Council tax bills for Newcastle residents will rise by less than inflation in April. The Liberal Democrat-run city council will increase council tax by only 2.9%. This is below the current 3.7% increase in the retail prices index and will be the third year running the Lib Dems have kept the rise below inflation.
Newcastle Liberal Democrats are celebrating after their candidate, Lawrence Hunter, scored a superb victory over Labour in the Lemington Ward by-election caused by the death of Labour councillor John Gordon.
Fiona Hall, Lib Dem MEP for the North East, is drawing attention to the fact that members of the public can bypass New Labour's ID Cards scheme by renewing their passports early.
A daily drop-in centre has now opened at Walkerville Community Association in Pinewood Close. The centre is open, Monday to Friday from 9 until 1, to all residents across Walkergate. It offers computer and digital camera classes, Internet access and a stock of 200 library books for loan that are changed on a monthly basis. It is also a friendly place to call in to meet friends and catch up on local news.
