North Tyneside is one of five metropolitan districts that make up the area of Tyne and Wear in the North East England.
It is a borough of considerable contrasts - the northern fringe of the borough is open countryside; its towns of Wallsend, North Shields, Tynemouth and Whitley Bay, lie along the river and coastline; its largest settlements of Longbenton, Forest Hall and Killingworth are important and growing residential areas; and along the northern edge of the borough are a number of former mining villages.
The coast and riverside remain popular tourist areas. The coastline boasts outstanding ‘Blue Flag’ rated sandy beaches and excellent shopping facilities. The commitment of North Tyneside Council to high quality leisure and cultural activities is demonstrated in the £30million investment in new facilities.
Shipbuilding, fishing and coal mining have each played an important role in shaping North Tyneside’s heritage and characteristics. This is complemented by the thriving new business and enterprise that is driving the economic success of the borough forward.
North Tyneside Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Safeguarding is everybody's business.
The borough covers an area of 84 square kilometres. It stretches from the eastern boundary of Newcastle upon Tyne to the North Sea and from the southern boundary of Northumberland to the River Tyne.
The population currently stands at around 196,000.
The major employers in the area include: manufacturing, retail/wholesale, health and social care, education, finance and business. The principal manufacturing industries include offshore engineering, ship-repair, food processing, furniture, clothing and chemicals.
North Tyneside Council is the largest employer in the borough
And its ‘holistic’ approach to regeneration, recognised nationally, is growing employment and economic success through a commitment that doesn’t just deliver physical changes to the borough, but also works with its partners and the community to reduce unemployment, increase educational achievement and address inequalities.
The council’s current investment and regeneration programme has set four priorities: investment along the coastal zone, from St Mary’s lighthouse to North Shields Fish Quay; the North Bank of the Tyne to build on successful marine industries, deliver a ‘multiversity’ and deliver a regeneration masterplan for Wallsend towncentre; the A19 corridor and the borough’s retail centres.
Cobalt Business Park – where North Tyneside Council has its headquarters - and Balliol Business Parks have also attracted considerable office developments.
The council works with its partners in the public and private sectors to ensure that the borough’s workforce has the right skills to meet the needs of new business opportunities.