Each ward in Newcastle upon Tyne has a committee which meets on a regular basis. It's purpose is to inform residents about issues that are relevant to them and gain feedback from them about what is happening in their area.
The Ward Committee is made up of the three councillors elected in the ward. The committee works closely with the Ward Coordinator, external partners and council officers to get things done to improve your area. Anyone is welcome to attend a Ward Committee meeting.
To find out about your next Ward Committee meeting go to our Where You Live Webpage.
Ward Coordinators' role in the Ward Committee
Ward Coordinators are the lead officers for the Ward Committee
This role involves:
Organising suitable meeting venues taking into account needs of local people e.g. those with hearing or physical impairment
Work with local councillors to identify and agree agenda items appropriate to the local community
Ensuring relevant officers and other organisations working in the ward attend meetings
Pulling together reports and community information to go on the agenda
Organising transport and childcare for residents who request it
Ensuring all issues raised by residents at the previous meeting have been followed up and feedback can be given
Briefing the councillors on issues that may be raised and making them aware of any funding applications
Receiving, assessing and giving recommendations on funding applications
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Publicising committee meetings on local notice boards and places that local people go to such as community centres, leisure centres and shops.
Ensuring that a wide variety of residents attend meetings and give their views such as older and younger people, people with disabilities, parents, carers and many more
Recent Changes to Ward Committees
Ward Coordinators are also taking the lead role in revamping the way in which Ward Committees engage with local people. This is being done to encourage more people to participate in their ward and to gather a wide cross section of views from everyone living in the area. Below are examples of different kinds of meetings that will be taking place in your ward.
These meetings are organised by the Ward Coordinator. The themes are chosen based on what issues have arisen from previous meetings or in other consultation carried out in the community.
Some of the themes that have been discussed are:
Older People's Issues
Young People's Issues
Regeneration
Community Safety
Transport
Themed meetings are less formal and can involve working groups, or doing other activities to share your views in alternative ways. To find out when your next themed meeting is taking place please contact your Ward Coordinator.
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This is an opportunity for residents to speak to council officers or people from other organisations working in the ward on a one to one basis. these meetings are often held before the Ward Committee starts or they may be held separately.
Officers that might attend these meetings include:
The Police
Neighbourhood Response Manager (Neighbourhood Services)
Your Homes Newcastle
Street Wardens
Private Rented Project
Highways and Transport Officers
Any other organisations as appropriate
If you raise any issue it will be entered onto a database by your Ward Coordinator. They will give the issue a timescale to be completed by and an officer responsible for looking into it. Your Coordinator will then be responsible for ensuring that the issue is followed up by that officer. A report will appear on the next ward committee agenda to residents of progress relating to the issue.
For more details of your next drop in or carousel meeting contact your Ward Coordinator.
Example 1: A resident had moved onto her estate recently and was keen to meet other people living in the area. She received notification of a Ward Committee meeting being held in the local church and decided to go along. The committee was holding a themed meeting on crime and community safety. Officers from the council and other organisations such as the police were involved in the themed meeting and the resident was able to ask them questions on a one to one basis. The resident found the meeting very informal and relaxed and was able to meet local people find out more information about her local area.
Example 2: A group of residents noticed that cars were parking on double yellow lines on their street. They felt that this was causing a hazard to other drivers and making it difficult for pedestrians to use the pavement. They went along to their next Ward Committee and reported the problem under ‘matters of local concern’. The Ward Coordinator agreed to look into the problem and report back to the residents. The Coordinator contacted the police and notified them of the number plates and models of the cars causing the problem. The police were able to contact the people concerned and warn them not to park there any more. At the next Ward Committee meeting the residents reported that the cars were no longer parking on the double yellow lines.
Example 3: Residents living on an estate were keen to start a tenant’s and residents group but unsure of how to go about it. They went to their next Ward Committee meeting and told the Ward Coordinator about this. The Ward Coordinator took their contact details and got in touch with the Tenants Federation, an organisation who can support people to form a residents’ group. They also contacted the community development team who are also able to support groups in their early stages of development. The group decided to go ahead and were supported by the Tenants Federation and a community development worker for the first few months until they were able to work effectively on their own.
Example 4: A group of residents asked if it was possible to get feedback 
from groups that had benefited from Ward Committee funding in the last year. At the end of the financial year the Ward Coordinator wrote out to all groups who had received money from the Ward Committee and asked them to complete a form to provide information on the project that was funded. Groups were encouraged to send photographs, publicity material or any other documents explaining what they had done. The Ward Coordinator presented a report to the Ward Committee giving an overview of how Grant Aid had been spent. They also arranged a display of material sent from the groups so everyone attending the Ward Committee could see what projects had been supported.