Jesmond Library was filled with discussion and debate last night on a range of issues – from traffic and the environment to safety and community relations – as candidates appealed to local residents for their votes in this Thursday’s (May 5th 2022) election.

JesmondLocal’s traditional hustings event was attended by five candidates seeking to fill vacant council seats in North and South Jesmond wards: in North Jesmond, Liberal Democrat Philip Browne, Labour’s Stella Postlethwaite and Conservative Aaron Whelan Harvey; in South Jesmond Ward, the candidates in attendance were Joshua Clark for the Conservatives and Laura Cummings for Labour.

Questions for the candidates where submitted in advance by members of the public and each candidate was given an initial 60 seconds to answer each question.

Regarding traffic issues in Jesmond, Postlethwaite said she wants to use the Low Traffic Neighbourhoods initiative to improve air quality in residential neighbourhoods and make Jesmond’s roads safer for residents. However, Clark argued against more roads in Jesmond being closed to motor vehicles, and says he does not believe they work. Postlethwaite advocated closing the streets outside West Jesmond Primary School, while Browne said he was keen to encourage more shared vehicle options. All candidates agreed that public transport needed to be promoted more. “Promoting public transport is the carrot rather than the stick,” said Browne.

They also agreed that cheaper tickets would reduce traffic and improve public services. ‘It’s not really about promoting buses,” said Postlethwaite. “It’s about prices and having powers locally to improve the what should be public services – they should not be something for stakeholders to make profits on.”

All candidates emphasised the importance of correct and safe usage of e-scooters. A quick audience poll showed that a majority would like the e-scooter scheme retained, but only if managed better. “Extend the scheme further and also manage it better,” said one resident.

Candidates shared their views on the withdrawal of the dedicated Operation Oak phone number for Jesmond residents to report antisocial behaviour. Browne and Clarke said they believed it should be reintroduced. “Operation Oak has not been withdrawn. It remains fully funded,” said Postlethwaite, adding that only the phone number had been withdrawn. ‘It’s like the shop is open, but the lights are switched off,” countered Browne. “We need to reintroduce it and make it accessible. Then it will be used to full effect.”

If elected, Clark said he would hold meetings every two weeks with the Jesmond Presidents Association. “It takes communication with the residents to understand the issues,” he said. “It’s very important that individual cases of antisocial behaviour are reported early so that appropriate action can be taken,” said Postlethwaite, who explained that the council is working in collaboration with the police and local universities to tackle the issue.

When the discussion turned to wider environmental issues, one audience member commented that the problem of rats in Jesmond was spreading to other area and said many residents could not afford the council’s £84-per-household charge for treating the rat problem.

Browne said he believed that it should be down to the council to sort out the rat problem. Whelan Hardy said that if people living in Jesmond felt more pride about living there, they would be less likely to leave litter and be better stewards of the environment. Cummings outlined the merits of the bin scheme and suggested other ways to reduce waste and eliminate the rat problem.

JesmondLocal’s team of volunteer reporters covered the event. Rachel Murphy and Freya Gilbert reported the main points of the debate on Twitter…

What will the candidates do to support the local businesses post-covid? Cummings says we need to get people to shop local, Harvey says a lobby for lower business rates and tax rates will help. Browne says promotion of street markets are essential #votejesmond pic.twitter.com/vXAS5cwkgU— JesmondLocal (@jesmondlocal) May 3, 2022

…while Eszter Racz and Alice Nicholson live-blogged all the main talking points. You can replay their summary below.