Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Ms C Driver, Miss H Fearon, Mr N Hughes and Mr T Wentworth-Waites

There were no disclosures of interest made at the meeting.

RESOLVED,       that the press and public not be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any items of business on the Agenda.

There were no questions, petitions or statements at the time of despatch of Agenda

There were no items of Public Participation for this meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Local Committee held on 15 January 2020

Corrections:

Page 16, Minute 72 Road Safety Update. 3^rd paragraph, 2^nd line, replace Normal with Norman.

RESOLVED that, subject to the correction above, the minutes of the meeting held on 15 January 2020 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To receive a presentation from theHuman Trafficking Co-ordinator, Cumbria Police

A presentation was received from Sandra Radcliffe, the Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking co-ordinator from Safer Cumbria. She reported on her career background and funding for the project.

The presentation covered the following:

·         Statistics around modern slavery and human trafficking

·         Cumbria Statistics 2018-19

·         Types of exploitation

·         Sexual exploitation

·         Forced labour

·         Indicators of forced labour

·         Forced criminality

·         Forced criminality indicators

·         County lines – forced criminality

·         Indicators of county lines

·         Domestic servitude

·         The National Referral Mechanism

·         How members could report their concerns

·         Unseen app by the Modern Slavery Helpline

·         Safer Carwash App by the Clewer Initiative

During the presentation, a number of questions were raised by members. In response, Ms Radcliffe outlined the clientele involved in sexual exploitation and confirmed that most, but not all employers involved in forced labour were foreign nationals.

A member raised her concern that as information about modern slavery and human trafficking became more widespread, the perception of the public could be that all foreign nationals may be ‘in crisis’. Ms Radcliffe reassured members that most people worked by choice and any concerns were monitored by a network of agencies including Health and Safety and Immigration for example who undertook small checks in the first instance.

Ms Radcliffe undertook to provide Cumbria statistics on a district basis to members.

The Chair thanked Ms Radcliffe and highlighted that public awareness was important in this issue and it appeared to be that financial motivation and the highly organised approach of perpetrators was evident in modern slavery and human trafficking.

To receive a presentation from the Senior Manager – Children and Families on Child Protection and Children in Need.

Members received a presentation from Ms McKie, the Senior Manager – Children and Families about the Children and Young People Service.

The presentation covered:

·         The Children and Young People Service

·         District Contacts

·         Open cases in Eden

·         Trends in Eden

·         Child in Need plans in Eden

·         Child Protection plans in Eden

·         Children Looked After in Eden

·         Care leavers in Eden

·         How members could help officers

Ms McKie reported on a mainly positive picture for the Eden area.

Following a member question, Ms McKie advised that the peak in trends in Eden for Children in Need in June may partially be related to school summer holidays as this raised the public’s concerns for children who may be in need during school holidays.

Discussion ensued on the link between poverty and children placed in statutory services. Challenges relating to mental health, neglect and emotional harm all were exacerbated by poverty. A member stated that there was a need to understand all the issues otherwise it would be difficult to make decisions that could improve the situation for children in Eden.

Mr Dew, as the Committee’s Children’s Champion reported on how he engaged with Foster Carers in Penrith and after his meeting with the Care Leavers Forum, he was impressed by their attitude and motivation to succeed. He reported on the excellent early intervention work undertaken by Cumbria Family Support in Eden. He referred to a previous presentation to the Committee about the impact of Universal Credit on families. Ms McKie talked about the work with Care Leavers and the aim to work more in the community, with churches and local businesses for example.

Following an invitation from the Chair for members of the public to ask questions, Ms McKie undertook to provide statistics on the number of children involved in MARAC. She advised that work on domestic violence, substance misuse and mental health was integral to her team’s work. It was raised at the meeting that all tiers of councils should work together to improve the services available.

Ms McKie informed members that an understanding of key issues and the identification of key contacts in Eden was required and there was a need to look outward and work with the community more.

A member of the public commented on the problem with isolation in the large geographical area of Eden. The Area Manager reported on work being undertaken on how families supported their children. It was highlighted that there was an issue with transport poverty and accessing services. It was noted that this was a moveable position, as one issue was dealt with, another needed to be addressed.

The Chair thanked Ms McKie for her presentation.

[Electoral Divisions: All]

To consider a report from the Executive Director – Corporate, Customer and Community Services.

The Area Manager’s report brings together information from across the Community teams including Community Development and Services, Public Health and Waste Prevention. This report provides Local Committee with an update on the work of each area, identified activity against priorities, highlights current issues and provides an overview of the budget position.

A report was considered from the Executive Director – Corporate, Community and Customer Services. The report brought together information from across the community teams including community development and services as well as public health. The report provided the Local Committee with an update on the work of each area identified activity against priorities, highlighted current issues and provides an overview of the budget position. 

The Area Manager drew members’ attention to the excellent work of the Appleby Emergency Response Group and their proposed funding allocation in order to sustain the Group. He highlighted that there would be a full member briefing on the Penrith Parking and Movement Study in due course. He talked about the grants endorsed at the Children and Young People’s Working Group. He highlighted that there was money left in the Area Planning budget which would be rolled over into the next financial year.

A member welcomed the funding for the Appleby Emergency Response Group. He reported on the importance of the work of the Group and its integral role during Storm Desmond in 2015.

Mrs Bell asked that she be provided with a copy of the Eden Joint Public Health Strategy Action Plan. It was clarified that the 0-19 Services budget would increase to £52,389.

The recommendations were moved en-bloc by the Chair, seconded by Mrs Bell and agreed by assent of the Committee.

RESOLVED that,

1            Members note the budget allocations for 2019-20 and the commitments and expenditure recorded to date.

2            Members note the provisional unallocated resources in the 2019/20 Communities Revenue Budget of £66,990 as at 28 February 2020.

3            Members note an allocation of £2,000 from the Area Planning budget to enable the employment of the Appleby Emergency Response Group Project Manager for a further year as described in paragraphs 4.9 and 4.10 of the report.

4            Members note 0-19 funding allocations of £5,000 to Shap Community Action group and £1,200 to Kirkby Stephen Cricket Club as described in paragraph 4.16 of the report.

5            Members agree an allocation of £4,000 each for universal service delivery in Penrith, Kirkby Stephen, Alston and Appleby from the 11-19 universal service budget as described in paragraph 4.17 of the report.

6            Members agree to vire £2,615 from General Provision to 0-19 to enable an £2,885 allocation to the North Pennines AONB Partnership to support the Fellfoot Forward project as described in 4.18 of the report.

[Electoral Divisions: All]

To consider a report from the Executive Director – Customer and Community Services

This report outlines proposals, following a Local Committee seminar on 4 March 2020, to allocate the communities budget during the year 2020/21.

A report was considered from the Executive Director – Corporate, Customer and Community Services. The report outlined proposals, following a Local Committee seminar on 4 March 2020, to allocate the communities budget during the year 2020/21.

The Area Manager explained that the proposed allocations had been identified at a member workshop. The recommendations were moved from the Chair, seconded by Mr Connell and agreed by assent of the Committee.

RESOLVED that, Local Committee agree:-

1             An amount of £24,131 be allocated to Area Planning from the Local Committee base budget.

2             An amount of £18,000 be allocated to Community Grants from the Local Committee base budget.

3             An amount of £29,708 be allocated to 0-19 Grants from the Local Committee base budget.

4             An amount of £10,000 be allocated to 0-19 Strategic Development from the Local Committee base budget.

5             An amount of £9,696 be allocated to the School Crossing Patrol Service from the Local Committee base budget.

6             An amount of £17,016 be allocated towards 11-19 Universal Services from the Local Committee base budget.

7          Local Committee note the decision by Council to allocate an amount of £34,870 towards the Money Advice Service from the Local Committee base budget.

[Electoral Divisions: All]

To consider a report from the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure.

This report requests the Committee to determine the distribution of resources among the budget heads within the highway maintenance revenue budget

A report was considered from the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure regarding Eden Highways Revenue Budget 2020/21. Members were requested to determine the distribution of resources among the budget heads within the highway maintenance revenue budget.

The Local Area Network Manager drew members’ attention to the key changes made to the budget since the draft was considered by the Committee at its January 2020 meeting.

Following lobbying by the Chair to Cabinet, £30,000 had been added into the Appleby Fair budget from the corporate centre. This was welcomed by a number of members who thanked the Chair. The Local Area Network Manager advised that the £30,000 previously allocated to this budget would now be spent on gully cleansing.

The Chair explained the actions he had undertaken to secure the additional funding, welcoming that the budget had been secured from the corporate centre. He stressed that it should be ensured that this allocation was continued in future years. He welcomed that this would allow more work to be undertaken on drainage cleansing.

A member stated that the costs for Appleby Fair had resulted in a financial burden for residents as the money had come from the highways budget and welcomed that this burden would now be alleviated. He commented on the positive benefits of Appleby Fair and on his increased understanding of how important the Fair is to Travellers.

The Local Area Network Manager proceeded to explain in detail how the £30,000 would be used for drainage cleansing. He commented on the sharing of gully cleansing equipment with Carlisle and that the budget would allow greater flexibility to deal with the drain cleansing programme.

The recommendations were moved en bloc and agreed by the assent of the Committee.

RESOLVED that,Members agree the distribution of the devolved highways maintenance revenue budget for 2020/21 as proposed in paragraph 4.3 of the report

[Electoral Divisions: All]

To consider a report from the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure.

This report sets out the proposed programme of works which is anticipated can be delivered through the devolved Highways Capital funding available for 2020/21.

A report was considered from the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure regarding the Highways devolved Capital Programme for Eden 2020/21. The report set out the proposed programme of works which it was anticipated could be delivered through the devolved Highways Capital funding available for 2020/21.  The proposed capital programme allocations were summarised in paragraph 4.4 and detailed in Appendices 1, 2, 3, 4 and 4a of the report.

The Local Area Network Manager drew members’ attention to  the 2020/21 recommended allocations for the prioritised carriageway, drainage and remedial earthworks schemes which had been increased in order to deal with accelerated deterioration of the highway network resulting from the recent wet winter. The programme now included an indicative list of schemes up to 2022/23. He advised members of an increase in budget allocated for dealing with the Reported Defects: Planned Works Programme and how this was to be managed by the in-house teams delivering highway repairs in summer and winter months.

The Local Area Network Manager advised he had met with the Chair of the Local Committee to discuss the delivery of various highway improvement schemes in terms of reviewing existing schemes, feasibility, delivery and potential additional works. A further report would be brought to the Committee in June 2020 on this matter. The Chair advised that if and when additional DfT funding became available, it would be prudent to have a list of schemes available.

From the Public Gallery, it was raised that there was a Scrutiny Task and Finish Group at Eden District Council looking at Section 106 agreements and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding.  Cumbria County Council was invited to take part in this work. A member advised on the work of a County Council Scrutiny review which had also looked at gaps in funding, be it CIL funding or S106 agreements. She highlighted the importance of the effective scoping of the Eden District Council Scrutiny review.

From the Public Gallery, the Highways Team was thanked for its work at Fell Edge. The significant amount of water on the road in the area was highlighted. Reference was made to the Land Drainage Act and the onus on landowners to deal with surface water on their land. The need for the identification of solutions to improve how surface water was dealt with was acknowledged. The Local Area Network Manager advised that this issue was on the Highways Team radar but responsibility for surface water runoff from adjacent landowners was not always clear cut. He advised on a bid to the DfT for funding for drainage repair work following recent storms.

A member referred to the ‘Working Together’ initiative and how it may have been received by all tiers of councils. It was considered to be important that the Parish Councils were aware of what resources were available to them and that the County Council wished to work in partnership with them.

RESOLVED that, the proposed allocations of the devolved highways capital budget for 2020/21 be approved as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 87.

[Electoral Divisions: All]

To consider a report from the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure.

This report advises members of the County Council’s Highways Non-Devolved Capital programme in Eden for 2020/21.

A report was considered from the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure regarding the Highways Non Devolved Capital Programme for Eden 2020/21. The report, which was information only, advised members of the County Council’s Highways Non-Devolved Capital programme in Eden for 2020/21.

There were no member questions on this item.

RESOLVED  that, the Highways Non-Devolved Capital programme in Eden for 2020/21 be noted as detailed in the report and in the attached Appendices 1, 2 and 3 of the report

[Electoral Divisions: Alston and East Fellside, Appleby, Greystoke and Hesket, Kirkby Stephen, Penrith North, Penrith Rural]

To consider a report from the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure.

This report seeks to advise the Local Committee of the representations received to the statutory consultation and advertisement of the Order to consolidation and introduce changes to various traffic restrictions in the Eden

A report was considered from the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure regarding the Eden Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) – Consolidation of and changes to existing restriction and introduction of proposed new restrictions. The report sought to advise the Local Committee of the representations received to the statutory consultation and advertisement of the Order to consolidation and introduce changes to traffic restrictions in the Eden area, namely:

·         Introduce a ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ restriction on a short stretch of the A689 at its junction with the B6277, Alston.

·         Introduce a prohibition of heavy commercial vehicles over 7.5 tonnes maximum gross weight restriction, with except for access exemptions, on the B6262, C3048 and U3182, Brougham.

·         Introduce ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ restrictions on lengths of the C1037 and C3003, Calthwaite.

·         Introduce a new ‘No Waiting At Any Time’ restriction on a short stretch of Seat Hill at its junction with the B6413 (Seat Hill) Lazonby.

·         Introduce new ‘No Waiting At Any Time’ restrictions on two short stretches of B6413 and to extend one such existing restriction in the vicinity of the village hall. It is also proposed that an existing length of ‘No Waiting At Any Time’ restriction on Scaur Lane be extended. 

·         Introduce a new ‘No Waiting At Any Time’ restriction on a short stretch of the B6412 in the vicinity of the Bowling Club, Lazonby.

·         Introduce ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ restrictions on lengths of the A685 and U3279, Church Street, Tebay.

·         Introduce ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ restrictions and ‘No Waiting; Monday to Saturday, 8 am – 6 pm’ restrictions on lengths of the A685 and U3392, South Terrace and the A685, Tebay.

·         Introduce a One Way Traffic Restriction on part of the U3355 and the entirety of the U3349, Pembroke Street, Appleby-in-Westmorland.

The report also asked Members to determine the representations received and sought a resolution for the introduction of the Order.

Mrs Carrick, Local Member for Lazonby provided a background to the restriction at Seat Hill, Lazonby. She referred to the comments from residents and the work of the Parish Council on this matter. She supported the restrictions and considered them to be a solution to the problems that were being encountered.

Mr Dew Local Member for Tebay referred to the restrictions at Tebay. He advised that the restrictions before the Committee relating to South Terrace were not the wishes of residents, businesses and the Parish Council. It was moved by Mr Dew and seconded by Mr Whipp that the following restrictions be applied at Tebay:

1             Introduce ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ restrictions on the A685’ (as per Appendix 9.1 in the report)

2             Introduce ‘No Waiting Monday – Saturday, 8am-6pm’ and ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ restriction on the U3392 (as per Appendix 9.2 in the report)

The Traffic Management Team Leader advised that during the advertisement and consultation process, the issues could not be resolved. This change to the waiting restrictions was agreed by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 89.

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

To consider a report from the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure.

This report advises the Local Committee of the representations received to the statutory consultation and advertisement on a number of proposed changes to the Penrith traffic regulation order referred to at paragraph 3.1 of the Report

A report was considered from the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure regarding the Penrith Consolidation Order – outcome of statutory consultation and advertisement. The report advised the Local Committee of the representations received to the statutory consultation and advertisement on a number of proposed changes to the Penrith traffic regulation order referred to at paragraph 3.1 in the report, in relation to 5 locations. The proposed changes had come from a variety of sources including Member and resident requests and ongoing reviews of existing restrictions. The report asked Members to determine the representations received and sought a resolution for the proposed introduction of the Order, which would consolidate the provisions of The County of Cumbria (Various Roads, Penrith) (Consolidation and Provision of Traffic Regulations) Order 2017, together with its variations and the proposed changes, as referred to in the recommendation of the report.

Discussion took place on how similar proposals would come to an end following the conclusion of the Penrith Transport and Movement Study.

RESOLVED  that, having taken into account the comments and objections which were received and having also taken into consideration the matters contained in section 122(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 which are specifically referred to at paragraph 7.2 of the report, Members agree to introduce “The County of Cumbria (Various Roads, Penrith) (Consolidation and Provision of Traffic Regulations) Order 20><” (“the Order”), as advertised.

To update Members on progress of Actions agreed from previous meetings.

Members reviewed the Action Log.

Following discussion as to how some of the actions had now become integral to the work of the Area Support Team and had been placed on their work plan or would be subject of a Local Committee seminar these items were removed from the Action Log. Some actions had been passed on to the relevant Local Committee Working Group or to the CRASH Group and officers would be contacting members of the public directly, so these were removed from the Action Log.

Following a discussion about Eden Community Safety Partnership and their consideration of Modern Day Slavery, the Area Manager advised that this had been an item on today’s agenda and should be removed from the Action Log. He highlighted that Eden Community Safety Partnership had recently cancelled a meeting but this would be raised with the Partnership.

The Area Manager advised that the Public Health Locality Manager would update members outside of the meeting regarding the recent meeting about the urgent treatment centre at Penrith

RESOLVED that, everything be removed from the Action Log except:

Mr Dew provided an update on his attendance at the following meetings:

·         Foster Carers Steering Group meeting on 31 January 2020

·         Care Leavers Forum meeting on 3 February 2020

·         MASCG Group meeting on 24 February 2020

·         Joint Public Health Action Plan workshop meeting on 28 February 2020

·         Children in Care Council meeting on 9 March 2020

Mr Connell provided an update on his and Mr Dew’s attendance at the following meeting:

·         Holehird Trust joint Committee on 5 March 2020

Mr Connell provided an update on a recent meeting with Highways England about urgent works on the A66.

Members in the Public Gallery advised on a number of events that were taking place including the forthcoming Zero Carbon event at Rheged.

The next meeting will be held on 17 April 2020 at 10.30am at Eden Rural Enterprise Centre Redhills Lane, Penrith CA11 0DT

The next meeting of the Committee would be held on 17 April 2020 at 10.30am at Eden Rural Enterprise Centre, Redhills, Penrith.