Luke John Frost

I have heard that the proposed change of units at Lanehouse Road Shops has been granted on appeal. Obviously I am gutted to say the least. I attended the Planning Meeting and submitted further comments to try and stop this application from being given the green light. Unfortunately you can't win them all and sadly what it means for the area is a further two takeaways will be opening right next door to each other, on a parade of shops that already has 5 fast food premises in that location, with a further 3 in close proximity.  So that means there will now be 10 takeaways within a 5 minute walk and well over 30 takeaways within a 15 minute walk. Sadly there was a lack of representation from our elected Mandale and Victoria representatives, despite one of them sitting on the planning committee. Personally I feel this should have been thrown out on the grounds of saturation and the proximity to two local primary schools, sadly Stockton Council is yet to adopt health grounds as...

I fully understand that local authorities have been forced into a position where they need to make savings and due to the situation forced upon them "difficult decisions" need to be made. However, I am also a person who recognises that within local authorities there is a lot of financial waste due to failed proposals, reports and also in the energy and man power of those who are tasked to carry out the wishes of those elected to represent the wider community (Use that term loosely) Failed ideas drawn up on the back of a beer mat has cost local authorities millions of pounds and because of this council tax has risen, year upon year. Here on Teesside we currently have over 30,000 children living in poverty and the newly released data has come at a time where local authorities are drawing up plans to move youth provision into the voluntary sector and in doing so will make savings of millions that has otherwise been dumped in the gutter. Replacing it instead with pea...

New research shows that there is over 30,000 children living in Poverty on Teesside after housing costs. The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) and End Child Poverty have revealed the true extent of "Breadline Britain" and here on Teesside 33,832 children are living below that line. For a while I have been following reports and looking at facts and statistics trying to put into words the scale of the issues children in Britain face today. Here on Teesside we are usually the first area to be highlighted in national media for not doing so well, but no matter how much the issues get highlighted the government seem to be at loggerheads at what to do. In 2015 over 25,000 food parcels where handed out to those in need on Teesside and with this comes news that a further 15 Soup Kitchens have opened this year on Teesside and now the most unforgivable figure of over 30,000 children living in poverty. Government needs to act NOW and we need our local MPs and Councillors to star...

Jobs, Investment, Growth Three words that towns and cities across the country love to hear and in Middlesbrough in very recent times, reports are indicating massive growth in the business market and along with this growth comes plenty of jobs.  This week in the local Gazette it has unveiled plans for 3 large restaurants, 1 hotel and further improvement to buildings within the town. Which is fantastic news and all add to projects such as the Ski Centre and the ongoing developments at Middlehaven. Lets not forget about the success that Bedford and Baker Street have had in recent times and with Andy Preston's Fork in the Road also due to open the economy is in for a boost. It is down to businessmen and women who are to determined to make Middlesbrough a success and why shouldn't it be, its down to the businesses that the area is undergoing a boom phase. 

Things are hotting up on Teesside as two local authorities battle it out with who has the most and best hotels, with Middlesbrough currently leading the way in terms of new hotels, planned hotels and the investment from private companies that comes with them. Meanwhile Stockton looks to build their own hotel, all 125 rooms of it, but who will take the spoils and be named king of the developments (for 2016 at least) In recent years Middlesbrough has stepped up its efforts to create jobs, boost the local economy and bring in vital investment, yet in Stockton they have refused hotels due to the location of where private investors wanted to build them and pulled out the wildcard of we will build our own.  There is one thing that I have been unable to grasp over the last few years, in documents of Stockton Borough Council they claim to have a great working partnership between them and Middlesbrough, yet the ideas are distant and plain to see. One council wants private investm...

For those interested in the history of the area and also the engineering background of bridge building, then Channel 5 has a brilliant series currently on TV that is delving into the history of bridge building in some of the greatest examples of engineering the country has to offer. Better still the series touches upon Teesside and on more than one occasion. Filming has been held in Thornaby at the Infinity Bridge (pictured) and also some archive footage from Dorman Long in Middlesbrough.  This show to me is the type of publicity the area needs, not Benefit Streets or Police Interceptors. 

For a while now, the Homes and Communities Agency have been planning on building 150 homes at the Tees Barrage (Thornaby side) - these homes would not be social housing, that we are in desperate need of but private housing offering river views with a mix of 2,3,4 and 5 bedroom properties. But this week they have revised their application and it is now down to 96 dwellings, mostly thanks to Johnson Matthey Chemical Research who have highlighted the damages of living close to a chemical and research facility.  Now I understand that there is a shortage of housing, however I don't think new properties should come at the cost of green open spaces that are home to mixture of wildlife and places where families and individuals gather to enjoy the great outdoors.  It's my view that we need to start building upwards, Stockton Council has projected that an extra 21,000 people will live in the area by 2032 and its evident that there is a few brownfield sites available, however ...

A while ago I got told that our local council was reviewing youth provision to look at making a saving to contribute to them needing to reduce costs. But one thing I have noticed is that there is in fact very little youth provision in the town that is ran by the local authority. It may contract it services to youth providers, but non seem to actively cover Thornaby.  Last week I read a post on social media about a gentleman who was not consulted about the review although his organisation is youth provision based. Now I have to admit that when I found out, it was only on the off chance that I self invited myself to a forum to discuss youth outcomes. But each organisation within the local area should of been consulted at some stage even if it was just to have an input or to help the local council to look into services that are currently provided. So last week the council released a document that outlined its plans to save £3.3m by transferring open access youth provision to th...

I attended this years Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph in Thornaby and was pleased to see that attendance is still on the increase. The Parade was one of the biggest to date and what was fascinating to see was the many young people and children who attended to show their respect for all who served. I took many images of the service and parade, some of which will be going into the Thornaby Pride Magazine next month. I'd like to thank all the organisers and everyone who attended and marched for making it a day to remember.

I thought I would share a poem that was written by my grandfather Walter George Stonehouse, who was a former Army man and one of my best friends. It could of been written an hour ago, but this poem is from 20 years ago. If you see Police out on the beat Make them welcome in your street, Help keep criminals at bay As we live from day to day. I think we should cater more For those who stay within the law, Keep lonely people free from cold Care for them as they grow old. Folk in residential homes Shouldn't have to live like gnomes, Let all know that help is near, So no-one has to live in fear. Let's put up a fight for our Town Hall It is of benefit to us all, Let's be proud of our Town Centre To meet comments of all who enter. Council workers keep our parks A nesting site for singing larks, Some want to take away our woods To make way for heavy goods. Close by where the river flows We'll think of all of those Summer on the Village Green Can...

Tomorrow morning there will be a two minute silence to honour those who gave the ultimate sacrifice during World War 1 at Thornaby Town Centre at 11am. We observe a two minute silence on Armistice Day as a mark of respect, Armistice Day also marks the end of the First World War. Remembrance Sunday will also take place this weekend at the Cenotaph on Acklam Road, the parade will set off from the Aerodrome Club at 10:20 with the service commencing at 10:45. The parade will then head back towards the Aerodrome Club where the Mayor and Mayoress will take the salute. Food and Refreshments are available after the parade is dismissed.

I have had a bit of time to myself this week, mostly last night with the Presidential Election in the USA and as I have began to notice that when I have some free time on my hands I like to sit and read stories of real people, living hand to mouth on a day to day basis with often little or no help. I know depressing isn't it. But it also gives me time to think about family and the place where I grew up and what it was like to live on a council estate in the North of England. One thing I always do is turn to the family book of poems that reflects on times growing up in the backwaters of Britain. I have an aim that one day these poems will be published and I believe many people will resonate with them as memories coming flooding back, some poems are family orientated, some are influenced by the environment around us and some are just great poems that put a smile on your face.  So with all the current uproar in global politics, I thought I would quote a few phrases from on...

I've signed a petition to make the Government take decisive action to double the number of autistic people in work. Only 16% of autistic adults are in full-time paid employment. This situation hasn't improved in almost a decade. It's about time autistic people get the jobs they deserve. If you agree, please join me and take a minute to sign the petition to the Government. https://act.autism.org.uk/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=10&ea.campaign.id=56776 More needs to be done to support autistic adults into and at work. Some workplaces are full of too much information; too many sounds, lights, stares, glares – and too little understanding. The Government has committed to halving the disability employment gap. But without more understanding from both employers and the Government, autistic adults will continue to be left behind, their abilities overlooked. Let's change this now. Thanks

What a year it has been, I don't think there has been any other like it. In January this year I set up the Thornaby Youth Zone in an attempt to get young people active, whilst at the same time educate them in what is now known as "Soft Skills" In my eyes it has worked extremely well and I couldn't be happier with the progress of the Youth Zone. I set out with a vision to get young people active over the Easter School break to give them an opportunity to partake in Sport within Thornaby, with the idea of it becoming an annual event. But during that week I was approached by one of the participants asking me what I had planned throughout the Summer Holidays and that he wanted to do more sport to stop him hanging around with the wrong friends and getting into trouble. To be honest there was nothing planned at all at this stage.  So of course I went and planned another event going from 10 days up to 25 days and it was fantastic, the 48 youngsters enjoyed themsel...

I often find myself reading reports on engaging people into sports and how hard it is to encourage young people to take up new sports, well I have to admit that for me it has all fallen into place and has become easier to encourage youngsters to engage with sport, whilst learning new skills and overcoming barriers. I have no big qualifications or spent years sat in a classroom to learn how to encourage and engage with people, but what I have done is mastered the art of communicating with people who are fed up of being left behind and having nothing to do in a budget that is easily affordable. It's so easy to overlook an issue than to tackle it head on. That is why I set up the Thornaby Youth Zone, a place where young people can come and have fun, enjoy messing around with friends and making new friends, getting them off the settee and outdoors breaking barriers such as confidence and Isolation whilst educating them in what they call "Soft skills" - Communicatio...

 I have followed the recent on-goings within Middlesbrough and I am surprised that it has actually gone on for this long, when then Labour Councillor Terry Lawton lifted the lid on plans to close the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum (CCBM) and transfer to the Dormans Museum the Middlesbrough Labour Group seem to have laughed him out of town. But the determination and commitment shown by Cllr Lawton to stand up for local heritage and common sense, seems to have brought about news that the closure of CCBM could save the council £137,000 per year.  Whilst savings on a local level is welcomed destroying local heritage is not. But, it seems that is something we are brilliant at doing here on Teesside, Cleveland, Tees Valley (you chose) - we have an approach that heritage is not important and that it comes at a cost that is wasteful. I live in Thornaby, I know what our local authorities are capable off, destroying our heritage without regret is high on the agenda.  But the no...

Over the past two weeks the Thornaby Community Partnership gave local residents the opportunity to have a say on Anti Social Behaviour within Thornaby. Like most parts of the country we have our fair share of issues from adults and youth gathering outside shops to kids setting off fireworks, but what the survey showed was a mixed response to how people felt about ASB, some lived in quiet areas and some lived in densely populated areas in terraced housing. The Image below shows the mixed response to what residents thought over the past 12 month. This period covers the time since the last public engagement events regarding ASB within the town. In the two weeks 89 residents replied to the survey, although the aim was to get 100 responses in that time. The results of the survey can be seen at The Point Community Kitchen at the Hub on Havelock street every Tuesday. Copies can be viewed later in the year at Thornaby Central Library.

So the world is currently in the grip of a crisis, a rather large one at that. Data from leading forums and Organisations have shown the dramatic rise in Childhood Obesity since 2013 and have equated what the future will hold for generations to come. For me, it is clear to see the trends and the frightening prospect of our little isle challenging the real heavyweights of the world in terms of obesity goes to show that for many years we have been lacking the right education and the right leadership from our government who have sat back and been fed the ladles of coinage for ignoring the situation. The way we educate children today about the foods we eat and grow is far more important than ever before. We live in a society that is split down the middle and as research from Leeds Beckett University show where there is high levels of deprivation there is a high saturation of fast food outlets and poor health. There is no evil genes at play, passed down through the generations ...

For several weeks now people have been asking me about why I wanted to set up a Community Kitchen and its simple ... to help those in the town who have fallen onto bad times due to economic pressures or by making a bad judgement call. Either way the town was lacking a place that could open its doors and welcome people with a hot bowl of soup and a cuppa. It's easy these days to get on with life, in doing so we seem to have lost the time we had to be a community and to help one another. So that is why I decided to open 'The Point' But it will be much more than that, it will act as a food bank for those in need with a drop in service for local residents to get the help and advice required to deal with issues. With no judgements made. We will also have a Job Club and a series of training programmes for local residents to attend. One of the biggest questions have been why is it a "Pay What You Can Afford" scheme, that too has a simple answer ... I want a pla...

I have read much lately in the local press about the growing numbers of people living in Teesside who are having to turn to food banks in crisis. Recently in the Northern Echo it stated that in Redcar since July 2013 over 15,600 people have used the food bank. In the past year in Thornaby the food bank at the Baptist Church has handed out more than 1,200 food parcels, in Billingham over 6,000 people used the food bank there.  In Middlesbrough, 5,200 food parcels where given out in 2015 alone. This is of great concern and it is not until you delve into the figures and the spreadsheets that the realisation of the growing poverty gap is widening here on Teesside.  There is estimated to be a further 10,000 parcels handed out through small independent food banks and churches within the area. These are worrying times and we are yet to see the full scale of what the current system has yet to throw at us. Universal Credit changes are coming in the new year and in my opinion I beli...

For many months I have been involved in discussions with the Better Health Programme along with hundreds of residents covering the Durham, Darlington and Tees region. I set out with a plan to ask questions and learn the process whilst at the same time trying to get such a big event to come to Thornaby to engage with members of the public and allow them to have a say in the consultation period. I am happy to report that the Better health Programme informed me sometime ago that they got the green light to come to Thornaby and where looking for the ideal venue. I am happy to say that they chose the South Thornaby Community Centre and this October the people of Thornaby have a chance to have there say and be part of a consultation process that will see big changes to how the local health services are operated. It is now down to the residents to sign up and register to attend, it is not often that persuasion can bring a big hitter to the town, but I am delighted that the BHP have instil...

Earlier today I had the pleasure to attend a conference on family weight management services within Stockton, led by More life and LBU  (Leeds Beckett University) For sometime now, obesity has been on my radar. Being of a fine figure myself I am well aware of the issues that come along with packing the extra pounds, but what amazes me is that there is many people out there who are unaware of the ever bulging crisis staring us in the face. We are becoming blind to the issues that is costing us, not just financially but on health grounds too. 1,000 children in Stockton are classed as severely obese, yet it doesn't make the headlines or the evening news, why ... because obesity has become an everyday issue. In Stockton the impact that obesity has on our economy is £201,000,000.00 - you don't need me to tell you that is a hell of a lot. But trends are showing us that over the past decade we have become more obese and physically inactive. But we are not only to blame, it was v...

Two words that are usually never muttered within the same breath. Two small words that describe the great divide of globalisation since records began. But in this update I am not talking about financial wealth, although that may crop up in sections. But more about the wealth of knowledge and information that survives in communities that face the real struggles in life, those communities that live hand to mouth each day, not due to any fault of their own, but by being left behind by an institution focused on the lining of their pockets and global greed has come to a point where this is no longer hidden, but accepted. I live in a community in the North of England and my community is built up of many cultures, some live in houses 200 year old, some live in terraces and some live in modern lego style properties that are advertised as affordable and great for first time owners. I work within my community and being unpaid it opens the senses to experience first hand on the difficulties t...

Living within close proximity to fast food takeaway outlets has been associated with rates of obesity and weight gain. Calorie-for-calorie, unhealthy food (typically foods high in fat, sugar and/or salt) costs less than healthy products such as fruits and vegetables.  Over half of British adults have experienced an increase in the number of fast food shops on their nearest high street since they started living there. Reducing the concentration and clustering of hot food takeaways within an area, and restricting permission for hot food takeaways within close proximity to schools, will have both direct and indirect health benefits. Reducing access and consumption of the types of foods sold at hot food takeaways (particularly those containing high levels of trans-fat, saturated fat, salt and sugar) will contribute towards achieving a decline in overweight and obesity levels, and reduce the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease. Many local authorities have develope...

Not that long ago I spent almost a full month down by the River Tees getting young people into sporting activities, but whilst down there I discovered that on most days the River was quiet and not many people taking advantage of this great resource we have. So, after finding time to take a break I ventured over to Preston Park Museum and Grounds to hop aboard the River Shack boat that ferries people from the Park to Yarm and back. It was splendid. I got chatting to the people who organise the day to day activities and found out that they had the same ideas as me, although they have the funds to go through with it. The discussion was all about bringing visitors in to the area and to get them spending money in our economy, which is exactly what I have been saying for years.  So after spending a few hours in Yarm, having a bite to eat and a pint or two I hopped back onto the boat to head back to Preston park, this time the boat was full of families and individuals who had...

Living in a disadvantaged area hampers young people's development: area-based deprivation is strongly related to higher crime, poorer educational achievement, health problems and high levels of disability. These factors have a knock on effect on the local environment and community spirit, with residents in poor areas experiencing roughly four times more social and environmental problems than residents in more affluent areas. Sport and outdoor physical activity can have a positive impact on young people's lives, yet youngsters living in disadvantaged areas face many barriers to participation. So why focus on sport? Sport makes a significant difference to young lives: it contributes to young people's health and, therefore, their development; it involves engaging with other young people in a positive way, thereby helping to avoid trouble; and it encourages concentration, motivation and other learning skills that help their education. However, young people living in disadva...

Over the past year or so Teesside has become the highlight of such shows as Benefits Street and Police Interceptors and whilst I admit to being a fan of PI, I am puzzled to why Channel 5 would choose a location such as ours to film in and more importantly why our Police Force would allow our area to become the talk of Social Media.  Quite some time ago I asked the Police and Crime Commissioner about why he thought this would be good for the area and pointed out the fact I love to "talk up teesside" ... So does he apparently.  Mr PCC commented that the "force made the decision to be involved with Police Interceptors to highlight the successful collaboration between Cleveland and Durham through Specialist Operations Unit" which is great, I think the officers of our police forces do an amazing job and are overstretched and undervalued.  Mr PCC also stated that "It should actually instil pride in the area and the work of police and partners" - I am ...

I attended the Battle of Britain Remembrance Service yesterday to pay my respects to those who gave their lives to protect our land.  It was great to see a good turnout as always and the weather played its part too. Father Mark lead the service and the Mayor of Thornaby laid a wreath on behalf of the town. After the service we moved to the Cemetery for a short service, before placing remembrance crosses on the war graves. As I do each year I mark the graves of the unknown with a cross and I ended up walking around the Cemetery to place as many crosses as possible for the fallen. Lest we forget ( You can see more images by going to facebook.com/ThornabyCP )

I have been asked today why do I want to set up a Soup Kitchen and Food Bank when my other events are very successful. Well it simple ... Need and demand is the reason why I want to set up a Soup Kitchen and Food Bank, we are living in times that are seeing local people struggle to provide for their families whilst in and out of work. We are seeing increased levels in fuel and shopping bills are amounting up. We live in a society where those in need are left behind whilst those with it all flourish and thrive. My idea of opening a Soup Kitchen is not a new one. Back in 2008 I wanted to do something that could help, but at that time I was only a bairn and had education and work to contend with. But now I am in a position to help. I believe the Youth Zone will thrive and expand and there is a plan in place to make it the very best that youth provision can offer anywhere around. Big words, but I do like to take a challenge head on. Within our great town we have several defined commu...

An appeal has been lodged to overturn the decision to refuse permission to open two takeaways on Lanehouse Road. The Appeals by Mr A Hussain are obviously not welcoming and it is still my view that these units should not become takeaways. Lanehouse Road already has a handful of takeaways and I am fully against creating a junk food culture in Thornaby. Of course, I am just a resident, but a resident with a passion in what lies in store for the future of the town. The close proximity to two Primary Schools and in an area with high levels obesity in itself should be enough to refuse once again. However, the last time I sat in front of the planning committee, it was made clear that Stockton Borough Council had yet to adopt a local health strategy when it comes to planning. Its my opinion that since the refusal last time the council have had time to get this moving, if they have done this, I am not aware. On the other side of the argument is of course the fact that these two units...

Over the past few month I have been super busy with a lot of planning and a lot of paperwork to get to a stage where I am in a position to help others within Thornaby who are struggling to make ends meet. I have somehow managed to take the partnership from creation to 3 big scale events for young people to a Soup Kitchen in the space of a 20 month and it doesn't seem to be slowing down. Which in my opinion is great news and shows that what I and the Partnership are offering is in demand and that the challenges that were kept for behind closed doors are real and that although Thornaby is a great town with amazing people, when it comes to the harsh reality we would prefer to shut up and put up. We have families living on next to nothing and some who have been sanctioned but still need a way to feed their 4 children, due to a government contract not  being suitable for the modern era. We have young people who have been left behind with no provision or support to get them active. W...

My second horticultural show has come and gone and despite the weather the locals showed true spirit by turning up in their thousands and enjoying not just the array of vegetables and flowers in my tent but what was organised by the Thornaby Town Council, in particular Councillor Sylvia Walmsley who put in many hours organising a brilliant show. I hope to build on the sucesses of this year and take that forward to next September where hopefully I will have the time to organise another show with some great people. But don't take my word for it, here are some images of this years Thornaby Horticultural Show.