Action Groups Update - October 2024
Transport and Active Travel Action Group
Government plans to give local authorities more powers to franchise bus services, or run them directly, may not make much difference in the Berwick area. There is no competition for lucrative routes and all local services depend on NCC subsidies for viability. Reliable information and buses that run at convenient times are more important locally. (DS)
BTC have adopted our proposal for Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) at Golden Square and the Railway Station. They are submitting this as a priority for NCC LTP capital funding but it will have to compete with projects from all over the county. Schemes from the south of the county tend to have priority as they serve a larger population. (DS)
The £2 bus fare does not appear to apply on some Borders services even when a route is entirely in England. This type of uncertainty may lead to lower use of existing services. To be followed up with Borders Buses.
According to 2021 census data, 40% of people living in urban areas of Berwick, don’t have access to a car. Improving bus services and safe cycle routes are important for inclusion as well as environmental reasons. (DS)
It has been suggested that lack of public transport makes it difficult for some Berwick traders to attract and employ staff. Monica has prepared a questionnaire, for distribution through the Chamber of Trade, to gauge the extent of this problem.
Growing Communities Action Group
4 apple trees have been ordered for the Library bed – they will be espaliered to make room for other plants and for easy picking. But currently there is a lack of water – asking NCC to access water from a building downpipe to a water butt, The Foul Ford beds are looking good, and one has a new crab apple tree donated. Information was shared during the U3A walk around.
Berwick Community Trust (BCT) administers a fund called Nourish that this group could apply to. E.g. Nourish funds assisted Wooler Allotments to get connected to mains water.
Tweed Estuary Pollution Action Group
Ongoing monitoring of micro algae continues.
Warm Homes Action Group
Will readvertise the NEA course – still seeking an applicant
The scale of retrofitting insulation of homes needs to increase significantly if UK is to meet climate targets (DS)
Aspiration would be to spend time in somewhere like the Greenses door knocking to discuss approaches to warm homes and reducing energy bills – it would be good to get a local community ambassador.
Citizen’s Advice have trained energy advisers based in Ashington – this group can refer to if people have problems with winter fuel payments ending.
A Greener Berwick Home energy advice service would complement, not compete with, existing services.
BCT are happy to provide a room for an energy advice service, and can also help with client budgeting advice.
Zero Waste Hub Action Group
The monthly Repair Cafe has now been running for a year, and goes from strength to strength, increasing in popularity and has repeat customers as well as new ones every month. A half year report was submitted to Town Council and full year reports will be written for BTC and NCC in line with funding given.
Repairers: some have moved on; others have been recruited. New skills offered e.g. Jewellery. We need a recruitment drive for more repairers - for electrics, mechanical, general maintenance, and blade sharpening.
Bike Maintenance Demonstration workshop – by Tim Astley 21 Sept. 7 participated (space for 10), very well received by participants.
Bike Surgery workshop Saturday 23rd November 1-4 Spittal Community Centre. Tim Astley will do minor repairs and offer advice. People will choose hourly time slots. Publicity will go out last week of October, and people interested should contact repaircafe@greenerberwick.org.uk
Sewing workshops x 2: Liz and Jo organising.
The setting up of the tool library is progressing.
Colin reported on the NCC meeting on recycling plastics – panel of 5 with 20 in attendance. The Suez contract for the Berwick recycling centre was for 25 years and has another 12 to go – so almost impossible to make any changes. There is a big gap between personal waste and trade waste – there should be a category for community waste,- implication for taking in waste with the cargo bike - (DS). Northumberland only recycle two types of plastics, while other counties recycle up to 7 types. The National directives on kerbside collections for glass and food will be difficult because of the huge size of Northumberland county and relative scarcity of population. (DS)
