Labour call for government to ‘work closer with Europe’ to tackle ‘excessive red tape in farming’

Labour call for government to ‘work closer with Europe’ to tackle ‘excessive red tape in farming’
‘We need to work harder to cut unnecessary ‘red tape’ and that’s why we need a strong voice in Europe’ – Coun Scott Dickinson, Business Chair Northumberland County Council

Labour councillors in Northumberland have added their weight to a ‘call by a task force set up to cut red tape in the farming industry. The snappily titled ‘Farming Regulation Task Force Implementation Group’ which was set up by the coalition government and includes experts and representatives from the UK farming industry has published its initial recommendations as a way to ‘reduce the regulatory burden on farmers’ and it recommended that the UK’s engagement in the EU should be greater, earlier and more in partnership with the industry, advising that the government should do more to press the European Commission to apply its own principles in its Communication on Smart Regulation.
Labour in Northumberland have welcomed the task force recommendations and have called for coalition MP’s in the county to ‘lobby harder’ to pressure MEP’s to make the case direct to the European Commission. The Labour administration at County Hall are actively looking at the potential to set up a ‘Rural Issues Task and Finish group to tackle issues faced by the county farming industry and rural communities.
The industry accounts for 18% of the enterprise sector in Northumberland and employs 18,000 employees across the county and is three times higher than the UK average (ONS Inter-departmental Business Register).
Councillor Scott Dickinson who represents Druridge Bay said
‘This non-partisan report shows the price of ignoring the EU and it’s time to stop the political posturing and start to tackle the unnecessary red tape which impedes the growth of the farming sector in Northumberland. We need to be working together to make the case for Northumberland farming and the Labour party in Northumberland will make sure the county council uses its role as a strategic body to support this vitally important sector’.

Councillor Scott Dickinson, business chair at Northumberland County Council and ward councillor for Druridge Bay

Northumberland County Council is offering an ‘immediate’ extra 23 apprenticeship places to young people in the County as it continues its tradition of offering employment and skills opportunities to young people. Recruitment will start in the New Year as the authority gears up to create even more opportunities for apprenticeships in the county.

The Council already employs around 134 apprentices and is committed to appointing new apprentices every year over the next 5 years eventually totalling 760 new apprentices.

Not only do apprentices gain valuable workplace experience, the council also offers further education and employment to many of the young people it takes on.

Councillor Scott Dickinson, business chair at Northumberland County Council and ward councillor for Druridge Bay said:

“As a new administration we’re pledging to go even further with the aspiration of doubling the number of apprentices we take on. Our ‘down payment’ will be 23 new apprenticeships starting in the New Year but we’re going much further. Our plan is to create 760 new apprenticeships over 5 years with our ambitious affordable homes pledge creating 400 construction skill based apprenticeships in its own.
“We take our role, as a major employer in the County, very seriously and recognise the importance of offering young people in Northumberland a chance to join a skilled workforce where they can learn from highly skilled and experienced people.”


Ends

Notes for Editors
• 400 apprentices will be employed over the next 5 years on the County Council’s ambitious affordable homes policy which will see at least 2000 affordable homes built across the county.
• The apprenticeships will include ‘stipulations’ within contracts that ensure the ‘contractor creates local jobs.
• This year’s apprentices will work across the various service areas including Highways, Transport, and Fire and Rescue.
• An initial 12 apprentice places were offered this month with a second cohort due to start in the New Year.
• The Council has offered several apprenticeship places for many years and as with this year many go on to work for the authority after having their contracts extended.
• Ten apprentices from last year have had their contracts extended to be supported through level 3 and two will be supported through to HNC level to become full-time highways inspectors.
• The apprenticeships scheme is a result of the close partnership between the council’s employability and skills teams and training providers; Northumberland College, TDR Training and the Adult Learning services.

Berwick’s Lib Dems at loggerheads over ‘Bedroom Tax’

Berwick’s Lib Dems at loggerheads over ‘Bedroom Tax’

New candidate breaks ranks with Sir Alan over ‘spare room subsidy’

Berwick Liberal Democrats are accused of being at ‘loggerheads’ over the controversial imposition of the so called ‘bedroom tax’ with newly selected candidate Julie Porksen setting out her opposition to the ‘tax’ which was backed by ‘retiring’ MP Sir Alan Beith.

Now Labour are calling for Ms Porksen to answer whether she would support Labour’s plan to ‘scrap the tax’ if they form a government in 2015.

Labour are pointing towards the effects of the ‘tax’ which now means that families on low incomes have to find an extra £680 to cover housing benefit. They’re also highlighting that more than 56% of those affected receive ‘in work benefits’ to top up low wages. Northumberland has the second lowest average ‘wage’ and when ‘in work benefits’ are stripped out the county average is just £12,809.

Scott Dickinson, Labour councillor for Druridge Bay said

‘The reality of a Lib Dem MP in Berwick who has slavishly backed a ‘tax’ which isn’t fair or even saving the tax payer money is the Tories can continue to hammer Berwick’s families and enshrine our area as a ‘low wage economy’. I’m calling on Julie Porksen to back Labour’s promise to get rid of the hated and malicious ‘bedroom tax’ and to distance herself from Sir Alan Beith who now seems to be simply nodding through coalition policies without any thought for Berwick’

Chair of Health and Wellbeing Board, Councillor Dickinson, visited the Aln Valley Railway project this week to see first- hand how the community project is helping adults with learning disabilities to shine.

Councillor Dickinson visits Aln Valley Railway community project
17 October 2013

Chair of Health and Wellbeing Board, Councillor Dickinson, visited the Aln Valley Railway project this week to see first- hand how the community project is helping adults with learning disabilities to shine.

Railway themed snacks were dished up at the Aln Valley Railway Café as part of a partnership project with Northumberland County Council learning disability day services. Bright flowers and plants also adorn the flower beds surrounding the café, thanks to the hard work of the Aln Valley Railway volunteers and adults with learning and physical disabilities based at Pottergate Pantry and Pottergate Potting Shed day services run by Northumberland County Council.

The two projects have teamed up to work at The Aln Valley Railway tourist attraction in Alnwick which is being restored by the Aln Valley Railway Group to offer a railway link to Alnmouth to join the East Coast mainline. The original steam engines are being restored at the attraction which was open this summer for visitors to enjoy.

The site received a visit from Councillor Scott Dickinson, Chair of Northumberland’s Health and Wellbeing Board, who was keen to see how this scheme is combining enhancement of the county's tourist attractions with greater inclusion for adults with learning disabilities.

Councillor Scott Dickinson said: “I visited Pottergate earlier in the year and met the people who work at the day service there. Both the Café and gardening projects at the Aln Valley Railway are a great way of giving the clients experience in customer service and working as part of a team on a local project. The project is also helping the Aln Valley Railway to offer a good range of services for visitors.

“This project demonstrates what can be achieved when we work together. It is a good example one of our five key priorities which is ‘supporting people with long term conditions to be more independent’ and is ultimately helping to improve the health of the adults who take part by helping them to have full choice and control over their lives’.”

The Health and Wellbeing Board has been established to improve the health and wellbeing of Northumberland residents and to reduce health inequalities by encouraging better partnership working between organisations involved in buying and providing health services, adult social care and children’s services.

The visits by Councillor Dickinson are part of a rolling programme and will continue throughout the year.

Cllr Dickinson said: “Now that the Health and Wellbeing Board has moved from being in shadow form to fully fledged, I think it is really important that as the chair I come out and visit each service and talk to staff and patients.

Chair of Health and Wellbeing Board visits front line health services
Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board Councillor Scott Dickinson has been out on a series of visits to see first hand how our staff are working to support patients and service users.

The Health and Wellbeing Board is the a statutory body set up to oversee the integration of health and social care services, and wider integration with other public services to support ill and disabled people. It brings together organisations involved in buying and providing health services, adult social care and children’s services

The visits which took place in August have so far been to Wansbeck General Hospital and Blyth Community Hospital.

Cllr Dickinson said: “Now that the Health and Wellbeing Board has moved from being in shadow form to fully fledged, I think it is really important that as the chair I come out and visit each service and talk to staff and patients.
“I’m going to be out and about on more visits in the future because I am determined to make sure that I know how communities feel about their services , what's working and what needs improving. I hope to be able to use these visits to become the ‘voice of the patient’.”
Cllr Dickinson visited Foundry House in Bedlington, Northumberland to meet the contact centre telephone staff for Northumberland Telecare Service, the Single Point of Access, the Out of Hours Nursing Team and the Emergency Duty Team and occupational therapists from the Short Term Support Service. Cllr Dickinson also stopped by to meet the nursing team at the TESA (Treatment, Education, Support and Advice) Unit, Blyth Community Hospital.

Sister Rexie Akwei, team leader at the TESA (Treatment, Education, Support and Advice) Unit, said: “We are a busy unit seeing around 900 patients a month and so it’s great that the chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board has taken the time to come and see how we work and values what we do.”

The rolling programme of visits is ongoing and Cllr Dickinson has also Northumberland County Council day services at Pottergate Centre and Hepscott Park, specialist mental health and learning disability services at Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust and the North East Ambulance Service in August.

Pupils from Grange View First School in Widdrington Station being presented with certificates from Coun Scott Dickinson after completing the Summer Reading Challenge.

Young readers claim their medals

Pupils from Grange View First School in Widdrington Station being presented with certificates from Coun Scott Dickinson after completing the Summer Reading Challenge.

Published on the14 October 2013

Morpeth Herald

YOUNG bookworms have picked up prizes after enjoying a summer of reading.

A record-breaking number of children took part in Northumberland’s Summer Reading Challenge this year to read at least six books during the school holidays.

The scheme, co-ordinated by the Reading Agency, was taken up by 3,657 youngsters aged four to 11, and included games and crafts in libraries.

All of those completing the challenge received a medal and certificate, including several pupils from Grange View First School in Widdrington Station.

County council Policy Board Member for Culture Val Tyler said: “I’d like to congratulate every single child who took part.”

Northumberland County Council’s business chairman Scott Dickinson

Next step for £30m Morpeth road scheme

14 Aug 2013 Journal. A £30 million road scheme to tackle traffic hold-ups in a busy market town have reached the next stage

Northumberland County Council’s business chairman Scott Dickinson

A £30m road scheme hoped to alleviate traffic in a Northumberland market town has reached a significant milestone.

The Planning Inspectorate has announced it is to carry out a detailed examination of the proposal to build a northern bypass for Morpeth, where traffic hold-ups have been a controversial issue.

An 11 month long examination and determination process, will culminate in a decision on the scheme by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles.

The bypass has been welcomed by community leaders in Morpeth, where there has been major controversy over congestion, delays and rat-runs since the introduction of new traffic lights in the town centre last year.

Scott Dickinson, the county council’s business chairman, said: “This is a key milestone in building this much-needed and long-awaited bypass, providing a key link between the A1 and Ashington, reducing through traffic in Morpeth and creating development opportunities to the north of the town.

“The £30m project will also create jobs and training opportunities for local people and provide opportunities for local suppliers during the construction phase.”

Public consultations started more than five years ago, and included a series of exhibitions