This week:

• I visited Mather and Waverley Road to see local residents. The properties here are owned and managed by Newcastle City Council and we had invited the local housing manager so we could show him the issues firsthand. There are some problems with the properties – including damp, blocked drainage holes on the landing and damaged entrance doors – and some on the estate – incl. broken fences, overgrown trees and bushes and rats’ nests. Since the visit, bushes have been cut back, work has started on the drainage holes and more improvements are planned.
• I objected to a licensing application for a cafe that would have been open later than the agreed hours for the city centre (these hours were put in place to help with concerns about crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour). I also discussed objections that I have already made – to a new premises called the Cup and Craic and to a change that would allow Hooters to let people in after midnight. In both case, I’m concerned that premises that are supposed to be food-led will end up adding to the number of late night bars in the city centre.
• I supported residents in the Westgate Road area with their concerns about a dilapidated property and the potential impact of some current planning applications.
• I talked to Acorn, the community union, about their campaign to have a citywide licensing scheme for private sector housing, which I support.
• I talked to Dance City about their work to get people dancing (you can enjoy free classes as part of NE1’s Summer In The CIty ) and the progress of the Seven Bridges cafe, their joint project with West End Refugee Service.