City Council

Wednesday 1 March, 2023 at 6.10pm

Meeting to be held in the Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8QH

1. Apologies for Absence

2. Minutes of previous meeting 1 - 26

3. Official Announcements

4. Correspondence 27 - 32

5. Petitions

6. Public Question Time

Reports referred from Cabinet

7. Delivering for our communities: our medium-term financial planning 33 - 36

for 2023-24 to 2025-26

(a) 230207 Delivering for our communities - Our medium term 37 - 68

financial plan

(b) 23.02.07 Appendix 1 - Revenue and capital plan 2023-2024 69 - 162

(c) 23.02.07 - Appendix 2 - Summary of Proposals 163 - 170

(d) 23.02.07 Apppendix 3 - Budget Consultation Report - 2023 to 171 - 218

2024

(e) 23.02.07Appendix 4 - 2023-24 cumulative impact assessment 219 - 248

final

(f) IIA 2023-24 Being Well in Communities 249 - 268

(g) IIA Keeping Families Safely Together - IIA Nov 2022 (1) 269 - 286

(h) IIA 2023-24 Council Tax and Adult Social Care Precept (1) 287 - 300

8. Questions by Members 301 - 304

9. Cabinet Member Reports

(a) Cabinet Member Report - Efficient Council 305 - 332

 (b) Cabinet Member Report - Connected and Clean City: Trees 333 - 342

10. Appointments

11. Notice of Motion - Newcastle's role in the regional economic strategy

Councillor Stone

“Council recognises that:

 The recently announced Devo Deal affords a significant opportunity

for the region to restate its strategy to grow the region’s economy
and prosperity
 The Devo Deal proposes to integrate the functions and roles of the
existing North East LEP into the new North East Mayoral Combined
Authority
 The agreement of the new Devo Deal is a timely opportunity to
review the existing North East Strategic Economic Plan which is due
to end in 2024, and to assess whether it has achieved its stated aim
of creating 100,000 new jobs in the region over its 10 year period

Council further recognises that:

 Prevailing economic conditions are generally considered to be

challenging
 Professed ambitions of Government to facilitate “Levelling Up” in the
North East are at best incomplete and promised initiatives to
transform the economic prospects of the region, from the Britishvolt
gigafactory to Northern Powerhouse Rail, have proved frustratingly
elusive in recent years
 Delivery of significant economic growth projects and strategic sites in
the city and the region including Local Growth Fund, Employment
Zone, and Enterprise Zone initiatives remain under-realised

Council believes that:

 stated aspirations for the North East Mayoral Combined Authority to

ensure the region’s economy can be “bigger and better”, achieve
“reduced carbon, reduced inequality”, success in “amplifying the
North East’s global assets”, “attacking the opportunities of digital and
5G”, and for creating a “green superport” are likely to require further
work if they are to be considered to be compelling and convincing
rather than merely a superficial “ramping up” of the Devo Deal
prospectus
 the detail and substance of the Devo Deal’s professed ambitions to
pursue a trailblazer deal to grow the private sector at a local level,

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 strengthen the North East’s global competitiveness, empower local
entrepreneurs and develop a bespoke ‘inclusive innovation deal’
programme to translate the region’s world class research expertise
into jobs, skills, and inclusive growth outcomes require further
elaboration to be regarded as robust mechanisms for economic
growth
 the remit of the administration’s forthcoming Inclusive Economic
Strategy has the potential to offer opportunities for inclusive
economic growth but is yet to be fully reported to council and to the
Economy, Jobs, and Skills scrutiny committee

Council resolves to:

 take advantage of the opportunities afforded by the Devo Deal, the

reiteration of the Regional Economic Strategy, and the forthcoming
Inclusive Economic Strategy

 request that the Cabinet, working together with major city stakeholder
organisations and the Economy, Jobs and Skills Scrutiny Committee,
seeks to encourage comprehensive debate on a renewed vision for
Newcastle’s future economic functions and competitiveness, its
unique selling points, and how it can best work with stakeholders to
turn these stated aspirations into economic growth, prosperity, and
opportunity for all Newcastle’s citizens”.

12. Notice of Motion - Young carers action day 2023

Councillor Kilgour

“Council notes:

 each year Carers Trust organises Young Carers Action Day (YCAD)
to raise public awareness of the challenges faced by young people
because of their caring role, and to campaign for greater support for
young and young adult carers to meet their needs.
 young Carers Action Day is 15 March 2023 and this year’s theme is
‘Make Time for Young Carers’.
 estimates suggest that as many as one in five schoolchildren could
be young carers (University of Nottingham 2018), with this number
increasing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 caring for someone can be very isolating, worrying, and stressful. For
young and young adult carers, this can negatively impact on their
experiences and outcomes in education, having a lasting effect on
their life chances.

Council resolves to:

 commend the young and young adult carers across Newcastle.

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  promote YCAD on an annual basis.
 promote and work with local care organisations.
 write to the UK Government calling on the Government to ensure
that young carers are actively identified and provided with the
support they need.
 write to the local Members of Parliament and ask them to join the All-
Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Young Carers and Young
Adult Carers.”

13. Notice of Motion - International Women's Day

Councillor Huddart

“Newcastle City Council notes that Wednesday 8 March is International

Women’s Day.

International Women's Day is a day when women are recognized for their
achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic,
linguistic, cultural, economic or political. Officially recognized by the United
Nations in 1977, International Women's Day first emerged from the
activities of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North
America and across Europe.

Council recalls:

 the ongoing work of United Nations in promoting the value of women

and girls at all levels of society
 that calls to embrace gender equality and challenge bias and
discrimination have been taken up by many countries and political
parties across the globe
 the progress which has been made in recent years to increase the
numbers of women in public life, the professions, politics, and positions
of responsibility.
 the many groups and organisations operating across the North East and
Newcastle to enhance and support the growth and development of
women and girls
 the role of the City Council and partner organisations in their work to
improve communications about gender issues, stereotyping, and
promote equity

Council notes also that unfortunately: -

 progress is slow with men still outnumbering women in many walks of

life.
 not all societies and organisations share our values, and in many
instances women are still at risk of physical violence, coercive control
and financial disadvantage.
 that in some societies women are blatantly discriminated against,
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 prohibited from education, work or assembly and confined to restrictive
domestic and childcare roles

Council agrees to ensure that through its own actions, communications,

relationships, contracts and procurement it will continue to promote the
value of women to the life of both the country and city; celebrate our
achievements on International Women’s Day and continue to practice
equality of opportunity.

Council also agrees to support the United Nations theme for International
Women’s Day 2023 (IWD 2023): “DigitALL: Innovation and technology
for gender equality”.

Advancements in digital technology offer immense opportunities to address

development and humanitarian challenges, and to achieve the 2030
Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals. Unfortunately, the opportunities
of the digital revolution also present a risk of perpetuating existing patterns
of gender inequality. Growing inequalities are becoming increasingly
evident in the context of digital skills and access to technologies, with
women being left behind as the result of this digital gender divide. The need
for inclusive and transformative technology and digital education is
therefore crucial for a sustainable future.

IWD 2023 aims to:

 recognise and celebrate the women and girls who are championing the
advancement of transformative technology and digital education.
Bringing women and other marginalized groups into technology results
in more creative solutions and has greater potential for innovations that
meet women’s needs and promote gender equality.
 highlight the impact of the digital gender gap on widening economic and
social inequalities: E.g. By 2050, 75% of jobs will be related to STEM
areas. Yet today, women hold just 22% of positions in artificial
intelligence (WEF Report)
 spotlight the importance of protecting the rights of women and girls in
digital spaces and addressing online and ICT-facilitated gender-based
violence: A study of 51 countries revealed 38 per cent of women had
personally experienced online violence. (2022 Gender Snapshot Report)

Council resolves to support the campaign by

1. Working with partners across Newcastle to:
 encourage and support women and girls into careers in digital
technology
 challenge online gender-based violence

2. Lobby government to:

 increase digital technology educational opportunities for women and
girls, including expanding opportunities to retrain by investing in
further education

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  ensure technology companies take responsibility for tackling online
gender-based violence, e.g. by requiring social media platforms to
follow regulatory guidelines protecting women and girls from online
abuse by accepting the amendment to the online safety bill put
forward in the House of Lords.”

14. Notice of Motion - Earthquake - Turkey and Syria

Councillor Huddart

“Council notes with horror:-

 recent reports of the shocking Earthquake disaster affecting a vast area

of both Turkey and Syria, which has caused death and destruction to
many thousands of people
 that, in addition to emergency relief, the need for support for those
affected will continue for many years

Council further notes :-

 the excellent efforts made by both International Aid Agencies and local
organisations in raising funds, providing equipment and material goods
to support rescue and relief work
 many residents in Newcastle have enjoyed holidays in Turkey or visited
Syria, and that there is a sizable population of both Turkish and Syrian
nationals living and working in our City

Council therefore:-

 offers our heartfelt condolences to those affected populations, their

friends and relatives in the North East and wishes them all the best for a
safe recovery and improved future life
 urges all our citizens to support relief efforts, by making donations,
wherever they can to the Disasters Emergency Fund and local appeals”

15. Notice of Motion - Defending the Right to Seek Safety from War and
Persecution

Councillor Storey

“Council notes that:

 we are proud of our history of welcoming people seeking safety in

Newcastle;
 there are significant problems with the UK asylum system that affect
people in Newcastle including a record backlog of cases awaiting a
decision, a de facto ban on working, and enforced poverty and
homelessness;
 the Nationality and Borders Act does not address these issues, and
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 has instead created a two-tier system, punishing people seeking safety
based on the journeys they make;
 under these laws, people seeking safety will be criminalised and
threatened with removal to Rwanda;
 people will be warehoused in large accommodation centres,
segregated from communities and denied support;
 any recognised refugees will receive a temporary and precarious
status;
 over 400 charities and faith groups have signed a national pledge to
‘Fight the ‘Anti-Refugee Laws’, these incudes local groups.

Council believes that:

 everyone’s claim for asylum should be treated equally and fairly;

 these are fundamentally ‘anti-refugee’ laws that undermine
internationally recognised rights for people fleeing war and persecution
to seek safety;
 these measures will create ever-longer delays in the asylum process,
lead to greater poverty and homelessness in Newcastle and will
undermine people’s ability to rebuild their lives;
 people seeking safety should be housed as our neighbours and as a
part of our communities;
 the UK needs an asylum system that empowers people seeking safety
to rebuild their lives and enables communities to welcome them;

Council resolves to:

 defend the right to seek safety from war and persecution in the UK and
sign the national ‘Fight the Anti-Refugee Laws’ pledge;
 call on the UK Government to withdraw the UK-Rwanda agreement,
repeal the Nationality and Borders Act, and work with Local Authorities
and communities to build a refugee protection system that treats all
people with dignity and compassion;
 work with local organisations and people with lived experience of the
asylum system to identify ways to mitigate the effects of these
measures in Newcastle.
 work with the network of cities and towns which promote the inclusion
and welfare of people who are fleeing violence and persecution and
encourage others to become a recognised Council of Sanctuary.”

16. Notice of Motion - The One Core Strategy

Councillor Donnelly

“Newcastle City Council notes that:

The One Core Strategy agreed by the City Council in 2016 set out the core
requirements to build approximately 3,000 homes, local centres, new
primary school provision and associated infrastructure requirements. Prior
to a single house being built, the traffic through Westerhope village was
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increasing.

 The Cabinet Member at the time, former Councillor Henri Murison,

stated on the front page in the Evening Chronicle (Wednesday 5
September, 2012) that there was going to be a £60m by-pass. This
was to prepare for the homes to be built and planners wanted a link
road from the A1, at the North Brunton junction to the A69, passing
through Newcastle Great Park by the A696, near the Callerton
Parkway Metro Station. This was to be paid for by developers.
 Former Councillor Murison stated that it would help to ease the
already congested routes. Officials said the width of the road would
depend on the number of houses to be built and the amount of traffic
to be carried but it was not at that point thought to include a dual
carriageway option.
 Former Councillor Murison said whatever the scale of the house
building the City had to start preparing to look west. He said: “There
will be a road and there will be investment to make sure that with
these new houses we do not add to an already congested route. Yes
we have five years of identified brown field sites but then there will
have to be expansion to the west and that means we prepare for it.
Not just with this road which will have to come first but with
investment in cycling and public transport…… Whatever happens
there will be massive investment in public transport here.”
 The Planning Inspector did not insist on the road being in place, but
it clearly stated that the Master Plan should enable the delivery of
this road if there was a demonstrable need for it in the future. The
Master Plan allows for the provision of a road linking Middle and
Upper Callerton, while the link was not deemed necessary from
Lower to Middle Callerton.
 Because of the global pandemic, there has been a move away from
public transport and an increase in car ownership, and the new
homes are not well served by public transport.
 Stamfordham Road is congested at all times of the day and the
recent closure of West Denton Way resulted in traffic through
Westerhope Village becoming gridlocked and at a standstill.
 Former Councillor Murison left the Authority and became the Director
of the Northern Power House, which aims to drive up productivity in
the North to build world class infrastructure without fulfilling the
promise he made.

Council believes that:

 The demonstrable need was present before, and it is certainly

required now, and that a substantial number of the new homes have
been built and are now occupied.
 Residents of Westerhope and surrounding areas should be able to
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 expect the Council to honour promises made in 2012 to build a link
road.
 No amount of alterations to the current network will in any way
improve the situation.

Council resolves to:

 Ask Cabinet to carry out a full survey on Stamfordham Road,

Westerhope Village to ascertain the volume of traffic and air quality.
 Ask Cabinet to implement the provisions in the Master Plan to initiate
the construction of the relief road promised by Councillor Murison”

Yours sincerely

Pam Smith, Chief Executive

TO ALL MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

Contact Officer Linda Scott linda.scott@newcastle.gov.uk

Please remember to declare any personal interest where appropriate both verbally and by
recording it on the relevant form (to be handed to the Democratic Services Officer).
Please also remember to leave the meeting where any personal interest requires this.