To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Mr GRPM Roberts and Mr A Wonnacott.

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.

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).

Mr FI Morgan declared a pecuniary interest in agenda item 21, CAB Money Advice Service, due to a family member being employed by the CAB.

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.

To agree the minutes of the meeting held on Friday 25 May 2012 (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED,     that the minutes of the Local Committee held on 25 May 2012 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

There are no questions, petitions or deputations at the time of despatch.

There were no questions or petitions received under the public participation scheme for this meeting.

[Electoral Divisions: All]

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

The report presents the provisional actual expenditure and commitments recorded against the Local Committee’s Communities Budget as at 30^th June 2012.

Members considered a report by the Corporate Director – Resources which presented the provisional actual expenditure and commitments recorded against the Local Committee’s Communities Budget as at 30^th June 2012.

RESOLVED, that:

(1)               Members noted the budget allocations for 2012-13 and the commitments and expenditure recorded to date

(2)               noted the unallocated resources in the Communities Revenue Budget of £383,890

(3)               noted the balanced budget projected for the Local Member Capital Schemes.

[Electoral Divisions: All]

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

The report presents the provisional actual expenditure and commitments recorded against the Local Committee’s Highways Revenue and Capital Budgets as at 30^th June 2012.

Members considered a report by the Corporate Director – Resources which presented the provisional actual expenditure and commitments recorded against the Local Committee’s Highways Revenue and Capital Budgets as at 30^th June 2012.

RESOLVED, that:

(1)               Members noted the budget allocations for 2012-13 and the commitments and expenditure recorded to date

(2)               noted the Highways Revenue budget is projecting a balanced budget at this stage of the financial year

(3)               noted the Highways Capital budget is projecting a balanced budget at this stage of the financial year.

[Electoral Divisions:Seascale and Whicham; Distington and Moresby; Gosforth and Ennerdale]

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

The report, which seeks to commit elements of the Electoral Divisions (ED): local revenue schemes’ budgets, 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 Electoral Divisions (ED): local revenue schemes’ budgets, includes Members’ proposals that have been sufficiently worked up to enable Local Committee to consider spending decisions.

RESOLVED, that:

(1)               In respect of the E.D. local schemes for Seascale and Whicham, Members agreed to confirm the allocation £8,000 towards providing a battery back-up power supply for the traffic lights on the A5093, at The Green, Millom, with £6,100 funded from the revenue schemes budget and £1,900 from the capital schemes budget;

(2)               In respect of the E.D. local revenue scheme for Seascale and Whicham, Members agreed to allocate £1,000 towards a scheme to provide a cycleway between Gosforth and Seascale;

(3)               In respect of the E.D. local revenue scheme for Distington and Moresby, Members agreed to allocate £1,000 to Distington Community Amateur Sports Club towards the cost to replace the boiler in its kitchen;

(4)               In respect of the E.D. local revenue scheme for Gosforth and Ennerdale, Members agreed to allocate £1,000 to Beckermet Village Association towards the purchase of playground equipment;

(5)               In respect of the E.D. local revenue scheme for Gosforth and Ennerdale, Members agreed to allocate £1,000 towards a scheme to provide a cycleway between Gosforth and Seascale;

(6)               In respect of the E.D. local revenue scheme for Gosforth and Ennerdale, Members agreed to allocate £1,250 to Nether Wasdale PCC towards the replacement of a Victorian lamppost and re-decoration of the village hall.

[Electoral Divisions:All]

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

The report sets out the deliberations of the Combined Grants Panel which met on 3 July 2012 for endorsement by Local Committee, giving an opportunity for Members to approve a range of Forum grants to community groups before the 2012-13 programme of meetings is established.

The Committee considered a report from the Chief Executive which set out the deliberations of the Combined Grants Panel, which met on 3 July 2012, for endorsement by Local Committee; giving an opportunity for Members to approve a range of Forum grants to community groups before the 2012-13 programme of meetings is established.

RESOLVED, that:

(1)               Members agreed to allocate £1,500 from General Provision to Cumbria Amateur Rugby League to part fund the cost of hosting an Australian Rugby team who will deliver coaching sessions and visit schools in Copeland and Allerdale totalling £3,000.

(2)               agreed to allocate £500 from General Provision to SASRA Music & Arts for the cost of moving a piano for a concert at Egremont Market Hall.

(3)               agreed to allocate £500 from General Provision to Bransty Rangers to fund the cost of new training and match equipment for the senior team.

(4)               agreed to allocate £500 from General Provision to Black Combe Beagles towards the cost of new marquees totalling £2,000.

(5)               agreed to allocate £1,613 from General Provision to West Cumbria Rape Crisis towards the cost of pilot self help groups for women who have experienced sexual violence. 

(6)               agreed to allocate £500 from General Provision to Committed 2 Rock Choir towards the cost of new risers.

(7)               agreed to allocate £2,000 from the 0-19 fund to Cumbria Youth Alliance towards handbooks and training for the Journey of Youth project in Copeland.

(8)               agreed to allocate £2,000 from the Whitehaven 0-19 fund to Greenbank Community Association towards an end of summer play scheme trip totalling £10,000.

(9)               agreed to allocate £710 from Whitehaven General Fund to Mirehouse Residents Group towards the purchase of a greenhouse and storage shed for a community garden.

(10)          agreed to allocate £420 from the North East Copeland 0-19 fund to Arlecdon Junior Rugby Club to wholly fund the cost of training three coaches.

(11)          agreed to allocate £1,000 from the Whitehaven 0-19 fund to Mirehouse Community Centre Association to part fund the cost of this year’s summer activity programme.  

[Electoral Divisions: Cleator Moor South and Egremont; St Bees and Egremont]

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

The report seeks Members’ approval for ongoing grant aid to further support the provision of local swimming in Egremont.

The Committee considered a report from the Chief Executive whichsought Members’ approval for ongoing grant aid to further support the provision of local swimming in Egremont.

At a meeting of the County Council’s Cabinet held on 23 July 2002 it had been agreed that the swimming pool at Wyndham School in Egremont be sold to a community trust, and that an annual revenue grant of £27,000 be provided for 10 years.

Copeland Local Committee, at a meeting on 5 September 2002, had received a report of this decision and resolved to provide a revenue grant to the trust of £15,000. This grant was subsequently repeated in the ensuing 3 financial years although when making the award in 2005 members had been concerned that, with restricted budgets, maintaining this level of support indefinitely would be difficult.

Members had recognised the need to balance competing demands on budgets by awarding £12,000 to the trust on 13 September 2006 and noted that further tapering of grant aid would be likely. Subsequently the trust had been awarded a grant of £7,000 by Local Committee at their meeting held on 10 December 2007.

Members had received a request for an increase in funding in 2008, and again in 2009, as the trust felt that the 2007 award had left them vulnerable. Members agreed an award of £10,000 at their meeting on 15 September 2008 and £12,000 at their meeting on 11 September 2009.

At the meeting in September 2009 Members had indicated, subject to budget availability, that they would continue support for the pool trust throughout the Academy construction period, ending in summer 2012. On this basis, Members had agreed to award funding of £12,000 for the 2010/11 financial year.

Since the Local Committee decision in 2010, Cabinet had stated its intention to review the process of centrally funding swimming provision in the County.  Until the outcome of that review was known,  Members chose to provide further financial support to the trust.

RESOLVED,     that Members agreed to award funding of £10,000 from their general provision budget to Egremont and District Pool Trust.          

Electoral Divisions: All]

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

The report outlines the recommendations from recent forums in Copeland in respect of 0-19 years grant applications, for endorsement by Local Committee; sets out proposals for the future organisation of the local committee Children and Young People’s Group; and includes an application for financial support to the Children in Care Council for this area. 

Members considered a report from the Chief Executive outlined the recommendations from recent forums in Copeland in respect of 0-19 years grant applications, for endorsement by Local Committee; set out proposals for the future organisation of the Local Committee Children and Young People’s Group; and included an application for financial support to the Children in Care Council for the area.

0-19 Grant Applications

Members were aware that, until a further review of the Constitution took place, all recommendations from forums in respect of the 0-19 forum budgets needed to be brought back to Local Committee for consideration as to whether they were agreed or not.  The issue would be considered by the Constitution Review Group at their meeting in August. The report provided details of all grants considered at forums since the May Local Committee meeting.

Cumbria’s County Council Plan 2010/13 had a particular focus on outcomes relating the improving the life changes and wellbeing of children and young people.  The Plan would be reviewed every 3 years; and Members indicated that applications for grant funding from parishes and localities were most likely to be supported by the Council if they refreshed and revisited their plans regularly.

Local Committee Children and Young People’s Group      

The Copeland Children and Young People’s Working Group was historically a mixed group, with representation from County Council (Members and Officers), the District Council, and service providers across Copeland.  It was suggested that the group should be re-constituted as a Member only group, to ensure the separation of a commissioner and provider function.

The rules of proportional entitlement did not apply to groups established by the Local Committees, but it was suggested that the group consisted of 5 members.  Members were invited to agree this figure and make nominations to fill the vacancies.  

West Cumbria Children in Care Council

There were currently over 230 children in care in West Cumbria.  At its meeting in January, Local Committee had agreed to support the formation of a Youth Council for these young people, and 16 young people attended its inaugural meeting.  Details of the Council’s work were circulated to all children in care over 11 years old.  The proposals in the report were intended to be accessible to that entire group of young people.

There was a financial implication for developing and maintaining a successful and effective CiCC mode; and a budget had been agreed for 2011-2.  However, the budget for 2012-3 did not include funding for social activities or events.

The total budget being sought from the Copeland and Allerdale Local Committees was £10,000.  This would be used to support the work of the Youth Council throughout the year, and provide a celebration event and fun activities for looked after children and young people.

RESOLVED, that:

From the South Copeland 0-19 Forum Budget:

(1)               Members agreed to allocate £1,500 to Thwaites table tennis club towards equipment, coaching and taster sessions for young people

(2)               agreed to allocate £804 to Millom recreation centre towards the purchase of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

[Electoral Divisions: All]

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

The report outlines Copeland Borough Council’s Pre-Submission Draft for their Core Strategy and Development Management Policies (DPD).  Work in developing the County Council’s response is ongoing, and the views of Local Committee are invited with respect to the consultation document and the form of the County Council’s response, the preliminary thinking in respect of elements of which are reflected in this report.

Members considered a report from the Corporate Director – Resources which outlined Copeland Borough Council’s Pre-Submission Draft for their Core Strategy and Development Management Policies (DPD).  Work in developing the County Council’s response was ongoing, and the views of Local Committee were invited with respect to the consultation document and the form of the County Council’s response, the preliminary thinking in respect of elements of which were reflected in the report.

The current land-use planning system in England was ‘plan led’, whereby there was a statutory duty for Local Planning Authorities to prepare a ‘Development Plan’. The Development Plan sought to guide decision making in relation to planning applications, as well as to guide investment decisions for new infrastructure provision.

Each Local Planning Authority in Cumbria had to produce a Local Plan (formerly known as the Local Development Framework) which would set out the planning vision for their area. 

Copeland were making progress with developing their Local Plan.  The new Local Plan would replace the current Copeland Local Plan (2001-2016).  It would set Copeland’s vision and direction for land use planning for the next 15 years, and would ultimately provide the framework for determining planning applications.

With regard to the proposed level of future new house building, the approach taken in the Pre-Submission Draft was that land would be allocated in accordance with a baseline requirement derived from projected household growth, of 230 dwellings per year, with provision for growth 30% above that to 300 dwellings per year.  The figures did not include dwellings to be built by the Lake District National Park Authority.

There was concern that major housing development in Whitehaven would have implications on education and highways infrastructure; and that there should be specificity as to types of infrastructure fundable by developer contribution.

Members were also concerned that there should be sufficient development in Local Service Centres to provide employment for these small communities; and that access to utilities, and the potential for expansion of provision, should be taken into consideration.

There was work to be done on parish plans as some areas had not yet developed these.

The Planning Officer agreed to check the percentage figures for development distribution in the Key Service Centres, and include the figure for Egremont.

RESOLVED,     that Members noted the matters raised in the report.  The draft response, together with the views of Local Committee, would be considered by Cumbria County Council Cabinet on 13 September 2012.

[Electoral Divisions: All]

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

The report outlines the development of Community Development Centre services in the Copeland Local Committee area, and asks Members to take forward a proposal, in line with priorities set out in the Copeland Area Plan and other opportunities in the area.

The Committee considered a report from the Chief Executive which outlined the development of Community Development Centre services in the Copeland Local Committee area, and asked Members to take forward a proposal, in line with priorities set out in the Copeland Area Plan and other opportunities in the area.

There were currently 13 CDCs in Cumbria, spread across the County in all Local Committee areas apart from Copeland, and mostly located in primary schools or on primary school sites.

CDCs were established in Cumbria to encourage and facilitate the development of self-learning and self-confident local communities, as a foundation for sustainable economic and social regeneration. They were located mainly in urban wards of high social disadvantage and in rurally remote communities. The CDCs were well placed to deliver a range of community learning projects to the most disadvantaged, and to assist young people and adults in building confidence, thereby supporting them to access more formal learning programmes, and develop skills for employment.

CDCs were a valued resource and provided services that were contributing to the Council’s priorities. Copeland, which is home to some of the most deprived neighbourhoods in the County, does not currently have a CDC.

Priorities in relation to learning and skills formed part of the Copeland Area Plan, and reflected Members’ views of what was important for the area. There were opportunities to explore how a CDC presence could be delivered in Copeland, potentially by working with the third sector and other service providers in the area. There were also opportunities to explore how resources could be secured from different external sources to sustain CDC services over the longer term. Cabinet had therefore agreed that work progressed to explore the potential for a CDC in Copeland.

Members were delighted that the value of CDCs had been formally recognised; and were keen that priority was given to re-establishing CDCs which had been previously closed, before CDCs were developed in new areas. 

RESOLVED, that:

(1)               Members noted the Cabinet allocation of funds to facilitate the development of Community Development Centre services in the Copeland Local Committee area

(2)               agreed that the Area Support Manager would provide regular reports to Local Committee throughout the project period.

[Electoral Divisions: All]

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

The report presents the Area Plan for Copeland and describes the development process involved. Members are asked to endorse the 2012/13 Area Plan. The Area Plans are designed to be ‘living’ documents and Local Committee are asked to provide their views and comments to inform their development in future years.

The committee considered a report from the Chief Executive which presented the Area Plan for Copeland and described the development process involved. Members were asked to endorse the 2012/13 Area Plan. The Area Plans were designed to be ‘living’ documents and Members were asked to provide their views and comments to inform their development in future years.

The Council’s constitution stipulated that the 6 Local Committees would develop Area Plans for agreement by Council. The plan for each area set out the Council’s priorities, provided a comprehensive socio-economic picture of the area, recorded achievements in the last year and planned service delivery across all of the Council’s responsibilities.

As part of an Area Planning approach, a business plan that reflected the work contained within the Area Plan, would be produced to ensure that budget priorities were focussed on obtaining the best value for money for the people of Copeland.  Local Committee would receive regular reports on progress.  

A full refresh of the Area Plan would take place in the latter part of 2013.

Members thanked the Area Support Manager his efforts in putting the Area Plan together.

RESOLVED, that:

(1)               Members agreed to endorse the Area Plan for 2012/13; subject to minor amendment by the Area Support Manager, in conjunction with the Chair and Vice Chair.

(2)               Members noted the plans for future development of the Area Plan during the year.

To consider the minutes of the Copeland Highways Working Group held on 7 June 2012 (copy enclosed).

Members considered the minutes of the Copeland Highways Working Group held on 7 June 2012.

Minute 4: West Cumbria Cyclepath Contribution

In previous years, Copeland Local Committee had made an annual contribution to the maintenance of the West Cumbria Cyclepaths which run through the Copeland Area.

The Copeland Highways Working Group had recommended a contribution from Local Committee of £15,000 as this year’s contribution to the cycle network.  This would be beneficial, not only to the cycle network, but to local walkers who use the cyclepaths and to local businesses in the area.

Minute 9: Cold Fell Sellafield Employee Communication

The Area Highways and Transport Manager advised that there had been one incident recently on the Cold Fell Road.  A horse had been killed in the incident, which had not been reported.

Members were concerned that the road was inadequate for the level and speed of traffic using the route.

The Area Highways and Transport Manager would take the suggestion of restricting through traffic on the road, for example, with access only except between certain times, to the Highways and Transport Working Group.

RESOLVED,     that Members deferred agreement to contribute £15,000 to the maintenance of the West Cumbria Cyclepath Network to a future meeting of the Local Committee.

[Electoral Divisions: All]

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

The report, on behalf of the Traffic Management Engineer, updates Members regarding scheme progress, whilst noting any other points of interest.

The Committee considered a report by the Corporate Director – Organisational Development, on behalf of the Traffic Management Engineer, which updated Members regarding scheme progress, whilst noting any other points of interest.

Updates were provided for the following schemes:

·        Moresby Parks – Introduce Short Section of One Way

·        Olympic Torch Relay, Whitehaven

·        Traffic Data Collection throughout Copeland

·        Moor bridge, Millom -Traffic Improvements

·        Parking Enforcement Copeland

·        Kells Area – Traffic related issues.

Members recognised the volume of working being undertaken, which included work on footways, the level of responsiveness and value for money, which were a direct result of the new working arrangements.

RESOLVED, that:

(1)               Members noted the report in relation to the background information detailed at paragraphs 4.1 to 4.6 inclusive to the Report

(2)               noted the background at point 4.7 and authorise the bringing into force of  THE COUNTY OF CUMBRIA (VARIOUS ROADS, BOROUGH OF COPELAND) (PROVISION AND CONSOLIDATION OF TRAFFIC REGULATIONS) (ORDER 2010) VARIATION ORDER (NO.2) (RAVENGLASS) 20>< in relation to the No Waiting At Any Time restrictions on Croftlands Drive and Main Street having taken into consideration the matters contained in Section 122(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 which are specifically referred to at paragraph 7.3 of the Report 

(3)               agreed to authorise the bringing into force of THE COUNTY OF CUMBRIA (VARIOUS ROADS, BOROUGH OF COPELAND) (PROVISION AND CONSOLIDATION OF TRAFFIC REGULATIONS) (ORDER 2010) VARIATION ORDER (NO.4) 20><– as per the attached formal advert in Appendix 1 having taken into consideration the matters contained in Section 122(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 which were specifically referred to at paragraph 7.3 of the Report

(4)               noted the background at point 4.9 of the Report and authorised Officers to proceed to formal consultation and advertisement of a permanent Prohibition of Pedestrians on the entire length of Footpath No. 431043 Saltom Pit, in the Parish of Whitehaven.

[Electoral Divisions: All]

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

The report provides Members with an update on highways maintenance issues using the Better Highways approach. It contains the new Measures as well as a profile of the work done. It is intended that it will be amended to suit Local Committee requirements as the service evolves and understanding of achievements and possibilities increases.

Members considered a report by the Corporate Director – Organisational Development which provided Members with an update on highways maintenance issues using the Better Highways approach. It contained the new Measures, as well as a profile of the work done. It was intended that it would be amended to suit Local Committee requirements as the service evolved, and understanding of achievements and possibilities increased.

During May and June, there were two major events in Whitehaven, the Maritime Festival and the Olympic Torch relay.  Better Highways teams had been brought into the town centre prior to both events, to ensure the highways in the town were as safe as possible for the large number of additional visitors. As a result of this proactive work in Whitehaven town centre, the figures for dealing with issues elsewhere were slightly down on previous months.

Recent figures had also been affected by ongoing computer system problems, which had resulted in work being completed on site, but not showing up as completed within the computer software.

RESOLVED,     that Members noted the monitoring information for the Better Highways works from 18July 2011 to 30 June 2012 for reactive maintenance work, as detailed in the report.

[Electoral Divisions: All]

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

The report sets out the proposed revised programme of works for the NPRN budget for 2012/13. It uses funds which will be allocated to the Local Area Committee. This budget is for Footway works, Carriageway works, Drainage, Street Lighting and Minor Structural Maintenance 2012/13.

The Committee considered a report by the Corporate Director – Organisational Development which set out the proposed revised programme of works for the NPRN budget for 2012/13. It used funds which would be allocated to the Local Committee. This budget was for Footway works, Carriageway works, Drainage, Street Lighting and Minor Structural Maintenance 2012/13.

The NPRN programme was intended to maintain and improve the condition of the highway network.  Within the proposed programme, separate allocations within the overall budget were given for the surface dressing and street lighting programmes; priority assessed carriageway, footway and drainage schemes.

An allocation was generally made to continue with the programme to place road lighting columns and illuminated traffic sign posts. The amount varied depending upon the overall maintenance settlement. This funding was distributed to Local Committees on the basis of condition of the lighting stock, as reported in the road lighting inventory, and the results of structural testing of columns. 

The focus this year had been on reducing energy costs and improving light levels in vulnerable areas.  Members recognised the work which was being undertaken, within constrained budgets, to evaluate low carbon, high efficiency street lighitng options.

RESOLVED,     that the proposed NPRN programme of works for 2012/13 be approved by Members, as detailed in the appendices of the report; to determine and deliver non-principal road structural maintenance, as authorised by the Constitution, within agreed budgets, policies and standards.

[Electoral Divisions: All]

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

The Committee received a schedule of proposed recommendations for appointments of governors to Nursery, Primary or Secondary Schools.

RESOLVED, that subject to their agreement, the following be appointed:

Community, Nursery

and Primary                                          

Bookwell                                                   Elaine Brockbank

                                                                  5 Ashley Way

                                                                  Queensgate

                                                                  Egremont

                                                                  CA22 2JT

Thornhill School                                       Mrs Belinda Rae

                                                                  45 Thorntrees Drive

                                                                  Thornhill

                                                                  Egremont

                                                                  CA20 2SU

Captain Shaw’s CE                                Dr Brough

Primary School                                        Ardmore

                                                                  Chapel Lane

                                                                  Bootle

                                                                  Millom

                                                                  LA19 5UE

Cleator Moor Nursery School                Alison Walton

                                                                  Avrildale

                                                                  Egremont Road

                                                                  Hensingham

                                                                  Tracey Lightfoot

                                                                  The Cottage

                                                                  Whinrigg Drive

                                                                  Whitehaven

Secondary, Community

St Benedict’s Catholic                            Mr Beasley

High School                                             10 Laural Bank

                                                                  Whitehaven

[Electoral Divisions: All]

To receive a report from the Corporate Director – Organisational Development (copy enclosed).

The report provides Members with background and the current position regarding the Connecting Cumbria project; and asks Members to consider how they wish to be involved in the project as it progresses to roll-out phase.

Members received a report from the Corporate Director – Organisational Development which provided Members with background and the current position regarding the Connecting Cumbria project; and asked Members to consider how they wished to be involved in the project as it progressed to roll out phase.

Cumbria had been named as one of the four national pilots to benefit from better broadband. The Connecting Cumbria project aimed to give Cumbria’s citizens the best broadband in Europe by 2015.  In its role as Accountable Body, the County Council had been asked to lead the project and was working with stakeholders, funding bodies and commercial partners to develop a Cumbria wide approach; and was seeking to secure and utilise funding from Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK), Performance Reward Grant, the European Rural Development Funding and the private sector.

The Connecting Cumbria project sought to deliver a superfast broadband connection across 90% of Cumbria, to even the most rural communities and businesses; and would be rolled out over a 2-3 year period.

Members had a key role to play in the programme, with their knowledge of local communities and businesses, and the need to balance supporting economic growth with addressing social exclusion and isolation, when prioritising areas for implementation. 

The majority of people in Cumbria would receive superfast broadband; and the whole of the County would receive a basic broadband service.  There was strong support for rural areas to receive superfast broadband to enhance business capabilites.

Members would continue to be involved in the process and would receive regular updates on progress.

The Chair thanked the Corporate Director – Organisational Development for his report. 

RESOLVED, that:

(1)               Members noted the content of the report

(2)               considered the role of elected Members in community engagement

(3)               considered the role of Local Committees in supporting delivery of the project.

[Electoral Divisions: All]

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

The report provides information for Local Committee on the delivery of the Money Advice Contract in the Copeland area, and seeks Members’ views on arrangements when the current contract ends in March 2013.

Mr FI Morgan had declared a pecuniary interest in this item, and left for the duration of the discussion.

The Committee considered a report from the Chief Executive which provided information for Local Committee on the delivery of the Money Advice Contract in the Copeland area, and sought Members’ views on arrangements when the current contract ended in March 2013.

Cumbria County Council had supported a money advice service provided by the Citizens Advice Bureau since 1990; although the provision of money advice, directly or through external agencies was not a statutory duty of the County Council.

A money advice service in this format had been in place since 2007, with the contract meeting performance outputs and requirement year on year, often exceeding them.  During this period, approximately 9,000 people across the County had received the help, advice and support they needed to deal with millions of pounds of debt.

The contract was delivered by Citizens Advice Cumbria. Citizens Advice Cumbria was a consortium of the 7 Citizens Advice Bureaux in Cumbria – Allerdale, Barrow, Carlisle, Copeland, Cumbria Rural, Eden & South Lakeland.  The total value of the contract countywide was £317,000 with Copeland Local Committee having a budget allocation of £57,060 which equated to 343 cases.

Regular reports had been provided to Copeland Local Committee during this period, which gave a breakdown of the service provided and case studies which illustrated some of the issues clients had faced and how they had been helped.

The current contract had been delivering for 20 months and had 10 months to run.  It was therefore now appropriate to review the content and make decisions about future provision.

The consultation and engagement with Local Committees was taking place prior to Cabinet making a decision in September about the future service. This would allow for implementation of any changes or continued provision in good time, and ensure there were no gaps in service.

Progress had been made towards unifying CABs across Cumbria, with a merger between Carlisle and Eden bureaux.  The merger was due to “go live” in October and was part of an ongoing programme to make better use of resources and provide a more integrated service.

Future reports to Local Committee would be financially inclusive, and would contain information on credit unions.

RESOLVED,     that Members noted the information contained in the report.

[Electoral Divisions: All]

To receive a report from the Chief Executive (copy enclosed).

The report updates Members regarding proposals for future Area Support activity in the Copeland area, following the report presented at its last meeting and the Member Workshop held on 29 June 2012, and seeks formal confirmation of the issues agreed at that Workshop.

Mr FI Morgan returned to the meeting at this point and took the Chair.

The Committee received a report from the Chief Executive which updated Members regarding proposals for future Area Support activity in the Copeland area, following the report presented at its last meeting and the Member Workshop held on 29 June 2012, and sought formal confirmation of the issues agreed at the Workshop.

Following the restructure last year and reduction in staffing levels, Members agreed to align the Neighbourhood Forums with Locality boundaries and also reduce the number of meetings to two per area. This was to take into consideration the new demand on Area Support teams, as part of the new ‘core offer’ of being an engagement resource for other Directorates within the Council.    Members had expressed a wish to review this at the end of its first year in operation.

The number and regularity of Neighbourhood Forum meetings varied between districts, according to direction from Members.   Each had a grants budget that corresponded to the number of people living in the forum area. A Combined Grants Panel also met to make recommendations on grants which provided benefit to more than one Forum area. 

Members had been briefed regarding progress over the past year, and were given updates on a recent grants review by officers and a briefing on changes to the Council’s grants regime, during their Workshop in June. 

It had been the view of Members at the Workshop that:

·        The Council’s forum areas should continue to be coterminous with the 6 locality areas.

·        Each forum would continue to have an allocated budget, reflecting the special nature of each locality within Copeland.

·        The Area Support Team would continue to provide at least 2 forum meetings per year in each forum area, but would strive to provide a range of options for local members, having regard to Member concerns and local issues, including different formats of meetings and more frequent meetings if required.

·        Due to Whitehaven’s unique position within the district, further work would be undertaken to ensure that appropriate engagement activity took place in the town.

·        Whilst grant applicants could continue to present information regarding their proposed work at forums, all grants should in future be dealt with by a Combined Grants Panel consisting of all of the Members of Local Committee.

·        Meetings of the Panel would be co-ordinated to allow recommendations to be presented to a Local Committee meeting shortly afterwards.

·        This situation would be kept under constant review, particularly in light of potential changes to the Council’s validation arrangements for 0-19 years grants.

Concerns were expressed at the suggestion to form a Combined Grants Panel consisting of all Members, whilst applicants continued to attend forums to present their applications:

·        The current system worked well.

·        The proposal would remove decision-making away from rural areas and into the centre.

·        The public had not been not consulted on the proposal.

·        Two meetings per year would leave a long period of time between Panel meetings.

·        All Members may  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

To receive the minutes of the A595 Liaison Meeting held on 11 June 2012 (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED,    that Members received and noted the minutes of the A595 Liaison Meeting held on 11 June 2012.

To receive the minutes of the Local Committee Chairs and Leadership Meeting held on 30 May 2012 (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED, that Members received and noted the minutes of the Local Committee Chairs and Leadership Meeting held on 30 May 2012.