Cllr Richard Ross - Reform UK North Tyneside, North Tyneside Council, Newcastle upon Tyne (2026)

12/06/2026

📢 Your Weekly Update – Weetslade & North Tyneside
A few things worth keeping residents up to speed on this week.

🏗️ Planning & Development
Planning pressure isn’t slowing down, more applications coming forward across the borough, including larger housing sites and smaller conversions.
👉 I’ve raised objections on a number of these where things don’t stack up, particularly around policy and unresolved issues.
👉 There’s also a consultation on the Annitsford Farm site (Dudley) at the end of June, worth attending if you’re affected locally.

🏠 Housing
This is still the biggest issue people raise with me.

demand remains high
limited movement
strong competition for homes

👉 Latest listings are still mostly smaller or age-restricted properties
👉 The gap between what’s approved and what people can actually access isn’t closing.

🟢 Veterans & Remembrance
I’ve been in touch with the Royal British Legion this week, around 8,800 veterans live in North Tyneside, many needing support with housing, work and health.
👉 Having served 23 years myself, this matters, if you’re a veteran and need help, get in touch and I’ll point you in the right direction.

Also good to see recognition locally, a new plaque in Burradon remembering WWII servicemen, the area’s “forgotten sons”.

👉 Important that history and service aren’t overlooked.

🚇 Metro

The original Metro trains are in their final weeks after 46 years

👉 End of an era, worth catching a journey while they’re still running.

⚠️ The bigger picture
Week by week I’m seeing the same thing:

development continuing
housing pressure unchanged
delivery not always keeping up

👉 It’s not just about approving things, it’s about whether they actually work for residents.

✅ What I’ve been working on

Submitted planning objections, now heard at Committee
2 surgeries held → 9 issues picked up and being progressed
Pushing long-standing Weetslade issues, paving in Wideopen, overgrown bushes and grass
Escalated e-scooter / e-bike concerns
Ongoing work chasing issues raised by residents

👉 If something’s affecting you locally, message me and I’ll take it up.

10/06/2026

🌿 Two Great Local Opportunities to Get Involved

I want to highlight two really positive opportunities for residents across Weetslade to get involved in supporting and improving our local community.

🧹 Community Litter & Local Action Group (Weetslade)
North Tyneside are pulling together a directory of local litter picking groups, recognising the great work volunteers already do.
Rather than wait, I’d like to get something started here in Weetslade.
My aim is to create a local, apolitical group focused on simple, practical improvements:

Litter picking
General environmental upkeep
Supporting pride in our local areas

This is about community first, not politics.
I’m happy to lead this in the short term to get it established, but longer‑term this should absolutely be resident‑led, with councillors there simply to support.

✅ I’m currently looking for:

Volunteers who want to get involved
Anyone willing to step forward as a group lead/coordinator
Residents who want to help shape how this works locally

Even a small amount of time makes a big difference, if you’re interested, please contact me.

🤝 Volunteer Opportunity – Supporting Older Residents

I also want to share this opportunity from Age UK North Tyneside, who are looking for people to:

Support older residents
Help represent their voice locally
Get involved in community initiatives

This is a great chance to make a genuine difference to people who need it most.

👉 If you’d like to get involved, please reply or message me with your details, and I will pass them on.

If you’ve been thinking about getting involved locally, these are two great ways to start, and both will make a real difference to our community.

09/06/2026

Hazlewood, the numbers vs the decision

I’ve reviewed the council’s own data provided to councillors, the same data used to plan schools and services.

And I’ll be blunt, it raises serious questions.

This is not an area in decline.
We have a stable population, a consistent number of children, and clear ongoing need for school places.
At the same time:

Hazlewood has 27.5% FSM
There is ongoing SEND demand
The data shows a steady, functioning community

Yet despite all of that,
this school is being closed (currently under appeal).

Now here’s what doesn’t sit right.
Hazlewood has been running in temporary accommodation, classrooms in modular units, through winter.
And despite that,
it is still outperforming Greenfields.
Still supporting pupils.
Still delivering.

Then you look at SEND.

Greenfields already has around 10% EHCP
Hazlewood supports additional needs, including children who moved from Greenfields and are now flourishing

So residents are asking:
👉 What happens to those children if Hazlewood disappears?
👉 Do they go back into already stretched settings?
Because as a governor, I’ve seen it first-hand,
some of those children are doing better here.

Step back and look at it:
How does closing a working school in a stable community make sense?

This isn’t politics, it’s a simple question:
👉 Does the decision match the reality?
👉 Or does the data tell a different story?
As your councillor, my job is to make sure those questions are heard.

#️⃣

06/06/2026

📢 Your Weekly Update – Weetslade & North Tyneside
Key developments this week:

🔴 Governance & Delivery

32,000 direct debit payments taken early due to a system failure.

👉 Refunds issued, but serious questions remain around oversight and contractor management.
👉 Residents will expect clear answers and safeguards.

🟠 Regeneration

Councillors are seeking answers on delays to the Whitley Bay STACK development, nearly three years on.

👉 Concerns: lack of progress, poor communication, uncertainty on jobs.
👉 Issue: approvals being made — but delivery not following.

🏗️ Planning & Housing

Killingworth housing scheme moving toward decision with concerns on:

safeguarded land
policy conflict
unresolved issues

👉 Meanwhile:

3,000+ on housing waiting list
limited rehousing
some homes seeing 100+ bids

👉 Approvals are increasing — but access to housing is not improving, raising questions about delivery and decision-making.

💼 Jobs

Jobs and investment promoted locally
But nationally, rising numbers of young people not in work or education

👉 Described as a potential “lost generation”
👉 Are we delivering real opportunities — or just announcements?

⚠️ Safety & Local Assets

Coroner raised concerns over coastal safety signage following a tragic incident.
👉 Are risks being addressed before issues arise?

Park vandalism has led to facilities closing.
👉 Wider concern: loss of local assets.

🚇 Transport

Metro night works 8–14 June across North Tyneside
👉 Overnight noise/disruption possible

⚠️ Overall
A pattern is emerging:

Reactive decision-making
Delivery gaps
Demand outpacing services

✅ Bottom line
Residents expect:

accountability
delivery
services that work

👉 I will continue to challenge this on your behalf.

👍 Local Update

Continuing to raise planning concerns to ensure decisions are robust and justified, as above issues reflect.
Supporting colleagues nationally, including Makerfield, again this week.
Ward surgery starts today at 9am — more dates soon.

👉 If these issues affect you, please get in touch.

03/06/2026

🔵 SURGERY UPDATE – WEETSLADE WARD

As part of keeping residents informed and accessible, I also wanted to share the above — introducing your current Weetslade ward councillors.

Following my recent post and the strong engagement from residents, I want to provide a clear update on surgeries and availability.

I will be attending the existing ward surgery this Saturday, using the current time slots and locations. This ensures continuity and avoids any unnecessary disruption or additional cost to residents:

📅 First Saturday of each month

Wideopen Library: 09:15 – 10:00
John Willie Sams Centre: 10:15 – 11:00

Alongside this, I will be introducing additional surgeries, as previously discussed — operating on a rolling monthly basis across the ward and better suited to those who work during the day.

Further details will be confirmed shortly.

⚠️ Dudley Residents – Update
I’m aware of the level of interest regarding Annitsford Pond / the Annitsford Farm issue. I do have an update, however, as the matter is currently under formal review, it would not be appropriate to comment publicly online at this stage.

What I can say:
➡️I will provide a general update on the process and current position - in person at the surgery
➡️ I remain actively engaged on this issue

My approach remains simple:
✅ Be visible
✅ Be accessible
✅ Engage and act on local issues

If you have something you’d like to raise, please come along on Saturday or message me directly.

I look forward to speaking with you.

02/06/2026

📢 Local Update – New Issues Affecting Weetslade & North Tyneside
There’s a lot of noise in local news.

I’ll continue sharing what actually matters to residents in Weetslade — based on council briefings, planning updates and local reporting.

Here’s what’s emerged in the last few days:
🌳 Environment & Infrastructure
Trees have been removed near Longbenton Metro station as part of recent works.
👉 This raises a wider concern:
reactive infrastructure work
loss of local environmental quality
👉 Residents expect:
proper planning
clear justification when changes like this happen

🍺 Public Spaces – Mixed Messages
The council is consulting on extending Public Space Protection Orders (alcohol, behaviour controls).
At the same time, new alcohol licences are being applied for in restricted areas.
👉 This is the key issue:
Are we serious about enforcement — or just managing headlines?

💼 Jobs & Local Economy
Green sector firms are now actively recruiting, with a jobs event at Wallsend Library on 5 June.
👉 Key questions:
How many roles are long-term, skilled jobs?
How many will go to local residents vs external contractors?
👉 This now needs delivery, not just announcements.

⚠️ Resident Confidence
Recent reporting shows growing concern from residents about proposed changes and decisions.
👉 That tells its own story:
Are decisions being properly thought through?
Are they genuinely in residents’ interests?

✅ Bottom line
What we are now seeing is a clear pattern:
Decisions being made reactively
Policies that don’t always align
Promises moving forward — but delivery still unclear
👉 I will continue to challenge this and ensure Weetslade residents are properly represented.
👉 If you’re seeing issues locally, message me directly.

👍 On a more positive note
It was great to get out recently to Makerfield, supporting Robert Kenyon with canvassing during his election campaign.
Always good to be out speaking to residents and backing colleagues working hard for their communities.
Also bumped into Sarah Pochin and Laila Cunningham again — great to see how strong and connected our national movement is becoming.

01/06/2026

Update: Council Tax Direct Debit Error ⚠️

The number of affected accounts is now described internally as “considerable”
The key news, residents who have incurred bank charges, penalties or financial costs will be reimbursed.

You must contact the Council and provide details of any impact
📞 0345 2000104
📧 [email protected]

👉 You can also request an immediate refund from your bank under the Direct Debit Guarantee

More to follow as I get it.

29/05/2026

Council Tax Direct Debit Error – Full Answers Required ⚠️

I’ve been made aware of an issue affecting a number of residents where Council Tax Direct Debit payments have been taken earlier than scheduled.

While this has been acknowledged by the Council as a system error, the initial response does not yet fully address some of the key issues residents will rightly be concerned about, particularly around how this happened, what safeguards failed, and whether residents will be fully protected from any financial impact.

This isn’t just about payments being taken a few days early, it raises wider questions around financial controls, system reliability, and accountability.
I have now formally escalated this to senior officers and requested a full, structured response covering:

* The number of residents affected and the total amount taken
* The root cause of the error
* What controls failed and why it wasn’t stopped
* The Council’s legal position under the Direct Debit Guarantee
* Whether bank charges or financial losses will be reimbursed
* Confirmation that no one will be wrongly placed in arrears or face recovery action
and.
* What steps are being taken to ensure this cannot happen again

👉 In the meantime, residents should be aware that under the Direct Debit Guarantee, you can contact your bank and request an immediate refund if a payment has been taken incorrectly.

However, it is important that the Council also clearly sets out its own responsibility here, residents should not be left to resolve this issue on their own.

I will provide a further update once a full response has been received.

✔️

26/05/2026

📍 Lockey Park / Waggonway Works Update – Weetslade / Five Mile Park

Residents have raised concerns about the fenced-off compound and incomplete works at Lockey Park following the Waggonway project, particularly the unsightly conditions left over winter.

I’ve now had a response from Highways:

The compound is still required to complete works. Works paused over winter due to weather. Work has now restarted across the site.

This includes:

Completion of the Waggonway
Resurfacing of bridleways within the estate

The compound will be removed once works are complete - no secret new estate!

I can confirm the area will be:

Reinstated
Seeded
Monitored as grass regrows

🗓️ Current target completion: September (weather dependent)

⚠️ My View

The current state of the site is not acceptable long-term, dangerous as my children often try and get in, so surely others do/have!
Residents are right to challenge the delay and condition

I expect now:

Timely completion
Proper reinstatement
No further unnecessary delays

✅ Next Steps
I will:

Monitor progress on site,
Hold the council to the September deadline
Push for full restoration of the area

If this drags on or standards slip, I will escalate.

If you’ve got concerns about this or other issues locally, drop me a message.

Cllr Richard Ross – Weetslade Ward

26/05/2026

📢 Local Update – Weetslade & North Tyneside

There’s a lot of noise in local news.
I’ll be sharing what actually matters to residents in Weetslade — based on the briefings I receive and what’s being reported locally and my assessment.

🏫 Schools & Safety (ONGOING)

A national play sand recall (asbestos precaution) has affected schools across the borough
Some schools were temporarily closed for testing, causing disruption to pupils and families
Current advice indicates the overall health risk is low, but the situation remains under review

👉 Parents deserve clear answers and full transparency — I will continue to monitor this

🚔 Policing & Community Safety

Police have launched enhanced action on knife crime across North Tyneside and Northumberland: Warrants, weapons sweeps and enforcement activity underway
Engagement in schools and on public transport.

At the same time and worryingly:

Whitley Bay police station has closed to the public due to "low footfall"
Residents now rely more on online, phone or alternative locations

👉 Increased enforcement is welcome — but accessible local policing still matters

🚇 Transport Disruption (Important)

The Metro line between South Gosforth and Shiremoor is closed Tuesday 26 May to Thursday 28 May. Closure is due to emergency overhead line repairs at Benton
Services are expected to resume Friday 29 May, with replacement buses during the closure

👉 This will impact commuters across North Tyneside, including Weetslade — plan ahead

🏗️ Housing & Development

Demolition has begun on a former college site to make way for new housing

👉 I will be pressing for detail on:

delivery timelines
affordability
whether local need is being prioritised

⚠️ Regional Policy – “Green Jobs” Taskforce

A new regional taskforce is supporting a £140m plan aiming for 25,000 green jobs by 2035.
Focus is on:

offshore wind
infrastructure
major public/private investment

👉 Key question: How many of these jobs will be real, skilled local employment — and how many will be short-term or externally delivered?

👉 I’ll be watching closely to ensure local people genuinely benefit

✅ Bottom line

Residents don’t want headlines — they want delivery:

safe schools
visible policing
reliable transport
housing that meets local need

👉 If any of these issues are affecting you in Weetslade, contact me directly.

Cllr Richard Ross - Reform UK North Tyneside

12/06/2026

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