Peter Hillman (Leader) Seaton Delaval. Tele 0191 237229
Tony Reid (Deputy Leader) Prudhoe. Tele 01661 834000
Jim Wright ( Ellington) Tele 01670 860955
Bill Brooks (patio man. Blyth) Tele 01670 355123
J Smith ( Ashington) Tele 01670 533789
I Hayes (Cramlington) Tele 01670 736079
Mrs D Luke (Cramlington) Tele 01670 714822
M J Scullion ( Ashington) Tele 01670 851826
Friday, October 19, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
CAMBELL SEEKS INQUIRY ON ACADEMY
News Post Leader
By HELEN SMITHSON
BLYTH Valley MP Ronnie Campbell has appealed to the Government for a public inquiry into the controversial plans for an all-age academy in Blyth.
Mr Campbell has written to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, MP Hazel Blears, calling an independent inspection into the proposals and decide whether a public inquiry is necessary.In a letter to the Ms Blears, Mr Campbell raised concerns about Northumberland County Council handling the application, because the authority are in favour of the academy, and it is the county council's planning department that will decide on the proposals.An initial appeal for a public inquiry was rejected, but Mr Campbell has urged the minister to 'think again' about recalling the proposals.He told the News Post Leader: "This is a county council application, and the county council's planning department is going to be deciding on the matter."As far as that authority is concerned, we are going to get an academy whether we like it or not."The council's planning department should
not be deciding on its own plans."I think democracy should come before all else, and this is biased."A Northumberland County Council spokeswoman said: "Northumberland County Council has taken legal advice, and is therefore satisfied that it is the appropriate authority to determine these applications."The Secretary of State has been asked to call in the applications, and has declined to intervene. She has concluded that there is no sufficient reason to justify calling in the application."The County Council's Executive remains confident that this remains a great opportunity for children and young people in Blyth to benefit from multi-million pound new school facilities."The planning and regulation committee earlier this month has deferred a decision on the Ridley application in order that there could be further examination of issues raised by some local residents."
By HELEN SMITHSON
BLYTH Valley MP Ronnie Campbell has appealed to the Government for a public inquiry into the controversial plans for an all-age academy in Blyth.
Mr Campbell has written to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, MP Hazel Blears, calling an independent inspection into the proposals and decide whether a public inquiry is necessary.In a letter to the Ms Blears, Mr Campbell raised concerns about Northumberland County Council handling the application, because the authority are in favour of the academy, and it is the county council's planning department that will decide on the proposals.An initial appeal for a public inquiry was rejected, but Mr Campbell has urged the minister to 'think again' about recalling the proposals.He told the News Post Leader: "This is a county council application, and the county council's planning department is going to be deciding on the matter."As far as that authority is concerned, we are going to get an academy whether we like it or not."The council's planning department should
not be deciding on its own plans."I think democracy should come before all else, and this is biased."A Northumberland County Council spokeswoman said: "Northumberland County Council has taken legal advice, and is therefore satisfied that it is the appropriate authority to determine these applications."The Secretary of State has been asked to call in the applications, and has declined to intervene. She has concluded that there is no sufficient reason to justify calling in the application."The County Council's Executive remains confident that this remains a great opportunity for children and young people in Blyth to benefit from multi-million pound new school facilities."The planning and regulation committee earlier this month has deferred a decision on the Ridley application in order that there could be further examination of issues raised by some local residents."
Sunday, October 14, 2007
12 SEATS AT RISK AT NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COUNCIL
There are certain givens in all of this.
Within ‘Follies’ we have done the work on the wards – there are 12 at serious risk of turning to Liberal and one or two Tory.
All that Labour can hope for will be to be returned as the largest group in a NOC Council.
The likelihood is however that the Liberals and Tories will join forces.
Standing on a ticket of ‘ give the people a referendum’ the ‘Torlibs’ as one member called their alliance, cannot fail can they?
Looks whats happened in Cheshire – one council changed hands and the whole review has been stopped in its tracks.
District councillors, furious at the stab in the back from previous comrades will not support the return of those responsible for this debacle – particularly if Labour North bends the rules again.
This is the Labour North who still refuse to sanction a return to the party system with a County Party, preferring to wait and see if the NEC will allow themselves to appoint candidates.
Follies foresees a plethora of Independent Labour Councillors supporting the referendum ticket, we do not wish to see this.
Those few, those very few, who pursue the ideal of One Council have a ‘tiger by the tail’.
My regards to all my comrades.
Isoceles – a new voice for democracy.
Within ‘Follies’ we have done the work on the wards – there are 12 at serious risk of turning to Liberal and one or two Tory.
All that Labour can hope for will be to be returned as the largest group in a NOC Council.
The likelihood is however that the Liberals and Tories will join forces.
Standing on a ticket of ‘ give the people a referendum’ the ‘Torlibs’ as one member called their alliance, cannot fail can they?
Looks whats happened in Cheshire – one council changed hands and the whole review has been stopped in its tracks.
District councillors, furious at the stab in the back from previous comrades will not support the return of those responsible for this debacle – particularly if Labour North bends the rules again.
This is the Labour North who still refuse to sanction a return to the party system with a County Party, preferring to wait and see if the NEC will allow themselves to appoint candidates.
Follies foresees a plethora of Independent Labour Councillors supporting the referendum ticket, we do not wish to see this.
Those few, those very few, who pursue the ideal of One Council have a ‘tiger by the tail’.
My regards to all my comrades.
Isoceles – a new voice for democracy.
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