CAST has been formed to redress the political
imbalance in South Tyneside and to engage with
the very people who live with the direct
consequences of those political decisions.
Those whose are directly affected the most - seem
to be consulted the least...
In other words, that's YOU!
Now is the time for "Community-Driven, People-
Powered Change" in South Tyneside!
There’s a growing democratic deficit in South Tyneside.
In the May 2024 elections, turnout in seven out of the 18 council seats contested
recorded a turnout of under 30%, with Biddick & All Saints registering just over
23%*. Although low turnouts are part of a national trend and there are many
reasons behind low voter participation, in our borough, the most common
complaint is that South Tyneside Council is an unrepresentative, remote body,
failing to listen to or respond to resident’s concerns.
CAST believes that the Leader and Cabinet system, introduced via the Local
Government Act 2000, reinforces this problem. All policymaking power is
concentrated in the hands of 9 Labour Party councillors - the Leader of the council
and a hand selected team of 8 colleagues.
The other 45 councillors elected across South Tyneside have little to no input in
the decision-making process. All decisions are made by this cabinet of 9 Labour
Party councillors yet they only have 52%* of the overall vote share in the borough.
52% OF THE VOTE SHARE YET 100% OF THE DECISION-MAKING POWERS?
DO YOU THINK THAT’S DEMOCRATIC? NEITHER DO WE!
We aim to get around 5,500 signatures on our petition by the end of 2025.
Then South Tyneside Council will be obliged to hold a referendum on
switching to a more open, democratic committee system where all
councillors can take part in the decision—making process.
In April 2024, we put forward our Transforming Democracy in South Tyneside project to remodel political representation in South Tyneside. Our Transforming Democracy in South Tyneside roadshow will travel across the borough bringing the petition to a venue near you!
In the meantime, have your say in our public consultation survey here TOGETHER we CAN fix our broken system.
You can read our Press Release here
We’re
proud of
our ROOTS &
our borough
"Do you feel your voice is heard by the people who
govern South Tyneside?’’
GET CONNECTED
"So what are we proposing?"
START TO ACTION
"Would you like the chance to try to make sure it
is?"
GET ENGAGED
SIGN OUR
PETITION
FIND
YOUR
VOICE
NEXT SIGNING EVENTS
from 11AM
MILL LANE - WHITBURN
22/02/2025
CO OP
(formerly GREY HORSE)
TBC
TBC
TBC
08/03/2025
TBC
22/03/2025