There were numerous objections to the license application for South Newsham pavilion.

 There will therefore be a hearing at Blyth Civic Centre, on 30th July. Members of the public are entitled to attend, but unless they have already objected, or supported,  they may not speak.

I will attend as ward councillor. There are  arguments in favour and against the application. It may make for a lively meeting. 

My council papers arrived today, (no doubt delayed by the industrial action)

There are no planning applications for South Newsham or South Beach wards.

Unison and Unite/T&G have confirmed that they will be taking industrial action on 16th and 17th July.

I don’t yet know how this will affect “front line services” , but there will be hopefully access to an emergency number.  All council committee meetings on those days are cancelled.

I noticed this on the website of Councillor Stuart Bray (a Lib Dem councillor in Leicestershire). I quote :-

 Currently, fewer restrictions govern planning applications for phone masts up to 15 metres in height, often making it difficult for councils to refuse permission for controversial proposals.

Liberal Democrats in Parliament recently moved an amendment to the Planning Bill which would have meant applications for phone masts would have required full planning permission and therefore be considered in the same way as applications for new buildings or change of use of existing ones.

But Labour MPs voted against the call and Conservative MPs did not bother voting at all.

He went on to say , “Communities can sometimes be powerless to stop inappropriately sited phone masts going ahead because the planning system has fewer restrictions on them than for many other planning applications.

“This gives phone companies an advantage which is not enjoyed by other individuals and businesses applying for planning permission. Our amendment would have made the system fairer.

“I was very disappointed however to see that the Conservatives did not bother to vote for this change. They simply sat on their hands, despite telling everyone at the general election that they support this policy.

“As a result, [we] will continue to find it hard to battle against inappropriate phone masts.”

Well said Stuart, it reflects my views nicely

Northumberland County Councillor Lesley Rickerby will be holding a surgery at South Beach library on Wednesday 9th July between 6pm and 7 pm.

There will be district councillors be in attendance.

If you cannot get to this surgery we can be contacted through the usual channels

At last nights meeting of the Regulatory Panel the two taxi items were discussed.

On fares the panel were advised that we could not sanction an immediate increase in fares as an interim measure (we need to advertise the proposed fares), but we agreed that the structure would be brought in as soon as the 14 day consultatation period had passed, providing that there were no objections.

On reduced licensing fees for bio-diesel it was agreed that the loss of income had to be agreed by Cabinet, and so it will be passed to them for a decision. This is an out and out cop-out! Although no figures on overall costs to the authority were available at the meeting, it was calculated to be less than £5,000. And that would be for the whole year, we only have 9 months of this authority left. 

I am certain that the supposed loss can be met from balance or from other savings, and in the scheme of things is not a huge amount. But in terms of environment and air quality it is a small price to pay.

And one leading taxi firm who wishes to bring in bio-diesel is left with a possible investment for no return. I hope that he goes ahead and introduces bio-diesel cars anyway , and that the savings in costs will follow, along with the reduction in license fees.

If you live in the area, you can’t have failed to notice the building work at South Beach shops.

The owners have received planning permission to extend upwards to include flats and to knock the shops into one.

Unfortunately they did not receive permission to completely knock the shops down and rebuild. BVBC planning officers are aware of what happened, and are investigating. I’ll keep you informed of developments…. (excuse the pun!)

At a meeting this afternoon, County Councillors Lesley Rickerby (Lib Dem South Blyth) and Jeff Reid (Lib Dem Plessey) met with residents and others to discuss the various problems arising from the construction of the Academy.

Of course there was no representative from the Emmanuel Schools Foundation (ESF) who are behind the application.

The residents aired their problems and action will be taken on various matters. Another meeting is to be held and again Mr Vardy, or a representative form ESF  will be invited to attend. 

At this week’s Regulatory Panel there is an agenda item about increasing taxi fares, mainly due to increasing fuel prices.

In the last 6 months I have become increasingly reliant on taxis, so I can understand that this is a blow to many. However I can see how fuel prices are affecting ALL drivers, not just taxi drivers.

 I think that it will be a difficult decision whichever way the vote goes.

However on a different note, there is an item where the taxi trade are requesting reduced license fees for bio-diesel fuelled vehicles. A good principle no doubt, but how are we to ensure that the vehicles actually use bio-fuel?

Again, an interesting debate is in prospect!

My July council diary is again fairly quiet.

July 1st       Regulatory Panel ( of which more later)

July 3rd       Full council

July 16th    Sustainable Communities Review Commission

July 22nd     Development Control Panel

Before the full council meeting on 3rd July there will be a Public Question Time, to which all residents are invited. Questions can be put to the Mayor and the portfolio holders. If a full reply cannot be given , a written reply will be given.