Austen Shakespeare

Newcastle upon Tyne

Local Democracy Reporter at The Chronicle

Local democracy reporter for @ChronicleLive covering Gateshead and North Tyneside council. Email: [email protected]

Articles

Bensham charity finds new home amid tower block demolition plans

3 days ago | chroniclelive.co.uk | Austen Shakespeare

The former home of a community care charity is set to be torn down as part of the demolition and redevelopment of two tower blocks in central Gateshead. Teams and Bensham Community Care's (TBCC) former hub could not be retained, according to council documents, as it shares utilities connected to the now demolished part of the old council block estate. However, the charity has been granted a new home at the Holy Rosary Parish House, on Northumberland Street, Gateshead.
Gateshead funeral services updated with new fees in place at crematoriums

3 days ago | chroniclelive.co.uk | Austen Shakespeare

Two Gateshead crematoriums can now offer additional services to bereaved families following a digital update. Gateshead Council’s cabinet will gather next week to sign off new services and fees for Birtley and Saltwell crematoriums. The current web and music streaming services available are set to be replaced with the new Obitus system. The new services will include more varied music, photo and visual tributes and slideshows.
Tynemouth Library restoration works to start this summer

4 days ago | chroniclelive.co.uk | Austen Shakespeare

North Tyneside Labour states it remains committed to revamping Tynemouth Library with works due to start this summer - but Tory opposition remains skeptical. The long-awaited revamp of Tynemouth Library is scheduled to start in earnest this summer, five years since it was closed, with work delayed last year due to an electric substation needing to be relocated.
Half of Year 6 kids in parts of North Tyneside recorded as overweight

4 days ago | chroniclelive.co.uk | Austen Shakespeare

As many as 50% of Year 6 children in some parts of North Tyneside are officially recorded as overweight, a council report reveals. A North Tyneside Council health report, drawing on data from the National Child Measurement Programme, has found certain parts of North Tyneside where up to one in every two Year 6 school kids are classed as overweight. The data, compiled over 2023 and 2024, also found that the average percentage of children registered as overweight in North Tyneside is 37.1%.
What can happen if voters choose independent mayor

5 days ago | msn.com | Austen Shakespeare

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North Tyneside local election: What can happen if voters choose independent mayor

5 days ago | chroniclelive.co.uk | Austen Shakespeare

North Tyneside has seven candidates to choose from in the upcoming Mayoral election on May 1 - but what happens if voters choose an independent mayor? The Local Democracy Reporting Service spoke to Professor Alistair Clark, a Newcastle University political scientist and expert on local government, to find out the challenges or advantages of a mayor not backed by a major party.
Plan to tackle Gateshead domestic abuse link to homelessness

6 days ago | bbc.com | Austen Shakespeare

Plan to tackle domestic abuse link to homelessnessAusten ShakespeareLocal Democracy Reporting ServicePA MediaA domestic abuse champion would oversee the work of the councilA council is stepping up efforts to tackle domestic abuse as figures showed it was the leading cause of homelessness in an area. Gateshead Council is to appoint a new anti-domestic abuse champion to oversee how the authority tackles the issue.
Gateshead Council approves 300 solar panels at Dunston Leisure Centre

1 week ago | chroniclelive.co.uk | Austen Shakespeare

Gateshead councillors have approved plans to install hundreds of solar panels on the grounds of Dunston Leisure Centre. The local authority’s planning and development committee agreed to the erection of 300 solar panels around Dunston Leisure Centre in order to make the building greener. Council documents state the move will help keep the centre open and help the authority’s carbon-neutral by 2030 targets.
North Tyneside garden waste collection charges divide mayoral candidates

1 week ago | chroniclelive.co.uk | Austen Shakespeare

Several candidates for the mayor of North Tyneside have said they would seek to reverse the local authority’s decision to charge for garden waste collections. At this week's Chronicle and Journal hustings, all seven candidates were asked whether they agreed with a new annual £30 annual charge for brown bin collections. The new charge, estimated to generate around £660,000 for council coffers, was brought in in November last year with collections beginning in March 2025.
North Tyneside mayor candidates quizzed on school concrete problems and mental health crisis

1 week ago | chroniclelive.co.uk | Austen Shakespeare

The next mayor of North Tyneside has been urged to act on a crumbling schools crisis which election rivals have been warned is only adding to young people’s mental health worries. Weak concrete was uncovered at Fordley Primary School in 2023 following a partial ceiling collapse and similar faults were then found at Hazlewood Community Primary, Churchill Community College, and Grasmere Academy.