Artograffi #153
Why we met the boss of Northumberland County Council and what we found out
l-r: Glen Sanderson (Leader of Northumberland County Council); Guy Renner-Thompson (Councillor for Children’s Services); James Andriot (Head of JCSC) with Artograffi
When we saw that the plans for our new school had been changed, we decided to ask the people responsible for making the decisions. We were hyped when Councillor Glen Sanderson who is Leader of Northumberland County Council offered to come and meet us, together with Councillor Guy Renner-Thompson, and some of the team. We decided to take the opportunity to find out more about him and what he does.
Eden: What was it like when you were growing up in Northumberland?
Glen Sanderson: I’ve lived near Felton nearly all my life. I’m a farmer. I spent some time in America and went to university there. Then I worked for Farmer’s Weekly magazine. I wrote an article about someone I didn’t like. They complained and I lost my job.
Skylar: Did you like school? What was your favourite subject?
Yes I loved school. I went to Felton First School, then to a boarding school in Gosforth but I didn’t like boarding. Then I went to a different school. (He later told us this was the same school where the actor who played Hagrid in Harry Potter went.) I believe the more you work at school, the more you ask questions, it’s the best way to get on in life. My favourite subjects were History and English.
Indie: What was your dream when you were younger?
My dream was to have children and a close happy family.
Maisie: Why did you want to become a county councillor?
The county council closed a road! There was an opencast coal site near where I lived and the council closed the road without telling anyone. I didn’t want that to happen again. I enjoy helping people and I wanted to join so I could get things done for the people I represent.
Nina: Tell us about your job; are you the boss, and do you get to decide what happens?
Guy Renner-Thompson: Glen is the boss, but he doesn’t make all the decisions. Councillors are advised by the council officers. But it’s the councillors you elect who make the final decision, although they have a team behind them.
Issy: What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do as Leader of Northumberland County Council?
GS: There’s been a range of difficult things. Sometimes deciding on a way forward that’s not always what people want, but you feel it’s right. It’s never been a huge problem. I try to talk things through, try to find a compromise.
5,300 people work for NCC; every decision you make counts. We have £1billion spend per year. More people are getting older, they need more care. People with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) need extra care. There are increasing costs to NCC and we have to pay staff the right amount.
Artograffi met with Northumberland County Councillors and officers involved with the new school build
Indie: What is your favourite part of Amble?
GRT: Food, Amble has fantastic restaurants.
GS: I love the sounds at the Marina, of the boats and the rigging.
Esme: What would you do for Amble if you had £100 million to spend here?
GS: If we had that amount of money – I wish we had, I would build a new Leisure Centre.
Nina: What’s the naughtiest thing you did as a young person?
No-one would go on record to answer this, although GS and GRT admitted that when they were young they had sometimes been naughty boys.
Read here to find out what we learned about the new school build
What’s happening at the Welfare?
We all went to visit the Welfare and we were very disappointed that the playground surface has been damaged for the third time after repairing it. Also we found that the see saw is broken. People think its okay and only they use the park, but it’s for everyone. We need to keep the park safe and use it respectfully, as if this keeps happening the park will be closed and we won’t be able to use it.
The surface at the Welfare playground has been damaged again
“I think it’s unfair that the kids who are destroying it don’t have to face consequences, whereas there are people who want to play there and have to put up with what they’ve done. It’s not an enjoyable place when it gets destroyed.” says Issy.
Julia Aston from Amble Development Trust said “It is so disappointing this has happened again. It cost £70,000 to replace the damaged play surface last time. There won’t be any more money to replace it and should the play area become dangerous then it would have to be closed.”
How to book the Playzone
The Welfare Playzone should be open for booking via mobile phone by the time you read this.
Matthew Connolly from Amble Development Trust said “We’ve worked with the Football Foundation and NCC to get the signage installed so people can scan a QR code to book the new Playzone.
“They’ll be able to play netball, football, basketball, dodgeball etc. Booking will guarantee you the court at a specific time. It will be £10 per hour. There can be long term booking for clubs such as walking football, walking netball etc, or for parties. Alternatively, the MUGA will remain free to use on the usual first come first served basis.”
Amble Welfare Playzone
We found out you can book the Playzone right now via this link: tinyurl.com/ambleplayzone
Personally we think although you have to rent the Playzone, people will climb over the fence and sneak in.
By Eden and Issy
