Austen Shakespeare

North Tyneside’s highway and footpath repair backlog is projected to reach £58 million by 2029/30, with the pavement backlog expected to nearly double. Conservative group leader John Johnsson urged the council to publish a fully funded plan and argued that delaying repairs will increase costs for taxpayers. North Tyneside Labour defended its record, citing more than £26 million invested in roads and pavements since 2013, while blaming previous Conservative governments for underfunding councils. Labour said it would seek additional investment with the Labour government and Labour-led North East Combined Authority.

The UK government is reviewing how business rates are calculated for pubs and hotels in England and Wales, with the review due to finish in March 2027. Newcastle City Council deputy leader Mark Mitchell welcomed attention to the hospitality sector but said a limited review would not address a fundamentally unfair system that harms growth, jobs and local government finances. Newcastle is also considering scrapping its Late Night Levy, which charges licensed premises up to £4,400 and has raised about £3 million since 2013. The government says the review will address higher bills linked to pandemic-era valuations, alongside recent tax relief for pubs.

A small waste fire at North Tyneside’s Household Waste and Recycling Centre on Wallsend Road in North Shields was extinguished by three fire appliances after crews arrived at 7:56 a.m. All site employees had been evacuated, and firefighters left by 8:52 a.m. The centre has reopened as normal, with the council allowing visitors who missed appointments to use their existing permits. The site had recently resumed accepting fridges and freezers after clearing a national-processing backlog.

North East councils have defended their school meal provision after a Bite Back report claimed that three-quarters of 391 English secondary schools breached government food standards. Reported issues included selling crisps, chocolate and pastries, serving meat more than twice weekly, frequent fried starchy foods and using solid chocolate in desserts. North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Durham councils said they support healthy eating, provide guidance and offer nutritious options, while South Tyneside highlighted increased vegetarian and vegan choices and reduced sugar in desserts. Responsibility for compliance rests with individual schools and governing bodies, and several other regional councils were approached for comment.

Northumbria Police found no offences after investigating an alleged WhatsApp image of Tynemouth councillor Tom Bailey holding replica weapons. Police said all the weapons were replicas and that appropriate advice had been given. Bailey had reportedly been suspended by the Labour Party pending its investigation, while North Tyneside Council mayor Karen Clark confirmed a formal standards complaint. The image emerged amid Bailey’s campaigning over plastic nurdles washing up on the North Tyneside coast.

Great Lime Property Ltd has applied to North Tyneside Council to build three open-market two-bedroom flats above a vacant business unit at 87 Great Lime Road, West Moor. The proposal includes a two-storey extension, five parking spaces, bicycle and bin storage, and conversion of the ground floor into a kitchen showroom. The application had not yet been decided and remained open for public representations until 25 August 2026.