Neighbourhoods and Communities
The Architecture of Belonging
A city is not a collection of buildings. It is a collection of communities, sharing a common purpose. When our neighbourhoods and streets are neglected, trust in local government to deliver in any area is diminshed. Our vision for Newcastle is to rebuild trust by restoring the physical and social foundations of every ward in the city.
The Social Contract of the Pavement: Maintenance as Dignity
A pothole is not just a nuisance; it is a sign that the state has stopped looking at the street.
- We will implement a survey to identify the deepest potholes and set a hard target: once reported, triggers will be met to fill them within 72 hours. We will promote the use of thermal repair equipment to ensure repairs are permanent, cutting the waste of repeat patches.
- For too long, footways have been the forgotten infrastructure. We will implement a prioritised pavement replacement program to prevent the hidden costs of injuries and ensure that every resident—regardless of mobility—can walk their city safely.
Cleaning the Commons
We need to support residents when they are doing the right thing, and penalise people who are degrading our local communities.
- We will seek to remove the bulky waste collection charge. By holding regular "bulky waste collection days," we provide a proactive incentive for residents to dispose of furniture and white goods responsibly, ending the "managed decline" of fly-tipping.
- We will review all options for tackling littering and dog fouling, including increasing fines in high-density areas.
Cultural Anchors: The Library as a Civic Cathedral
Libraries are spaces based on sharing, trust, and the non-commercial exchange of ideas. We opened the new City Library and we are committed to its flourishing.
- We have a long-standing commitment to ensuring a library service the city can be proud of. We will maintain these community assets using full life-cycle costing to ensure they aren't just surviving, but are sustained for the long-term as hubs of local life.
Devolving Agency: Empowering the Local Polity
We reject the convoluted structures that currently bottle-neck local activity.
- We will remove barriers to the creation of additional Parish and Town Councils and Neighbourhood Forums. By streamlining local government finance, we will align resources with local capabilities.
- We will empower local people to choose how they manage, shape, and invest in their areas. We will move away from consultation as an exercise, devolving responsibility, and providing the ability for communities to respond to their own unique priorities in partnership with civic society.