Plans to open warm spaces across Newcastle this winter will be confirmed within weeks, under-pressure council bosses have pledged.
City bosses have been urged to follow North East neighbours in creating a network of buildings where struggling residents can go to stay warm over the coming months, as they grapple with rising energy and food bills. Newcastle’s Liberal Democrat opposition recently called for empty shops in Eldon Square to be utilised and accused the city council last week of being too slow to take action.
Lib Dem leader Nick Cott told a full council meeting last Wednesday that “more tangible” help was needed and claimed the council was guilty of “silo working and a lack of coordination” in its efforts to tackle the cost of living crisis. Coun Cott added: “Substance, I think you will agree, is more important than warm words and blaming the Government for all the problems is not enough, particularly as Labour has been in power since 2011 in the city.”
