Tag: Newcastle City Council

The press release issued by Newcastle City Council on 19 October 2022.

The city is in the process of confirming its commitment to be involved in the Football Association’s (The FA) bid to host the 2028 men’s European Championships in the UK and Ireland.

A successful bid would see fixtures from the competition take place at St James’ Park for the first time since England held the tournament in 1996.

Forecasts have highlighted the huge economic impact the tournament would bring to each host city, with a significant number of jobs created for local people, a boost to local skills, and expenditure from the huge number of visitors to the city during the tournament if selected as part of the bid.

Cllr Nick Kemp, Leader of Newcastle City Council, said: “The possibility of hosting one of the world’s biggest sporting events in our city is incredibly exciting and it would be brilliant to be able to deliver this for our residents.

“We are renowned for our capability to host world-class events in Newcastle and our track record speaks for itself. We’ve just hosted the opening ceremony and fixture of the Rugby League World Cup, we’ve previously staged fixtures from the Rugby World Cup, the European Rugby Champions and Challenge Cups, and each year the world’s biggest half-marathon begins in our city.

“The social and economic benefits of being involved in such a global event, with billions of tv viewers around the world seeing what Newcastle can deliver while providing jobs and opportunities for residents, makes it a truly exciting prospect for us and an opportunity we want to make sure we properly explore.”

Elected Metro Mayor for the North of Tyne, Jamie Driscoll, said: “I’m buzzing about this. A chance to show off this great city to the world. To bring people together, from around Europe – united by their love of the beautiful game. To write another chapter in the history of St James’ Park. Fingers crossed for a successful bid!”

Darren Eales, Newcastle United CEO, said: “We are proud to be working with Newcastle City Council, North of Tyne Combined Authority and our other partners as we look to deliver even more world-class events to the North East.

“Newcastle is an incredible city and, in St. James’ Park, we have an iconic stadium that is world-renowned as a special place to experience football.

“Together with our city partners, we hope to support the Football Association in a strong five-nation bid to secure the Euros in 2028.”

The FA is expected to confirm its final selection of host cities in January 2023 while UEFA, European football’s governing body, will announce the Euro 2028 host nation in September 2023.

The press release issued by Newcastle City Council on 3 October 2022.

A network of 43 signs and 38 cameras are located at entry points around the boundary of the zone to alert drivers.

Additional signage is in place on approaching routes and inside the zone while electronic signs on key routes are also displaying alerts to inform people that charging will start from January 2023.

The CAZ is being introduced to help improve air quality and create a healthier environment by encouraging people and businesses with older, more polluting vehicles to upgrade to cleaner models.

It will cover most of Newcastle city centre as well as routes over the Tyne, Swing, High Level and Redheugh bridges.

Only older higher polluting taxis, vans, buses, coaches and HGVs will be affected by the CAZ. Drivers and vehicle owners can get help and advice and will be able to apply for financial support towards the cost of vehicle upgrades

Private cars, motorbikes and low emission vehicles are not affected by the Newcastle and Gateshead Clean Air Zone.

To help raise awareness and encourage people to get prepared for the CAZ, the cameras will begin to monitor vehicles entering the zone from today (Oct 3).

Owners of non-compliant vehicles will not have to pay now but will be sent letters that will include information on how to get advice and support with upgrading their vehicle.

Charging will be introduced in two phases – with non-compliant taxis, private hire vehicles, buses, coaches and HGVs being charged from 30 January 2023.

Vans and light goods vehicles will not face charges until July 2023 to allow extra time for vehicle replacements, which are currently affected by a national supply shortage.

Cllr Jane Byrne, cabinet member for connected city at Newcastle City Council said: “Although the signage and cameras for the Clean Air Zone are now in place, we want to reassure people that there will be no charges until next year and there is still time to get ready.

“Over the next two months we will be collecting details of vehicles entering the zone and contacting owners of non compliant higher polluting vehicles, which will be affected from January, to make them aware and provide information about how to get support and financial help.

“We know that van drivers are finding it more difficult to replace vehicles at the moment due to national supply issues and therefore we are delaying charges for those vehicles to give those individuals and businesses more time to prepare.”

Cllr John McElroy, cabinet member for the environment and transport at Gateshead Council, said: “Poor air quality is affecting everyone’s health, which is unacceptable and we have to do something about it.

“Reducing the number of older, more polluting vehicles on our roads is one way that we can help to improve our air quality and protect our health.

“Affected drivers will be able to get support, including applying for financial help towards upgrading a vehicle, so we’re encouraging people to check if they are compliant and get in touch to find out about the support available.”

People can check whether their vehicle would be affected by the Clean Air Zone using the government’s online vehicle checker at www.gov.uk/clean-air-zones.

Further information about the CAZ can be found at www.breathe-cleanair.com.

The press release issued by Newcastle City Council on 5 October 2022.

The measures are focused on immediate action.

An outreach team has been set up to help people struggling with rising energy, food, and rent costs to help access services and advice.

The authority will have a network of winter wellbeing spaces including community centres and libraries where people can go to stay warm while accessing free wi-fi, help and advice, learning new skills and taking part in activities such as cookery classes.

The council is also encouraging other organisations to make contact to propose any warm zones they can offer.

Other ways the council will help communities to get through the winter include:

• A seven-day a week hotline offering advice and support
• Grants to organisations to help support winter wellbeing spaces.
• Extending school holiday activities over October half term and Christmas holidays which will include a meal
• Supporting the Food Newcastle Network in giving residents food parcels seven days a week
• Opening-up access to meals on wheels
• Quickly distributing financial help such as energy grants, council tax rebates and crisis support

Leader of Newcastle City Council, Cllr Nick Kemp, said: “We have a long and proud history of helping each other, and the amazing response across our communities and neighbourhoods during Covid showed the strength and resilience of Newcastle.

“We also know that there is only so much that we can do. We  believe that the government and the energy companies should be doing a lot more to help people and we will be continuing to press government to provide the support to help people who have real needs to address the pressures of soaring energy costs along with rising inflation

“We knew when we took over the leadership we needed to prepare for difficult times because we saw unemployment at 5.3%, 16% of our residents are already in fuel poverty. We identified three core priorities for the council; poverty, cost-of-living crisis and zero carbon.

“However, the recent mini budget illustrated how government has chosen to ignore what is clearly a crisis for so many people.

“We know that the cost-of-living crisis is placing incredible pressures on our residents, and we are committed to doing all that we can to help them.”