Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Lord R Liddle, Mrs C Bell, Ms D Garton and Mr A Kennon.

Members are invited to disclose any disclosable pecuniary interest they have in any item on the agenda which comprises:-

1          Details of any employment, office, trade, profession or vocation carried on for       profit or gain.

2          Details of any payment or provision of any other financial benefit (other than from the authority) made or provided within the relevant period in respect of any expenses incurred by you in carrying out duties as a member, or towards your election expenses.  (This includes any payment or financial benefit from a trade union within the meaning of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.

3          Details of any contract which is made between you (or a body in which you have a beneficial interest) and the authority

(a)       Under which goods or services are to be provided or works are to be executed; and

            (b)       Which has not been fully discharged.

4          Details of any beneficial interest in land which is within the area of the authority. 

5          Details of any licence (alone or jointly with others) to occupy land in the area of the authority for a month or longer. 

6          Details of any tenancy where (to your knowledge)

            (a)       The landlord is the authority; and

(b)       The tenant is a body in which you have a beneficial                                        interest.

7          Details of any beneficial interest in securities of a body where

(a)       That body (to your knowledge) has a place of business or land in the         area of the authority; and

(b)       Either –

(i)      The total nominal value of the securities exceeds £25,000 or one       hundredth of the total issued share capital of that body; or

(ii)     If that share capital of that body is of more than one class, the total nominal value of the shares of any one class in which the relevant person has a beneficial interest exceeds one hundredth of the total issued share capital of that class.

In addition, you must also disclose other non-pecuniary interests set out in the Code of Conduct where these have not already been registered.

Note

A “disclosable pecuniary interest” is an interest of a councillor or their partner (which means spouse or civil partner, a person with whom they are living as husband or wife, or a person with whom they are living as if they are civil partners).

There were no declarations of interest made on this occasion.

RESOLVED that,     the press and public be not excluded from the meeting during consideration of any items of business.

There were no statements, petitions or questions submitted at the time of publication.

There were no statements, petitions or questions submitted on this occasion.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting held on 7 November 2022.  

RESOLVED that,                 the minutes of the previous meeting held on the 7 November 2022 be agreed as an accurate and complete record.

To consider a report from the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure.

Members considered a report from the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure which detailed the outcome of the meeting of the Highways Working Group (HWG) held on 19 December 2022 and presented HWG recommendations to the Local Committee.

The Local Area Network Manager introduced the report and provided background to the request for an increased contribution towards a surface water scheme on Calvert Way / Brundholme Way, Keswick. 

The Traffic Management Team Leader then provided an update on the outcome of a technical assessment carried out in relation to a petition requesting the implementation of a pedestrian crossing at High Hill, Keswick near to Keswick School.

Officers had been instructed to carry out the assessment by Local Committee. The data collected during the technical assessment concluded that there was no justification for a controlled crossing at the location, but officers recommended that traffic signs were upgraded in the area to suitably warn drivers of the hazards, with the addition of new road markings to complement upright signs.

Members were then reminded that it remained the recommendation of officers that no additional traffic restrictions were required in the area of Castlegate Drive, Beech Lane and Isel Road (and on the roads within that triangle).

RESOLVED that,                

1)     Local Committee noted the minutes of the meeting of the HWG held on the 19 December 2022.

2)    Local Committee endorsed the recommendations of the HWG and agree the following:

                                                  i.    That Local Committee agree that no traffic restrictions be introduced at Castlegate Drive, Beech Lane and Isel Road, Cockermouth, (and on the roads within that triangle).

                                                ii.    That Local Committee agree that signage improvements are made to influence driver behaviour near to the School on High Hill, Keswick.

                                               iii.    That Local Committee agree the proposed solution and £39,110 contribution for Calvert Way / Brundholme Way surface water scheme.

An presentation from the Partnership Manager – Department of Work and Pensions.

Members received a presentation from the Department of Work and Pensions, Partnership Manager on the topic of the Allerdale Youth Hub which highlighted the following areas:-

·         Youth Hub Work Coaches

·         What to expect:- Young Adults with barriers who need extra support to move them closer to the Labour Market

·         Partners

·         How the Youth Hub has helped Young People

·         Cumbria Youth Alliance – Success Stories

Members asked whether there was sufficient vacancies for those who may not have specific skills or higher education. The Partnership Manager explained that the current labour market was very much in favour of the labour force as there are more vacancies than people to fill them. Members heard there is a huge amount of support available for those who need to upskill and retrain. This meant that employers also understood the significance of providing in-house training.

A conversation then took place regarding transport support for those who may wish to fill vacancies in the tourism sector but which would require transport to the Lake District hot-spots.

To consider a report from the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure.

Members considered a report from the Executive Director – Economy and infrastructure which provided details of the Heart of the Lakes Active Travel Infrastructure Strategy, and which provided members with the opportunity to feedback on the proposals.

Members heard that the Cumbria Transport Infrastructure Plan (2022-2037) set out the strategy for Active Travel in Cumbria, including committing to the establishment of comprehensive and high quality active travel networks, to increase the number of people walking and cycling in Cumbria, and to improve connectivity along strategic corridors aligned to the National Cycle Network. 

Working with partners including the Lake District National Park Authority, Sustrans, National Highways and Cumbria Tourism, the Council committed to develop an Active Travel Infrastructure Strategy for each of the 5 strategic corridors set out within the Cumbria Transport Infrastructure Plan – the first of these was the Heart of the Lakes strategic corridor.

The Heart of the Lakes corridor runs through the centre of the Lake District National Park and World Heritage Site and provides connectivity between Keswick, Grasmere, Ambleside, Windermere and Kendal.

A conversation then took place regarding electric scooters and whether it would be permitted for people to use them on this network. It was AGREED that further information be provided on where precisely members of the public would be allowed to use electric scooters.

The Local Member for Keswick sought clarification regarding A591 where the track goes around Thirlmere and over Dunmail Raise, the Local Committee had previously agreed that this would not be a suitable place for a crossing with traffic lights. Though plans were not yet at design stage, it was understood that a bridge or culvert would be amongst the proposals to be consulted upon when funding was in place.

RESOLVED that,                 members note the contents of the report.

To consider a report from the Executive Director – People (Deputy Chief Executive).

Members  considered a report from the Executive Director – People (Deputy Director – People) which set out how the work of the People Directorate impacted on the Allerdale area.

In terms of Early Help, members heard that in Allerdale there had been a focus  on the family way of working and leading discussions on taking a community focussed approach. A considerable part of Early Help is delivered by Family Action, the 0–19 commissioned service.

The conversation moved on to PAUSE, which the Senior Manager – Children and Families described as being an incredible success. She expressed her gratitude for the additional funding provided by local committee. PAUSE had recently completed its 3^rd community of women and had been working for 5 years in Cumbria, starting in Allerdale and Copeland. Across the county they have supported 124 women with 383 children removed from their care. In Allerdale and Copeland the service has reached approximately 48 women with 154 children removed. 77% of the women recently surveyed reported an improvement in their mental health, 59% reported an improvement in their relationships with their children, 81% reported an improvement in managing loss and a 65% improvement in relation to their housing.  Only 1 woman has since returned to the family court after attending.

Members then received an update on the Social Workers in Schools (SWIS) project. Members were reminded that this had been part of a national research project which placed Social Workers  in schools. There were 7 schools across the county benefitting from the project with 6 of the schools in Allerdale and Copeland. The Social Workers were actively providing consultation, early intervention and prevention, as well as case holding statutory social work cases and providing training.

Members then received an update on education in Allerdale. The academic year had been characterised by enormous challenges.  The recovery from the Covid pandemic had made recruitment and retention a key concern and the cost-of-living crisis also impacted severely on school budgets and sustainability.

Results across all age phases in education had been  mixed, with early years and primary results indicating a drop in standards overall when compared with the national picture, whereas secondary schools appeared to have performed well in comparison with the last year of formal examinations. It must be made clear that any conclusions drawn from indicative data should be heavily caveated owing to the significant variance in approach to testing and moderation nationally.

Partners in the education system continued to enjoy excellent relationships and positive joint working which has enabled a positive response which is evident in the positive and continually improving summary of Ofsted inspections. Currently 91% of our primary schools were good or outstanding and 84% of secondary schools (a growing figure). This was a significant achievement and members welcomed the news.

Concerning those Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) in Allerdale, members heard that  they make up 2.9% overall population, a reduction year on year of 0.4 percentage points. This was lower than the average for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.

To consider a report from the Assistant Director – Customer and Community Services.

Members considered a report from the Assistant Director – Customer and Community Services which brought members up to date with the activity across Allerdale and any recent developments.

The Area Manager provided an update on Aspatria Community Hub whereby it was explained that the project was considered by the Strategic Investment Group Meeting on 16 January 2023. It was agreed that the project be tendered as long as certain conditions were met, officers were now awaiting confirmation that these conditions had been satisfied. The contract would then be awarded, and work was expected to be completed in June/July 2023.

With regards to the Borderlands funding, work was continuing with the Wigton Town Team. Consultants were appointed in November and had been supporting organisations to develop project initiation documents (PID’s). The PID’s had now been submitted and a prioritisation exercise was due to be carried out in February ahead of submission to the Borderlands Programme Board.

The Cost-of-Living Reserve for Allerdale contains £65,500. This comprised of £26,400 for community support and £39,100 for food to help with the challenges some families were facing with the cost-of-living increases.

The Public Health Locality Manager provided an update on health activities in the area. This included a discussion about how the Public Health Team had been working with Andys Man Club (AMC) for some time now towards getting the first AMC club started in Workington – a men’s peer support group facilitated by men for men who are or have been struggling.

Andys Man Club launched its first AMC in Workington on Monday 16January 2023 at Derwent Park who offered their venue for free. Volunteers had completed their training and would be facilitating the weekly group. This will be the 117^th AMC across the country and they hope to open more in Cumbria.

A discussion took place regarding the Warmth Hubs, whereby the Local Member for Seaton asked that in the publicity for the Hubs could officers and members ensure that they are letting people know they are not just for elderly people but for younger couples and individuals too.

The Local Member for Maryport asked for further information regarding the use of funding for the Project X proposal. It was AGREED that the Area Manager would provide further information to the Local Member and consider the option of auditing the finances linked with the scheme.

RESOLVED that,                 members note the contents of the report.

To consider a report from the Assistant Director – Customer and Community Services.

Members considered a report from the Assistant Director – Customer and Community Services which presented grant applications in excess of £5,000 for consideration and approval from the 2022-23 budget.

Members heard that Cumbria Youth Services (Cumbria Youth Alliance) were requesting a grant to support their Friday Night Project in Allerdale from the Universal Youth Fund.

6 agencies (NADT, Kings Church, SWYP and Youth Café, Wigton Youth Station and Aspatria Dreamscheme) work together to provide access to youth work facilities in Allerdale on a Friday night.

The sessions provide access to physical activities as well as activities that help young people look after their own emotional wellbeing. The programme runs on a 12-month period with partner agencies receiving funding in 2 trenches.

The average grant per provider is £6,000 and all are required to offer the targeted sessions in conjunction with the universal sessions. CYA intend to reach over 800 young people in 2022/23. The total cost of the project is £40,000 and the organisation are applying to local committee for £20,848 of universal youth funding.

Allerdale Borough Council were requesting a grant towards a BMX track in Workington from the 0-19 Fund.

At local committee on 1 September 2021 members agreed an amount of £10,000 to allow an initial feasibility study to be carried out. The results of the feasibility study recommend a learner and full pump track with open access on a site next to Workington Fire Station.

The project is out to tender with total costs in the region of £120,000 and Allerdale Borough Council applied for £10,000 of 0-19 funding, with the majority of the projects cost being funded elsewhere.

Members were then reminded that at Local Committee during financial year 2020/21 members agreed to an amount of £5,500 being allocated to Sustrans towards funding an apprentice.

Members were advised that this project was no longer going ahead and therefore, a recommendation was made in the report to de-commit and re-allocate £5,500 to the 0-19 fund.

RESOLVED that,

1)            Members note the contents of the report.

2)            Members agree that an amount of £20,848 be allocated from the Universal Youth (11-19) Fund to Cumbria Youth Services towards their Friday Night Project in Allerdale.

3)            Members agree that an amount of £10,000, dependent on match funding to ensure the project is viable, be allocated from the 0-19 Fund to Allerdale Borough Council towards a BMX track in Workington.

4)            Members agree that an amount of £5,500 allocated to Sustrans during financial year 2020/21 from 0-19 Fund be de-committed due to the funding no longer being required

To receive updates from Allerdale’s Local Committee Champions

Members received an update from the Armed Forces Veteran.

The Chair provided an update from the Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority.

The next meeting will be held at 21 March 2023 at 10am in the Annex Building, West Cumbria House.

The next meeting is due to take place on the 23 March 2022 in the Annex Building, West Cumbria.