We begin our series of interviews with this year’s local election candidates with Tanya Pretswell, who is standing for Labour in North Jesmond in May. A Jesmond resident, on and off, for 45 years, Pretswell has worked for the Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust for more than 20 years. She chairs the local NHS branch of trade union UNISON and and is staff side secretary (lead union repressntative) at the Trust.

Why run for this year’s local elections?

“I’ve lived in Jesmond for many years and care deeply about what happens here. I have all the core transferable skills through my trade union work to listen to people, take their issues forward and to find solutions where they’re needed. So putting these things together with my Labour values, it seemed like the perfect time to begin the process towards becoming a councillor.”

COVID-19 restrictions have meant you’ve been unable to carry out regular conversations with residents this year. How can they still make their views heard?

“My contact details are on all the information that has gone out and I’m pleased to say that residents are taking full advantage of them. I’ve also been ringing round residents, checking how they’re keeping in this extended lockdown, and that’s been a great way to get to know some more residents and to find out what’s going on in various parts of North Jesmond. The response is overwhelmingly positive and it’s a highlight of my week chatting to more North Jesmond residents.”

How would your experience in Trust and union roles help the North Jesmond community?

“I took an admin job as a temp at the Fleming Nuffield Unit (a children’s unit that was part of the local mental health trust) 25 years ago, when my children had all begun attending West Jesmond Primary, and loved it so much I never left! Working in the NHS is special and it has a wonderful supportive community feel to it. When the unit closed in 2010, I stayed with the Trust and moved to provide admin support at Walkergate Park. It was at this time I put myself forward to train to be a UNISON rep and was elected chair. Listening to staff, supporting them through difficulties and providing solutions is important to me.

“I want the members I support to receive the sort of service I would want myself. I was elected into the staff side secretary role following the retirement of a colleague about six or seven years ago. This role involves me attending Trust meetings to represent the workforce and organising and administering the collective group of trade unionists who have been elected to do the negotiating and bargaining with the Trust on behalf of their members. At times it’s been challenging, but UNISON has always supported, advised and trained me to meet these challenges head on.

“I believe it’s the skills I’ve learnt in supporting members, negotiating on behalf of staff, becoming an accredited mediator and training as a coach that lend themselves perfectly to doing the role of a councillor and working with residents or North Jesmond in a similar fashion.”

What are you most passionate about changing in North Jesmond? 

“Low Traffic Neighbourhoods link in with community safety as they will encourage traffic that finds short-cuts through Jesmond to use the major rounds that go around Jesmond. Less traffic will reduce the amount of carbon and make walking and cycling between local amenities much more enjoyable.”

“When meeting groups is possible, I would welcome the opportunity to chat with parents of West Jesmond Primary School to gather their thoughts on using the Low Traffic Neighbourhoods initiative for the benefit of the children in making the road outside the school safer.

“I think the most important thing right now are the climate issues and working with residents to get the Low Traffic Neighbourhood initiative right is an important step in supporting Newcastle City Council in the outstanding work they do in this area.”

Has the pandemic influenced your stance on community safety?

“COVID-19 has really shown the community spirit in North Jesmond. I was pleased to do my part in volunteering for the Jesmond Neighbours Mutual Aid Group and to be part of their steering committee. The amount of volunteering and supporting charities that the students within the North Jesmond community have done has been phenomenal and it would be great to work with them to expand on this to continue to add value to North Jesmond.

“Equally, it’s important to raise awareness of local support available for those affected by domestic abuse, especially under the pandemic. Domestic abuse doesn’t discriminate and goes across all sectors of our society.

“The recent campaign by Boots is an important one for those in need of support. Within the Jesmond Labour Group meetings we have spoken about what we could do to support the 16 days of action against domestic violence and hope to plan events for between 25th November and 10th December.” 

Lastly, any advice on voting safely this year?

“Please apply for an early (postal) vote. If you haven’t already done this apply here. Or contact Newcastle City Council on 0191 2787878.”

You can meet and quiz all the local election candidates when JesmondLocal hosts a Zoom version of its traditional local election hustings on Tuesday May 4th from 7:30pm to 9:30pm.

This online event is free, but to be able to attend, you must register. Details of the Zoom link and passcode will be emailed to all registrants just a couple of hours before the event begins. We will also be emailing registrants with details of how they can put their questions to the candidates.

To get your free ticket, register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/jesmond-local-election-hustings-2021-online-tickets-152269302583