Supporting Prudhoe Business
https://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/24538013.planning-consent-develop-humbles-wood-farm-prudhoe/
Author: prudhoeconservatives
Winter fuel payments
The withdrawal of the winter fuel payments by the new Government has created a lot of concern and anxiety.
A senior Northumberland County Councillor is keen to ensure as many people as practicable who are eligible to receive pension credit sign up for this as a matter of urgency.
Cllr Gordon Stewart who represents Prudhoe South and is a Cabinet member said ‘ I have been inundated with calls for support from residents in my ward, the payments have been made for years and were expected later this year, £300 is a lot of money even to those with some savings and income above a basic pension.
The previous Government realised this and when things were very tough they added even more support to those in need.
Although the payments were to help towards fuel costs, many pensioners tell me they used it treat themselves from the local shops, and now they will no longer be able to consider that.
This is a massive change that has scared them.
I would like to encourage residents who will be impacted by this to e mail their MP to complain, sign the age uk petition https://www.ageuk.org.uk/our-impact/campaigning/save-the-winter-fuel-payment/ and check to see if they are eligible to apply for pension credit, if they are to do so as a matter of urgency and certainly before September 16th.
Pension Credit is worth an average of £3,900 per year
If you are eligible, you could also be entitled to a range of additional support like:
- Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
- Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in
- A Council Tax discount
- A free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over
- Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses, and transport costs for hospital appointments, if you get a certain type of Pension Credit
- Help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme
You can apply for Pension Credit if you’ve reached State Pension age and your weekly income is less than £218.15 (if you’re single) or less than £332.95 jointly (if you have a partner).
Someone could be entitled to Pension Credit even if they their own home or have savings. Pension Credit is also separate from the State Pension. You might get extra help if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person.
Cllr Stewart added ‘ The Prudhoe Parish Church hall warm hub lunches start again from Friday 6th September 2024. and I am delighted that experts from Age Uk Northumberland & Citizens advice Northumberland have agreed to attend from 12pm on that day to offer advice for people who may be eligible to apply, I will be announcing around my ward as soon as practicable’
Town centre parking review – via Courant
Fantastic soft play opens in Prudhoe
Winter heating – help stop this crazy tax on pensioners.
Prudhoe Town Centre parking review
Updated 15/8/25
Consultation- see above
I have asked Senior NCC officers to review the parking in and around Prudhoe Front Street .
Why do a review ?
No review has been carried out for many years.
The town is bigger, people are shopping online, shopping locally & at different times / days.
The night-time economy is important to the town, such as restaurants, cafe’s and bars.
The retail park encourages many people to shop locally, rather than before when they would have gone to Hexham, Blaydon, West Denton, Kingston park etc – It is hoped that those who go to the retail park will be encouraged to also visit the front street businesses.
More people are living along the front street area than previously.
Bus passengers currently enjoy reduced fares.
Electric vehicles chargers are a fairly recent consideration for all towns.
Will there be additional car parks built ?
No, just smarter use of on & off street parking areas.
What parking areas are available now ?
Off street parking close by, NCC Car parks in Oaklands car park, the area to the rear of the old toilets (recently sold) near the legion club.- But not the rest of that area.
Close to the Syntax PH, Prudhoe West School area, Fair view.
Major investment into some of the car parks has taken place recently.
There are also large car parks at –
Waterworld,
The coop car park is popular with visitors and shoppers.
Will payment parking be introduced ?
No, This administration at NCC will always keep town centre parking free of charge.
Private landowners are entitled to charge for parking on their land, this is very common in Cities, towns and even in villages.
How long will the review take ?
I would hope this will be completed by the end of the year.
Will there be any consultation with the public ?
If the review indicates there will be significant changes, yes there will be consultation, I will encourage residents & Prudhoe business to consider and comment upon any changes proposed.
What other factors will be looked into ?
The ageing population, disabled bays, taxi ranks, loading bays and residents only bays. improved signage.
The dumping of vehicles in NCC car parks, there are currently 7 untaxed / SORN vehicles in the town centre taking up spaces that could be used by others and supporting the community / business.
The DVLA has been informed.
Why do this ?
It is hoped that it will improve the experience of people wishing to visit, working or living around Front street, also assist local businesses, by creating handy bays for residents to ‘nip in & collect something’
But remembering this main road should be free flowing.
Complaints are often received about vehicles parking illegally on footpaths, in disabled , loading or resident bays.
Only drivers can change their behaviour, the Police and Civil enforcement officers have limited time to deal with these inconsiderate people.
Updated 14/8/24
Report via Hexham Courant
Recent changes to private car parks-
This land was owned by the Coop for a longtime, and was used mainly by local businesses under an agreement with the coop.
The land and properties have been sold off, the new owner has made the decision to use the land for another purpose, what that purpose is unknown at this time.
The land shown in the photograph above (to the right of the wooden fence) is owned by Prudhoe and district United services club lnown locally as ‘The Legion club’.
It has been used by members of the public to park for many years, but the surface has now deteriorated that the Club has reluctantly decided to charge for use of the area.
The land to the left of the fence is owned by NCC, this will remain free to park.
There was a suggestion that there was an agreement with a now defunct local. Council and the club over carrying out resurfacing.
This was put to a NCC lawyer who decided there was no legal agreement.
Therefore it would be inappropriate for council tax be used to repair the clubs car park, or other business private car parks.
This is the same as any other private area, the landowner is responsible for the repair, and if the public choose to enter that land it is with the permission of the landowner. And dispute / claims etc should be made to the landowner.
Residents have asked if planning approval was needed, it is not.
Concern has been raised about businesses suffering from the changes.
It is hoped people will continue to visit Prudhoe and find a parking space, get a bus or walk into the town centre.
This may include paying the small fee at the legion car park
Anyone visiting the club will be able to park there free of charge by entering their reg number into the device within the bar area.
Vehicles driving through the legion car park, including leaving the free NCC car park should not be charged., as there is a 10 minute grace period allowing vehicles enough time to exit the private area.
There is no intention of allowing vehicles to leave the car park via the entry (ie where the no entry signs are located)
Any queries about the legion owned car park should be directed to the enforcement company or the Club itself. CLICK HERE
The notices are classed as civil disputes NOT a fine, only the Police, Councils or other Government organisations can issue fines.
It is understood the company issuing the notices is – CLICK HERE
The company looking after the payment system is CLICK HERE
GENERAL HIGHWAY ISSUES
Check out my dedicated webpage
Water safety advice via Chron
A waste of tax payers money ?
M Bike ASB via Courant
Rumours about future of the remaining Boots shop.
Some national and local press outlets refer to a boots shop in Prudhoe closing without giving the full address.
The shop referred to has already closed.
July 2024
https://www.facebook.com/share/TdvBiri9BJ3X7wMC/?mibextid=WC7FNe
July 2024
Boots store being improved
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/G8T7dC5gmwu9MngA/?mibextid=WC7FNe
Jan 2024
Rumours dealt with
Prudhoe Matters 