Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received from Mr E Martin.

The Chair reported that agenda item 11 - Hadrian’s wall cycleway report, would  be taken as an urgent item today as the project was to be considered by Cabinet in December. 

To disclose any personal and prejudicial interests relating to any item on the agenda.

NB   The following is a summary of what constitutes a personal interest and a personal and prejudicial interest.  Please seek advice or refer to the Code of Conduct (paragraph 8) for full definitions.

Personal Interests

You have a personal interest if the issue being discussed in the meeting affects the well-being or finances of you, your family or your close associates more than most other people who live in the Electoral Division affected by the issue.

Personal interests are also things that relate to an interest you must register.

N.B. If the personal interest arises because of your membership of another public body, you only need to declare it if you intend to speak.

A personal interest should be declared as follows:

I have a personal interest in agenda item […] regarding the report on […] because I am […].

Personal and Prejudicial Interests

If you have a personal interest in a matter you will also have a prejudicial interest in that matter if the interest is one which a member of the public, with knowledge of the relevant facts, would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice your judgement of the public interest.  If you have a personal and prejudicial interest you must withdraw from the meeting room for that item, unless you are there to make representations and the public have the same opportunity to do so

NB You only have a prejudicial interest if the matter

• affects your financial position or that of your family, close associate, employer etc or it
• relates to a regulatory matter

A personal and prejudicial interest should be declared as follows:

I have a personal and prejudicial interest in agenda item […] regarding the report on […] because I am […].

Advice on this can be sought from staff in Legal and Democratic Services.  Members are requested to seek advice, wherever possible, before the meeting starts.

Mr M Johnson declared a personal and prejudicial  interest in relation to agenda item 8 Local Committee Devolved Budget) and item 10 (Highways and Transport Working Group) due to being an employee of Amey.

Mr T Fee declared a personal interest in relation to agenda items 4 (Public Participation) and agenda item 5 (Consultation for Care proposals in Allerdale and Distington) as his mother resided in the Park Lodge residential home.  Both Mr D Fairbairn and Mr R Munby also declared a personal interest in agenda items 4 and 5 due to their connection with Age Uk.

Mr J Cowell declared a personal interest in relation to agenda item 5 (Consultation for Care proposals in Allerdale and Distington being a Wigton Town Councillor) .

To consider whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any item on the agenda.

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

Ms Iris Stobbart will submit a deputation on behalf of the Park Lodge – The Future, Action Group.

(1)                Phil Roberts, accompanied by Iris Stobbart of the Park Lodge Action Group made a deputation  and submitted a question regarding consultation proposals for care services in Allerdale.

            Mr Roberts stated that he wished to share some of the feelings and thoughts of many people in Aspatria and the surrounding rural community and the views of families who have elderly family members in Park Lodge.  With regard to the consultation document, he felt it disappointing that the many positive aspects for the care of the elderly contained in the consultation document, that should  be debated were likely to be lost in the campaigning to retain the three Care Homes due for closure.  He felt that consultation document was biased towards closure of Park Lodge as the document stated that the positive changes to care for the elderly could  only be made through closing the residential homes.  He felt that this clearly supported the view that the consultation process would not be not open and transparent.   Mr Roberts stated that many people in Aspatria felt that the decision had already been made to close Park Lodge.  Park Lodge was the only residential care home in Aspatria and closure would leave no continuity of care for elderly people in their community.  Mr Roberts then spoke about the warm, caring and secure environment that Park lodge provided for the elderly residents of the community who had been assessed by social care and medical professionals as not being able to remain in their own homes safely.

            In summary, Mr Roberts stated that given the considerable opposition from residents, families and the rural community of Aspatria to the closure of Park Lodge will the Allerdale County Councillors support Tony Cunningham’s early day motion and remove the possibility of closure of Park Lodge from the consultation process and answer the question:-

                     Why are Cumbria County Council planning to close Park Lodge, a residential Care Home that has 99% occupancy and the only residential home in Aspatria to support Residential Care Homes in the private sector that have spare capacity?

(2)       Mrs L Harkness submitted a question under the public participation scheme regarding consultation proposals for care services in Allerdale in particular relation to  the proposed closure of Richmond Park, Workington.

            Mrs Harkness explained that her parents were both residents of Richmond Park and both had health problems.  It had been her parents own decision to move into Richmond Park, they did not wish to go into sheltered housing and they were paying their own care bills at the home from savings.  Mrs Harkness referred to the wonderful the staff at the home and her strong concerns on the effect that the consultation would have on the health of all the residents of Richmond Park. She hoped that the case for Richmond Park would receive a similar level of support from the Councillors as she felt that Distington and Aspatria had already.

Mrs Harkness then raised the following question:-

         “Will the Committee support the motion tabled last  ...  view the full minutes text for item 207.

[Electoral Divisions  All Allerdale ]

To consider a report by the Coporate Director –Adult and Local Services (copy enclosed)

The purpose of this report is to share with Local Committee the consultation document detailing proposals for Care Services in the Allerdale and Distington areas. A three month formal consultation on these proposals commenced on 14^th November 2011 through to 14^th February 2012 and will include residents, family members, staff, stakeholders and the wider community

The Committee considered a report by the Corporate Director - Adult and Local Services introducing the consultation document detailing proposals for Care Services in the Allerdale and Distington areas.  The three month formal consultation on the proposals which had commenced on 14 November 2011 would run through to 14 February 2012.

The Assistant Director, Adult and Local Services explained the reasons for the  consultation.  The Council had identified a decreasing demand for residential care, an increase in people choosing to utilise home care provision to remain living independently at home, an increase in alternative residential care provision and there was also the fact  that the current homes not meeting modern standards.  The Assistant Director, Adult and Local Services accepted that the consultation affected many people but there was an important need for the Council to plan for the future.  The Council also wished to  look at new services and alternatives to long term care such as people being helped more in their own homes and also the possibility of extra care housing.

The consultation process was to listen to everyone’s views and ideas and it was important to recognise the concerns.  If changes were made as a result of the consultation these would be handled very sensitively, examining individuals needs and ensuring that individuals were safe and well cared for.  The Assistant Director, Adult and Local Services clarified that there would be no staff redundancies in relation to any proposals in the consultation.

A lengthy discussion followed in which members expressed strong feelings and views around the possible closure of  the residential homes and the impact on residents and the wider public and around the services that would be provided to support people at home should there be any residential home closures.  Comments made by individual members included:-

·               the need to take into account whether there would be the capacity to adequately meet individuals’ needs locally by in the Aspatria and surrounding area;

·               whether other opportunities were being missed at this stage? could a future model such as care village in the area be considered which would rely on the skills of the County Council’s high quality care staff?

·               whether there was sufficient domiciliary and other care provision available to ensure that quality care could be transferred to support people at home;

·               the closure of Park Lodge would limit the ability of family and friends to visit their  relatives due to rising travel costs and poor bus timetables in the area;

·               close communities developed within residential homes and residents often wished to remain in these ‘communities’. A good residential home might become an extended family for some residents and removal from this environment could affect their physical and emotional well being;

·               care home workers were passionate about their jobs and their job security was a vital consideration.

During the discussion the Assistant Director, Adult and Local Services responded to various issues raised and advised members that some of the matters they had raised were already recognised and were being taken  ...  view the full minutes text for item 208.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on  23 September 2011 (copy enclosed)

RESOLVED,    that the minutes of the meeting of the Local Committee held on 23 September be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

[Electoral Divisions –  All Allerdale ]

To consider a report by the Area Support Manager (copy enclosed).

This report updates the Committees on actions arising from previous meetings.

The Committee considered a report by the Area Support Manager on actions arising from previous meetings.

Minute 198 of 23 September 2011 - the secretary clarified that members would be able to claim travel expenses in relation to the informal group that had been set up for a representative group from the Committee with Members of the Allerdale Borough Council but that attendance at meetings needed to be authorised as an approved duty by the Local Committee to allow members to claim travelling expenses.

RESOLVED, thatattendance at meetings of the informal group for discussion with the  Members of the Allerdale Borough Council be authorised as an approved duty by the Local Committee to allow members to claim travelling expenses

Minute 172 of 18 July 2011 - with regard to the progress of spending the additional highways monies, the Area Highways and Transport Manager confirmed that his unit was on track to spend the additional monies by the end of the budget year.  He agreed that extra capacity would be needed if it became apparent that this would not be the case.

Some debate followed on the level of improvement brought about by the Better Highways systems and particular concern was expressed regarding the lack of activity of VAS signs at Red dial.

RESOLVED,    that

                           (1)       the report be noted;

                           (2)       Member attendance at the group that had been set up with Members of the Borough Council be authorised as an approved duty by the Local Committee to allow members to claim travelling expenses;

                           (3)       the Area Highways and Transport Manager provide a full report on the Better Highways to a future meeting and the future transition to Local Teams;

                           (4)       the Area Highways and Transport Manager take up the matter of the VAS signs at Red dial with Connect Roads.

(1)       Highways Budget

[Mr M Johnston withdrew for this item having declared a personal and prejudicial  interest earlier in the meeting]

[Mrs B Cannon left the meeting at this point] 

The Committee considered a report by the Corporate Director – Resources (copy enclosed) which presented the actual expenditure and commitments recorded against the Local Committee’s Highways Budgets.

Members were advised that the Winter Damage budget was projecting a small overspend at the end of the financial year and that any overspends on this budget would be  recovered from the underspend in the Local Committee’s Highways Capital budget

RESOLVED,    that

                           (1)       the budget allocations for 2011-12 and the commitments and  expenditure recorded to date be noted;

                           (2)       the Highways Revenue budget is currently projecting an underspend of £13,853 against budget be noted;

                           (3)       the Highways Capital budget projected underspend of £182,935 against budget be noted ;

                           (4)       the Winter Damage Budget,  which is currently projecting an overspend of £3,714 against budget, be noted.

(2)       Communities Budget

The Committee considered a report by the Corporate Director – Resources which  presented the actual expenditure and commitments recorded against the Local Committee’s Communities Budgets as at 31 0ctober 2011.

The Area Support Manager commented that there was likely to be a paper to the Committee’s meeting in January which would examine the unallocated resources in the Communities Revenue budgets and present options for Members .  The suggestion was made that officer also examine whether there were any small projects identified by the communities in local travel plans that might be met by funds from the Communities Revenue budget subject to the relevant criteria.

It was confirmed that a complete set of the 2011/12 Communities budget financial statements would be circulated to Members following the meeting.

RESOLVED,    that

                           (1)       the budget allocations for 2011-12 and the commitments and expenditure recorded as presented be noted;

                           (2)       the unallocated resources in the Communities Revenue budgets of £461,068 be noted;

                           (3)       the unallocated resources in the Local Member Capital budgets of £44,775 be noted.

[Electoral Divisions –  All Allerdale]

To consider a report by the Chief Executive (copy enclosed)

This report sets out the deliberations of the Combined Grants Panel for endorsement by the Committee.

The Committee considered a report by the Chief Executive which set out the deliberations of the Combined Grants Panel, for endorsement by Local Committee.

Two recommendations for grant were being proposed.  If approved, these would utilise £600 of the general grants budget leaving a balance of £15,880 to allocate.  A number of other grants were considered during the Panel’s meeting but the Panel had agreed that these be deferred pending receipt of more information from applicants.

RESOLVED,    that

                           (1)       an allocation of  £200 from the General Grants Budget be allocated to Workington Junior Squash Club towards their annual squash tournament;

                           (2)       an allocation of  £600 from the General Grants Budget be allocated to Citizen’s Advice Allerdale towards the purchase of computer equipment.

[Electoral Divisions –  All Allerdale ]

To consider the minutes of the Highways and Transport Working Group held on 21 October  2011(copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the minutes of the Highways and Transport Working Group held on 21 October 2011.

On Minute 3 – Allocation of Balance – Capital Budget

RESOLVED,    that  the provisional re-allocation of unspent balances be endorsed as follows:

Budget Headings                  Original budget                      Projected under spend

NPRN named schemes       £953,656                               £108,601

NPRN C/W Repairs              £907,742                               £105,362

Lump Sums & Prelims         £362,890                               £65,840

                                                                        Total                £279,803

Proposed schemes

Park Wood C/W Ph1                                                            £  85,500

Park Wood C/W Ph2                                                            £100,000

SalterbeckRoad F/W                                                            £  51,500

Blencogo – Park Gate C/W                                                 £  42,803

                                                                        Total                £279,803

Minute 5 - Traffic Signals Communication

The Highways and Transport Working Group had considered a proposal to upgrade the existing analogue communication system for the traffic signals at the junctions of Washington Street/ Jane Street and Washington Street / Ramsay Brow to digital and had recommended a contribution of £10,000 from the local budgets to the upgrade.

Attention was drawn to the discussion at the Working Group’s meeting regarding the new signals at Vulcans Lane.  A Member considered that problems that could arise when a number of the new signalled crossing types were close together as the tone changes from the various crossings could be confusing for pedestrians.  The Area Manager Highways and Transport advised that  there would be a review of the operation and safety of new signalled crossing types and a report on this matter would be made to a future Highways and Transport Working Group.

RESOLVED,    that a sum of £10,000 be allocated from the Highways Budget  to support the upgrade of the traffic signal communication system from analogue to digital.

Minute 8(2) - Development at Netherhall Road, Maryport

[At this point in the meeting Mr J Cowell and Mr J Holliday declared a personal interest due to being members of the Development, Control and Regulation  Committee]

The Local Member for Maryport West referred back to the concerns he had raised at the  Working Group’s meeting regarding a  housing development proposed at Netherhall; the numerous objections that he had received and his wish for the Local Member to be involved at an earlier stage when officers were compiling highway authority response on planning applications.  The Area Highways and Transport Manager explained the current process for the applications and confirmed that he would share the response made to the on this application with the Local Member for Maryport.  The Area Highways and Transport Manager referred to certain constraints in the system and hoped that a better way could be found of taking members view’s into account at an earlier stage in the process. . Following further discussion it was

RESOLVED,    that the Area Highways and Transport Manger submit a report to the next  meeting on better involving the Local Member when compiling the highway authority response on planning applications.

[Electoral Divisions – All Allerdale ]

To consider  a report by the Corporate Director – Environment (to follow).

This paper updates members about progress on the proposed extension to the Hadrian’s Cycleway in Allerdale prior to ints consideration by Cabinet in December 2011. This report follows previous information update reports in recent months and describes the planned route and the funding package and programme for delivery. The report seeks members endorsement of the project and commitment in principle to increase the funding allocation to Sustrans Rangers to enable maintenance of the cycleway.

The Area Highways and Transport Manager for Allerdale submitted a paper on the proposed extension to the Hadrian’s Cycleway in Allerdale prior to its consideration by Cabinet in December 2011.  The report followed previous information update reports in recent months and describing the planned route and the funding package and programme for delivery. The report sought members endorsement of the project and commitment in principle to increase the funding allocation to Sustrans Rangers by around £5,000 to enable maintenance of the cycleway. 

The Committee welcomed the proposed extension of the cycleway.  However, it was discussed whether the cost increase of £5,000 was too high as this was 50% increase on the figure currently being paid by the Local Committee for the Sustrans rangers.  The Area Highways and Transport Manager advised that the £5,000 quoted was a ‘worst case scenario figure’ and he expected the actual amount to be considerably lower.

The Local Member for Maryport West then referred to problems of maintenance of the cyclepath where it was close to the sea.  The Area Highways and Transport Manager undertook to raise the issues through the maintenance agreement with Sustrans and to  invite the Local Member to attend a site visit. 

RESOLVED,    that

                           (1)       it be noted that the project is to be considered by Cabinet in December.;

                           (2)       the Local Committee endorse, in principle, an increase of up to £5,000 in maintenance funding through existing arrangements with the Sustrans rangers.

[Electoral Divisions –  All Allerdale]

To consider  a report by the Corporate Director – Environment (enclosed).

This report seeks members’ endorsement for the Allerdale section of the LTP3 Implementation Plan following a members’ seminar on 21 October and proposal for  the review process of the Plan which should begin promptly in 2012.

A report was submitted  seeking the Committee’s endorsement for the Allerdale section of the LTP3 Implementation Plan, following a seminar held for its Members on 21 October,  and proposal for  the review process of the Plan which would should begin promptly in 2012.  Members present at the seminar had concluded the content of the draft Plan to be adequate to go forward for 2012/13 and that the review of the Plan should begin promptly in 2012. The review would include all Member’s input and consider smaller scale schemes as well as more substantial schemes through a review of the Community Travel Plans (CTPs) and other priorities identified by communities.

RESOLVED,    that the area transport statement and  transport improvement schemes for Allerdale as presented in the report, be endorsed for inclusion in the Implementation Plan.

[Electoral Divisions –  All Allerdale]

To consider a report  by the Corporate Director  - Adult and Cultural Services (copy enclosed) 

The County Council began a detailed review of the Library Service last year with the aim of addressing the long term decline in public use through the investigation of various options for the modernisation of service delivery.  Earlier this year a consultation exercise began that sought the public’s views on a range of options and over 4000 comments have been received in verbal, written and on line contacts.  A paper reporting the results of that initial consultation was presented to Cabinet on the 15 September. This paper sets out proposals for taking the modernisation process forward in Allerdale following Cabinet’s response.

The Committee considered a report by the Corporate Director – Adults and Local Services updating the Committee of the County Council’s detailed review of the Library Service which has commenced the previous year with the aim of addressing the long term decline in public use through the investigation of various options for the modernisation of service delivery. 

A consultation exercise had been carried out which sought the public’s views on a range of options and over 4000 comments have been received in verbal, written and on line contacts.  A paper reporting the results of that initial consultation had been presented to Cabinet on the 15 September and the paper now before the Committee set out proposals for taking the modernisation process forward in Allerdale. 

The County Manager – Library Service review, explained that the consultation exercise had now been carried out and figures had shown that despite the size of some of the libraries in Allerdale, usage was extremely good.  However,  there was scope for modernisation within the wider context of the County Council’s Customer Services Strategy and developing Area Planning agenda. The report therefore proposed the establishment of a small working group to begin working on the options to carry out assessment of the feedback before forming a view about how best to proceed with the modernisation process in Allerdale.

Members were pleased with the results of the review but considered that a workshop approach would allow all members to be involved in examining the options for modernisation and needs of local communities in relation to library services in Allerdale.  It was therefore

RESOLVED,    that

                           (1)       the Area Support Manager and the County Manager-Library Service Review arrange a number of workshops for the Committee Members, supported by officers from Local Services and the Community Unit, to begin work immediately to assess:-

Ø            the options for modernisation proposed as part of the public consultation exercise

Ø            the feedback received from the public consultation in relation to the library service points currently within the boundaries of the Local Committee

Ø            the needs of local communities in relation to library services

                                       before forming a view about how best to proceed with the modernisation process in Allerdale;

                           (2)       when Members have reached agreement about the approach they wish to see implemented, a report back be made to the Local Committee before the Committee makes a recommendation or set of recommendations to Cabinet;

                           (3)       it be noted that the Local Committee should be in a position to submit its findings to Cabinet by no later than February/ March 2012.

[Electoral Divisions – Keswick and Derwent]

To consider a report by the Corporate Director – Resources (copy enclosed).

This report advises of changes proposed to the membership of the Keswick School Trust to reduce the overall number of Trustees due the various changes that have taken place with the Governance of the School and the reduction in the duties and responsibilities of the Trust.

A report by the Director of Resources was considered which advised of changes proposed to the membership of the Keswick School Trust to reduce the overall number of Trustees. This had come about due the various changes that have taken place with the Governance of the School and the reduction in the duties and responsibilities of the Trust.

The number of Nominative Trustee places for LEA/Cumbria County Council on the Keswick School Trust would be reduced from 6 to 1 under the new proposals. The Local Committee for Allerdale had previously appointed to only four of the 6 places the four current appointees being Councillor R Munby and 3 (non-elected) appointees Mr D Robinson, Mrs G Holmes, and Mr B Donnelly KBE CMG.

The Trust was  hoping that the Local Committee for Allerdale would support the changes so that the Charity Commission can implement the appropriate changes to the Trust deed.

RESOLVED,    that

                           (1)       the proposed changes to the membership of the Keswick School Trust be supported;

                           (2)       should the proposed changes be implemented, the LEA/Cumbria County Council representative on Keswick School Trust be Mr R Munby, current appointee and the Local Member for Keswick.  

To consider the minutes of the Leadership and Local Committee Chairs meeting held on 6 October 2011(copy enclosed).  

The minutes of the Leadership and Local Committee Chairs meeting held on 6 October 2011 were submitted.

On minute 15 – Members Capital Schemes- it was noted that the Members had unanimously agreed that the Members Capital Scheme should be retained.

On minute 16 – Funding of swimming in Cumbria -  Clarification was sought regarding the  reference in the minute on the debating process on funding of swimming in Cumbria. The Area Support Manager offered to seek clarification of this.

RESOLVED,    that the minutes of the Leadership and Local Committee Chairs meeting held on 6 October 2011 be received.

Electoral Divisions – All Allerdale ]

To consider a report by the Corporate Director – Children’s Services (copy enclosed).

This report seeks approval of nominations of Cumbria County Council Governors of Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools.

The Committee considered a report by the Corporate Director – Children’s Services seeking approval of nominated County Council Governors of nursery, primary and secondary schools.

RESOLVED,    that the following appointments be made:

                           School                                            Representative

                           Community, Nursery and Primary

                           Fairfield Infant School                    Alan Earl

                                                                                    15 The Parklands

                                                                                    Cockermouth  CA13 OXJ

                                                                                    Paula Pye

                                                                                    139 The Parklands

                                                                                    Cockermouth  CA13 OXJ

                           Ellenborough and Ewanrigg         Rev Gill Hart

                             Infant School                                 Netherton Vicarage

                                                                                    Maryport

                           Victoria Junior School                   Allison Humphreys

                                                                                    101 Corporation Road

                                                                                    Workington  CA14 2PN

                           Secondary Community

                           Keswick School                             Ms Jeronime Palmer

                                                                                    Greta Hall

                                                                                    Main Street

                                                                                    Keswick.

Friday  20 January 2012 at 10:00am at Moorclose Community Centre, Workington.  

Friday 20 January 2012 at 10:00am at Moorclose Community Centre, Workington.