Agenda and minutes

It was noted that all of the above members and officers were present at the meeting.

There were no apologies for absence on this occasion.

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 disclosures of interest made on this occasion.

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

There were no questions, statements or petitions relating to the business of the Committee on this occasion.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 18 January 2021 (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED,    that the minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 2021 be confirmed as a correct record.

[Electoral Divisions: All Barrow]

To consider a report by the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure (copy enclosed).

This report presents the activity of the Parking Team for the first ten months of this financial year, 2020/21.

Members received a report from the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure which detailed the activity of the Parking Team for the first ten months of this financial year, 2020/21.

The Committee was informed that much of this period was during the three lockdown periods of the current pandemic.  It was explained that during the first lockdown in April and May, proactive enforcement was reduced and the parking enforcement officers were redeployed to assist local communities.  Members noted that during the two latter lockdowns in November and January/February enforcement had returned in line with the national advice.

Members were informed that the Parking Team had recruited a new Parking Team Leader for the Barrow area, a former officer who had experience in patrolling the Barrow area and there was an ongoing recruitment process to employ additional civil enforcement officers for the area. 

The Committee raised their concerns regarding the traffic problems caused by food delivery drivers operating in Barrow Town Centre.  Members were informed that a joint campaign was being undertaken with Cumbria Constabulary to share resources to try and resolve some of the issues which were being caused.  During the course of discussion it was suggested that deliveries from McDonald’s Food Outlet could take place from their Hollywood Park premises where there was sufficient parking available rather than the town centre.  The Traffic Manager agreed to ask the Area Manager of McDonald’s to consider this proposal.

The Traffic Manager confirmed that following issues previously raised regarding parking permits for Navy personnel, liaison had taken place with the Royal Navy and short term parking permits were now issued.

The Committee was informed that at present only warning notices were issued for expired residents’ parking permits and that full enforcement would resume on 29 March.  During the course of discussion concerns were raised regarding residents who did not have access to IT to enable them to renew their permits.  It was confirmed the onus was on the resident to obtain a permit renewal and they could also be requested via post or telephone and would be issued within 2/3 days. 

Members were informed of a new School Streets Initiative pilot to discourage the use of vehicles near schools.  The Traffic Manager explained that following dialogue with officers it had been agreed that this would take place at Askam Village School.  Whilst the Committee welcomed this Initiative they raised their concerns that this had not initially been discussed with members at the Barrow Highways Sub?Group.  It was, therefore, agreed that a report would be considered at the next meeting of the Barrow Highways Sub?Group.

The Chair, on behalf of the Committee, thanked the Traffic Manager and his Team for the invaluable work they had undertaken during the current pandemic.

RESOLVED,   that

                          (1)          the report be noted;

                          (2)          a report on the Schools Streets initiative be considered at the next meeting of Barrow Highways Sub?Group.

[Electoral Divisions: All Barrow]

To consider a report by the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure (copy enclosed).

This report asks members to approve the provisional Devolved Highways Capital and Revenue programmes 2021/22 including prioritised lists of schemes.

Members received a report from the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure which sought approval of the Provisional Devolved Highways Capital and Revenue Programmes 2021/22, including prioritised lists of schemes, which would form the basis of the Local Committee’s Devolved Highways Revenue and Capital Programme for 2020/21 and provided a core Devolved Capital Programme for future years subject to annual review.  Members noted that the allocation for 2021/22 was £1,357,000 for the Devolved Capital and £793,576 for the Devolved Revenue budgets.

Members were informed that following a reduction in the NPRN budget it was still anticipated that the full Programme of Works would be undertaken.  The Local Area Highways Network Manager would provide an updated report at the next meeting of Barrow Highways Advisory Sub?Group.

The Committee was informed that following a procurement exercise the contract for weed spraying in the Barrow area had been awarded to the previous contractor Empire Group Care.

RESOLVED,   that the proposed Devolved Highways Capital and Revenue Programmes for 2021/22 (as set out in the Appendices to the report) be approved.

[Electoral Divisions: All Barrow]

To consider a report by the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure (copy enclosed).

This report presents the Highways Revenue and Devolved Capital and Non-Devolved Capital budget finance reports and updates Members as to current progress on these budget lines.

The Committee considered a report by the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure which detailed the Highways Revenue and Devolved Capital and Non-Devolved Capital budget finance reports and updated members as to current progress on those budget lines.

Members noted that the original Devolved Highways Revenue and Capital budgets were £782,608 and £1,323,034 respectively.  It was explained that a carry forward of the under or accelerated spend during 2019/20 was approved at a meeting of full Council in June 2020 which had altered the Revenue and Capital budget lines to £849,635 and £1,179,802 respectively.

The Committee was informed that budget underspends would be used for thermal patching; this would be mainly the back streets but would also include a small number of front streets.  It was explained that if this process was successful it was anticipated that further work would be undertaken during the summer.  It was agreed that the programme of works for the patching would be circulated to members to afford them the opportunity to survey the works being undertaken.

The Local Area Highways Network Manager also explained that part of the underspend would be used to cleanse the drains in the area which were the responsibility of the Authority.

The Chair, on behalf of the Committee, thanked the Local Area Highways Network Manager and his Team for the exemplary work they had undertaken together with the additional duties they had carried out during the current pandemic.

RESOLVED,   that the revenue and capital budget allocations for 2020/21 and the commitments and expenditure recorded to the end of January 2021 (as shown in Appendices 1, 2 and 3 of the report) be noted.

[Electoral Divisions: All Barrow]

To consider a report by the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure (copy enclosed).

This report gives recommendations for approval by Barrow Local Committee from the Highways Advisory Sub-Group meeting held on 16 February 2021.

The Committee considered a report from the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure which gave details of the discussion and recommendations of the Highways Advisory Sub-Group for the Barrow area which met on 16 February 2021.

The local Member for Walney North asked if a response had been received from the Chief Constable about the concerns which had been raised with her regarding the enforcement of 20 mph speed limits.  The Chair of the Sub?Group confirmed a reply was still awaited and it was agreed this would be followed up.

RESOLVED,    that the minutes of the meeting held on 16 February 2021 be noted.

[Electoral Divisions: All Barrow]

To consider a report by the Executive Director – Corporate, Customer and Community Services (copy enclosed).

This report provides Local Committee with an update on its work and agreed activity since the last meeting of the Committee.  It also includes a financial statement in support of the work of the Local Committee for Members’ information.

The Committee considered a report from the Executive Director – Corporate, Customer and Community Services which detailed information from across the Community teams including Community Development, sport and physical activity and libraries; it provided an update on work and agreed activity since the last meeting of the Committee.

Members received an update on the COVID response and noted that the Barrow Resilience Group continued to meet fortnightly and co?ordinate work and resources as required.  The Committee was informed that the Community Team continued to work with and support the Resource Distribution Points noting that, although the Points still provided a response service it was important to start to look at recovery.

The Committee welcomed the Food and Support partnership which had now been established and included the Resource Points together with wider partners and agencies.  The Area Manager explained the aim of the joined up approach and building on the trust and relationships established, was to help to prevent dependency and alleviate pressure on the Resource Points and a focus on ‘community-led recovery’ which would enable people to become more resilient and communities more sustainable.

Members received an update on the Barrow Town Deal noting that a Project Group, whose membership included a range of partners and elected members, had been established for each Scheme.  It was agreed that full updates would continue to be provided to members at future Informal Local Committee meetings.

The local Member for Ormsgill informed the Committee that following a request for further information about the future of a post office service in Ormsgill following its closure in March 2020 a successful meeting had taken place with local members, the MP, a representative from the Post Office and a member of the Community Team to look at providing this service from Ormsgill Community Centre.

The Committee was informed that the Children’s Trust Board - Barrow Children & Families Partnership had received a number of useful presentations from partners and service providers at its meeting in January.  Members noted that a small Working Group had been established to look at developing an action plan regarding how to share information and address current issues.  Members would receive updates at future meetings of the Committee.

The Vice?Chair of the Children’s Trust Board, Mrs A Burns, welcomed the work being undertaken and emphasised the crucial need for early help to try and avoid families going into crisis.  Members were informed that work was being undertaken with members of the Community Team to maintain the partnership approach which had already been established.

The Chair, on behalf of the Committee, congratulated the Barrow Community Team for the outstanding work they had undertaken and asked that their thanks and appreciation be passed on.

RESOLVED,   that

                          (1)          the updates in the report be noted;

                          (2)          the revised Highways Advisory Sub Group Terms of Reference (attached at Appendix 1 to the report) be agreed;

                          (3)          funding of £5,000 to the Borough Council to support a Poverty Truth Commission from General Provisions  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

Mr W McEwan, Chair of the Cumbria Police and Crime Panel informed members that the Cumbria Police and Crime Commissioner’s Proposed precept of 2.47% (£6.57 for Band D Properties) had been agreed at the meeting in January.

To note that future meetings of Barrow Local Committee are to be agreed.

It was noted that future meetings of the Committee were to be agreed.