Agenda and minutes

A minute’s silence was observed in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Apologies for absence were received from Dr K Lockney, Mr R Watson and Mr SF Young.

There were no disclosures of interest on this occasion.

RESOLVED,    that the press and public be not excluded from the meeting for any items of business on this occasion.

(1)       There are no public questions or statements to be considered at this meeting.

(2)       To receive a petition regarding Safety of Public Footpaths on Bowscale Close.

(1)       Members were informed that the petition regarding Safety of Public Footpaths on Bowscale Close had been withdrawn from the meeting.

(2)       There were no public questions or statement to be considered at the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Local Committee held on 14 July 2022 (copy enclosed).

With reference to minute 21 the local Member for Corby and Hayton raised his concerns regarding the considerable length of time the consultation had taken with parish councils regarding 20 mph Speed Limits or Zones, highlighting that the issue had first been raised in February 2022.  During the course of discussion concerns were also raised that the consultation would not include areas which did not have a parish.

Officers explained that the consultation had started and covered the period 30 August to 18 September.  Members raised their concerns regarding the deadline date and it was agreed that an extension to the deadline would be investigated.

The Local Committee agreed that an update report on the matter would be made available to the Carlisle and Highways and Transport Working Group meeting on 6 October.

RESOLVED,    that the minutes of the meeting of the Local Committee held on 14 July 2022 be confirmed as circulated and thereupon signed by the Chair.

[Electoral Divisions: All Carlisle]

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

This report provides an update on its agreed activity, a financial statement in support of these activities and requests decisions on a range of issues.

Members received a report from the Assistant Director – Customer and Community Services which provided members with recommendations and matters to note relating to budget commitments, grant allocations from the recommendations of its Strategic Grants Panel and other relevant matters relating to area planning.

The Committee was informed that there were underspends on the initial Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF) allocations for the Hadrian’s Wall Bus Service and Community Events, therefore, it was recommended to re?allocate £11,800 to the improvement of footpaths in Longtown and £6,428 towards the City of Lights event in October 2022 respectively (as detailed in the report). 

During the course of discussion the Chair suggested that £6,800 be allocated to the improvement of footpaths in Longtown and £5,000 to provide disabled access to the newly created Swifts footpath from The Sands Centre

RESOLVED,   that

                          (1)          the following be noted:-

                                        (a)       the commitments made and the remaining balances within delegated budgets and the grants (as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report);

                                        (b)       the grants made from the Area Wide Grants Fund as listed below and summarised in Appendix 2 of the report:

                                                    (i)        £4,255 to Together We CIC towards Recovery College Services to tackle mental health and psychological therapies, fitness interventions and post?natal work;

                                                    (ii)       £3,000 to Carlisle United Community Sports Trust towards a street art project in Georgian Way/ Strand Road underpass;

                                                    (iii)      £600 to Carlisle Society for the Blind towards 30th anniversary celebration project & event;

                                        (c)       the grants made from the 0-19 funding as listed below and summarised in Appendix 3 of the report:-

                                                    (i)        £4,605 to Spiral towards Drop in sessions to prevent the effects for those who are experiencing poor mental health;

                                                    (ii)       £3,900 to Yewdale Community Centre towards Vestibular Development Ages 0-4;

                                        (d)       the grants made to Community Organisations supporting people dealing with the cost of living crisis its allocation of £43,500 to purchase of food supplies as listed below and summarised in appendix 4 of the report:-

                                                    (i)        £2,000 to The Lookout

                                                    (ii)       £2,500 to Botcherby Community Centre

                                                    (iii)      £3,000 to Cornerstones

                                                    (iv)      £3,000 to St Barnabas and St Luke’s

                                                    (v)       £5,000 to Elim Community Church – Oasis Pantry

                                                    (vi)      £4,000 to Brampton Area Action Group

                                                    £9,600 to Carlisle Foodbank and £10,000 to Carlisle Community Help were agreed at Local Committee on 14 July 2022;

                          (2)          changes to the COMF allocations from underspends (as detailed above and in paragraph 4.3 of the report) be agreed as follows:-

                                        (i)        £6,800 to footpath improvements in Longtown;

                                        (ii)       £6,428 to City of Lights event in October 2022;

                                        (iii)      £5,000 to be allocated to provide disabled access to the newly created Swifts footpath from The Sands Centre.

[Electoral Divisions: All Carlisle]

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

This report gives highlights of the work of the Carlisle Community Development Team and the Public Health Manager (Carlisle) from March 2022–August 2022.

The Committee welcomed a detailed report which highlighted the work of the Carlisle Community Development Team and the Public Health Manager (Carlisle) for the period March 2022–August 2022.

Members were provided with an extensive overview of partnership work of the Team together with case studies showcasing their work as well as a summary of community grant activity processed by them during the same period.

The local Member for Stanwix Urban highlighted the ‘Places to Talk’ project which was helping to bring people together to talk about their experiences of living through the Covid-19 pandemic and to share their hopes for the future.  The Committee was informed Carlisle City Council had a similar project and it was suggested that collaborative working with them be considered.

During the course of discussion the local Member for Stanwix Urban also drew attention to ‘Food Security’ and suggested that joint working take place between the County Council and Carlisle City Council.

The local Member for Belah referred to the Support for Diverse Ethnic Communities and asked for further information regarding the trainee youth and community worker.  It was agreed the Public Health Locality Manager (Carlisle) would investigate this and report back direct.

The Public Health Locality Manager (Carlisle) informed members that, as far as possible, joint working with Carlisle City Council was undertaken.

The local Member for Botcherby thanked Jackie Hayhow and the Community Team for the work undertaken in his Division, highlighting in particular the commissioned street artist who had worked with children and residents to design and deliver a transformative piece of street art on the Melbourne Park changing room.

The local Members for Morton and Belle Vue expressed their thanks and appreciation for the work undertaken in their divisions.

The local Member for Yewdale thanked officers for the work undertaken in his Division and suggested that the importance of dental treatment be included as part of healthy eating.  The Chair suggested that this matter could be discussed as part of the Health City agenda.

The Chair, on behalf of the Committee, thanked the Carlisle Community Team for their invaluable contributions and highlighted the importance of their work.  Members were informed that the report had been made available to the Leader and relevant Portfolio Holder of the Shadow Authority for Cumberland Council.

RESOLVED,     that the report be noted.

[Electoral Divisions: All Carlisle]

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

This report presents the Highways Revenue, Devolved Capital and Non-Devolved Capital budget finance reports, combined with the highways programme progress information, as detailed in the attached appendices.

The Committee considered a report from the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure which detailed the Highways Revenue, Devolved Capital and Non-Devolved Capital budget finance reports, combined with the highways programme progress information.

Members were informed that the 2022/23 Highways Revenue Budget was forecasting on budget, the 2022/23 Highways Devolved Capital Budget was forecasting an underspend of £48,065 and the 2022/23 Highways Non?Devolved Capital Budget was forecasting an underspend of £3,441.

The Local Committee was informed of an underspend on the additional pothole budget following completion of all defects logged on the Authority’s HIAMS system and it was explained that the surplus revenue would be used to undertake additional works.

The local Member for Dalston and Burgh highlighted significant potholes in his Division on Cummersdale Road and Gilbert Road and asked if this work could be included as part of the underspend.  It was agreed Local Area Highways Network Manager would investigate this matter.

The local Member for Corby and Hayton highlighted a number of white lines which were no longer visible in the Carlisle area.  The Local Area Highways Network Manager informed the Committee that packages of white lining were undertaken periodically and asked that she be informed of any areas of concern.

The local Member for Stanwix Urban raised concerns regarding utility companies excavating newly surfaced footways and carriageways, highlighting in particular the effects of this on the footpath on Knowfield Avenue.  The Local Area Highways Network Manager informed members that a S58 was put in place to prevent utility companies carrying out works during an agreed period of time unless it was classed as an emergency.

The local Member for Botcherby raised his concerns again regarding the lack inclusion of the Durranhill Viaduct in the 2022/23 Highways Devolved Capital budget allocation.  It was agreed a written detailed response on this matter would be made available to the Chair, Vice-Chair and local Member.

The local Member for Corby and Hayton highlighted the effects of traffic congestion when a number of schemes took place in the same area.  Officers confirmed this was an issue for the Authority’s Streetworks Team and their details would be made available to the local Member.

RESOLVED,   that the following be noted:-

                          (1)          the various Highways Revenue budget allocations and headings (as shown in Appendix 1 of the report);

                          (2)          the various Highways Capital budget allocations and headings (as detailed in Appendix 2 of the report);

                          (3)          the Highways programme progress information (as set out in Appendix 3 of the report).

[Electoral Division: Harraby North)

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

This report provides an update on the School Street Initiative Experimental Traffic Regulation Order 2021.

Members considered a report by the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure which detailed the comments and feedback received regarding The County of Cumbria (St Bede’s Catholic School, Carlisle & Inglewood Infant School, Carlisle) (Pedestrian and Cycle Zone) Experimental Order 2021 (“The Order”) during the first 6 months of operation and made a recommendation in regard to making the Order permanent or not.

The Committee noted it was recommended that The Order was made Permanent IN PART, only in so far as it related to Strathclyde Avenue and St Bede’s School, having taken account of the comments and feedback received mainly in support.

Members were informed that with regard to School Road and Inglewood Infant School, the Local Committee was recommended to approve the making of a new Experimental Traffic Regulation Order which would introduce amended operational times for the restrictions allowing assessment of the impact on parking and traffic flows, allowing consideration of whether the amended operating times be made permanent after a trial period.

Members welcomed the schemes and asked if additional schools could also be included in the initiative.  Officers explained that currently there were no plans to include other schools but suggested this could be a decision for the two new authorities in the future. 

The Local Committee was informed that the initiative had not been successful across the whole of the county and the local Member for Yewdale asked for feedback on why this had been unsuccessful.

During the course of discussion officers confirmed that the Order included an exemption for disabled drivers.

RESOLVED,   that

                          (1)          The County of Cumbria (St Bede’s Catholic School, Carlisle & Inglewood Infant School, Carlisle) (Pedestrian and Cycle Zone) Experimental Order 2021, being made Permanent IN PART, only insofar as it relates to Strathclyde Avenue St Bede’s School be approved;

                          (2)          the making of a new Experimental Traffic Regulation Order with amended operating times for Inglewood Infants School so that the Pedestrian and Cycle Zone will operate on School Road between 8.15  am and 9.15 am and from 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm, during Term Time Only to run for a period of up to 18 months be approved.

To receive verbal updates from Carlisle Member Champions as follows:-

(a)       Autism

(b)       Children in Care

(c)        Armed Forces.

(1)       Autism

The Committee received a verbal update from the Champion for Autism.

Members were informed that September brought a new school term which could be a very difficult time for children with autism and their families due to the change of staff and classrooms, highlighting that the transition to secondary school was particularly difficult.  The Committee noted that a school with inclusion as a priority would have taken steps to ensure a smooth as possible changeover; it was explained the National Association of Autism had a number of ideas and techniques to help this situation with the use of a planning board or ‘safe’ chair as an example.

Members were informed that due to personal circumstances the difficulties for autistic people who needed to go into hospital had been highlighted.  It was felt there was a need for dedicated and trained staff to accompany a patient during their stay, particularly for older adults who may no longer have the support of a family member.

The Committee noted it was the intention of the Champion to contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service to find out what was available, whether it was being accessed and how it was advertised.

(2)       Children in Care

The Committee received an update from the Champion for Children in Care. 

Members were informed that August had been a quiet period due to the school holidays but that work was now resuming following the start of the new school term.  The Champion thanked Jackie Hayhow for her help and support.

(3)       Armed Forces

Members received an update from the Armed Forces Champion.

The Committee was informed that the veterans breakfast club continued to meet at Carlisle Castle.  It was explained that spaces and places to talk had been raised as a concern during the meetings and the Champion had agreed to meet with both County and City Council officers to discuss this matter further. 

The Committee’s attention was drawn to the difficulties encountered by veterans when trying to access GPs and NHS services.  The Champion explained this service was included in the Armed Forces Covenant, therefore, together with Carlisle City Council she was pursing GPs and the NHS signing up to the Covenant.

Members were informed that the main concerns raised by the veterans included social isolation, house and medical issues.

The Chair thanked the member champions for their informative updates.

The current Forward Plan of business for future meetings of the Local Committee was noted.

To note that the next meeting of Carlisle Local Committee will be held on Monday 7 November 2022 at 10.00 am in Conference Room A/B, Cumbria House, Botchergate, Carlisle.

RESOLVED,    that the next scheduled meeting will take place on Monday 7 November 2022 at 10.00 am in Conference Room A/B, Cumbria House, Botchergate, Carlisle.