Making A Difference In Your Community Today
Vice Chair
Blakelaw Ward Contact No. 07986 131 306 Email. jimmygill.bnfcc@gmail.com
Community Councillor
Blakelaw Ward Contact No. 07817 272 982 Email. annkeenan1952@gmail.com
Community Councillor
Cragston Ward Contact no. 07375019288 Email: maureen.kellybnfcc@gmail.com
Community Councillor
Cragston Ward
Community Councillor
Cragston Ward
Community Councillor
North Fenham Ward
Community Councillor
North Fenham Ward
Community Councillor
North Fenham Ward
Clerk to the Community Council
FOR ALL MEETINGS OF THE COMMUNITY COUNCIL INCLUDING DROP INS AND SUB GROUPS, PLEASE CONTACT THE CHAIR OR CLERK TO THE COMMUNITY COUNCIL FOR FURTHER DETAILS REGARDING THE VENUE
Community Council Meetings
Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month, (except August and December), in the Community Room, Moorland House, Moulton Place, Blakelaw, Newcastle upon Tyne NE5 3RY - please check the website for times as they do vary. You are advised to check the location on each agenda. Please see the below for the agendas and minutes of each meeting.
Members of the public are welcome to attend and raise any issues before the commencement of the formal business. If you wish to speak during the formal business session, please indicate this to the Chair by raising your hand. The Chair will conduct the order of speakers and will indicate who will speak next.
Standards and Codes
The Standards (Parish/Community Councils) Sub Committee, oversees the operation of the codes of conduct by providing guidance assistance and training. See the Code of Conduct
BNFCC Standing Orders 2018 (revised 2020)[2600].docx
BNFCC Financial Regulations July-2019[2598].docx
Statement Of Internal Control 2023 - 2024.docx
2024/2025 - Agenda's and Minutes
Date | Agenda | Minutes |
11 April 2024 | Agenda 11.04.24.pdf | Minutes 11.04.24.pdf |
09 May 2024 (AGM) | AGM Agenda 09.05.24.pdf | |
13 June 2024 | Agenda 13.06.24.pdf | Minutes 13.06.24.doc.pdf |
17 July 2024 - CANCELLED | ||
August 2024 | No Meeting | |
12 September 2024 | Agenda 12.09.24.pdf | Minutes 12.09.24.pdf |
03 October 2024 | Agenda 03.10.24.pdf | |
14 November 2024 | Agenda 14.11.24.pdf | |
December 2024 | No Meeting | |
16 January 2025 | ||
13 February 2025 | ||
13 March 2025 |
2023/2024 - Agenda's and Minutes
Date | Agenda | Minutes |
13 April 2023 | Agenda 13.04.2023.doc | Rearranged to 20 April 2023 |
20 April 2023 | Agenda 20.04.2023.doc | Minutes 20.04.2023.doc |
11 May 2023 - AGM | AGM Agenda 11.05.2023.doc | Minutes 11.05.2023 - AGM.doc |
08 June 2023 | No meeting | |
Special Meeting 20 June 2023 | Extra-ordinary Meeting 20.06.2023.doc | Minutes 20.06.2023 (extra-ordinary meeting).doc |
13 July 2023 | Agenda 13.07.2023.doc | Minutes 13.07.2023.doc |
10 August 2023 | No meeting | |
14 September 2023 | Agenda 14.09.2023.doc | Cancelled to be rearranged |
21 September 2023 (Special (closed) Meeting | Special (closed) Agenda 21.09.2023.doc | Minutes 21.09.2023.doc |
12 October 2023 | Agenda 12.10.2023.doc | Minutes 12.10.23.doc |
09 November 2023 | Agenda 09.11.2023.doc | Minutes 09.11.23.doc |
14 December 2023 | No meeting | |
11 January 2024 | Agenda 11.01.24.doc | Minutes 11.01.24.doc |
08 February 2024 | Agenda 08.02.24.doc | Minutes 08.02.24.doc |
19 March 2024 | Agenda 19.03.24.doc | Minutes 19.03.24.doc |
2022/2023 - Agenda's and Minutes
Date | Agenda | Minutes |
14 April 2022 (Cancelled) | Agenda 14.04.2022.doc | Meeting cancelled and rearranged to 28/04/2022 |
28 April 2022 (rearranged) | Agenda 28.04.2022(rearranged).doc | Minutes 28.04.2022.doc |
12 May 2022 (AGM) | AGM Agenda 12.05.2022.doc | Minutes 12.05.2022.doc |
09 June 2022 | Agenda 09.06.2022.doc | Minutes 09.06.2022.doc |
14 July 2022 | Agenda 14.07.2022.doc | Minutes 14.07.2022.doc |
August 2022 | No Meeting | |
08 September 2022 (postponed due to the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II) | Agenda 08.09.2022.doc | Minutes 08.09.2022.doc |
13 October 2022 | Agenda 13.10.2022.doc | Minutes 13.10.2022.doc |
17 November 2022 | Agenda 17.11.2022.doc | Minutes 17.11.2022.doc |
December 2022 | No Meeting | |
12 January 2023 | Agenda 12.01.2023.doc | Minutes 12.01.2023.doc |
09 February 2023 | Agenda 09.02.2023.doc | Minutes 09.02.2023.doc |
09 March 2023 | Agenda 09.03.2023.doc | Meeting cancelled and rearranged to 16/03/2023 |
16 March 2023 | Agenda 16.03.2023.doc | Meeting Cancelled |
Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR)
Each year Blakelaw and North Fenham Community Council are required to complete and submit to its External Auditor, an Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR). Once the return has been approved by the External Auditor, it is published on the Council’s website.
2023 - 2024
Certified AGAR including Audit Certificate 2023 - 2024
Blakelaw & North Fenham Community Council - audited AGAR 2023-24.pdf
Notice of Conclusion of Audit
Internal Auditor Report 2023 - 2024
Public Right of Inspection Notice
Unaudited AGAR 2023 - 2024
Asset Register & Risk Assessment
Asset Register 2023 - 2024.xlsx
Risk assessment 2023 - 2024.docx
2022 - 2023
Certified AGAR including Audit Certificate 2022 - 2023
Blakelaw & North Fenham Community Council - Audited AGAR 2022-23[8463].pdf
Notice of Conclusion of Audit
Internal Auditor Report 2022 - 2023
Final Internal Audit Report (G Fletcher).pdf
Public Right of Inspection Notice
Unaudited AGAR 2022 - 2023
Signed Unaudited AGAR 2022-23.pdf
Bank Reconciliation 2022-23 (1).xlsx
Explanation-of-Variances-2022 - 23.xls
Asset Register & Risk Assessment
Asset Register 2022 - 2023.xlsx
Risk assessment 2022 - 2023.docx
2021 - 2022
Certified AGAR including Audit Certificate 2021 - 2022
Notice of Conclusion of Audit
Notice of conclusion of audit.docx
Public Right of Inspection Notice
Public-rights notice 2021-22.docx
Unaudited AGAR 2021 - 2022
Asset Register & Risk Assessment
Asset Register 2021 - 2022.xlsx
Risk assessment 2021 - 2022.docx
2020 - 2021
Certified AGAR including Audit Certificate 2020 - 2021
Notice of Conclusion of Audit
Notice of conclusion of audit_2021[1786].docx
Public Right of Inspection Notice
Public Right of Inspection (14.06.2021 - 23.07.2021).docx
AGAR 2020 - 2021(amended)
Amended Part 3 AGAR 30.08.21(Initialled)[5771].pdf
Annual-Return-Part3-2020-21-3-e-enabled.pdf
Asset Register & Risk Assessment 2020 - 2021
Asset Register 2020 - 2021.xlsx
Risk assessment 2020-2021.docx
2019 - 2020
Certified AGAR including Audit Certificate 2019 - 2020
Section 1&2 AGAR (Signed Off).pdf
Section 3 AGAR (Signed Off).pdf
Notice of Conclusion of Audit
Notice of conclusion of audit_2020[1786].docx
Public Right of Inspection Notice
Public Right of Inspection (01.09.2020-12.10.2020).docx
AGAR 2019 - 2020
Asset Register & Risk Assessment 2019 - 2020
2018 - 2019
AGAR 2018 - 2019 - if you require a copy, please contact the Clerk to the Community Council
Accounts 2018 - 2019
Copy of B&NFCC 18-19 accounts.xlsx
Asset Register & Risk Assessment 2018 - 2019
2017 - 2018
AGAR 2017 - 2018 - if you require a copy, please contact the Clerk to the Community Council
Accounts Certificate March 2018.pdf
Accounts 2017 - 2018
Copy of B&NFCC 17-18 accounts.xlsx
Asset Register & Risk Assessment 2017 - 2018
2016 - 2017
AGAR 2016 - 2017 - if you require a copy, please contact the Clerk to the Community Council
Accounts 2016 - 2017
Copy of B&NFCC 16-17 accounts.xlsx
Asset Register & Risk Assessment 2016 - 2017
2015 - 2016
AGAR 2015 - 2016 - if you require a copy, please contact the Clerk to the Community Council
Copy of B&NFCC 15-16 accounts (1385).xlsx
Asset Register & Risk Assessment 2015 - 2016
Blakelaw & North Fenham Community Council aims to improve the social and economic welfare of the residents of the Parish. It is essential that any organisation requesting financial assistance will be expected to support the aims of the Council and that its activities address at least one of the following objectives:-
Applications must be from a community based organisation. The Council will not consider applications from individuals, projects that are political or religious projects that do not demonstrate social or economic benefits.
You can apply for a grant funding by completing the below grant funding application(click on the link), don't forget to read the guidance notes thoroughly and ensure you have ALL relevant documents requested before you submit your application.
Grant Application June 2020.docx
Grant application guidance notes June 2020.doc
Grant Monitoring Form June 2020.doc
In 2022 - 2023 Blakelaw and North Fenham Community Council have provided financial support to:
Blakelaw Club Juniors Football Club
SEARCH
Blakelaw Flats TARA
Blakelaw & North Fenham Community Council have also donated garden seating to an area within North Fenham
Red Sky Foundation (Defibrillator)
Blakelaw & North Fenham Community Council donated Christmas Trees to Hilton Primary Academy and Thomas Walling Primary Academy
In 2021 - 2022 Blakelaw and North Fenham Community Council have provided financial support to:
Holly Court
Blakelaw Flats TARA
Blakelaw Club Juniors Football Club
Hilton Primary School
Thomas Walling Primary School
Blakelaw and North Fenham Community Council also donated a laptop to an apprentice via Projects4Change
In 2020 - 2021 Blakelaw and North Fenham Community Council have provided financial support to:
Projects4change - Youth Work
Blakelaw Club Juniors Football
In 2019/20 Blakelaw and North Fenham Community Council have provided financial support to:
Blakelaw Pensioners Association
Newcastle West Kinship Carers
Blakelaw Flats Tenants and Residents Association
Holly Court Club
165 Tenants and Residents Association
Fostering in Newcastle
Jelly Tots Messy Play
Little Learners Nursery - Blakelaw
Newcastle United Foundation
Newcastle Movement Strategy
The Movement Strategy – Stakeholder Event invitation - Help shape the future of transport in Newcastle
Our consultation on the city’s Movement Strategy (Transport Plan) opens on the 14th October 2024 and runs until the end of November.
We want the strategy to reflect the diverse needs and aspirations of our city’s residents, businesses, visitors and communities and in order to do that, we need the input of representatives and advocates for those groups.
We’ve arranged a session on Wednesday 16th October between 1pm and 3pm at the Catalyst Building, Science Square, Helix, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5TG to brief you about our thinking on the Movement Strategy so far, to get your input and also to ask for your support to cascade the consultation information to your networks and contacts.
The session will be informal with table based discussions and plenty of opportunities to ask questions.
We’d be grateful if you could book your place using this link to Eventbrite - Newcastle's Movement Strategy - Stakeholder Event Tickets, Wed, Oct 16, 2024 at 1:00 PM | Eventbrite
Tuesday Trailblazers
SEARCH
The Four Million Homes Programme - Training Opportunities
The Four Million Homes programme is funded by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and is being run by the Confederation of Co-operative Housing in partnership with PPCR associates. It’s designed to be a catalyst for change in social housing; providing free knowledge, guidance, and training on resident rights and how to stand up for them.
Face-to-face training Newcastle
All events are free to social housing residents. All training sessions will be accredited as part of the Chartered Institute of Housing recognised programme.
Wednesday September 18th 13.15-16.30 – How to run an effective residents’ association
A residents’ association is a group of people who live in a neighbourhood and decide that they want to get together to deal with issues that affect their local community. The group can include tenants, shared owners, leaseholders and homeowners. This session sets the context and explains why residents’ associations are so important.
Wednesday October 16th 13.15-16.30 – Social housing legal requirements
This session outlines the key areas of the law that Registered Providers need to ensure they are compliant with, and also the records that they should maintain; it does not seek to provide detailed legal advice.
Wednesday November 13th 13.15-16.30 – Social housing regulatory requirements
This session outlines the key areas of the Regulatory Framework that Registered Providers need to ensure they are compliant with, particularly including new changes to consumer regulation from April 2024.
Wednesday January 15th 13.15-16.30 – Understanding landlord financial models
This session looks at how the finance works, both for landlords' existing homes and the development of new homes.
Wednesday February 12th 13.15-16.30 – Options for resident control
This session explores different options for resident control, ownership and management of their homes and assets.
All sessions can be booked via our website: https://www.fourmillionhomes.org/events/category/free-training-events/newcastle/
Other activities
Webinars
Our monthly webinar series aims to tackle some of the key issues that are raised by residents. They feature speaker presentations from government, professional body, landlord and resident perspectives and there’s the opportunity to ask questions and lots of space for discussion. We also film the speakers so they can be watched back on our website afterwards.
To date we’ve hosted sessions around:
· Anti-social behaviour
· Damp and mould
· Leaseholders
· New regulations under the Social Housing Regulation Act
· Neighbourhood management
· Complaints
· Energy efficiency
· Communication
· Proposed timescales for repairs under Awaab’s Law
Sessions can be booked onto as they’re announced, or watched back at: https://www.fourmillionhomes.org/events/category/webinars/
Information, advice and guidance Our Four Million Homes website https://www.fourmillionhomes.org/ contains lots of information and guidance on social housing resident rights and the services landlords are required to provide. It covers a wide range of issues including repairs and maintenance for your home and communal areas, anti-social behaviour, and how to tackle your landlord. You can also watch back our webinars as well as some of our training modules, which we’ve produced as videos.
Our A-Z of rights and guidance for social housing residents is a social media campaign, featuring short videos around specific topics, linking to 3-minute landing pages on our website and then into more in-depth website material and webinar content. For residents who have specific problems that they want to address but not the time or resources to join in a webinar or training.
What can you do?
· Share information about upcoming training events in your information or promotional materials
· Follow up on social media @fourmillionhomes and like and share our posts · Sign up to our newsletter https://www.fourmillionhomes.org/newsletter/ to receive details of upcoming activities as we release them · Drop us an email info@fourmillionhomes.org to request a copy of our Supporters’ Kit. This is a pack of resources that has been designed to help you promote the Four Million Homes programme to your residents.
Any questions, get in touch with Helen Bartlett – info@fourmillionhomes.org; helen@cch.coop
Tuesday Trailblazer Community Group
Youth Mental Health First Aid – new course dates (Newcastle)
This fully accredited course from Mental Health First Aid England enables practitioners who work with Young People (aged 8-18) to identify the early signs of Mental Health issues and signpost them to the relevant professional support and to gain confidence in talking to young people openly about their Mental Health and Wellbeing in areas such as:
This is an interactive course, allowing delegates to work in groups as well as an individual. All course resources will be supplied. Upon completion each delegate will be issued with a Mental Health First Aid certificate that is valid for 3 years.
If you would like to book a space, please click on the relevant link below. Please book only one course as places are limited. We require 36hrs notice if you wish to cancel your place. Please only book a space for yourself.
Charlton Street Hub, Lemington
Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd November 2024 https://forms.office.com/e/1wQPbe21GY
Thursday 20th and Friday 21st February 2025 https://forms.office.com/e/1gr3uUyjQm
The Haven, Kenton
Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday 4th December 2024 https://forms.office.com/e/vJv8CU19Fh
Fawdon Children’s Centre
Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th January 2025 https://forms.office.com/e/UbfbwrBnj2
Spaces are fully subsidised by North East and North Cumbria Child Health and Wellbeing Network.
If you have any queries or questions, please contact the course instructor: Simon Davidson on 07525734131 or simon.davidson@actionforchildren.org.uk
Citizens Advice Newcastle (CAN) give free, confidential and independent home energy advice to people who live, work or study in Newcastle. You can speak to an advisor by phone, webchat or email. For urgent matters you can drop in for advice (subject to availability) from Monday to Friday, 10am to 12pm.
Telephone: 0800 448 0721
Email: citycab@newcastlecab.org.uk
Read more on InformationNOW about energy saving tips
Community Transport want to gather the views of local organisations and stakeholders on the proposed funded project including where it is most needed, what community resources are available and how best they can work together with other organisations.
You can give your views using their short survey found here
Read more on InformationNOW about Community transport or minibus services
New Dementia Care Group
New Dementia Group starting next Monday 26th February 2024
This will be a monthly meeting running the last Monday of every month, it will be a lovely session offering refreshments, activities and music and is completely free.
It is open to anyone living with Dementia, carers and family members.
Could you please to any contacts you think would be interested in this.
If anyone expresses interest please ask them to contact the centre on 0191 261 6027 to confirm attendance
Dementia group Final poster.pdf
The Newcastle Pantry is coming soon! We are a small social supermarket set up to help people on a low income save money on food shopping bills. We are part of the Newcastle West End Foodbank charity, but we have a separate brand and identity. Unlike a foodbank our members pay a subscription of £5 when they visit one of our pop-up pantries. In return they can choose a minimum of 10 items from a choice of fresh fruit and vegetables, dairy items, tinned items plus other essential household items. Our pantry will accept Healthy Start vouchers allowing eligible households to pay for half of their membership (£2.50) this way. The remainder of their membership needs to be paid in the usual way.
Our first pop-up pantry will be launching at Blakelaw Community Centre in April. To help us celebrate and meet members of the community we’ve arranged a coffee morning on Tuesday 21 March between 10am and 21 noon. If you live in Blakelaw why not come and say hello, see how our pantry will look and find out how you can save money on your shopping.
If you support people living in Blakelaw who could benefit from the pantry please could you help us to promote this offer? I’ve attached a poster and some information on frequently asked questions about the pantry.
If you’re unable to make the coffee morning but would like to know more about the pantry and how it develops email: clare.fish@newcastle.gov.uk and we will add you to our pantry mailing list.
FAQ's - Newcastle Community Pantry
Newcastle Community Pantry FAQ's.docx
The return of the Community Defibrillator
Following the sad news that our original defibrillator had been stolen in April 2022, Blakelaw and North Fenham Community have successfully obtained a replacement life saving Defibrillator to help support the community and all the residents in the area of Blakelaw and North Fenham. With the support of the The Red Sky Foundation and the continued support from Your Homes Newcastle, the defibrillator has been placed on the outside of Moorland House.
Alcohol Awareness Leaflet
Alcohol Causes Cancer 2022 PARTNER TOOLKIT FINAL LA7[4552].docx
RCH
Tik Tok Awareness Leaflet
Thomas Walling Primary School - Queen's Green Canopy
Mr Serfontein, Deputy Lieutenant, attended Thomas Walling Primary Academy on Monday 11th October, 2021. He addressed an assembly of pupils, explaining the significance of the Queen's Green Canopy and included some very interesting facts about trees. The children thoroughly enjoyed joining in with his 'wow' moments and felt very excited and privileged to be the recipient of one of only 70 birch trees as part of this important initiative. Following the assembly, Mr Serfontein planted the birch tree (betula ermanii) with members of the School Council. It now has pride of place on 'the hill' outside of the school's dining hall, where it can be viewed every day.
More information about the Queen’s Green Canopy, ‘Plant a tree for the Jubilee’, can be found at this website:
Useful Links
Newcastle City Council, Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8QH
Telephone No. 0191 278 7878
www.projects4change.org
Blakelaw and North Fenham Community Council aim to provide a community newsletter 4 times per year. If you would like to contribute to our newsletter. Please email bnfcc@outlook.com with your request. Our Newsletters are below:
March 2020
BNFCC Newsletter MARCH 2020[10699].pdf
June 2020
BNFCC Newsletter JUNE 2020[11955].pdf
October 2020
Christmas Update December 2020 and 2021 Calendar
January 2021
BNFCC COVID final Flyer January 2021.pdf
Spring2022
BNFCC Spring Newsletter 2022[5460].pdf
Summer 2022
BNFCC Summer Newsletter 2022[5461].pdf
March 2023
Christmas has started in the world of Blakelaw and North Fenham Community Council. On the 25 November, off we went on a special journey to Northern Christmas Trees based in Gosforth to select 2 very special Christmas trees. These special trees were being donated by the Community Council and heading off to 2 special venues to brighten up the faces of the staff and children at Hilton Primary School and Thomas Walling Primary School. The trees were picked and delivered to the schools at the beginning of December and I’m sure you’ll all agree they are beautiful. It was a pleasure to be able to donate these gorgeous trees to our community.
Despite the recent Coronavirus uncertainty Blakelaw and North Fenham Community Council have continued to work hard supporting various organisations within the community, below is an update of what has been happening including some photographs for everyone to see.
Christmas Trees Christmas has started in the world of Blakelaw and North Fenham Community Council. On the 27 November, off we went on a special journey to Northern Christmas Trees based in Gosforth to select 2 very special Christmas trees. These special trees were being donated by the Community Council and heading off to 2 special venues to brighten up the faces of the staff and children at Hilton Primary School and Thomas Walling Primary School. The trees were picked and delivered to the schools last week and I’m sure you’ll all agree they are beautiful. It was a pleasure to be able to donate these gorgeous trees to our community.
Anyone for a Christmas Selection Box Did you know there are around 900 children attending the both Thomas Walling and Hilton Primary Schools and Little Learners Nursery in the Blakelaw and North Fenham Parish boundary area. With a little help from the Community Council, Santa Claus managed deliver to the schools and the nursery a selection box for everyone – we hope that you all enjoy your sweet treats.
Christmas Tree Hamper Appeal It is with great pleasure that Blakelaw and North Fenham Community Council were able to donate £500 worth of food to support the Christmas Tree Hamper appeal in aid of the community’s older residents who will be spending Christmas on their own this year. We hope that those receiving a hamper this year enjoys all the surprises inside.
It is with great sadness that as Chair of Blakelaw and North Fenham Community Council I am having to make this statement. The community council (council) have recently been made aware of a Facebook post made by an ex-community councillor that made a number of inaccurate statements. Whilst it would not be usual practice for the council to comment on such nonsense, given this post created quite a significant amount of discussion with feedback being received from residents that the ex-councillor continues to speak ill of the council it was felt that we had no other option but to respond. My apologies that this will be a longer statement than I would ever wish to make but feel it’s important to share the councils version of events.
Firstly, I need to point out that Parish and Community Councillors are NOT volunteers, they are elected in to the position of councillor by the electorate ie the residents of Blakelaw and North Fenham. In July 2022 I was alerted to a serving councillor receiving £660 of grant funding from a grant recipient at Christmas 2021. The original grant application had stated that the organisation would be spending the funding on a lunch out, if an applicant wishes to change the use of the funding then they must contact the council to ask permission. On receiving the monitoring forms from the organisation, it appeared that a serving councillor had received the funds to provide a Christmas lunch, this was confirmed by the organisation. As Chair, I am required to investigate the claim especially as this particular issue has been raised and discussed on a number of occasions with councillors agreeing that NO councillor should financially benefit from any grant funding being awarded by council – this councillor attended every meeting that this matter was discussed and knew this funding application had been granted. Whilst this practice is not legally wrong it is viewed as being morally wrong within the remit of the council. On meeting with the councillor, a number of statements they made concerned me and at the end of the meeting I informed them that due to comments made by them, the fact that I had spoken to this councillor before about their conduct and my concerns, I as Chair would be referring them to Newcastle City Council’s(NCC) Standards Board for “misappropriation of council funds” NOT for aggression although the councillor did become aggressive when challenged. This type of referral is a confidential matter between the parties and the councillor will have been reminded of this when spoken to by NCC. Whilst this councillor was spoken to NO investigation ever took place, this was NOT because there was NO case to answer but because the councillor resigned prior to any investigation taking place. To be clear this is an unpleasant process for everyone but a one I felt needed to be undertaken on this occasion.
In relation to comments made with regards to the “toxicity” of the council and a subsequent 3 resignations for this same reason, the council did contact each person regarding their resignations. One person confirmed that the reasoning for their resignation was due to other commitments that they had and NOT due to the reasons stated in the ex-councillors Facebook post, the other 2 people did not respond to my request for further discussion and evidence of this type of behaviour. At no point during these councillor’s term of office have they ever raised concerns regarding toxicity and/or bullying and when at a recent staffing meeting were shocked and surprised when the clerk raised as a concern the conduct of some councillors. The council takes these types of allegations very seriously and are currently awaiting advice from NCC on how to self-refer to their Standards Board which will hopefully review processes, practices and comments made although I am confident that the council have not conducted itself in a manner that would question its reputation or the work it does within the community.
In relation to comments made about being jealous following the awarding of a BEM – why would those who serve on the council be jealous of another serving councillor, are we not meant to be working together? The council shared congratulations along with many others. I do find this statement very odd as councillors undertake the work they do on behalf of residents to help, support and enhance residents lives and the area they live in not to receive awards!!!!
We have also received feedback from a resident that this ex-councillor has also stated that we refused a funding application for the play group for the recent October half term. I can confirm that the council did not receive an application for funding from the playgroup. The council will not tolerate this type of behaviour and will be monitoring the various feedback we do receive. The people of Blakelaw and North Fenham deserve the best and the council want to continue working hard to support the community in achieving this. We would welcome the opportunity to work alongside as many organisations as possible to enhance the lives of residents but this works both ways.
Finally, the council is a tier of local government and are expected to follow very specific process, practice and regulation, just like any other government institution. To ensure that the resident we serve are receiving the best possible support and value for their precept payment questions need to be asked and challenges to information are required. We do not have an endless pot of money and any spend has to enhance those residents lives who pay the precept.