at some of the old buildings which make up the streetscape and also see how modern buildings have been incorporated into the valley.
13 July - Jesmond Vale and Armstrong Park
Please meet at junction of Warwick Street and Newington Road. This walk will involve some paths which are steep and slippery. 
20 July - Stepney Bank Stables
The horse related activities based at the stables are well known. Less appreciated is the unseen work that takes place with disadvantaged children and young people. We’ll hear about both types of activities, see lessons taking place at the indoor riding arena, meet the horses and see where they live. This will also allow us to look around the old stables on Stepney Bank.
27 July - St Ann’s Church 
Please meet in the Churchyard of St Ann’s Church.
Information sheets will be available to highlight the final resting places of various former residents of the area outside the church and memorials to them inside.  We’ll be told of the history of the church, and the places of worship which were here earlier before entering the church to hear of the role of the church in the wider community.
3 August - From Romans to Ramblers - A Natural History
From the wooded dene which met the Romans through the industrial revolution to today’s urban village, the landscape and habitats of the valley have undergone great change.  Discover how nature has adapted and take a gentle tour of today’s woodlands and meadows.
10 August - St Dominic’s Priory Church
Please meet at main entrance to the church on New Bridge Street.
The current church opened for worship in 1873, but members of the Dominican order first came to Newcastle as preachers in 1239, only 18 years after the death of St Dominic. We’ll hear the history of the order and church – was there a link with Newcastle United.
17 August - Vanished pubs of Ouseburn
In the days when housing and factories packed the valley there were over 30 pubs serving the needs of the community. This walk will take us around the sites where some of them once stood and we’ll hear what they were used for and tales of the people who ran them. We end up in one of the few still standing!

Health Trainers – making healthy choices easier
HealthWorks Newcastle have a team of Community Health Trainers who can help you to make better health choices. They can provide people with information about local services, community groups and projects. They can support people to stop smoking, reduce stress and anxiety, get fit and make friends and make healthy and safe relationship choices. Community Health Trainers work with individuals and groups. If you would like their support phone 273 8889.

Star and Shadow Cinema
Stepney Bank, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2NP
Phone: 261 0066
E-mail: info@starandshadow.org.uk
Web: www.starandshadow.org.uk
The Star and Shadow is a volunteer run cinema in the Ouseburn that shows films beyond the mainstream. If you want to help make it a great place come along to one of the regular meetings on Mondays at 6pm or join the volunteers' mailing list by sending a blank email to: volunteers-subscribe@lists.starandshadow.org.uk.

Newcastle East Asylum Awareness Raising Group - Free information sessions.
As well as our own information sessions we can tailor a session to suit your needs. We run a ‘train the trainers’ training session at the end of a full session for those people who would like to be part of the delivery team. We meet on a monthly basis or you can deliver within your own organisation. Contact Sue Crawley, Walker Library, 554 Welbeck Road, Walker, Newcastle NE6 2PA
Phone 275 9477 or  07930 949772
Email: Sue.crawley@eastendalliance.org.uk

Building Futures East
We offer a wide range of courses from First aid and Food Hygiene to Plastering and Brickwork. For more information and to check if you are eligible to train for free please contact Building Futures East.
Phone: 263 2752
or speak to one of our Community Connectors, Tony or Andrea on 07825 963 699

Byker Friendly Club
- is a network for older people in the Byker area. The group meets every 2 months, on a Thursday and transport can be arranged for anyone who is unable to use public transport. Please contact the Ward Co-ordinator for more information.

Newcastle Warm Zone are working in your area. An assessment to see if you are eligible for free cavity wall and loft insulation takes only five minutes and we don't even need to enter your property. All our staff carry ID and wear the Warm Zone uniform. If you have any queries about the Newcastle Warm Zone project please call us on 277 7373.
Click here for more information about Newcastle Warm Zone.

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Local council services

Neighbourhood Services, one of the council's departments, is responsible for dealing with the cleanliness, safety and improvement of&nbs p;the local environment. The manager for Byker ward is Jim Forster.

The managers are in charge of the Neighbourhood Response Teams, whose job it is to respond quickly to problems that soon make a place look untidy or make it feel unsafe. This team includes the Rapid Response staff who sweep the streets, pick up litter and empty litter bins; remove small scale graffiti; make minor repairs to the footpath or street furniture; and cut back shrubs. They also deal with problems such as dead animals, blocked street drains, potholes and fly-tipping.

The Neighbourhood Response Managers make sure these teams are doing the jobs that are a priority for the local community. They work with local councillors, ward co-ordinators, tenants' and residents' groups and local people to find out what their priorities are. They work closely with other Neighbourhood Services teams in the area such as grounds maintenance, and road and pavement work.

If you want to contact your Neighbourhood Response Manager you can contact them directly, e-mail them or go along to a ward committee meeting.

Key monitoring documents

• Ward priority plan (pdf, 20.8Kb)
  - sets out the key environmental issues in the ward and what we are doing to tackle them
• Planned repairs and maintenance of roads and pavements (pdf, 20Kb)
• Service requests to Envirocall
  - shows the number of requests for our cleansing services

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Reporting problems

If you want to report environmental problems, such as overhanging trees or graffiti, or ask for a bulk y rubbish collection, you should contact Envirocall. 

Our streetlights are maintained by a PFI (Private Finance Initiative) project.

We work with the police on removing abandoned vehicles.

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Your ward committee and getting involved

Ward Committees

Your Ward Committee is made up of three local councillors. Its purpose is to identify and address local issues. The committee consults and works with local residents and businesses, agencies and voluntary and community sector organisations.

Transport can be arranged for anyone needing it, as can large print copies and translation/interpreting if required. Please contact the ward co-ordinator. All venues have disabled access. Creche provision can be made but must be booked well in advance so we can book an appropriate venue. All local residents and workers are welcome to attend. All meetings take place at 6.30pm on the 3rd Tuesday every second month.

2010
20 July, 6.30pm - St Martins Centre, Roman Avenue
21 September, 6.30pm - venue to be confirmed
16 November, 6.30pm - venue to be confirmed

2011
18 January, 6.30pm - venue to be confirmed
15 March, 6.30pm - venue to be confirmed

View the public papers for Byker Ward Committee meetings.

Grant Aid

The Ward Committee has a budget which community and voluntary sector groups can apply for by complet ing a grant aid application form. Further information about this budget and copies of the ap plication form are available on the Ward Committee Funding webpage, or by contacting your Ward Co-ordinator.

Deadlines for the submission of application forms for Byker Ward Committee are:

2010
6 June for 20 July meeting
7 August for 21 September meeting
2 October for 16 November meeting

2011
4 December 2010 for 18 January meeting
1 February for 15 March meeting

Community Groups

St Peter’s Wharf Leaseholders’ Association
Our Association is based in St Peter's Wharf, St Peter's Basin and is run by and on behalf of Leaseholders who may occupy either residential or commercial properties. The aims of the Association are to represent and further the interests of St Peter's Wharf in matters relating to maintenance, safety and ecology which are common to more than one leaseholder, through consultation and communication with appropriate individuals and organisations.  ;These will include, but not be limited to, the landlord, managing agents, the police, councillors, p ublic bodies and, St Peter’s Basin Residents' Association.
Membership is open to all leaseholders and meetings are normally held every six months with the AGM in May.  Annual subscription is £10 per year.  
New residents or owners of commercial units are welcome to contact the Chairperson, Joan Kirsopp, for further information.
31 St Peter's Wharf
St Peter's Basin
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE6 1TW
E-mail: joankirsopp@aol.com

• Byker Community Forum
  Byker Community Forum brings residents together to d i scuss issues of concern to them. All residents and community group representatives welcome.
  Contact the Ward Co-ordinator on 277 3564.
• Byker Village Tenants’ Association
  (Rabygate, Byker Wall East of Raby Street and Byker Village area)
• Byker Play and Youth Forum
  Brings together all people working with children and young people in Byker, whether volunteers or paid staff. Contact the Ward C o-ordinator for details of venues.
• Byker Ward Joint Safety and Environment Forum
  This group brings together local residents together with council officers and police to identify crime and community safety, housing and environment concerns in Byker and to come up with ways of resolving these issues. All residents in the ward are welcome to attend. Next meetings are: Monday 13 July at 6pm and Monday 13 September at 1pm at Avondale House, Raby Way, Byker or telephone ward co-ordinator for details on 277 3564.
• Dunn Terrace Tenants Association
• East End Community Health Project
• Janet Street Resident's Group
• Scarborough Road Tenants’ Association (includes Byker Old Town area)
• Shipley Walk Tenants Association
• St. Peter’s Basin Res idents' Group

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Further Information

Find out what consultations the council is carrying out in your ward and submit your views online. You can also see the results of previous consultations.

Cityeye gives details of events in your ward. You can also find information about societies and clubs in Byker.

Use our online map to find your nearest libraries and schools. You can also find out where y our nearest recycling site is and find leisure s ervices, such as swimming pools, and heritage information, suc h as listed buildings and ancient monum ents. 

See also the Related Pages panel at the right of the screen.