Parklands & North Gosforth Focus Team

Parklands Annual Report 2025

Parklands Focus Team - Service & Action all year, every year for over 50 years

 WORKING HARD ALL YEAR ROUND

Your Parklands Liberal Democrat Focus Team works all year to stand up for local residents, raise issues with the council, and get results for our community.

This report highlights just some of the work we have carried out over the past year.

PROTECTING GREEN SPACES AND TREES

Parklands is a green and attractive ward, and residents consistently tell us they want it protected.

Over the past year we have:

• challenged inappropriate development proposals
• supported residents objecting to overdevelopment
• pressed the council to act where trees or vegetation created safety risks

Pauline Allen:
“People choose to live in Parklands because of its green spaces. We will always stand up for residents when that character is under threat.”

ROADS, PAVEMENTS AND STREET LIGHTING

Residents regularly contact us about potholes, damaged pavements and poor lighting.

This year we have:

• reported faults raised by residents
• chased repairs when action was delayed
• secured progress on long-standing problems

After more than 20 years of pressure, the council has now signed papers to adopt roads and street lighting on Melbury.

Robin Ashby:
“This shows what persistence can achieve. We kept pushing for years because residents deserved better — and now they finally have it.”

CLEANER STREETS AND BETTER BIN COLLECTIONS

Missed collections and fly-tipping remain a concern across Parklands.

We have:

• followed up reports of missed bins
• pushed for action on fly-tipping hotspots
• helped residents navigate recycling changes

Christine Morrissey:
“Residents are rightly frustrated when basic services fail. We raise these issues again and again until something is done.”

STANDING UP FOR RESIDENTS ON PLANNING

Planning decisions have a lasting impact on Parklands.

Over the year we have:

• scrutinised major planning applications
• raised residents’ concerns with officers and committees
• supported objections where proposals harmed safety, traffic or amenity

David Partington:
“Too often residents feel decisions are made without them. Our job is to make sure local voices are heard — and taken seriously.”

SAFER STREETS AND NEIGHBOURHOODS

Residents frequently raise concerns about speeding traffic, poor visibility and anti-social behaviour.

We have:

• raised speeding hotspots with council officers
• pressed for traffic-calming and safer crossings
• worked closely with local police through regular surgeries

Robin Ashby:
“Feeling safe on your own street matters. We focus on the everyday issues that affect people’s lives.”

A STRONG LOCAL VOICE FOR PARKLANDS

We:

• hold regular advice surgeries
• respond to emails and phone calls
• raise issues all year round
• keep residents informed through Focus and eFocus

Pauline Allen:
“We work for Parklands every month of the year — not just at election time.”

WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY

Each year Parklands Ward has funding available to support local organisations.

We have helped groups apply for ward grants supporting:

• local sports clubs
• schools and crossing appeals
• community projects
• charities

Christine Morrissey:
“These grants make a real difference locally, and we’re always happy to help groups apply.”

KEEP IN TOUCH

If you would like to:

• raise a local issue
• receive regular updates
• help deliver Focus
• or find out more about becoming a councillor

Please get in touch

PARKLANDS FOCUS TEAM
Pauline Allen • Robin Ashby • Christine Morrissey • David Partington

Liberal Democrats — working hard for Parklands
Part of the Liberal Democrats team in Newcastle upon Tyne