Key Facts and Structure
Overview
North Tyneside is a metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear in the North East of England, created on the 1st April 1974, by the merging together of the County Borough of Tynemouth, with the borough of Wallsend, part of the borough of Whitley Bay, the urban district of Longbenton and part of the urban district of Seaton Valley. We currently employ 6000 full time staff and 3,200 part time staff across the region.
In March 2004 the Council formally adopted a Local Code of Corporate Governance. This is the framework by which the Council is accountable to its users, stakeholders and the wider community. Within this framework, the Council takes decisions and leads and controls its functions to achieve its objectives.
We are an innovative authority, with a clear aim to put residents at the heart of everything we do. Our national reputation and commitment to continuous improvement are illustrated by our contribution to the CAA pilot and our lead on nine national initiatives and record government grant aid over the last year.
Finance
Currently the Council is in a strong and healthy financial position with the general fund balance remaining intact at £6.5m and with the total reserves and balances projected to over £42m at the end of 2009/10. The 2009/10 spending plans propose a total general net revenue budget of £168.8m (excluding schools). This represents an increase of £3.2million or £1.9 percent for the annual allocation. In addition a dedicated school grant will be given of £107.7m - a cash increase of £2.7m (2.6 %) or a 3.6 percent increase per pupil.
Political Composition
Unlike most English districts, we are led by a Directly Elected Mayor, who is currently Linda Arkley, elected in June 2009. Our Council is elected “in thirds”, with one Councillor from each three-member ward elected each year for the first three years, the mayoral election being held on the fourth year. With three Councillors elected from each of 20 wards, there are 60 Councillors in total within North Tyneside Council. At present there are 59 Councillors, pending a By-Election (Preston Ward). There is no election in the fourth year (2013).
Following the Council Elections held on Thursday 4th June 2009, the political composition of the Council is now:
Conservative: 30
Labour: 21
Liberal Democrats: 8
Pending By-Election (Preston Ward): 1
Total: 60
Please follow the link to view more information on our Political makeup.
