To receive any apologies for absence.

The Chair welcomed Mr J Lister, the Member for Aspatria and Wharrells, to Local Committee.

Apologies for absence were received from Mr E Martin, Mr AJ Markley, Mr J Cowell, Mr DS Fairbairn, Mrs BA Cannon and Justin Johnston – Assistant Chief Fire Officer.

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.

There were no disclosures of pecuniary interests for any item on the agenda.

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.

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.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 18 May 2012 (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED,     that the minutes of the Local Committee held on 18 May 2012 be confirmed as a correct record, subject to an amendment under Disclosures of Interest; Mr AL Barry and Mr G Humes were no longer members of Allerdale Borough Council.

[Electoral Divisions: All Allerdale]

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

The report updates Local Committee on actions arising from previous meetings.

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

Min 244 – Crossing at Lorton St, Cockermouth

There was concern that, in general, the new type of traffic light crossings, where the green man was placed lower down, were dangerous.  It was difficult for pedestrians to see the green man if several people were standing at the crossing.  The issue was to be raised at the next meeting of the Highways and Transport Working Group.

Item 26 – Governor Appointments

There were continued concerns from Members regarding flaws in the process for governor appointments.  The Area Support Manager had raised the issue with the Governor Support Team previously, and they would be undertaking an audit during the Summer to ensure that the correct process was being followed by Clerks to the Governors.

The Area Support Manager was to clarify the process again with the Governor Support Team, and the item would remain on the Actions Arising list until the issue was resolved.

Item 10 – Roundabouts

The issue regarding the roundabout on Glasson Industrial Estate at Maryport had been resolved. 

There was concern that Maryport Town Council had bid to work on a roundabout on the highways network.

The Highways and Transport Manager was to follow up concerns, from a safety aspect, that the trees on Stainburn roundabout were too high.  

Item 13 – Street Lighting

There was concern that the issue of street lighting was to have been an agenda item for the June meeting of the Allerdale Local Committee/Allerdale Borough Council Joint Liaison Group; however the meeting had been postponed to October.  The County Council were now repairing street lighting on behalf of Allerdale Borough Council.

The issue of Allerdale Borough Council holding their own forums, rather than attending County Council Neighbourhood Forums, was to be an agenda item for the next meeting of the Allerdale Local Committee/Allerdale Borough Council Joint Liaison Group.

[Electoral Divisions: All Allerdale]

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

The report presents actual expenditure and commitments recorded against the Local Committee’s Communities Budget for the financial year 2011-12.

Members considered a report by the Corporate Director – Resources which presented actual expenditure and commitments recorded against the Local Committee’s Communities Budget for the financial year 2011-12.

There was concern that a number of school crossing patrols were not currently manned.  The issue was to be discussed at the next meeting of the Highways and Transport Working Group.

RESOLVED, that:

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

(2)               noted the final unspent balances of £367,943 of which £193,561 were  unallocated in the Communities Revenue budgets as at 31 March 2012

(3)               noted the final unspent balances of £152,643 which had all been allocated in the Local Member Capital Schemes budgets as at 31 March 2012.

[Electoral Divisions: All Allerdale]

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

The report presents the actual expenditure and commitments recorded against the Local Committee’s Highways Revenue and Capital Budgets for the financial year 2011-12.

Members considered a report by the Corporate Director – Resources which presented the actual expenditure and commitments recorded against the Local Committee’s Highways Revenue and Capital Budgets for the financial year 2011-12.

The Highways and Transport Manager advised that, as accounting procedures were now internal, Highways were receiving management accounting information; and were working towards improving base costs. 

The Highways and Transport Manager would take forward the request for a comparison report, across the County, and would report back to Members.

RESOLVED, that:

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

(2)               noted the Highways Revenue budget had an overspend of £125,823 against budget

(3)               noted the Highways Capital had an underspend of £148,250 against budget

(4)               noted the Winter Damage Budget had an underspend of £17,255 against budget.

[Electoral Divisions: All Allerdale]

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

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

There was concern at the level of funds which remained in the Communities Revenue budget.  Members were encouraged to be proactive and consider early spending.  The Area Support Team staff would assist and support Members in their efforts.

The Area Support Manager advised that, should a suitable project come forward, it was possible for Members to spend divisional funds in divisions other than their own.

The Area Support Manager would confirm the figure for  St Johns in Appendix E; and the allocation of funds against Neighbourhood Forum Grants 2012/13 at Appendix C(1).

RESOLVED, that:

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

(2)               noted the unallocated resources of £569,893 in the Communities Revenue budgets as at 30 June 2012

(3)               noted the balanced Local Member Capital Schemes budget as at 30 June 2012.

[Electoral Divisions: All Allerdale]

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

The report presents the 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 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 was showing a projected overspend of £5,634 against budget

(3)               noted the Highways Capital budget had a projected underspend of £350,605 against budget.

[Electoral Divisions: Dearham; Maryport West; Solway Coast;

Bowness, Thursby and Caldbeck]

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

The report seeks to commit elements of the Local Revenue and Capital Schemes budgets, and 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 Local Revenue and Capital Schemes budgets, and included Members’ proposals which had been sufficiently worked up to enable Local Committee to consider spending decisions.

RESOLVED, that:

(1)               In respect of the E.D. local revenue scheme for Solway Coast, Members agreed to commit £1,000 to Allonby Parish Council towards providing replacement fencing in Allonby play area.

(2)               In respect of the E.D. local revenue scheme for Dearham and Broughton, Members agreed to commit £1,000 to Allonby Parish Council towards providing replacement fencing in Allonby play area.

(3)               In respect of the E.D. local revenue scheme for Maryport West, Members agreed to de-commit the £12,000 allocation relating to the Flimby War Memorial renovation as the allocation is no longer required.

(4)               In respect of the E.D. local revenue scheme for Maryport West, Members agreed to allocate £7,000 to Flimby Sports and Social Club towards the provision of new changing room facilities.

(5)               In respect of the E.D. local revenue scheme for Maryport West, Members agreed to allocate £5,000 to Solway Trust towards hosting Maryport Harbour Festival.

(6)               In respect of the E.D. local revenue scheme for Maryport West, Members agreed to allocate £5,000 to Flimby Male Voice Choir towards new suits, outfits, ties and badges.

(7)               In respect of the 2009-10 E.D. local capital scheme for Bowness, Thursby and Caldbeck, Members agreed to de-commit £12,000 previously committed on 15 October 2009 to a roads scheme at Anthorn, and instead to commit it towards the provision of a scheme to provide a turning circle at Bowness on Solway.

[Electoral Divisions: All Allerdale]

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

The report sets out the deliberations of the Combined Grants Panel, for endorsement by Local Committee.  It also seeks Local Committee’s approval to correct a number of coding errors which were included in the report considered on 18 May 2012.

Members considered a report from the Chief Executive which set out the deliberations of the Combined Grants Panel, for endorsement by Local Committee.  It also sought Members’ approval to correct a number of coding errors which were included in the report considered on 18 May 2012.

The Combined Grants Panel had decided to defer an application from Bolton Low Houses pre school group, which had submitted an application to construct car parking alongside the school.  Members were concerned that the applicants were pursuing two contradictory approaches to their future, as they had also submitted grant applications to Neighbourhood Forums for a project to move the group to Rosley. 

Since the meeting of the Combined Grants Panel, the group had received informal agreement that they could remain at their current site, subject to the construction of a car park.  The group had therefore confirmed their intention was to solely pursue the car park option. 

There was a potential window of opportunity for the applicants which required an early decision from Members, consequently the application had been brought direct to Local Committee, rather than an emergency meeting of the Grants Panel being convened.  The application to the Combined Grants Panel was to be complemented by funding from parents and supporters, Children’s Services and other partners.

Future reports to Local Committee would also include applications from groups which were deferred, and those which were refused.

RESOLVED, that:

From the 0-19 Services Budget

(1)               Members agreed to allocate £5,000 to Cumbria Theatre Trust (Theatre by the Lake) to help fund the level up project in 12 Workington schools to assist with the transition to secondary school

(2)               agreed to allocate £1,000 to Cumbria Theatre Trust (Theatre by the Lake) to provide youth theatre activities during the summer vacation

(3)               agreed to allocate £2,000 to Westnewton Pre-school towards setting up a pre-school based at St Matthew’s Primary School, due to open in September 2012

(4)               agreed to allocate £1,568 to Seaton Rangers ARLFC towards new strip and coaching courses

(5)               agreed to allocate £2,890 to 1^st Wigton Scout Group to help purchase a box trailer to carry equipment to various events/camps

(6)               agreed to allocate £5,000 to Bolton Low Houses Nursery towards the creation of car parking facilities for the nursery on its current site and make a decision as to the level of grant.

From the General Grants budget:

(7)               Members agreed to allocate £1,500 to Cumbria Amateur Rugby League towards hosting an Australian team visiting local schools in Allerdale and Copeland and delivering local coaching sessions.

In respect of the decisions already made by Allerdale Local Committee on 18 May 2012:

(8)               Members agreed to allocate £400 from the general grants budget instead of the 0-19 services budget, to Asante Sana Foundation to help start a meningitis awareness campaign

(9)               agreed to allocate £2,000 from the general grants budget instead of the 0-19 services budget, to Annie Mawson’s Sunbeams Music Trust to help support therapeutic music services to disadvantaged and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

[Electoral Divisions: All Allerdale]

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

The report sets out the recommendations of recent forums in Allerdale in respect of 0-19 years grant applications, for endorsement by Local Committee. 

Members considered a report from the Chief Executive which set out the recommendations of recent forums in Allerdale in respect of 0-19 years grant applications, for endorsement by Local Committee. 

Members were aware that all recommendations from forums in respect of the 0-19 forum budgets must be brought to Local Committee for approval.  The Chair and Vice Chair of Local Committee had raised the issue at the Local Committee Chairs and Leadership Group on 30 May 2012.  The Corporate Director was to take the matter forward; and a meeting of the Constitution Review Group would take place in August.

Members noted the key priorities for Children’s Services for the 0-19 Years Budget, which was to be used as guidance when considering grants.

RESOLVED, that:

From the Wigton 0-19 Forum Budget:

(1)               The recommendation to allocate £2,000 to Bolton Low Houses Pre-School to help fund the costs of moving from Bolton Low houses to Rosley was no longer required, subject to planning application being approved.

(2)               Members agreed to allocate £400 to Wigton Youth Station to purchase equipment to make “mocktails” at local events.

From the Bowness, Thursby and Caldbeck 0-19 Forum Budget:

(3)               The recommendation to allocate £1,000 to Bolton Low Houses Pre-School to help fund the costs of moving from Bolton Low houses to Rosley was no longer required, subject to planning application being approved.

(4)               Members agreed to allocate £500 to Caldbeck Bowling Club to purchase junior bowlers’ equipment

From the Cockermouth 0-19 Forum Budget:

(5)               Members agreed to allocate £1,509 to Cockermouth Junior Football Team towards the purchase of portable goals and goals

(6)               agreed to allocate £750 to Kirkgate Arts towards a schools recipe project as part of the preparation for the Taste Cumbria event.

From the Maryport 0-19 Forum Budget:

(7)               Members agreed to allocate £500 to Maryport Model Club to support its annual model exhibition

(8)               agreed to allocate £2,339 to Netherhall Rugby Club towards transport and equipment for its youth team

(9)               agreed to allocate £1,000 to Dearham Youth Project towards the purchase of arts and crafts equipment for the group.

From the Workington Central Neighbourhood Forum:

(10)          Members agreed to allocate £500 to the Helena Thompson museum, to hold 4 family fun learning days in the museum

(11)          agreed to allocate £650 to St Joseph’s community steering group towards a fun and adventure day to take place during the summer holidays

(12)          agreed to allocate £1,000 to Impact Housing Association towards their “Youthtastic Café” drop in sessions.

From Keswick & District Forum Area

(13)          Members agreed to allocate £4,000 to Greta pre-school towards the building work and improvements at St Herbert’s Centre on the group’s behalf.

[Electoral Divisions: All Allerdale]

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

The report seeks to arrange Member replacements to a number of internal and external groups, following recent changes within Local Committee. 

The Committee considered a report from the Chief Executive which sought to arrange Member replacements to a number of internal and external groups, following recent changes within Local Committee.

Two vacancies had arisen on the Local Committee Children and Young People’s Group.  Members were invited to make nominations to fill these vacancies.  

Members were also asked to consider filling the vacancy created by the resignation of the previous Member for Aspatria and Wharrels Division on the Local Committee’s Grant Panel.

A vacancy had also arisen as the Local Committee representative on the District Delivery Group (DDG), which co-ordinated the multi-agency work on Children and Young People’s issues in each area.  Each Local Committee was represented on the DDG, and Members were invited to make a nomination to fill this vacancy.

The previous Member for the Keswick Division was a named substitute for the Joint Liaison Committee with Allerdale Borough Council, and no replacement nomination appeared to have been made following her resignation from office.  Local Committee was asked to nominate a named replacement for this Committee.

RESOLVED, that:

(1)               Members agreed that Mr J Holliday and Mr R Munby would fill the two vacancies on the Children and Young People’s Working Group.

(2)               agreed that Mr J Lister would fill the vacancy on the Combined Grants Panel

(3)               agreed that the representative on the District Delivery Group (DDG) would be discussed by the Children and Young People’s Working Group

(4)               agreed that a substitute for the Joint Liaison Committee with Allerdale Borough Council would be found as necessary, if there was an occasion when a Member was unable to attend.

[Electoral Divisions: All Allerdale]

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

The report outlines Allerdale Borough Council’s ‘Preferred Options’ for their Core Strategy and Development Management Policies (DPD), which will form part of the Allerdale Local Plan.  Work on 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 Committee considered a report from the Corporate Director – Resources which outlined Allerdale Borough Council’s ‘Preferred Options’ for their Core Strategy and Development Management Policies (DPD).  This would form part of the Allerdale Local Plan.  Work on 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 draft response, together with the views of Local Committee would be considered by Cumbria Council Cabinet on 13 September 2012.

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 which would set out the planning vision for their area. 

Allerdale Borough Council had proposed a settlement hierarchy to which development would be distributed in a sequential fashion.  At the top of the proposed hierarchy was Workington as Principal Service Centre.  Below were five further Key Service Centres, and beneath those were 11 Local Service Centres and then 44 smaller scale Rural Villages. The intention of this approach was to ensure that the majority of development took place in existing urban centres which provided the best range of services, employment opportunities and access to public transport.  The proposed hierarchy recognised the role of smaller rural settlements and the importance of small scale development in enhancing their sustainability. 

National Planning Policy required that Allerdale identified sufficient housing land to meet needs.  Allerdale’s draft policy proposed that, over the 15 year plan period, 304 new homes should be built per annum (4,560 in total).  Members were concerned that this level of housing would not provide sufficient homes to meet needs in Allerdale.

There was concern that insufficient affordable housing was coming forward, and that some affordable housing was being let to people from outside Cumbria. 

The County Council was currently developing a Surface Water Management Plan, and Members requested a report, prepared by relevant officers, at a future meeting of the Local Committee.

The proposed policy also recognised the potential impact of new development at Sellafield.

RESOLVED,     that Members noted matters raised in the report and advised that the provision of 304 new homes annually in Allerdale would be insufficient.

[Electoral Divisions: All Allerdale]

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

The report sets out proposals as to how Local Committee will move forward with its partners in Allerdale.

Members considered a report from the Chief Executive which set out proposals as to how Local Committee would move forward with its partners in Allerdale.

At a workshop seminar in August 2011, Members had received updates on recent proposals from Allerdale Borough Council, in respect of their “locality working” agenda.  Members subsequently agreed at the Local Committee meeting in September 2011 that a representative group of councillors would begin discussions with Allerdale Borough Council regarding the future direction of joint working between the authorities with local communities.

Discussions between Members and officers had continued.  The most recent briefing to Local Committee was given at a workshop in May 2012.  Councillors had expressed mixed feelings; most welcomed the principle of this work, with its acknowledgement of the importance of the County’s approach to community engagement; but expressed reservations regarding the cost of setting up and supporting these arrangements.

Discussions between the two principal authorities had then stalled, but since that time the Local Committee Chair and Vice Chair had continued discussions with the Borough Council’s portfolio holder on the matter.  This had resulted in the draft document shown at Appendix 1, which had the support of the Local Committee Chair and Vice Chair.  CALC were currently looking at the draft document.

RESOLVED,     that Members agreed to defer discussion on the appended draft protocol for joint working between the different layers of local government in Allerdale until CALC had completed their consideration.

[Electoral Divisions: All Allerdale]

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

The report presents the Area Plan for Allerdale and describes the development process involved. Local Committee is 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.

Members considered a report from the Chief Executive which presented the Area Plan for Allerdale and described the development process involved. Local Committee was asked to endorse the 2012/13 Area Plan. The Area Plans were designed to be ‘living’ documents and Members were asked to provide  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.  The final version of the Area Plan would go to Cabinet in September. 

The Area Support Manager was to build up a schedule for reporting, to provide effective feedback to Members.  This was to comprise of formal reports to Local Committee and informal workshops for Members.

Members were concerned that the Area Plan should make a strong case for education which identified the need to move forward on schools in Workington and Maryport.

The contribution made by the third sector should also be acknowledged.

Mobile phone numbers and e-mail addresses for Councillors were to be added to the appendices.

Members thanked the Area Support Manager and Officers for the work they had put into drafting the Area Plan.

RESOLVED: that:

(1)               Members endorsed the Area Plan for 2012/13.

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

To consider the minutes of the Highways and Transport Working Group held on 19 June 2012 (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED,     that the Minutes of the Highways and Transport Working Group meeting held on 19 June 2012 be noted.

[Electoral Divisions: All in Workington]

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

The report advises Members on the draft Workington RailwayStation Development Plan, and outlines priority actions to improve the Station.

The Committee considered a report by the Corporate Director – Organisational Development which advised Members on the draft Workington RailwayStation Development Plan, and outlined priority actions to improve the Station.

In order to secure a joined-up approach to the development of Cumbria’s railwaystations, and to ensure a comprehensive approach, station development plans were being prepared for all Cumbria’s stations.  The plans would be used as the basis for investment, both in the railwaystations themselves, and in the infrastructure around the stations to facilitate ease of access.   The overall objective for these plans was to increase the attractiveness of the facilities and thereby increase patronage.

There was no funding in place for the Plan at the present time.

The Highways and Transport Manager was to take up the issue of Member representation on the Community Rail Partnership group with the Integrated Transport Team.  Toilet facilities, in particular for mother and child, were also an issue at Workington Railway Station.

RESOLVED, that:

(1)               Members approved the draft plan as a final document.

(2)               Members agreed the priority improvements as set out in Annex 1 to the plan.

[Electoral Divisions: All Allerdale]

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

The report gives an overview of the development management service work in relation to planning applications received in 2011 – 2012; together with a brief summary of developer contributions received for the 2011 – 2012  financial year and Section 38 progress.  The report also gives a update on how the process for Member engagement in major planning applications is being improved.

Members considered a report by the Corporate Director – Organisational Development which gave an overview of the development management service work in relation to planning applications received in 2011 – 2012; together with a brief summary of developer contributions received for the 2011 – 2012  financial year and Section 38 progress.  The report also gave an update on how the process for Member engagement in major planning applications was being improved.

There had been substantial change within the Highway and Transport Development Management service in last year’s restructure.  The service in Allerdale and Copeland was now provided by a team comprising Development Management Officer and two Applications Officers.  The team had responsibilities for responding to consultations on planning applications, providing highways and transport input to pre-application discussions, and working with local planning authorities and others on strategic planning matters. 

As a part of the Better Development initiative now underway, it was proposed that the Area Team would consult with local Members as soon as possible on all major applications, including at the pre-application stage. The Area Development Management Officer would be taking this forward and Members could expect to be contacted as such applications were received or pre-application discussions were initiated.

The Highways and Transport Manager would provide Members with a breakdown of the £394,000 negotiated from developers as contributions. 

There was concern that Section 106 agreements were not being enforced.

RESOLVED,             that Members noted the contents of the report.

[Electoral Divisions: All Allerdale]

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

Following the rolling in of Better Highways in October 2010, the report provides Members with an update on highways maintenance issues using the Better Highways approach.  It contains the measures shown as a comparison against other areas within the County.

The Committee considered a report by the Corporate Director – Organisational Development which provided Members with an update on highways maintenance issues using the Better Highways approach; and contained the measures shown as a comparison against other areas within the County.

One of the key positions in the Better Highways Team had now been appointed to.  A review of the approach to Better Highways in Allerdale was underway, to ensure that reactive maintenance teams were able to respond properly to demands which came in from Members and communities, and that they were effectively supported by construction gangs.

RESOLVED,     that Members noted the monitoring information for the Better Highways works from 1 January 2012 to 31 May 2012 for reactive maintenance work, as detailed in the report.

[Electoral Divisions: All Allerdale]

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

The report shows the current progress of schemes contained within the NPRN Programme of Works for 2012/13.

The Committee considered a report by the Corporate Director – Organisational Development which showed the current progress of schemes contained within the NPRN Programme of Works for 2012/13.

The Highways and Transport Manager confirmed that the surface dressing programme was almost completed.  A report would be brought to the September meeting of Local Committee which gave details of the programme, how it had been adjusted, how much of the programme had been delivered, and what was intended to be delivered; to reassure Members regarding the costs of delivering the programme.

RESOLVED,    that Members noted the information which showed scheme completion within the Allerdale area for the period 1 April 2012 to 31 May 2012.

[Electoral Divisions: All Allerdale]

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

The report provides Members of the Local Committee with the background and current position with regard to 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 Local Committee with the background and current position with regard to 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.  Detailed location maps would be available in the Autumn.

There also needs to be a correlation between delivering superfast broadband and trying to connect people who do not have any boradband service.

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

RESOLVED, that:

(1)               Members noted the contents of the report.

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

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

[Electoral Divisions: All Allerdale]

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

The report provides information on the delivery of the Money Advice Contract in the Allerdale area, and seeks views on arrangements when the current contract ends in March 2013.

The Committee considered a report from the Chief Executive which provided information on the delivery of the Money Advice Contract in the Allerdale area, and sought Members’ views on arrangements when the current contract ends 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 Allerdale Local Committee having a budget allocation of £66,570, which equated to 386 cases.

Regular reports had been provided to Allerdale Local Committee during this period, giving a breakdown of the service provided and case studies illustrating some the issues clients have faced and how they have 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.

There was concern that Cockermouth outreach service was currently being provided from Workington.  The Strategic Policy Advisor would follow up the issue, and the possibility of free accommodation from Age UK in Cockermouth.

RESOLVED, that:

(1)               Members noted the reporting information contained in the report.

(2)               Members gave their views on service provision post March 2013.

[Electoral Divisions: All Allerdale]

To receive a report from the Chief Executive (to follow).

The report provides an update for Members on the Workshop held on 27 July, following the report to the May Local Committee meeting.

The Chair confirmed that the report for this agenda item had been circulated outside the usual time requirements, following a recent Member workshop on the topic; and that he had agreed to admit the item as urgent business to avoid any unnecessary delay in its consideration.

Members received a report from the Chief Executive which provided an update on the Workshop held on 27 July 2012.  Members had received a report at the May Local Committee meeting on the way in which the Area Support Team supported the devolved functions of the Local Committee, following the changes to the devolved budget framework, changes to the constitution, and taking account of the reduced staff team.

A Workshop had been held earlier in July 2012 to discuss Members’ requirements and expectations, establish a clear understanding of how the work of the Team enhanced the priorities of Local Committee and the Local Area Plan, and options for working patterns under the new structure and responsibilities.

Members had been anxious to ensure that the Council’s interaction with the public was not compromised; but expressed a willingness to look flexibly at the structures available to them and, where necessary, consider a variety of different options for managing their forums and grant giving.

The suggestions put forward for endorsement by Local Committee were:

·        To establish a pattern of formal meetings between individual members and their relevant Area Engagement Officer, to discuss issues and review progress within the specific area.

·        Joint forum activity to deal with common issues had great benefits, such as in neighbouring areas with common interests.  Where issues were of such significance that they had relevance to a wider geographic area, joint forum or engagement activity should take place, rather than routinely taking the issue to several individual forums; except where there was a clear need for the issue to be aired before several audiences.

·        Planning for forums would involve the relevant Councillors and Area Engagement Officer, and their structure would be tailored to meet the individual circumstances existing at that time.

·        Members recognised the complexity and delay in decision making on grants which could exist under the current arrangements.  Whilst Councillors could choose to adopt different responses to this, greater consistency of process was helpful. 

·        Members acknowledged the possibility of separating grants decision making from the forum meetings to achieve this. 

RESOLVED,     that Members noted the conclusions reached at the workshop held on 27 July 2012, and agreed future working arrangements for forum and wider engagement activity in Allerdale.

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.

[Electoral Divisions: All Allerdale]

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

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

Members considered a report by the Corporate Director – Children’s Services which sought approval of nominations of Cumbria County Council Governors of Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools.

A nomination for Maryport Junior School by the Member for Maryport West was to be forwarded to the Governor Support Team for processing.

RESOLVED,             that the following appointments be made:

                School                                                      Representative

                Community Nursery

                and Primary

                            Derwent Vale Primary and                      Mr John Dixon

                            Nursery School                                          2 Millbank Court

                                                                                                Bridgefoot

                                                                                                Workington

                                                                                                CA14 1NB

                            St Gregory’s Catholic Primary               Mr Kevin Greenhow

                            School                                                      94 Curwendale

                                                                                               Stainburn

                                                                                               Workington

                            Secondary, College

                            Southfield Technology College              Mr M Heaslip

                                                                                               32 Elizabeth Street

                                                                                               Workington

                                                                                               CA14 4DB