Blyth Conservatives

01/04/2026

Blyth businessman Barry Elliott's firms criticised over care home fees and unfair dismissal.

19/03/2026

11/03/2026

Northumberland is open for business ✅

Northumberland County Council have approved a new long-term economic strategy to create up to 11,000 new jobs across Northumberland. The plan sets out how we grow our economy, support local businesses and attract new investment into Northumberland over the next decade.

For places like Blyth and the wider south east Northumberland area, this is particularly exciting. With the Port of Blyth, the expanding energy sector, new rail connections like the Northumberland Line and significant private investment arriving, our area is becoming a real hub for jobs, innovation and opportunity.

Under the leadership of our Leader Glen Sanderson, Deputy Leader Richard Wearmouth, and Cabinet Member for Finance Nick Oliver, the Conservative administration has already spent years securing major infrastructure and investment for the county. This strategy builds on that work and sets a clear direction for continued growth.

Northumberland is already seeing major confidence from global investors. The £10 billion data centre development at Cambois is one of the biggest investments the North East has ever seen and shows that major international companies see huge potential here.

Alongside this, the council is planning to launch a Northumberland Growth Fund worth up to £110 million, designed to help support businesses, encourage innovation and unlock further investment right across our county.

The strategy focuses on strengthening our traditional industries such as agriculture, tourism, food and drink production and advanced manufacturing, while also supporting fast-growing sectors like clean energy, technology and digital infrastructure.

Most importantly, the strategy is about ensuring that economic growth benefits all parts of Northumberland, creating good jobs, supporting local businesses and building a strong, resilient economy for the future.

Northumberland has huge strengths our people, our businesses, our landscape and our communities and with the right leadership and long-term vision, our administration is putting Northumberland firmly on the map as a place where businesses can grow and invest.

Exciting times ahead. 🌍📈

https://trib.al/BaBNX1R

27/02/2026

Weekdate Report – Friday 27th February 2026

It’s been another busy week across South Blyth and dare I say it… does anyone else feel it’s not quite as cold anymore?

We’re slowly saying goodbye to winter and edging into spring. The daffodils are popping up all across the ward and the evenings are getting lighter and lighter.

💡 Saturday: Out and about reporting casework, including street lights that were out on the Rotary roundabout.

🚆 Sunday: Promoted the opening of Northumberland Park Station on the Northumberland Line and looked into works taking place on Fulmar Drive. The launch of Northumberland Park is great news we can now access the Metro from there rather than heading all the way to Central Station. Just one more station to go and the Northumberland Line is complete.

📋 Monday to Wednesday: Focused on casework and progressing resident issues.

🏛️ Thursday: Attended the Accommodation Working Group and the Environment Committee at Blyth Town Council. At the Environment meeting we discussed several topics, including defibrillators across Blyth. A policy will now be adopted requiring regular reviews of their condition. I proposed a shorter review cycle, given how quickly technology advances and I expect that pace to continue over the next few years.

🚴 Friday: Got back out properly around the ward but not on foot this time… this was a Ward Cycle. Cycling around South Blyth allows me to cover more streets, check drains for blockages, spot maintenance issues and generally keep an eye on things, all while keeping fit at the same time. Today I was scanning drains in particular to make sure none were blocked after the recent weather.

Next week is a very exciting one for Blyth as the Festival of Energy comes to town. I’m really looking forward to the events and the promotion it brings. It always makes me proud to see Blyth leading the way in what is a natural evolution of our energy future.

As always, look after each other and stay safe.

Daniel

12/02/2026

MY PROPOSAL TO BLYTH TOWN COUNCIL.

Dear Town Council Members,

I am writing to submit a detailed request that the Town Council formally considers freezing the town council precept element of council tax for the NEXT TWO FINANCIAL YEARS.

Residents continue to face sustained financial pressure from multiple directions. Over the past few years, household costs have increased significantly, including energy bills, food prices, fuel, mortgage and rent payments, insurance premiums, and general day to day living expenses.

While inflation rates may fluctuate year to year, the cumulative effect on household budgets remains substantial. Many working families, pensioners on fixed incomes, and vulnerable residents are still adjusting to higher baseline costs and reduced disposable income.

As elected representatives, we are voted in by the people to represent their interests and to act in response to their real-world concerns.

A consistent message from residents is that affordability and household costs remain a top priority. Freezing the precept for two years would show that we are listening and acting responsibly on their behalf, not simply increasing charges by default but making deliberate, people-focused decisions.

Although the town council precept is only one portion of the overall council tax bill, it is the most locally visible and directly controlled element.
Freezing it for two years would send a strong and
ractical message that the Council recognises the strain on residents and is prepared to take action within its own powers. Even relatively small annual increases compound over time, particularly for households already balancing rising essential costs.

There are several practical reasons why a two-year freeze is both reasonable and responsible. A precept freeze provides predictable household budgeting stability during ongoing cost-of-living pressures. It demonstrates financial discipline and prioritisation within the Council’s spending plans. It encourages internal efficiency reviews and value-for-money assessments across projects and operational costs. It builds public trust and transparency by showing that increases are not automatic but carefully justified. It also allows time to pursue alternative funding sources such as grants, partnerships, shared services, and phased capital delivery instead of immediate tax rises.

I recognise that the Council must maintain service standards and meet its statutory and community obligations. However, before any increase is considered, I respectfully suggest that a full expenditure efficiency audit is carried out, non-essential capital projects are deferred or phased where appropriate, external grant funding and regional support schemes are actively pursued, shared procurement or joint service arrangements are reviewed, reserves policy is examined to ensure balances are proportionate and strategically used, and residents are consulted on spending priorities compared with precept levels.

A time-limited two-year freeze is not a permanent restriction. It is a measured response to current economic realities and public expectation. It would allow the Council to reassess conditions after that period using updated financial forecasts and resident feedback.

I respectfully ask that this proposal be formally tabled for discussion and that financial modelling for a two-year freeze scenario be presented alongside any proposed increase options so that elected members and the public can make a fully informed comparison.

Thank you for your consideration and for your continued service to the community.

Yours faithfully,

Councillor Brian Erskine
Cowpen ward
Blyth

03/02/2026

Exciting news, something new is going to be announced in Blyth soon? We wonder hmmm

✅ One of the things I love about Blyth is its role as one of the UK’s most important energy towns, and now into what comes next. We’re seeing serious investment, serious interest, and serious opportunities landing here because Blyth has the skills, the space, and the history of getting things done. Which is why we were put into this position to lead.

Watching our town being part of that journey, and making sure Blyth is at the front of the conversation rather than watching from the sidelines, is something I’m genuinely proud of.

Blyth is leading the way and I’m very excited for a big announcement coming very soon 👀

26/01/2026

Fantastic news Daniel! 🙌 🚆

🚆 The Northumberland Line has now officially surpassed one million passengers and expectations have completely outperformed to the point where trains are so busy that we now need more carriages! This is a monumental achievement and a clear example of what the Conservative administration set out to do, take what many dismissed as a distant dream and turn it into a fully functioning, heavily used railway that is transforming how we’re travelling across Northumberland.

I’ve been proud to champion this project locally from the outset, raising it time and again in meetings, pushing for progress, and keeping residents regularly updated as the line moved from plans, to construction, to trains running.

✅The Northumberland Line works
✅ It’s popular
✅ It’s growing

The success demands that we match ambition with:

✅ More carriages
✅ More services
✅ More expansion

Because this is exactly what success looks like 👍

23/01/2026

🚆 Northumberland Line – 1 Million Passengers 🚆

It was great to be at Bebside today to celebrate a huge milestone for the Northumberland Line.

This achievement really shows just how important the line already is for our communities, helping people get to work, education, leisure and match days, and reconnecting towns across south east Northumberland.

Alongside fellow councillors Cllr Eve Chicken and Cllr Rob Forsyth, we discussed the line’s incredible popularity and the very real issue of busy, jam-packed services, particularly on match days. Work is ongoing with Northern to explore additional carriages, which would make a big difference to passenger comfort and capacity as well as Northumberland County Council exploring the options for expanding Newsham car park, which would ensure more reliability for residents using the service.

There was also positive discussion around the future of the line, including the potential for further extension and what that could mean for our area.

During his speech, Councillor Glen Sanderson, leader of the council, announced that the next station to open will be Northumberland Park which will open on 22nd February, this is another exciting step forward.

The Northumberland Line is a real success story and today was a great moment to celebrate how far it’s already come.

07/01/2026

Another positive bit of news for Blyth

Energy Central Campus is thrilled to announce that RWE, a world-leading renewable energy company, has renewed its Platinum Business Sponsorship for a further year, reaffirming a shared commitment to ECC’s mission of developing the clean energy workforce of the future.

The renewed sponsorship builds on the strong relationship first established with RWE’s Sofia Offshore Wind Farm, which became a Platinum Business Sponsor during the early development of ECC. This continuation reflects RWE’s wider, long-term commitment to investing in skills and talent that will support the growth of the clean energy sector.

Martin Lawlor OBE, Chair of ECC, commented: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with RWE. Their ongoing support demonstrates the importance of industry leadership in shaping the skills and training required to meet the needs of the clean energy sector, both now and in the future. RWE’s continued engagement as a Platinum Business Sponsor is invaluable in ensuring our provision remains industry-led, relevant and impactful.”

ECC is a unique skills partnership between the Port of Blyth, Northumberland County Council, and the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, with a mission to create the pipeline of talent required for the expanding clean energy sector, at the same time, inspiring, training, and delivering pathways to employment for the local community.

ECC is part of the £95m Energising Blyth regeneration programme to grow, renew, and connect the town. It is being delivered by Northumberland County Council and funded by the UK Government, Northumberland County Council and North East Combined Authority, with support from other partners.

Read more here: www.energycentralcampus.co.uk/news/rwe-renews-platinum-sponsorship-of-energy-central-campus-reinforcing-commitment-to-clean-energy-skills

06/01/2026

Really positive news for Blyth as Marks and Spencer has confirmed it is looking at new locations across the North East for future stores This would be a huge boost for our town and would complement the investment happening in Blyth. Marks & Spencer we are open for business and would proudly welcome you. 👏

31/12/2025

Happy New Year to all our members 🎉 As we head into a new year, we want to say a sincere thank you for your support. Our Conservative councillors in Blyth: Caitlin, Brian and Daniel have been working hard in their wards dealing with casework, standing up for residents and supporting local grous. In 2026 they’ll continue to be visible, approachable and active in their communities, pushing for practical improvements and making sure residents’ voices are heard.

We wish you and your families a happy, healthy and positive New Year, and we look forward to continuing to work hard for Blyth together. 🎆