North Tyneside regeneration praised
A 'holistic' approach to regenerating North Tyneside communities has been praised by government inspectors.
North Tyneside Council has been rated 'good' with 'promising' prospects for further improvement by the Audit Commission in the authority's first ever inspection on neighbourhood regeneration.
Its approach brings together both partners and communities to work together to shape regeneration plans.
As well as delivering physical improvements, the council's borough-wide programme is also reducing unemployment, boosting achievement for borough children, tackling inequalities between the affluent and deprived areas and reducing crime.
"The Council has a good track record of delivering significant levels of improvement and continues to reduce overall levels of deprivation in the borough. It can demonstrate success against national, regional and local targets, " says the report.
"Key measures on job creation, business support, education, health and community safety are improving and the scale of physical regeneration in the area is a particular achievement."
The impact is seen in the reduction in deprivation in the borough, compared to 2004 - 10,000 people are no longer in the worst areas of deprivation.
Commenting on the report, North Tyneside's Elected Mayor, John Harrison said: "This is a tremendous endorsement of the improvements we are achieving through our regeneration of communities."
"Our commitment is to 'close the gap' and ensure all our residents live in vibrant, safe communities where they can access the services, support and opportunities they need to ensure a successful future.
"This confirms we are on the right track and will continue our commitment to deliver improvements borough-wide."
The inspection report highlights some of the successful examples of neighbourhood regeneration within North Tyneside, including:
*The seven-year improvement of Longbenton has replaced poor quality non-traditional housing to a new town centre where 84 percent of residents have said they are happy to live. The number of council house'void properties has reduced from 21.8 percent to 1.8 percent; Unemployment claimant rates have dropped by 72 percent and long-term unemployment has reduced by 80 percent; Crime figures have reduced and achievement of youngsters has improved.
*The regeneration of East Howdon has been shaped by the wishes of residents delivering road improvements, a private sector grants scheme to improve housing, environmental improvement s, new play site and work related training opportunities. Within six months of the improvements beginning residents are reported higher satisfaction levels of their area and development of community groups is giving residents more involvement in decisions affecting their local area.
*In Battle Hill 200 difficult to let council flats and maisonettes have been demolished making way for new housing developments - including affordable housing, a new shopping centre creating new jobs, and community facilities.
