Elected mayor launches new budget plans

01-DEC-09

Issued by: Jeanette Hedley

Elected Mayor, Linda Arkley has launched North Tyneside's budget process by setting out her commitment to ensure the borough backs business and delivers a better way of life for residents.

The plans "face up to the challenges" said Mrs Arkley, presenting the 2010-2013 Business and Planning Framework to an extraordinary meeting of the Cabinet.

But they also enable the council to press ahead with key projects delivering the six corporate priority themes - 'Our families and children', 'Backing business', 'Shaping North Tyneside', 'Getting more for less'; 'A safer, greener, cleaner North Tyneside' ' The regeneration of North Tyneside.'

Setting out her priority projects she focused on some of the initiatives that will help bring more investment and jobs into the borough to build on North Tyneside's reputation as a driver for the region's economy.

The approach will focus on attracting new employers and entrepreneurs and supporting existing businesses.

"Our proposals show how we can make North Tyneside a business-friendly borough," said Mrs Arkley. " We want to encourage and support entrepreneurs who are creating the companies and jobs of the future."

"We're going to continue to work closely with our partners to attract new businesses to our city region. We want businesses to see North Tyneside as the first choice for relocating to - to see the skills of our residents and the quality of life in our borough as a supporting factor to locating here.

"We'll also work to develop the business sector to maximise the economic benefits of emerging economic sectors and supply chains within the Tyneside economy such as renewable energy and off shore wind technologies. This will be complemented through maximising the employment benefits of regeneration schemes and programmes."

The business related initiatives will include: projects to promote and grant, rate relief to businesses; a programme of developing more executive homes to meet the needs of highly skilled workers; measures to support retailers - including a full review of car parking policies and their impact on town centres; and delivery of ongoing regeneration of the North Bank of the Tyne and Wallsend.

Boosting the borough's tourism industry - attracting visitors not just to the coastal areas, but also the borough's heritage attractions - will also be a priority.

But Mrs Arkley also promised residents that the council's priorities would improve their opportunities and communities, including:

- Better housing, including a new deposit guarantee scheme to help more people access private sector rented housing and the Quality Housing for Older People scheme delivering specialised housing for the elderly.

- More opportunities for sporting and cultural activities through the Widening Horizons For All project - a scheme that will also help tackle obesity, anti-social behaviour and crime.

- Improved public transport - including a vehicle brokerage pilot project and an accessible bus network for North Tyneside in partnership with Nexus. This will include investigating` the potential for hackney carriage and private hire operators to deliver a range of demand responsive transport

- A borough wide commitment to raising the quality of the street scene - giving a consistent and co-ordinated approach to street cleansing, floral displays, tree management, and maintenance of open spaces. Tackling anti-social behaviour and encouraging increased civic pride will be key to successful delivery.

"In summary, this is a coherent package of policy changes, supported by clear financial strategy and plans that address the priorities of our residents and the short and long-term needs of our borough," said Mrs Arkley.

Information for Editors
The 2010-2013 Business and Resource Planning Framework will now be subject to a programme of public consultation, before it is submitted to the Council for consideration.

The document incorporates both a financial strategy and a Value for Money Plan.

Below is a link to the agenda from last night's meeting, which can be accessed on our website:

http://www.northtyneside.gov.uk/browse-display.shtml?p_ID=510649&p_subjectCategory=41