Agenda item

[Electoral Divisions: All South Lakeland]

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

This report provides information and offers recommendations to the Local Committee for approval from meetings of the Strategic Planning Working Group and the Children and Young Peoples Working Group. It also updates the Local Committee on previously agreed activity supported with the latest financial statement.

A report was considered from the Assistant Director - Customer and Community Services regarding Area Planning in South Lakeland. The report provided service information and offered recommendations to South Lakeland Local Committee for approval from the meetings of the following working groups: Strategic Planning Working Group held on 1 November 2022 and the Children and Young People’s Working Group held on 31 October 2022. The report also provided Local Committee with an update on activity against agreed priorities and provided an overview of the current budget position.

The Area Manager presented the report. She drew members’ attention to the current list of Environment Fund and Contain Outbreak Management Fund schemes as outlined in Appendix C of the report, the request to upgrade the Horncop Lane / Sparrowmire Lane Footpath at a cost of £13K, from the Environment Fund and to the work of the South Lakeland Area Team.

The Local Member for Ulverston East noted the recommendation to fund a Community Outreach Advisor as outlined in recommendation 5 and commented would 2 part time posts be better than 1 full time post and how many people would be helped from this role.

The Area Manager remarked that recruitment was a challenge and the intention was to be flexible so that either 1 full time or 2 part time posts could be considered.  She was unable to provide the specific number of people who would be helped but at the Food Forum the co-ordinators of the individual Food Hubs across the area, have raised the need for a  Citizens Advice Advisor to be present as more people are becoming more open about their wider financial problems.

The Local Member for Kendal Castle noted that whilst in agreement with the proposals he was concerned about the ongoing funding for the Community Outreach Advisor and also what signposting was in place.

The Area Manager accepted the issues the Local member had raised and advised  that when grant bids are put forward sustainability is always considered, however this was a direct and immediate response to the cost of living crisis.  She commented that there was a need for this role as some residents are unable or reluctant to travel to Kendal to access the service or in some cases are nervous to pick up the phone. 

The Local Member for Grange agreed with the proposals and asked for clarification on the unallocated funds that would be left.

The Area Manager noted that the figure would be in the region of £50,000 - £60,000.

The Local Member for Upper Kent commented on the Windermere Ferry Advisory Group minutes and during the round table discussion it was confirmed that the next ferry would be electric and the payment app was going ahead.

The Chair presented the recommendations to the Local Committee. These were agreed by assent of the Committee.

RESOLVED that,

1          Members noted the budget update for 2022-23 including the commitments and expenditure to date, Appendix A of the report.

2          Members noted the work of the Strategic Planning Working Group as set out in the minutes at Appendix B of the report.

3          Members noted the current list of Environment Fund and Contain Outbreak Management Fund schemes as outlined in Appendix C of the report.

4          Members noted the request to upgrade the Horncop Lane / Sparrowmire Lane Footpath at a cost of £13K, from the Environment Fund, para 4.5.

5          Members agreed an amount of £10K to Citizens Advice in support of an Advice and Wellbeing in the Community Outreach Advisor from the General Provisions budget, Appendix D.

6          Members noted the support provided to anchor institutions in South Lakeland, totalling £20,500, as a response to the cost of living crisis, Appendix F.

7          Members noted the work of the Children and Young People’s Working Group as set out in the minutes at Appendix D of the report.

8          Members agreed an amount of £12,858 to Carer Support South Lakes to support the Carers Champion Network in schools, from the 0-19 budget, Appendix H.

9          Members provided their endorsement for the continuation of the Kendal Youth Hub, which is led by DWP.

10        Members noted the minutes of the Windermere Ferry Advisory Group, Appendix I.