To appoint a Chair for the ensuing year.

RESOLVED     that Mr M Stephenson be elected as Chair for the forthcoming year.

To appoint a Vice Chair for the ensuing year.

RESOLVED     that Miss H Fearon be elected as Vice Chair for the forthcoming year.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Ms P Bell and Mr AP Richardson.

To disclose any personal and prejudicial interests relating to any item on the agenda.

NB   The following is a summary of what constitutes a personal interest and a personal and prejudicial interest.  Please seek advice or refer to the Code of Conduct (paragraph 8) for full definitions.

Personal Interests

You have a personal interest if the issue being discussed in the meeting affects the well-being or finances of you, your family or your close associates more than most other people who live in the Electoral Division affected by the issue.

Personal interests are also things that relate to an interest you must register.

N.B. If the personal interest arises because of your membership of another public body, you only need to declare it if you intend to speak.

A personal interest should be declared as follows:

I have a personal interest in agenda item […] regarding the report on […] because I am […].

Personal and Prejudicial Interests

If you have a personal interest in a matter you will also have a prejudicial interest in that matter if the interest is one which a member of the public, with knowledge of the relevant facts, would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice your judgement of the public interest.  If you have a personal and prejudicial interest you must withdraw from the meeting room for that item, unless you are there to make representations and the public have the same opportunity to do so

NB You only have a prejudicial interest if the matter

• affects your financial position or that of your family, close associate, employer etc or it
• relates to a regulatory matter

A personal and prejudicial interest should be declared as follows:

I have a personal and prejudicial interest in agenda item […] regarding the report on […] because I am […].

Advice on this can be sought from staff in Legal and Democratic Services.  Members are requested to seek advice, wherever possible, before the meeting starts.

Mrs M Robinson declared a personal interest in Agenda Item No 15 – Area 0-19 Youth Service, Agenda Item No 17 – Penrith Town Centre and Agenda Item No 20 – Library Review Next Steps (Part II), as she is a member of Eden District Council. 

To consider whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any items of business on the Agenda.

RESOLVED              that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Agenda Item No 20 – Library Review – Next Steps for Eden by virtue of Paragraph 4 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as this report contains exempt information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or office holders under, the authority.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Local Committee held on 26 March 2012 (copy enclosed)

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 26 March 2012 were agreed with the following amendment:-

On Minute No 143 – 0-19 Youth Service Grant Applications amend resolution (2) to read Members agreed that the applications from Eden Rural Foyer and Young Cumbria be rejected, and that these organisations be asked to work together to pursue a joint application.

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

There were no public questions, deputations or petitions relating to the work of the Committee on this occasion.

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

This report presents the provisional actual expenditure and commitments recorded against the Local Committee’s Communities Budget as at 31^st March 2012

Members had before them a report, presented by the Finance Manager, which outlined the provisional actual expenditure and commitments recorded against the Local Committee’s Communities Budget as at 31st March 2012.

Members were asked to note the unspent balances to their budget, which included:

• General Provision - unspent balance of £19,338 which had all been allocated.
• Community Support and Community Grants - unspent balance of £26,695 of which £7,169 was unallocated.
• 0-19 Services - unspent balance of £50,544 of which £3,414 was unallocated.
• Local Revenue Schemes - unspent balance of £81,950 of which £65,950 was unallocated, however this programme was a two year scheme from April 2011 to March 2013.
• Local Capital Schemes - unspent balance of £25,995 which had all been allocated to capital schemes.

The Finance Manager said unspent balances would be the subject of carry forward consideration by full Council when it considered the financial outturn report. There was no guarantee that unspent balances would be allowed to be carried forward to 2012-13.

RESOLVED that members,

(1)         Note the final unspent balances of £178,527 of which £76,533 are  unallocated in the Communities Revenue budgets as at 31 March 2012;

(2)         Note the final unspent balances of £25,995 which has all been allocated in the Local Member Capital Schemes budgets as at 31 March 2012.

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

This report presents the provisional actual expenditure and commitments recorded against the Local Committee’s Highways Revenue and Capital Budgets as at 31^st March 2012

Members had before them a report which outlined the provisional actual expenditure and commitments recorded against the Local Committee’s Highways Revenue and Capital Budgets as at 31^st March 2012.

The Highways Revenue budget was projecting an overspend of £110,335 at the end of the financial year. Overspend on the Energy, the deficit carried forward from last year and the Doubtful Debt provision were partially offset by underspends in Cleansing, verge Maintenance and Lighting, Signals and Illuminated Signs budgets.

The Highways Capital Budget was showing an overspend of £43,555 at the end of the financial year. This was mainly due to overspends in the 2010/11 Schemes, Surface Dressing, Minor Structural Maintenance and Highways Improvements budgets being in the main offset by underspends in the 2011/12 Schemes and Column Replacement budgets.

The Winter Damage budget was showing an overspend of £65,539 at the end of the financial year. It was likely that overspends would be carried forward to 2012-13 and met from 2012-13 revenue and capital allocations as appropriate.

However, since these figures had been produced , further information had become available.  As a result the Finance Manager verbally informed members of a revision to the figures as presented in the report.  Members were asked to note that:-

a)     The Highways Revenue Budget was now projecting an overspend of £99,000

b)     The Highways Capital Budget was now showing an underspend of £36,000

c)      The Winter Damage Budget was now showing an overspend of £44,000 at the end of the financial year

Members were very disappointed by this report, which they found confusing.  They could not understand how the figures were so different in this report to those presented to the last meeting, which had only been 1 month ago.  The swings from underspend to overspend were resulting in members questioning the information contained within the report and that which had been presented verbally, and whether the data could be trusted.

They were alarmed by the huge increase in the cost of Energy consumption and why had it gone up so quickly.  They understood that contracts for energy were let for 3 years so could not understand why the increase had occurred.  Members wondered if energy costs were going to keep increasing whether it would actually be more cost effective to remove all the old light and install new LCD ones, which were much more energy efficient.  The Corporate Director – Organisational Development explained that a project had just commenced looking at street lighting throughout the county, and consultation with local committees would be carried out in the near future on this.

In relation to the £20,666 which had appeared in Appendix G to the report marked as ‘Doubtful Debt’, this was a new budget line which had never appeared before in any previous reports, and they were concerned that this had been added without any consultation with members.

RESOLVED that members decline to note the report and request that a further report be presented to the next meeting covering all the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

[Electoral Divisions: All]

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

This report provides Members with an update on highways maintenance issues using the Better Highways approach. It contains the normal Measures as well as a profile of the work done

The local committee considered a report by the Corporate Director – Organisations Development, which provided members with an update on highways maintenance issues using the Better Highways approach. It contained the normal measures as well as a profile of the work done.

Better Highways performance is measured against two key pieces of information. The Right First Time figure (RFT) was expressed as a percentage and was a measure of the percentage of defects which were fully completed with a permanent repair and had not required temporary repairs prior to achieving a permanent repair.   The End to End (E2E) figure was the number of days from notification of the defect until permanent repair was achieved.

Whilst E2E times generally showed an increase for each month compared to the last report, this could be explained by the fact that defects requiring more information/design/consultation/specialist repair etc would remain open on that month’s figures until completed.  Overall E2E times were shortening as the Service became more efficient and a marked improvement could be seen over last year’s figures.

The Right First Time figure had also generally improved as the 2011/12 year progressed. It now appeared to have stabilised at a figure between 60 and 70%.  Practically, this was probably the best figure that would be achieved, as an element of the work of the better highways teams involved making temporary repairs to ensure safety for highway users whilst a more permanent repair or solution was designed.

The local member for Alston and East Fellside said she had concerns about the state of the road to Renwick, which she travelled regularly and it was covered in potholes which never appear to be fixed.  The Area Highways & Transport Manager agreed to speak to her after the meeting to arrange a site visit.

RESOLVED that Members note the monitoring information for the Better Highways works from 2nd August 2010 to date for reactive maintenance work.

[Electoral Divisions: Penrith East]

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

This report advises members following the advertisement of a Traffic Regulation Order to implement a no waiting at any time restriction along a section of the old A66 and part of The Green at Carleton Hall, Penrith. This restriction is to remove parked vehicles from the new access to Penrith Community Fire Station currently under construction.Members are asked to consider the recommendations and indicate whether the relevant Order should be brought into operation or not made operative as advertised

A report by the Corporate Director – Organisational Development advised members following the advertisement of a Traffic Regulation Order to implement a no waiting at any time restriction along a section of the old A66 and part of The Green at Carleton Hall, Penrith. This restriction was to remove parked vehicles from the new access to Penrith Community Fire Station currently under construction.

A new community fire station for Penrith was currently under construction on a green field site off the Green at Carleton Hall. The main access for this new site was from Carleton Road under the A66 then along an old section of the trunk road and into the Green.

Works had already been completed at Carleton Road to improve the junction into Carleton Hall but along the old section of the A66 (south of the current Dual carriageway section) the highway was parked up by vehicles heading towards the Green.

In order to maintain uninterrupted access to the fire station it was seen as expedient to restrict parking along this section of highway, so in May last year a draft order was advertised to implement a No Waiting At Any Time restriction leading up to the new site.  The statutory objection period expired on 4 June 2011 and during this period no objections were received.

The redevelopment of the Fire Station was part of a development of number of new stations around the County and was being funded through a private finance initiative. All costs associated with the implementation of this proposed order would be met by the contract holder for this initiative. It was anticipated that the works cost will be in the region of £500.

Members were still concerned about the roundabout at Kemplay Bank, and often received complaints from constituents about the phasing of the lights and the confusion with lane markings.  The Areas Highways & Transport Manager said this road was not a County Council responsibility but discussions were ongoing with the Highways Agency about improvements to address these issues,.

RESOLVED that members agree to bring into operation, as advertised, The County of Cumbria (Various Roads, Penrith) (Consolidation and Provision of Traffic Regulations) (Order 2007) Variation (No. 5) Order 20>< having taken into consideration the matters contained in Section 122(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 which were more specifically referred to at paragraph 7.2 of this Report.

[Electoral Divisions: Penrith East, Penrith North, Penrith West ]

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

This report asks members if a legal process could be started to bring up to date the current Penrith Consolidated Order, taking into it all the relevant variations made since the order was last consolidated in 2007.  Members are asked to consider the recommendations and indicate whether the order should be consolidated at this time or not.

The local committee had before them a report asking members to consider commencing the legal process to bring up to date the current Penrith Consolidated Order, taking into it all the relevant variations made since the order was last consolidated in 2007.

When the County moved towards Decriminalised Parking Enforcement in 1999 and 2000 there had been a need to consolidate Traffic Regulation Orders in one place to aid interrogation and enforcement of the newly Decriminalised Parking service. By doing this numerous Traffic Regulation Orders some of which were up to 50 years old were rationalised in one place. 

For the Eden District initially there were 2 consolidated Orders created. One for Penrith town and one for the rest of the Eden District. (Additionally, there was now an order covering all speed limits within the district which stands separately to the other orders).

During the life of a consolidated order variations were made on a regular basis. These variations sat alongside the consolidated order but not within it so over time they become numerous, which made keeping track and reference difficult and cumbersome.  It was therefore prudent over time to introduce an updated consolidated order taking into account all variations made since the last consolidation order was done. In respects of the Penrith order this was last consolidated in 2007.  It was anticipated this  work including advertising would cost in the region of £3,000 which would be funded from the 2012/13 Capital Allocation Grant.

RESOLVED that members authorise the consultation and advertisement of the consolidation and variation of The County of Cumbria (Various Roads, Penrith) (Consolidation and Provision of Traffic Regulations) Order 2007.  This will consolidate the provisions of the 2007 Order and its numerous variations into one composite order at the same time as advertising any new proposals which may be subsequently agreed by Committee.

[Electoral Divisions: All]

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

This report advises Members that the County Council’s Cabinet has requested all six Local Committees to make recommendations about alterations to the County Council’s Highways Winter Service. Any recommendations will be considered by the Cabinet when it meets in the summer 2012.  The report outlines the main issues that have arisen during this last winter and presents requests for improvements made directly to officers.

The Area Highways and Transportation Manager presented a report which advised members that the County Council’s Cabinet had asked all local committees to make recommendations about alterations to the County Council’s Highways Winter Service.  Any recommendations would be considered by the Cabinet when it meets in the summer 2012.

Members noted that the Penrith town P2 treatment route was altered to take account of the new road layout arising from the Penrith New Squares development.

Alston was well served by P2 routes, i.e. the A686 from Penrith to the boundary with Northumberland at Clargillhead and the A689 from the Northumberland boundary near Slaggyford to the Co. Durham boundary at Killhope, together with the B6277, B6294 and the road through Garrigill.

During poor weather conditions the A686 was often closed on Hartside and the preferred route into the rest of Cumbria was along the A689 towards Brampton.  However this route passed through Northumberland resulting in different treatment times for the three lengths of the A689 between Alston and Brampton. A suggestion had been made that Cumbria County Council assumed responsibility for treating the entire length of the A689 (including that in Northumberland) to ensure an early treatment time. In exchange Northumberland County Council could treat more of the A686 from Clargillhead towards Alston.

During this winter two trials involving local ‘volunteer’ groups had been undertaken in Cumbria; one at Nenthead and the other at Troutbeck near Windermere. The trials were aimed at assessing the possibility of allowing local people the opportunity of treating minor local roads. Cabinet is due to consider the trials this summer.

Members hoped that when considering any future provisions for Winter Maintenance that members of Eden Local Committee would be given the chance to engage and contribute properly in the process.

RESOLVED that members RECOMMEND the following to Cabinet

(1)         That at least one of the roads into the village of Great Asby is amended to a P2.

(2)         Pategill Road in Penrith forms part of the town bus route but is not included as a P2. Member request that the town treatment route be altered to include Pategill Road.

(3)         That a length of the C3009 be included as a priority 2 route to link the A686 at Hunter’s Cottage to the village.

(4)         That a short length of the C3053 be included as a P2 to provide a direct link from the A6 (north of Shap) towards Sleagill.

(5)         Some busy pedestrian routes in Penrith town centre are included in P2 treatment routes, that this be extended to include Angel Lane, Poet’s Walk and St Andrew’s Churchyard (library side) to reflect the pedestrian movement and wayfinding scheme currently ongoing in the town centre

(6)         The road from Crosby Garrett to Soulby be added to the P2 list

(7)         The road from Renwick to Kirkoswald be added to the P2 list

(8)         The road from Glassonby to Langwathby be added to the P2 list

(9)         Local Committee recommend Cabinet to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

[Electoral Divisions: Alston, Appleby, Kirkby Stephen, Shap]

To consider a report from the Corporate Director – Adult and Local Services (copy enclosed)

Following a successful pilot last autumn at Penrith Library promoting reading and based on work with families and teenage volunteers called “Sharing Stories on Sunday”, the Library Service is seeking financial support from the Local Committee to extend this initiative to all libraries in Eden.

The local committee considered a report by the Corporate Director – Adult and Local Services which explained that following a successful pilot last autumn at Penrith Library promoting reading and based on work with families and teenage volunteers called “Sharing Stories on Sunday”, the Library Service was seeking financial support from the local committee to extend this initiative to all libraries in Eden.

For the last three years in Cumbria the Library Service had provided volunteering opportunities for teenagers, which had provided them with a valuable and enjoyable experience and in some cases supported Duke of Edinburgh Award accreditation.

The previous Sharing Stories on Sunday project had consisted of weekly sessions supported by teenage volunteers aimed at children between 5 and 7. The children came along with a parent to the sessions to talk about books they had read during the week and explore any ideas that they had raised sharing their enjoyment as part of the process.

All of the participants had gained something from the experience. The children loved it. Their parents enjoyed the sessions and said that they gave the children more confidence to speak up about books that they enjoyed,  books not just for school but in general and to be enjoyed everywhere. There were many positive comments about the children’s increased confidence and the ease of their interaction with the teenagers.  The teenage volunteers were creative about the way they worked with children and suggested ways that they could better interact with the children.

The Library Service staff believed that the benefits accruing from the Sharing Stories project should be spread more widely.  By extending the project to Alston, Appleby, Kirkby Stephen and Shap it was hoped to address the issues of travel faced by many young people and develop reading across the Eden District. As the libraries in these other locations were not open on Sundays the proposal was to run these sessions on Saturdays.

RESOLVED that Members approve the extension of this scheme across all of the libraries in Eden and agree to allocate up to £8,000 from the 0 – 19 budget to achieve this.

[Electoral Divisions: All]

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

This report includes some information from Children’s Services on the new youth work delivered across Eden and outlines the grant funding applications received.

The Area Support Manager presented a report, which included some information from Children’s Services on the new youth work delivered across Eden and outlined the grant funding applications received.  This included an application from Penrith Cricket Club.

Penrith Cricket Club had made significant progress over recent years in the successful development of cricket for young people and was highly regarded within cricketing circles both inside and outside the county for its outstanding work with young people.  The club’sJunior Section had been successful in attracting over 200 members with its own committee overseeing this area of the club.

The grant requested (£8,854) was to enable the club to purchase sports equipment so that it could provide additional cricket sessions for its Junior Section.

The Area Support Manager said members would need to look strategically at how the 0-19 funding could be used in future, and how the Childrens Services’ commissioned services would fit into this.  It was AGREED that this be discussed at the next Eden Local Committee Seminar, possibly on 11 June 2012, and that the Chair and Vice Chair do some work on this beforehand to consider the best way forward.

RESOLVED that members award a grant of £8,854 to Penrith Cricket Club to purchase sports equipment to support the delivery of youth sessions at the Cricket Club.

[Electoral Divisions: All]

To consider a report from the Corporate Director – Childrens Services (copy enclosed)

There were no nominations for this meeting.  However, the local member for Alston and Fellside asked officers to find out if there actually was a vacancy at Armathwaite School as she understood this was filled at the last Eden Local Committee meeting.

Members were still concerned that they were being asked to agree to the appointment of people not known to them.  It was suggested that officers from the Governor Support team were invited to attend a private members briefing to enable members to raise these concerns.  This was AGREED.

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

This report provides an update on proposals to improve pedestrian movement in and around Penrith Town Centre with the aim of ensuring the existing town centre benefits from an increase in footfall generated by the new supermarket developments. This report provides an update on the Pedestrian Movement Strategy and emerging complementary projects that Vitality of Penrith are progressing.

The members had before them a report which provided an update on proposals to improve pedestrian movement in and around Penrith Town Centre with the aim of ensuring the existing town centre benefits from an increase in footfall generated by the new supermarket developments. This report provides an update on the Pedestrian Movement Strategy and emerging complementary projects that the Vitality of Penrith was progressing.

RESOLVED that members note the progress being made to deliver some pedestrian and cycle improvements in Penrith Town Centre identified in the Pedestrian Movement Strategy to ensure that priorities are delivered in conjunction with the opening of New Squares development.

[Electoral Divisions: All]

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

This report provides a progress report on the 2012/13 programme of work showing for each scheme, grouped by electoral division, start and end dates where known, month or quarter where dates have not been finalised, the work type and comments on the scheme as appropriate

Members considered a report from the Corporate Director – Organisational Development, which provided a progress report on the 2012/13 programme of work showing for each scheme.

RESOLVED that the report be received and noted.

Mr Richard Leafe, CEO LDNPA will be attending the meeting to discuss the work of the NPA and what can be done to dovetail it more effectively with that of the County Council.

Mr Richard Leafe, Chief Executive from the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) addressed the Local Committee on the work of the National Park.  He thanked the Local Committee for the opportunity to attend the meeting, expressing his eagerness for increased dialogue with all the Local Committees within the National Park in working towards achieving its Vision.

Mr Leafe explained that the Vision was for the LDNP to be an inspirational example of sustainable development in action.  A place where its prosperous economy, world class visitor experiences, and vibrant communities all came together to sustain the spectacular landscape, its wild life, and cultural heritage.   The 4 key elements of the Vision would act as one to see:

Ø            A prosperous economy

Ø            World class visitor experiences

Ø            Vibrant communities 

Ø            A spectacular landscape, its wildlife and cultural heritage

Members discussed the proposed revised boundary extensions to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks with the Chief Executive.  He said he felt that these proposals would result in a public enquire being held later this year.  Most of the boundary changes proposed by Natural England related LDNPA were relatively moderate changes.

During the course of discussion members raised their concerns regarding Affordable Housing for local people and the land allocations for this, and Mr Leafe said the LDNPA shared these concerns.  The government had agreed to look at the effects of the Right to Buy legislation on the National Parks.

Members also raised the issue of the lack of democratically elected members on the National Parks.  The Chief Executive said he was aware of trials which were currently being undertaken in a couple of national parks for direct elections to the NPs, and it may be that depending on the outcome of the trials the situation for future members of the parks may be altered.

The Chair on behalf of the Local Committee thanked Mr Leafe for attending the meeting.