Winter 2019/20 www.gateshead.gov.uk INSIDE: 24 page Spring 2020 learningSkills Course Directory Nursery’s 90th Gateshead Action on Preparing anniversary celebrations Awards climate change for Winter SIGN UP. JOIN IN. GET ON. Pop along to our Enrolment Event: Monday 13 January 4.30pm - 7pm Visit www.gateshead.ac.uk #HARDWORKWINS for more details. Welcome Action on climate from Chief Executive change Sheena Ramsey Welcome to the Page 6 & 7 Winter issue of Council News. In this edition we are highlighting different projects in Gateshead to improve air quality, reduce carbon dioxide emissions and combat global warming as part of our commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030. In the coming months we will bring you more General Election news of our progress and the steps we are taking. Helping As winter draws in the Council is busy preparing to ensure services continue you cast to run smoothly whatever the weather. You can find out more about how our your vote gritting crews work, as well as changes Preparing to bin collections over the Christmas and Page 5 New Year period. for Winter We are dedicated to supporting and protecting our older residents and you Page 9 can read all about our Care Call service which, by using the latest technology, helps vulnerable people stay in their own homes for longer and improves their independence. Safeguarding This issue we feature Bensham Grove adults from harm Nursery School which is celebrating its 90th anniversary. One of the first nursery schools to open on Tyneside it Page 12 is recognised as providing outstanding education and is a very special place in the heart of Gateshead. We also highlight three fantastic new housing developments which are enabling people with learning difficulties and physical disabilities to live more independently. We also include our regular features; health matters, what’s on and much more, including things to do over the Gateshead Council News is designed and published by Gateshead Council’s Communications festive period. Team. Every effort is made to ensure that all information is correct at time of publication. An online version can be viewed at www.gateshead.gov.uk/councilnews Finally, I would like to wish all of our residents a Merry Christmas and a It is distributed by The National Leaflet Company to homes and businesses across Gateshead. For delivery queries please contact: 0191 415 5527. Printed by Acorn Web Offset Ltd. Happy New Year. Front cover: Bensham Grove Nursery pupils celebrate 90th anniversary. Different formats: If you would like to receive Council News in large print, Braille, CD or mp3, please contact the communications team on 0191 433 2072 or 2433 or email [email protected] © Gateshead Council, Regent Street, Gateshead NE8 1HH. 0191 433 3000 www.gateshead.gov.uk @gateshead gatesheadcouncil 3 NEWS Help us stamp out fraud Fraud within the public sector costs of business rates or declare that the taxpayer billions every year. Fraud properties are empty when they’re is not a victimless crime and often the not. people who end up paying for it are These all take valuable money away you, the taxpayer. from the Council, money that we There are many types of fraud that are should be spending on vital services. committed every day by individuals We take all fraud very and businesses: seriously and have a • This can include people claiming for zero tolerance things they’re not entitled to such as approach to it. Our council tax reductions, free school corporate fraud team meals, grants, social care, blue badges investigate allegations or compensation for accidents that and where necessary did not happen. will look to prosecute • Fraud committed by council tenants offenders. who allow others to stay in their You can report fraud online at www. homes or who make false housing gateshead.gov.uk/corporatefraud, applications. Donate a gift email fraudreporting@gateshead. • Businesses can also commit fraud gov.uk, or call our fraud hotline on for Christmas by claiming the incorrect level 0191 433 2805. Organisations in Gateshead are once again appealing to residents to make a donation to the Christmas Shoe Box appeal to Free dog ‘checkup & chip’ events help those most in need. Gateshead Council will be working also be available. Gateshead Council’s Last year more than 400 packages with the national dog charity, The Dog Warden will be on hand to offer were wrapped and prepared Dogs’ Trust, on a number of special advice and support on responsible and were discreetly passed community events in Gateshead next dog ownership and cleaning up after over to individuals and families year. your pet. throughout Gateshead. The free ‘Checkup & Chip’ events The sessions will operate on a drop-in A collection point will be open will offer information and advice basis so no appointment is necessary. in the main foyer of Gateshead on all aspects of responsible dog Civic Centre until Wednesday It is intended to run similar events ownership and will include a free 4 December where you can leave in Chopwell and Birtley later in the health check for your pooch carried any of the following items: spring and details will be announced out by a veterinary nurse and free in the New Year. • Christmas wrapping materials on-the-spot microchipping. • Empty shoe boxes The first event will be held at the • Small children’s toys Masonic Hall in Alexandra Road, Gateshead on Monday 3 February • Baby wipes from 11am to 3pm. • Hats, scarfs and gloves As well as loads of free advice • Toiletries & hygiene products about caring for your dog, goodie • Hair bobbles & hair brushes packs for puppy owners and those • Chocolates, sweets and other thinking of getting a puppy will goodies • Any other donations that could fit into a shoe box Registering births and deaths This year donations of gifts for older boys and men are Booking a birth or death appointment is quick and easy using our online particularly welcome. booking system. The service is available 24 hours a day and will be available throughout the festive period by visiting: For more details contact Kate Marshall on 0191 433 www.gateshead.gov.uk/registerabirth or 3255 or email katemarshall@ www.gateshead.gov.uk/registeradeath gateshead.gov.uk 4 Gateshead Council News Winter 2019 NEWS Gateshead Awards Support for Armed Forces - Nominate now 2020 community Do you know a person or organisation that has gone the extra mile to help others Gateshead Council recognises the in Gateshead to thrive? If so nominate them for a Gateshead Award. valuable contribution that those who have served or are serving There are nine categories and this year in the armed forces make to our we’re delighted to include two new communities. categories: In 2012, we signed an Armed Forces • Maureen Chaplin Sports Achiever Covenant. This demonstrates our of the Year commitment to serving and • Volunteer of the Year former members and their families • Voluntary/Charitable Organisation to make sure that they are treated • Young Achiever of the Year fairly and are not disadvantaged • Sports Club of the Year as a result of their service. • Carer of the Year We want to be sure that our armed • Music Group/Musician of the Year forces community is fully aware of the support available if they need • Business in the Community (new) it and how to access it. To help, • Armed Forces Community Achiever Ethan Pringle was only 10 years old we have improved the content of the Year (new) when he picked up Carer of the on our website to show the The awards organised by Gateshead Year. He said: support available. The web page Council in partnership with intu also includes our Armed Forces Metrocentre, HYHubs, Go North East, “It was just such an amazing Network’s annual report which Gateshead Regeneration Partnership, experience for me to win Carer of details the positive outcomes that Gateshead College, Northgate Vehicle the Year so if you know anyone are being achieved as a result of Hire, Robertson Construction and that makes a difference please the work we do with our partners. Tarmac, recognise the dedication of nominate them.” We also want to recognise the those who have made a real difference positive and valuable contribution to the lives of others in Gateshead. our armed forces community make to the local community Go to www.gateshead.gov.uk/gatesheadawards For more information contact of Gateshead, so this year have the Mayor’s secretary on 0191 433 2011 or email [email protected] introduced a new category in the Gateshead Awards - Armed Forces Community Achiever of the Year. To find out more about the support we offer visit www. gateshead.gov.uk/armedforces General Election: Helping you cast your vote Gateshead goes back to the polls for hand it in to any polling station before the General Election on Thursday 12 polls close at 10pm. December. And if you’ve mislaid your polling Elections will be held to elect a card you can still vote at the polling representative in the parliamentary station, you don’t need it to vote. constituencies of Gateshead, Blaydon Polling stations are open 7am until and Jarrow. 10pm and if you can’t remember where you need to vote just put your Polling cards and postal vote packs postcode into our handy polling are being sent out, please remember station location checker to find your to fill in your postal vote and pop For more information on elections station. www.gateshead.gov.uk/ it into the post before election day. and voting visit www.gateshead. findyourpollingstation Don’t worry if you forget, you can gov.uk/elections www.gateshead.gov.uk @gateshead gatesheadcouncil 5 NEWS Action on climate change Progress being made For over a decade the Council has been reducing carbon dioxide emissions in • 55% reduction in carbon working to reduce the effects of climate the region.