The only thing Linda Arkley hasn’t left is a note telling the Mayor ‘there is no money left. I’m shocked at what has happened during the past four years and we need to act quickly to stop the situation worsening’.

LABOUR’S DISMAY OVER NORTH TYNESIDE FINANCE LEGACY

‘The only thing missing was a note from the Tories saying ‘there is no money left’ – Jim Allan

Incoming Labour administration headed up by Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn have uncovered a series of costly decisions taken by former Tory Mayor Linda Arkley as they seek to unpick the Tory legacy of excessive debt, missed opportunities and botched decisions.

Labour are pointing to a huge jump in the council borrowing from £233.901m when Linda Arkley took over from Labour in 2009 to £524.246m when she left office in May.

During the election Labour had warned residents over the excessive borrowing under the Tories and it’s now clear that this was the tip of a very large financial iceberg.

For example, this year budget which was controversially set by Arkley in April against the wishes of the majority Labour group and the Liberal Democrats, contains £21m deficit including £12m in the Tory ‘Change, Efficiency and Improvement’ programme and a further £9m in capital financing.

They have also identified a dramatic fall in the council’s strategic reserve and balances fund from £29.604m (when Labour left office in 2009) to £13.749m as it presently stands.

Labour group leader Jim Allan said

‘The council’s finances are in a perilous state and the Tories have turned a golden economic legacy left to them in 2009 into a set of figures which show the true extent of the council’s problems. Borrowing has doubled, council reserves have shrunk by over 55% and we’ve inherited a ‘Change’ programme which doesn’t reflect reality never mind prudent economics. The only thing Linda Arkley hasn’t left is a note telling the Mayor ‘there is no money left. I’m shocked at what has happened during the past four years and we need to act quickly to stop the situation worsening’.

End

Special Council Meeting on Wednesday 17th July - Re Merger of Kings School and Priory Primary School

Special Council Meeting on Wednesday 17th July - Re Merger of Kings School and Priory Primary School The Cabinet of North Tyneside Council have decided to seek the views of the full council on the proposals to merge Priory Primary School and the Independent Fee Paying Kings School in advance of making a decision on whether to seek a Judicial Review on the Secretary of State’s decision to approve the merger. This is an opportunity to allow all councillors to ask questions and express their views. The Leader of the Labour Group Councillor Jim Allan said :- The Labour Group of Councillors are seriously concerned that the proposal to merge Kings and Priory schools may have an unintended impact on the other schools across the Borough. Of course, parents and governors at the two schools in question are in favour of the merger but the Council's role on Wednesday is to protect the interests of the many thousands of children across North Tyneside who won't be going to the proposed school. Their voice hasn't been heard in this debate so far and it's high time the 'silent majority' who will have to live with the consequences had their voices heard. The Labour group is committed to representing that 'silent voice'. For example, we need to question the Secretary of State over the impact on other schools in the Borough when he uses £5m from the tax payers purse to wipe out Kings school debt. As it stands, there are no assurances that this money will not be recouped by central government by reducing the amount of funding per head in other schools across the borough. We feel Michael Gove has many questions to answer and that's why I will be writing to him prior to next week’s meeting to seek answers'.

North Tyneside Clean Up Teams

On Wednesday 10 July Our North Tyneside Clean Up Teams will be in Bowman Drive, Fern Drive (up to March Road) Owen Brannigan Drive, Love Avenue, Patrick Terrace, Ozanan Drive and Burt Crescent making sure the neighbourhood is clean, tidy and safe.

On the day they will be tackling any specific ‘hot-spot’ areas and will carry out street cleaning.  They will also be removing any fly-tipping and graffiti, putting up ‘no dog fouling’ signs and issuing fixed penalty notices to anyone seen failing to pick up after their dog or dropping litter.  They will also remove bulky rubbish from resident’s property and if any residents wish to take advantage of this service they should contact the Estte Caretaking Service Team on 0191 643 - 7514/7515/7516 to advise which items they want removed

Sky Tyne and Wear News

Cancellation of Mayoral Debate at TyneMet College

Posted by Lisa Dawson on Tuesday 16 April 2013 Other, Tyne and Wear

The Debate scheduled to take place between the Mayoral candidates Linda Arkley (Conservative), Norma Redfearn (Labour) and John Appleby (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday 18th April at TyneMet Coast Road Campus, has been cancelled.

The decision to cancel the event has been made because of the withdrawal from the Debate by Elected Mayor Linda Arkley due to circumstances beyond her control.

Jon Vincent, Principal and Chief Executive, TyneMet College, said:

“As hosts for this event we felt it was essential that all of the Mayoral Candidates would have the opportunity to fully participate in the Debate.

It is therefore with regret that we issue this notice of cancellation.”

http://tyneandwear.sky.com/noticeboard/post/63811/cancellation-of-mayoral-debate-at-tynemet-college

Elected Mayor from the Mayoral Debate on Thursday 18th April 2013 we have decided to cancel the event. I have asked Linda’s agent (Andrew Elliott) for her reason for non-attendance and alternative dates but thus far I have not received a response.

Subject: Fwd: Mayoral Debate - Cancelation

Dear Labour Team, we have been informed that the hustings meeting scheduled for this Thursday at the tynemet college, has been cancelled. The simple reason is that the Currrent Mayor cannot make it despite it being arranged quite a while ago.

I have attempted to find out what the circumstances are for her being unable to participate, without success. I did not want to be too critical in case there are genuine grounds, but as even a vague explanation has not been provided, then speculation will continue. It is really disappointing as there were a large number of North Tyneside Residents planning to attend to hear from the three candidates.

Could you please pass this on to others you maybe unaware of the cancellation.

If I find any information on her absence I will let you know, remember, the Tory Group did not attend the last council meeting and were vague of why none of them could be in attendance?

Best Wishes

Jim Allan

07909234752

>
Subject: Mayoral Debate - Cancelation

Dear All,

It is with great regret that I wish to inform you that following the withdrawal of the Elected Mayor from the Mayoral Debate on Thursday 18^th April 2013 we have decided to cancel the event.  I have asked Linda’s agent (Andrew Elliott) for her reason for non-attendance and alternative dates but thus far I have not received a response. 

This afternoon I will be issuing a press release announcing the cancelation and making clear that our decision is based solely on the withdrawal of the Elected Mayor and our need to remain politically neutral.

I hope you will appreciate the very difficult position that Linda’s withdrawal has put us in and respect our decision.

Best wishes,

Jon Vincent

Principal and Chief Executive

T 0191 2295000 Ext: 5213 | E Jon.Vincent@tynemet.ac.uk

Workers’ rights champion has Europe in her sights Jane Shotton- Mobile 07528793904

Workers’ rights champion has Europe in her sights

Monday 8th April, 2013

Community campaigner Jayne Shotton is looking to combine her political and trade union principles to good effect following her selection as one of four potential candidates for the Labour Party in the election for MEP to the European Parliament next year.

Jayne, 50, has a wealth of experience having worked for shopworkers’ union Usdaw as an Area Organiser for 14 years where she has campaigned tirelessly for improvements in workers’ terms and conditions across the North East.

She was at the forefront of the campaign when the Twinings factory in North Shields was closed and relocated to Poland. While the factory did eventually shut its doors, Usdaw was instrumental in stopping Twinings claiming a European Regional Development Grant to help the company relocate the site.

Before working for Usdaw Jayne, who left school at sixteen with very few formal qualifications, worked in retail and a call centre. She was an active trade union rep and represented workers for more than six years.

Jayne has been a member of the Labour Party for more than 20 years and served as a Labour Councillor in North Tyneside for six years for the Camperdown ward.

"The way Twinings could just upsticks and relocate, putting hundreds of workers on the dole, was one of the reasons why I have put myself forward so I can represent North Eastern workers in Europe," she said. "Stephen Hughes MEP has done an excellent job and I want to continue that and build upon it. I also want to work with other Labour Party members, and the electorate at large, to emphasise why Europe is important to the people of the North East.

"Since the Coalition was formed in the UK in 2010, workers have faced an onslaught on their terms and conditions at work and their standard of living. Many people don’t realise just how important the European Parliament is in setting minimum standards on workers’ rights – and the Coalition would love to take these away too.

"I’m looking to use all of my experience to promote and protect the citizens of the North East and to encourage future investment in the area."

Ends

Notes for Editors

Jayne Shotton was born in Barnsley and moved to the North East in 1998.

She is married with a daughter and two stepsons, has a grandson, and lives in North Shields. Her work with Usdaw has seen her represent workers from Tyneside to Teesside, across to Durham, Northumberland and Cumbria.

You can follow Jayne on Facebook, and Twitter @jshttn Email:

Jayne.shotton@live.co.uk

Picture enclosed

There were scenes of amazement as North Tyneside’s Tory Mayor Linda Akley chose to snub her own council meeting to attend a Conservative Federation political fundraiser.

PRESS RELEASE

Mayor snubs her own Council Meeting

‘Mayor is failing the leadership test’ – Jim Allan

There were scenes of amazement as North Tyneside’s Tory Mayor Linda Akley chose to snub her own council meeting to attend a Conservative Federation political fundraiser.

The Mayor who earns over £61,000 per year and her entire Cabinet and Conservative group of twelve councillors failed to show for last night’s Council (21 March 2013) meeting which was due to agree the council’s pay policy and the new Health and Wellbeing  Board which will be responsible for over £10m of NHS and council spending.

Now the Mayor faces calls for her to ‘explain and apologise’ why she led the whole Conservative group in the council into, what is being described as a ‘dereliction of duty’ before she faces election on 2 May.

Labour group leader Jim Allan said

‘In the first time in the history of this council, a Mayor and her entire political group have snubbed their own meeting. Tonight’s pay policy and the establishment of the Health and Wellbeing Board are her own policies and she’s deserted her post. The Mayor and her Cabinet are paid collectively over £120,000 to make decisions and she’s decided to put her own party political aims above the needs of the residents of this Borough and the priorities of the council’.  

See Photograph of empty conservative seats in the full council meeting.

There were scenes of amazement as North Tyneside’s Tory Mayor Linda Akley chose to snub her own council meeting to attend a Conservative Federation political fundraiser.