JesmondLocal continues its series of interviews ahead of this week’s local elections with North East Party candidate Brian Moore. A former Newcastle City Councillor for the Liberal Democrats, Moore hopes to bring his experience to the people of South Jesmond and says he is committed to stopping HMOs as well as doubling funding towards Operation Oak.

What qualifies you to be a councillor for South Jesmond?

“As a former Newcastle City councillor for six years, I’m the only candidate who can hit the ground running with a proven track record for achieving results for local communities. I have previously facilitated Northumbria Police, working with local communities across Newcastle to reduce serious anti-social behaviour. I have a proven record in getting traffic calming measures implemented at the request of local communities. I’m the only candidate who is committed to stopping any more HMOs in the ward, getting a landlords ‘enforced’ licence scheme and who holds the experience as well as the commitment in order to double the funding for Operation Oak.”

How would your previous experience as councillor help?

“I’ve had the privilege of working with Councillor Gerry Keating, and was also fortunate to have been mentored by Lord John Shipley (former leader of Newcastle City Council) while I was a ward councillor for six years. John taught me grassroots politics is about listening to residents, campaigning on their behalf and then going back to them to ensure we had achieved their objective. John also taught me the need for as many local resident groups working together across the ward as possible to achieve outcomes that residents desire. The South Jesmond ward is built up of many small communities, so there’s a need for these communities to have their voice heard and there are some excellent resident groups in the ward which I’m keen to work with.”

How do you think your voice and values might help those around you?

“The North East Party has one rule that all of our elected representatives must adhere to and that is: ‘People before Politics’. So, the North East Party believes that the first duty of their elected people is to serve their constituents not the party, which is quite refreshing and we are the only political party standing to not only state this but to ensure its elected representatives live by this code. Therefore, I would hope this aligns with every resident in the community.

“The strongest impetus to stand was the level of antisocial behaviour in the ward – coupled with the knowledge that the council, the police and other agencies have the powers and tools at their disposal to reduce this blight across the ward in all its facets. Operation Oak is badly underfunded and in need of funding doubled immediately. The city council has the powers to restrict and regulate HMOs and is simply failing to do so. I believe this is due to a lack of political will at the top of council. The North East Party are holding a simple referendum – by voting for the North East Party you are registering your vote against any more HMOs that bring so much misery to the ward.

“Northumbria Police appear to be treating low-level antisocial behaviour as acceptable. The North East Party believes in a zero tolerance to any antisocial behaviour. Don’t get me started on the dogs dinner of a policy that the council have adopted in parts of the ward over communal bins – they do not work!

“As a ward, we need to reduce rat running, especially on streets like Clayton Road. We fully support the closure of Haldane Bridge and will implement similar schemes across the ward as proposed and agreed by residents. As many parents have pointed out, some young people are not achieving their potential in an area where they should be exceeding them.”

How has the pandemic influenced your stance on community safety?

“The first point – and I would hope that every resident would agree – is the need for a well managed open space that is safe, clean to use and also accessible. There is a general need for more open spaces within the ward for which residents and families are able to meet up more safely, spaces that aren’t just parks. In addition, the need for visible policing across the ward, that isn’t at the end of 101 or via a text. I am also concerned about the need for far tighter enforcement of relevant laws and regulations that concern the bars on Osborne Road.”

Can you provide any advice re voting this election?

“This year’s election is a one-off, wherein the student block vote will not decide the outcome. Whoever residents decide to to vote for, I’d say just vote! At long last the residents of the ward can and will be heard at the ballot box.”

You can meet and quiz all the local election candidates when JesmondLocal hosts a Zoom version of its traditional local election hustings this evening (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.

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