Residents of Percy Main and North Shields have shared their priorities for £20m of government funding, calling for improvements to community centres, pavements, and youth activities. On Monday, 27 July, North Tyneside Council is expected to approve the receipt of the Pride in Place funding, which is reserved for areas identified as "doubly disadvantaged" by government statistics.
Community and Youth Needs
The fund is designed to support grassroots initiatives, organisations, and the local environment in nearly 300 selected areas. The Local Democracy Reporting Service spoke to locals to ask what they want to see over the next 10 years.
Jacquelyn Hancock, 61, who is moving into Percy Main, said: "I came on the Metro, and I didn't have any bother, but when I got here, the shop down there is too cramped, so I couldn't do my shopping. I can't support the local businesses, so that needs looking at and the state of the bins." She added: "Libraries and community centres, where people can get together and help each other out and support one another." The retiree concluded: "It's a blank canvas and I think they can do a lot to make people proud of where they live."
Kirsty Fuller, 37, of Meadow Well, said: "More community stuff for the kids to do, for the younger kids. If they're not doing anything with their time, they go around graffitiing and stealing the bins, etc. More stuff for the younger generation."
Infrastructure and Green Spaces
Michael and June Glass, who have lived in Percy Main for seven years, want more done about potholes and local parks. June, 78, said: "There are great big holes and they will only do the small ones and the pavements are all cracked." Michael, 79, added: "You go to the parks, and they are neglected for the children; they don't spend any money on them."
Local pharmacist Allan Hogg, 35, said: "It is a nice area, it's got a nice community feel. One thing that lets it down is the trees and the greenery looking a bit shabby. For example, the Waggonways, that is a really nice place for people to walk, and that will promote healthy living. People are getting out more, especially with this lovely weather we are having."
