The tenants of the Byker Estate have voted in favour of a Community Trust.
Check out our latest press release for more information
The next steps are to set up the Trust’s board and more information will be available on this over the next few weeks.
Blog
July
22
July
8
Byker born Les Richards, has been very active in many tenants' groups over the years including Shipley Walk Tenants & Residents Association and Byker Safety & Environment Forum. Les has worked hard as a volunteer to bring improvements to Byker.
July
7
Olya Bowers from Northumberland Terrace recently told us, "I'm from the old Byker. I moved away and came back to Byker two years ago. The Trust gives us a chance to reclaim the old Byker spirit and build the community we used to have. This is our chance - please use your vote and help make it happen!"
Listen to Olya's interview in the Battle for Byker...
July
7
"We should all back a better Byker“, this was what Roberta Davidson, a Byker resident, said when we interviewed her about the proposed Byker Trust. Watch Back a Better Byker and find out what tenants and residents in Byker have to say about the proposed Byker Community Trust.
Watch the video on YouTube.
July
6
The vote is run independently by Electoral Reform Services (ERS) who are recognized worldwide as an independent scrutineer of voting. They are used most by UK local authorities to conduct their elections and authorized by the UK Parliament.
If a majority of those who vote say yes then the Trust will go ahead, however the Secretary of State still has a right of veto. This would probably only occur if there was a very low turnout, and/or the vote was very close. Here are few examples of recent housing stock transfer ballot results -
June
29
A few tenants have told us that they have misplaced their ballot papers. Don’t worry, if you call 0208 889 9203 and ask for a copy of the ballot pack for the ‘Newcastle City Council Byker Estate ballot – we’ll get another one sent out to you.
Just so you know what to expect an example of the ballot paper and the envelope can be seen in the image on this post.
You still have plenty of time to cast your vote, the ballot is open until noon on Thursday 21 July. Check out our page The Vote for more information.
June
27
Last Chance surgeries and meetings to ask any questions about the proposals for the Community Trust - come along and speak to someone from the Backing Byker team.
June
22
Marilyn Charlton was a long standing worker in Byker until she retired three years ago. She worked closely with the Byker community on manyprojects to try and improve the Estate – Marilyn said ‘During the twenty years I worked in Byker, I never ceased to be amazed by local people's commitment, imagination and enthusiasm for their area. The Trust will enable them to be fully involved in influencing what happens in Byker-I think it is a brilliant idea.’
June
17
Proposals to establish a Community Trust for Byker were the subject of a short radio piece on community radio station NE1 FM.
Backing Byker Officer Lewis Greener and Independent Tenants Advisor Eileen Adams took the opportunity to speak about the proposals in a pre-recorded piece, produced by Byker tenants Andrew Side and Michael Anderson.
June
16
Last chance event to come along and speak to people about the proposed Byker Trust before voting begins on Thursday 23 June.
