Newcastle Labour has unveiled plans to invest additional funding in cleaner neighbourhoods, better playgrounds, libraries and action on climate change as part of its proposed budget for 2020/21.
The Labour-led council plans to use £10.8 million of additional funding, alongside a further £1.5 million, to strengthen services and make practical improvements in communities across Newcastle.
Among the proposals is a major environmental programme which will see more than 1,000 trees planted across the city.
Labour also plans to establish a new 25-strong rapid-response team to tackle environmental problems at neighbourhood level, responding to issues such as fly-tipping, litter and other environmental concerns raised by residents.
An additional £1.1 million is proposed for the rapid-response teams and increased enforcement activity.
Children and families will benefit from further investment in Newcastle’s playgrounds, continuing Labour’s programme to improve play facilities across the city.
The proposals will also fund neighbourhood events and improvements to technology in libraries and community hubs through the People’s Network, helping residents access services and digital facilities closer to home.
Labour will invest additional resources in its climate-change programme, including establishing a Climate Change Convention and involving residents and businesses in the work needed to meet Newcastle’s ambition to become carbon neutral by 2030.
The additional funding will also help the council manage growing pressures in adult and children’s social care and support work to protect jobs and investment in Newcastle.
The investment comes despite continued pressure on council finances. Newcastle has been required to find more than £300 million in savings over the previous decade, while demand for services including social care has continued to increase.
Cllr Nick Forbes, Leader of Newcastle City Council, said: “We will use every penny to improve our environment and quality of life by planting more than 1,000 trees, upgrading play parks, improving IT in our libraries and public buildings and reducing the city’s carbon emissions to create a cleaner, greener Newcastle.”
Labour’s proposals will now go out for public consultation before the council agrees its final budget for 2020/21.