Ahead of the North Jesmond by-election on August 28th, JesmondLocal is profiling each of the five candidates for councillor in North Jesmond. The third of our five days of profiles, the Conservative Party representative.

Duncan Crute

Early career
Ten years ago I got into tailoring. I’ve had my own business, Crutes La Mar, for 16 and a half years, and I think from there it’s just really almost a natural progression to the Conservatives. I lived in the ward for 22 years. I’ve seen the ward get run down. There’s a total discrepancy between what’s raised in the ward and what’s spent in the ward.

Why the Conservatives?
They understand commercialisation and commerce far better than any other party. I mean by that they know to bring down red tape, not put burdens on smaller enterprise, but at the same time there’s a social conscience there. To be perfectly honest, if I didn’t have my own businesses, I don’t think I’d have done so.

What’s the biggest issue facing North Jesmond, and how would you try to tackle it?

Specifically to this election there are two main issues. Acorn Road, and communal bins. The latter typifies the wider issue of what’s raised and what’s spent in the ward. I find it quite shocking; there are some very nice properties on Otterburn Terrace and Tankerville Terrace. I’d be pretty hacked off to have a communal bin when I’ve laid out that sort of money for a house on that road. I’d be paying a very high band on council tax. From what I’ve gathered the trial in Heaton has led to increased fly tipping. Keep the status quo, and remove the communal bins already in place.

Transport is a key issue in Jesmond: what, if anything, needs to be done?

Acorn Road is very much all in the air. I think it’d be a detriment to convert Acorn Road from a trader’s point of view. It’d effect things negatively, for trade into Jesmond, and for council rates. That’s a major issue.

What is your stance on Acorn Road? Should all of Jesmond be asked about its future?

I’ve consulted the traders. To my mind the first issue is traders, the second issue is residents. At the end of the day, who resides on Acorn Road? It’s traders. The majority don’t want change; they want to keep it a two way system with parking. Nobody wants pedestrianisation at all, which is one of the ideas that’s being mooted. I haven’t come across anybody with the exception of the Green candidate in this election who is in favour of pedestrianisation. I just think it’s absolutely ludicrous. We’ve got double yellow lines that are enforceable, some of the back alleys look like a warzone. The traders don’t want pedestrianisation, and there are more pressing issues in the ward.

Many residents highlight issues with bin collections: what is your suggestion to deal with refuse?

As I said, the communal bins – to my mind – don’t work. And another issue leading off from this is that fortnightly bin collections aren’t acceptable. It’s total and utter madness.

Should the interaction between older residents and students be improved? How so?

Honestly I don’t see the students as an issue. I think the students are much maligned, get a bad reputation, a bad name. I feel the issue that really  – we’re stuck with it because Osborne Road has these licences. 14 years ago the hotels and bars started to be tarted up. It did improve the road, on the one hand. On the other, it became a drinking destination. I feel the Bigg Market moved to the Quayside, and the Quayside moved to Osborne Road. I see the issue as Osborne Road and the spill out from it. What was a nice area has become – on weekends, particularly – a night time destination. I think the students do by and large behave themselves and contribute to Jesmond. A lot of cafes and restaurants are busy when students are about.

Are letting boards a problem? If so, how can they be handled?

In certain parts of the ward they are. I’ve been out canvassing, and the roads running off Highbury – on one road, I counted 27 letting boards. I think by law once it’s let it’s got to be taken down within two weeks. It’s difficult to enforce because there are different rooms in flats let out. Personally I think it could be done better through internet advertising. Students live in these areas, students know which flats to go to and how to get accommodation.

How could you support local businesses in Jesmond, if elected?

There has been a Tesco for years; Waitrose has set up, and a good example of the side effect of having two supermarkets is that Taylor’s the fishmongers closed. There’s no longer any butchers on Acorn Road or Holly Avenue West. You’ve seen the butchers and the fish shops go. I was appalled that they allowed the Subway to open in the old Bang & Olfsen shop. Immediately opposite that was an independent sandwich shop; that closed. I think they should not be allowing the multiples to move in to these sorts of areas. They’re more geared for city centres and out of town shopping centres. Jesmond should be more about independent shops, and local businesses. If you have local businesses, the money goes back into the local economy.

How would you improve communication between residents and elected representatives?