This week:

• I went to the October meeting of Council. I voted for the Motion of No Confidence in the Council Leader, Karen Kilgour because I think there is something very wrong about the way that the council operates:
  – There is a culture of secrecy – the council is refusing to say what it paid to host the Mercury Prize or tell people what discussions it has had with Newcastle United about Leazes Park.
  – There is a culture of leaks used for political advantage – a complaint about the previous Council Leader, Nick Kemp, was leaked and then the report into that complaint was leaked.
  – There is a culture of restricting democracy. The council has introduced a new system that reduces scrutiny and makes council meetings even less effective.
  – Most damningly, the council is not delivering for residents.
  You can read my full speech here.

• I walked around the Quayside with a local resident to look at some of the issues. Overflowing trade bins are an ongoing problem and I have asked what can be done to manage them more effectively. We were also concerned about the state of the Quayside Garden and the dangers posed by cyclists weaving around pedestrians. This problem has been made worse by the private road in front of Malmaison being blocked by planters. I have raised both these issues and will report back when I get a response.

• I contacted the Traffic team about the issues caused to pedestrians by council vehicles parking on Leazes Lane.