This week:

• I got a response to my Freedom of Information request asking for details of any discussions the council has had about the transfer of Leazes Park to Newcastle United. I was told I would not get a response because it would be too expensive. The limit set on FOIs is 18 hours of work and the council estimate that it would take 1056 hours to check “the 31,680 emails that could potentially be in the scope of your request”. This is disappointing but it’s clear from this that there has been considerable discussion and I will look at other ways to get answers. I realise that people will have different views on whether the park should be used by the club but I think we can all agree that a major decision like this should not be made in secret.
• I found out that the Environmental Health Team had agreed to the removal of a longstanding noise condition at the Bigg Market Chippy and have asked why.
• I contacted Children’s Services about the proposals to cut travel to education for students with Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) over the age of 16. I asked for information on what work has been done to try and reduce the cost.