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Rapid responses from LIFE team
An important aspect of the success of Newbiggin LIFE – which has become a role model for another initiative in East Ashington and ultimately the remainder of Wansbeck – has been the decision to base a multi-task service delivery team in the village.
As part of the team a rapid-response crew has also been formed to tackle issues and concerns on a day-to-day basis in and around Newbiggin.
Resources of more than £2m were secured from Neighbourhood Element funding for the Newbiggin team and another based in East Ashington, as well being as supported with funding from Wansbeck Council’s mainstream budget.
The Newbiggin team – operating from the former caretaker’s bungalow at Newbiggin Sports and Community Centre – now runs local housing and tenancy support services as well as being staffed by enforcement officers, estate caretakers, parks and green space rangers and wardens and youth workers.
Between them they can rapidly respond to concerns over untidy or littered streets; problems of dog-fouling, graffiti, dog fouling or anti-social behaviour; as well as dealing with housing requests from Newbiggin tenants.
The Newbiggin team also works closely with other agencies such as the Police, and has the use of a mini-sweeper and an electric vehicle which the park force wardens use to get around the village.
Above: Heather Ashburnerhas just been appointed as Newbiggin LIFE’s Community Support 0fficer in Newbiggin.
Right: Mobile and responsive - the Newbiggin-based NET team.
