Derek Kennedy

Radio 4 – Any Questions

derekkennedy — Sat, 12 May 2012 21:53:36 +0000

Radio 4 Any Questions program takes place in Hexham Abbey on Friday 18th May, if you are interested in attending please contact me for details. Thanks. Derek Kennedy

Hexham Town Council Monday 14 May

derekkennedy — Sat, 12 May 2012 21:51:21 +0000

Hexham Town Council monthly meeting takes place on Monday 14th May at 6:45 in Prospect House Hexham. All welcome.

Old Grammar School at auction

derekkennedy — Sat, 12 May 2012 20:34:03 +0000

The Old Grammar School in Hexham, Northumberland, is on the catalogue for the May 14 auction of Lambert Smith Hampton at Claridge’s. The distinctive Grade II-listed building has been given a reserve price of £450,000, although the bidding could go higher than that figure. Northumberland County Council has failed to sell any of the four prize town-centre buildings – also including Prospect House, Hexham House and the Old Swimming Pool – since putting them on the open market in October 2010. But Hexham Lib Dem councillor Derek Kennedy said: “If the London auction is successful, it could pave the way for the other three to also go to auction. It would certainly be an option, though the others are still on the market. It is better to have one property for auction now rather than have four competing against each other, which would saturate the market. But we are testing the water here, and seeing what is out there.” The county council hoped to sell the four properties, but has been unable to attract a suitable buyer for any of them, despite drawing in 11 separate bids under the formal tender process, by which secret, sealed offers are made. Coun Kennedy defended the £450,000 reserve price put on the Old Grammar School, which is lower than many estimates of its value. He said: “That is the bare minimum figure – hopefully, we will get more than that. Anybody who wants to develop it has got to have a lot of work done – and a lot of money.” In May last year, outgoing Hexham Mayor Coun Terry Robson urged the sale of the four properties for “the best reasonable offer” to stimulate the local economy. Coun Kennedy added: “As a council, we have tried to market these buildings through estate agents and the like but, unfortunately, we just haven’t had the right offers. We have taken a period of time to allow the market to dictate but, unfortunately, we haven’t had the right people come in with a good price. It’s a depressed, flat economy, and the next step was to take it to auction.”

The Lambert Smith Hampton catalogue describes the Old Grammar School as suitable for residential or holiday let conversion. The elegant building on Hallgate was founded by Royal Charter in 1599 and has been a grammar school since 1684. A detached two-storey building with 15-place car park, it presently houses the council’s west area planning offices. Hexham House and the Old Swimming Pool are now unused, but Prospect House, adjacent to the Old Grammar School, is still used for meetings and functions. We have tried to market these buildings through estate agents but, unfortunately, we just haven’t had the right offers

Hexham Racecourse Wind Turbine Application

derekkennedy — Sat, 05 May 2012 10:22:32 +0000

OPPOSITION is mounting to a planned wind turbine on high ground overlooking the Tyne Valley. The 51-metre turbine close to Hexham Racecourse would be visible for miles around, and has split opinion among the local community. A decision on the fate of the turbine was to be made Ist May but this has been deferred until later by Northumberland County Council’s planning and environment committee. Hexham Lib Dem councillor Derek Kennedy, although not a member of the planning committee, will speak on behalf of objectors. But a recommendation for approval has been made by planning officers who say the benefits of the 225kw turbine would outweigh the “minimal impact” and “slight harm” to the Green Belt. Hexham’s Conservative led Town Council supported the application.

Racecourse chief executive Charles Enderby insists the larger turbine is necessary to supply their needs. But Coun Kennedy says a smaller model with less visual affect from the hilltop site overlooking the valley would be adequate.

Coun Kennedy said: “If they had gone for a 20-metre turbine, similar to others in the area, it would have been enough. The racecourse also has a massive south-facing roof and with solar panels on there it could have generated that amount. This is right at the top of the hill and one kilometre away from the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. When you consider that the Angel of the North is 20m high, and this is two and a half times that height, it gives you an idea of the impact it will have. I have had many people coming to me with objections. I share their concerns, and I shall be speaking on their behalf. The racecourse has around 14 meetings per year and therefore their energy requirements are limited so a smaller scheme in my view would be sufficient. Ironically the turbine will be switched off on race days as it could frighten the horses during the competition. I am surprised that Conservative led Hexham Town Council failed to make any comments on this application and just nodded it through. This is a significant structure and the application required scrutiny, it does make you wonder why this was not the case.”

Louise Johnson, of Dotland Farm, Hexham, says the turbine will be visible from her home two miles away. She said: “The general feeling is it could be smaller. We are not opposed to that kind of energy, but there are a lot of farms around here which will be affected. Our objections are that it is on Green Belt and is very high, so it is going to be seen over quite a large radius. There are eight residences within 1km and numerous others within 1.5km, including two residential housing estates. It will be visible from the Bridge End entrance into Hexham from the A69 and from a point to the right of the Abbey roof. After reading the application, I didn’t think the planning officers would put it forward for approval – but they have.”

Mr Enderby insists wind turbine energy is essential for the future of the racecourse in the face of a sizeable drop in Levy Board income. Solar panels had been considered but found to be inadequate. Yesterday, Mr Enderby said: “The smaller wind turbine that is being suggested by objectors would generate much less than we require. We have to have a really substantial turbine in order to generate the amount of power that we need. The larger turbine is essential for what we need, and the smaller one simply would not be enough to meet our needs.”
Read More http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2012/05/01/opposition-mounts-to-hexham-racecourse-wind-turbine-61634-30873098/#ixzz1tzPsh91t

Tynedale Lions Tree Planting

derekkennedy — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 15:00:24 +0000

Picture: Councillor Derek Kennedy with Tynedale Lions President Anne Rooke planting trees at Highford Park, Hexham.

AN early taste of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee has come to Hexham with the planting of 120 trees.

The planting was arranged by Tynedale Lions, as part of the ambitious project by the Lions worldwide to grow six and a half million trees as their contribution to improving the world environment.

The trees were supplied by the Woodland Trust, a national organisation committed to planting some four and a half million trees to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee this year.

http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk/news/news-at-a-glance/jubilee-celebrations-take-root-1.944690?referrerPath=home/2.3307

Hexham Abbey Visitor Centre

derekkennedy — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 09:43:08 +0000

Speaking at the County Council planning meeting, Councillor Derek Kennedy supported Hexham Abbey’s planning application to convert the former monastic workshops and magistrates court in to a state of the art heritage and visitors centre with community facilities. Councillor Kennedy said “While the closure of the magistrates court was a bad blow for the town, these buildings will be put to good use as part of the Hexham Abbey complex. I am delighted to support Hexham Abbey and its development which will bring tremendous benefits for the town.” Canon Graham Usher told Councillors “There has been massive public support. We want to provide a range of functions and facilities which makes it economically viable.” The monastic buildings which adjoin the Norman Abbey were taken from it in 1537 by King Hendy VIII. The County Council is gifting the property to the Hexham Abbey as part of the development.

Byelection – Thank you

derekkennedy — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 09:10:21 +0000

Lis Banks and the Hexham Liberal Democrats would like to thank everyone who voted in the Hexham Gilesgate byelection. The byelection which cost the taxpayer around £2,000 was caused by the resignation of the Conservative Councillor for failing to attend council meetings. In a keen contest the Conservatives retained the seat.

Tyne Green car parking

derekkennedy — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:15:45 +0000

Derek Kennedy and family on Tyne Green, Hexham.

Speaking at the Tyne Green Hexham car parking meeting on Saturday 14 April, Councillor Jeff Reid Leader of Northumberland County Council said “Consultation on the County Council’s car parking strategy ran for several months. The strategy helps manage traffic flows in our towns. The Liberal Democrats have introduced an annual car parking pass for £110 this is £70 cheaper than the Conservative Tynedale Council charge of £180. In May 2012 we are introducing a Shoppers Permit which at £15 for two years provides residents with 5 hours a day free parking in council owned car parks in Hexham and other Northumberland towns. The new Civil Enforcement will tackle illegal car parking on our streets. Councillor Derek Kennedy and I have been talking to the Council and we are looking for a solution to Tyne Green as soon as possible.”

Councillor Derek Kennedy said at the public meeting “I bring my children to Tyne Green every week and am a former member of the golf club. I’m championing the car parking issues in County Council. I have proposed a solution for Tyne Green which would allow those who have the new Shoppers Permit to have all day free parking at Tyne Green. However I think we do need to keep a small charge for non-residents, currently £1.50 a day, so we can manage visitors and prevent unathorised overnight parking. We’ve had issues with caravans, horses and vandals digging up the golf course. Tyne Green parking charges brings in around £10,000 pa which is a relatively small sum. We recognise this area as recreational, people don’t use it to shop in the town. We will continue to support the rowing regatta and other events. The charging issue has been an oversight and it was not brought up at the Hexham car parking consultation in January or by the Town Council. We were so focused on the town centre matters we missed the implication for Tyne Green. I look forward to a positive solution in the coming few weeks.”

Lis Banks for Hexham Gilesgate

derekkennedy — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 08:01:09 +0000

Lis Banks for Hexham Gilesgate

A by-election is to take place in Hexham Gilesgate ward on Thursday 19 April. The Conservative Councillor resigned due to her poor attendance at the Hexham Town Council meetings.

The people of Gilesgate ward have not been properly represented for the last few years and it is time to put things right.

Lis Banks is the Liberal Democrats candidate and wants to join the successful and hard working Lib Dem Councillors currently serving on the Town Council, Councillors Derek Kennedy, Judy Lloyd and Andy Travis.

Lis Banks is retired and lives in Hexham. She has two children and two grandchildren. Her daughter is a Professor living in Newcastle and her son lives in Bangkok. An interesting career led her into the insurance and newspaper industries providing valuable life experiences.

A former councillor she has vast experience of representing people and tackling the establishment. Lis attends fitness classes at the Torch Centre, Hexham, she is also a member of a book club and organises a current affairs discussion group.

Tynedale Electricity Monitor Library

derekkennedy — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:01:33 +0000

Photo: Councillor Derek Kennedy and Debbie Reed with the Eco-eye

Councillor Derek Kennedy is the latest customer of the Eco-eye electricity monitor which can be borrowed in Tynedale. The Eco-eye device lets you see how much electricity you are using and gives you an indication of what each of your electrical items uses in Kilo watts.

Derek Kennedy said “This is a simple way for you to monitor your electricity usage and of course the cost. It did surprise me the amount of electricity used to boil the kettle. I certainly will be putting less water in the kettle from now on when I want a cup of coffee! This is a really good project and I support it wholeheartedly, it does make you very conscious of your energy usage and it does make you switch off unnecessary lighting.”

Debbie Reed who provided the loan of the monitor to Councillor Kennedy said “The monitors can be borrowed from Hexham Regeneration Office, “Number 28″, 28 Derwent Road, Hexham NE46 1DJ, telephone 01434 605553.” The Tynedale Electricity Monitor Library is supported by Hexham Community Partnership, Northumberland County Council and Transition Tynedale.