Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Ms J Heath, Mr O Pearson and Mr M Worth.

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.

Mrs T Macur declared a personal interest in Agenda Item No. 13 Local Revenue Scheme as a Governor of St Bernards School.

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.

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

1. At the last meeting members received a petition from the residents of Oxford Street and surrounding area requesting a 20 mph speed limit and roundabout at the junction of Oxford Street and Furness Park Road enlarged.  Mr Joe Weall, the petition organiser attended the meeting and asked members to consider the request.  Drivers used it as a rat run and speeded down Oxford Street.  He believed it was only a matter of time before someone was seriously injured.  The Highways Service Manager acknowledged receipt of the petition and said that new schemes for 2011/12 and beyond were being looked at now.  He would produce a report for the Highways Advisory Sub-Group.

2. Mrs Julie Atkinson had been delighted to see the very sheltered/extra  care housing scheme opened at Station View, Holker Street, Barrow and asked the following questions:

1)                 what value do members place on this type of facility as an integral and vital part of the ongoing provision of care for older adults; and

2)                 is there still an ongoing programme of identifying and developing this type of care provision throughout the county.  If so, are there plans for further schemes in the Barrow area – for example on Walney Island?

The Chair thanked Mrs Atkinson very much for raising the question and gave the following response:

He had viewed the development before it opened, attended the opening and had popped back in again and really did not think you could place a value on this facility.  For him, seeing the care, devotion and attention residents were receiving surpassed any means of placing a value on such a wonderful facility.

The accommodation was simply 5 star: the atmosphere and environment friendly, gracious and welcoming and the ambience was of a home, where people cared.

You simply could not ask for more and if he had to value it, he would have to say it was of the highest order in every way possible. It was the result of an enormous amount of hard work by County Officers, developers, Barrow Borough Council, Accent Housing and on an ongoing basis, the incredible care staff who devote themselves to their clients; clients, whom he knew would share the endorsement of the facility and all associated with it.

The County Council was committed to developing high quality services across the County for older people. They were increasing investment to support people to remain in their own homes, but for those that needed support in specialist buildings based facilities, extra care provided a first class model of care, and the County Council were committed to supporting the development of more schemes similar to Station View.

There were challenges in achieving the number of developments they would wish to see because of the financial issues facing central government, who had traditionally provided financial support, and of course the County Council who were working with reduced funding. That said, a new scheme had recently opened in Carlisle and funding had recently been secured for an extra care  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on

RESOLVED,       that the minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2011 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

1. Improving Residential Care in Barrow-in-Furness

To receive a presentation from Mark Hastings, County Manager – Care Provision.

2. Morecambe Bay Partnership

To receive a presentation from Susannah Bleakley, Morecambe Bay Partnership.

(1)   Improving Residential Care in Barrow-in-Furness

RESOLVED,       that the presentation be deferred.

(2)   Morecambe Bay Partnership

Members received a presentation from Susannah Bleakley and informed members that Morecambe Bay Partnership had received an earmarked first-round pass of £2 million pounds from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) through its Landscape Partnership programme for the Headlands to Headspace project.  This included a development fund grant of £100,000 to help the Partnership progress their plans over the next couple years.  A first round pass meant that the money had been set aside by the Heritage Lottery Fund for their scheme and they would submit a further, second stage application to secure the full award.

The Headlands to Headspace project aimed to make the Bay better appreciated and inspire and engage local people into looking after its special and distinctive features.  Projects were proposed to:

• celebrate the Bay’s unique cultural heritage and stunning landscapes
• support local people to restore and reconnect wildlife habitats, protect the tidal islands and study birds and seals
• develop the railway stations as hubs to access key sites
• support education projects and oral history looking at the traditions of fishing in the Bay
• support joint work between Lancaster Maritime and Barrow Dock Museums and
• community training in archaeology, surveying, safeguarding monuments and habitats.

RESOLVED,       that the presentation received.

[Electoral Divisions: All Barrow]

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

This report sets out proposals for taking the modernisation process forward in Barrow following Cabinet’s response.

The Committee received a report form the Corporate Director – Adults and Local Services which asked members to consider the modernisation of local library service points in the wider context of the County Council’s Customer Services Strategy and developing Area Planning  agenda.  The Chair was concerned that in some Barrow libraries, the decline in users over the past 5 years was as high as 21%.  He believed the whole Committee should have an input into the review and asked that they all attended the working group.  He would also invite members of the Youth Council to obtain their views.  The Area Support Manager added it could be discussed as part of the wider Area Planning meeting on 2 December 2011.

RESOLVED,      

(1)   a working Group comprising of all the Committee and supported by officers from Local Services and the Community Unit to begin work immediately to assess:

·        the options for modernisation proposed as part of the public consultation exercise;

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

·        the needs of local communities in relation to library services,

before forming a view about how best to proceed with the modernisation process in Barrow.

(2)   the Working Group report back to the Local Committee the approach they wish to see implemented for the Committee to make recommendations to Cabinet no later than February/March 2012.

[Electoral Division: All Barrow]

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

This report presents the actual expenditure and commitments recorded against the Local Committee’s Highways Revenue and Capital Budgets as at 30 September 2011.

The Committee received a report from the Corporate Director – Resources which presented the actual expenditure and commitments recorded against the Local Committee’s Highways Revenue and Capital Budgets as at 30 September 2011.  The Chair expected the underspends to all be allocated at the end of the financial year.  The Highways Services Manager confirmed that the budget was being looked at continually to ensure it was all spent.  Member discussed the policy for siting grit bins and asked if the existing ones had been filled.  All grit bins in the area had been filled and any new requests for grit bins would be considered using the set criteria.  A member asked if there was any funding available for street lighting column replacement.  Unfortunately, there was no allocation in the budget this financial year.

RESOLVED,       to

(1)   note the budget allocations for 2011/12 and the commitments and expenditure recorded to date;

(2)   note the Highways Revenue budget projected overspend of £2,168 against budget;

(3)   note the Highways Capital budget projected underspend of £18,492;

(4)   note the Winter Damage budget is currently projecting a small underspend against budget of £4,417.

[Electoral Division: All Barrow]

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

This report presents the actual expenditure and commitments recorded against the Local Committee’s Communities Budgets as at 30 September 2011.

The Committee received a report from the Corporate Director – Resources which presented the actual expenditure and commitments recorded against the Local Committee’s Communities Budget as at 30 September 2011.  The Chair reported that it might be possible to recruit to the 4 vacant school crossing patrol sites on Barrow Island, Lesh Lane, Oxford Street and Ainslie Street.  Members believed it would be worthwhile for the HASG to look at the most dangerous sites, in order to assist officers to put a business case together.  

RESOLVED,      

(1)   To note the budget allocations for 2011/12 and the commitments and expenditure recorded to date;

(2)   To note the unallocated resources in the Communities Revenue budgets of £218,181;

(3)   To note the balanced budget for Local Member Capital Schemes;

(4)   That the Highways Advisory Sub-Group consider the crossing patrol vacancies in the area and decide which should be put forward to officers as part of a business case.

[Electoral Division: All Barrow]

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

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

The Committee considered a Schedule which outlined the position regarding vacant County Council Governor positions at County Council Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools in the area.

RESOLVED,       that subject to their approval the following be appointed:-

                              School                                                     Representative

                              Community, Nursery & Primary                                          

                              Dane Ghyll Community Primary            Ms Carol Bell

                                                                                                149 Roose Road

                                                                                                Barrow-in-Furness

                                                                                                LA13 0EE

                              Roose School                                          Councillor Rory Mclure

                                                                                                274 Abbey Road

                                                                                                Barrow-in-Furness

                                                                                                LA13 9JJ

                              Voluntary Aided Catholic                  

                              Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic           Dr Simon Harvey

                              Primary School                                        Stonegarth

                                                                                                Gargreave Farm

                                                                                                Kirkby-in-Furness

                                                                                                LA17 7TS

[Electoral Divisions: All Barrow]

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

This report gives recommendations for approval by Barrow Local Committee from the Neighbourhood Grants Panel meeting of 7^th October 2011.

The Committee considered a report from the Chief Executive which gave recommendations for approval by Barrow Local Committee from the Neighbourhood Grants Panel meeting held on 7 October 2011.  There was some discussion around the length of time taken for the grants to be confirmed at local committee.  The Area Support Manager was liaising with Legal and Finance to see if there was anyway of speeding the process up. 

RESOLVED,       to

(1)   note the minutes of the Neighbourhood Grants Panel meeting held on 7 October 2011;

(2)   approve a Neighbourhood Grant of £6,000.00 to Emmanuel Community Church – Barrow Parish Nurse Project from all Neighbourhood Forum areas budgets;

(3)   approve a Neighbourhood Grant of £1,400.00 to Walney Churches Scout Group from all Neighbourhood Forum areas budgets;

(4)   approve a Neighbourhood Grant of £4,068.00 to CADAS (Cumbria Alcohol and Drug Advisory Service) from all Neighbourhood Forum areas budgets;

(5)   approve a Neighbourhood Grant of £5,000.00 to Four Groves Resource Centre from all Neighbourhood Forum areas budgets;

(6)   approve a Neighbourhood Grant of £5,000.00 to Walney Musical Theatre Company from all Neighbourhood Forum areas budgets;

(7)   approve a Neighbourhood Grant of £5,000.00 to Dalton with Ireleth and Askam Festival Association from all Neighbourhood Forum areas budgets;

(8)   approve a Neighbourhood Grant of £1,000.00 to Abbotsvale Community Association from all Neighbourhood Forum areas budgets;

(9)   approve a Neighbourhood Grant of £800.00 to Trans Lakes Nights, Support and Social Group from all Neighbourhood Forum areas budgets;

(10)    approve a Neighbourhood Grant of £500.00 to TASC (Thwaite Street and Surrounding Community) from all Neighbourhood Forum areas budgets;

(11)    approve a Neighbourhood Grant of £2,000.00 to Vickerstown Junior Football Club from all Neighbourhood Forum areas budgets.

[Divisions: All Barrow]

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

The Committee received the minutes of the Children and Young People’s Working Group (CYPWG) meeting held on 12 October 2011 and considered the recommendation contained therein.  The Area Support Manager explained that the deferral of the grant to Birchall Trust was because they had already received some funding previously.  They had no base in Barrow which meant that children and young people in the area would have to travel to Kendal for support.  The Assistant Director – Strategy and Commissioning highlighted the bid also included funding for a residential trip.  He suggested officers ascertain how many of the children and young people from the Barrow area would be attending.  This would be looked into before the next CYPWG.  The lack of support for young people aged between 16-19 leaving care was referred to.  The district councils needed to understand that they were corporate parents too and as such had a duty to find suitable housing for children looked after.  Ms Hammond added that although she was not listed as those in attendance at the meeting, she was in fact present.

RESOLVED,       to

(1)   note the minutes of the Children and Young People’s Working Group held on 12 October 2011;

(2)   approve a grant of £3,000.00 to The Ashton Group’s Theatre Factory for Technical Upgrades and Training from the 0-19 budget;

(3)   approve a grant of £1,031.42 to Lindal and Marton Afterschool Club towards the purchase of equipment from the 0-19 budget;

(4)   approve a grant of £1,907.54 to National Autistic Society Furness Branch for a range of activities from the 0-19 budget;

(5)   approve a grant of £2,000.00 to Signal Film and Media towards a workshop project from the 0-19 budget;

(6)   approve a grant of £1,980.00 to Dare Dance towards a visit to a dance festival from the 0-19 budget;

(7)   defer a grant of £896.85 to Brichall Trust in order to await further information;

(8)   approve a grant of £1,000.00 to Friends of Artspace towards artist fees and administration from the 0-19 budget;

(9)   approve a grant of £2,000.00 to Octopus Collective towards the Co-Mmotion project from the 0-19 budget;

(10)    approve a grant of £10,000.00 in principle to NACRO for Youth workers, equipment and towards costs from the 0-19 budget, subject to NACRO presenting a detailed plan to include the outcomes of activity, timetable etc. to a future meeting of the C&YPWG;

(11)    defer a grant of £1,500.00 to Cumbria Youth Alliance in order to await further supporting information;

(12)    approve a grant of £2,949.00 in principle to Drop Zone towards a residential event and day trip to an indoor skate park from the 0-19 budget, subject to further information regarding selection criteria;

(13)    approve a grant of £4,000.00 to Barrow Jiu-Jitsu Club towards after school activities from the 0-19 budget and that £2,000.00 be released immediately and the remainder once confirmation has been received on the take up of classes.

[Electoral Divisions: All Barrow]

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

This report, seeking to commit elements of the 2011/12 Local Revenue Scheme budget, includes Members’ proposals that have been sufficiently worked up, to enable Local Committee to consider spending decisions.

The Committee considered a report from the Chief Executive which sought to commit elements of the 2011/12 Local Revenue Scheme budget and included Members’ proposals that had been sufficiently worked up, to enable Local Committee to consider spending decisions.

RESOLVED,       to

(1)   agree a contribution of £508.00 for equipment for planting schemes and litter picking for Dalton Tidy Group for Dalton South ward for the Community Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

(2)   agree a contribution of £2,000.00 for new kitchen and toilet facilities for Dalton Youth Project for Dalton South ward for the Community Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

(3)   agree a contribution of £285.00 for kitchen equipment for Newton School – Puzzles Playgroup for Dalton South ward for the Community Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

(4)   agree a contribution of £1,026.00 for afterschool curricular football for South Walney Junior School for Walney South ward for the Community Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

(5)   agree a contribution of £3,899.00 for upgrading computers and installation of projector and screen equipment for Spring Mount Youth Club for Walney South ward for the Community Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

(6)   agree a contribution of £2,000.00 for afterschool curricular activities for St. Columba’s Catholic Primary School for Walney South ward for the Community Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

(7)   agree a contribution of £1,250.00 for equipment for Barrow District Scouts for Parkside ward for the Community Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

(8)   agree a contribution of £3,252.00 for equipment Barrow Cricket Club for Hawcoat ward for the Community Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

(9)   agree a contribution of £500.00 for workshops for Askam & Ireleth Christmas Festival 2011 for Dalton North ward for the Community Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

(10)    agree a contribution of £1,000.00 for solardome project at Ireleth School for Dalton North ward for the Community Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

(11)    agree a contribution of £1,500.00 for youth work for Askam Young Lines for Dalton North ward for the Community Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

(12)    agree a contribution of £2,000.00 for new kitchen and toilet facilities for Dalton Youth Project for Dalton North ward for the Community Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

(13)    agree a contribution of £500.00 for action plan printing and start-up website for Askam & Ireleth Parish Council for Dalton North ward for the Community Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

(14)    agree a contribution of £3,000.00 for equipment for afterschool clubs for Yarlside Primary School for Roosecote ward for the Community Infrastructure Revenue Programme;

(15)    agree a contribution of £2,000.00 for new bus shelter for Ormsgill ward for the Highways Infrastructure Revenue Programme.

[Electoral Divisions: All Barrow]

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

This report details the discussion and recommendations of the HASG for the Barrow Area which met on 17^th October 2011, (see Appendix 1).  It recommends that the Local Area Committee for Barrow notes the discussions and approves the recommendations detailed below.

The Committee considered a report from the Corporate Director – Environment which gave details of the discussion and recommendations of the Highways Advisory Sub-Group (HASG) for the Barrow area which met on 17 October 2011.  Members discussed the £30 fee for a disabled parking by application.  The Chair believed that £30 was not an unreasonable sum, given the amount of work needed to carry out the assessment.  

RESOLVED,       to

(1)   note the minutes of the Highways Advisory Sub-Group meeting held on 17 October 2011;

(2)   endorse the recommendation of the HASG to accept the new CCC policy for providing Advisory Disabled Parking Bays and agree that the 28 no. bays detailed in Appendix 2 be progressed and that the sum of £1,960 be allocated from the Local Committee’s Annual Package of Measures budget;

(3)   endorse the recommendation of the HASG not to agree to waive the £30 administration fee for the existing Advisory Disabled Parking Bays.

[Electoral Divisions: Dalton North; Dalton South]

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

This report gives details of the work programme being undertaken by the Rural Projects Officer.

The Committee considered a report from the Chief Executive which gave details of the work programme being undertaken by the Rural Projects Officer.

RESOLVED,       that the report be noted.

[Electoral Divisions: All Barrow]

To consider a report by the Chief Executive’s Office (copy enclosed).

This report is the September/October 2011 Monitoring Report for Barrow Local Committee.

The Committee considered a report from the Chief Executive which presented the August/September 2011 Monitoring Report for Barrow Local Committee.  A member referred to page 119 Item 2 Local Bus Service and asked if it would be possible to look at concessionary train tickets from Askam to Barrow.  The Area Support Manager would speak to the Transport Team.

RESOLVED,       to note the content of the information contained within the report at Appendix 1.

To enable local members to give verbal reports on and share information in respect of outside bodies to which they have been appointed.

Mrs Burns informed members that Furness Enterprise was struggling to keep economic development alive in Barrow.  She suggested the local committee meet with the Chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership, Barrow Borough Councillors and officers in order to work together to lobby for grants and be more proactive.  Members agreed and the Area Support Manager would take it forward.

The next scheduled meeting will take place on Friday 13 January 2011, venue to be arranged.

RESOLVED,       that the next meeting would take place on Friday 13 January 2012 at 10.15 am, Nan Tait Centre, Abbey Road, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 1LG.