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Also in this week's update
We want to hear from you about how we can improve our waste collection services.
As you know, we brought three district councils together (Allerdale, Carlisle and Copeland), and we now need to ensure that waste is collected consistently, sustainably, effectively and efficiently.
We want to understand what you want and need, so that we fulfil the commitments in our Council Plan and also comply with legislation.
We have produced this survey for you which takes around five minutes to complete.
Or you can drop-in to one or our roadshows:
- Wednesday 21 February 3.30pm – 6.30pm Longtown Community Centre
- Saturday 24 February 10am – 2pm Workington Market
- Saturday 24 February 11am – 3pm Carlisle Library
- Wednesday 28 February 10am – 2pm Tesco in Millom
- Monday 4 March 3.30pm – 6.30pm Brampton Community Centre
- Friday 8 March 10.00am – 2pm Wigton Market
- Wednesday 13 March 10am – 2pm Booths Keswick
- Saturday 16 March 10am – 3pm Whitehaven Entrepreneurs Market
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LEADING councillors have agreed budget proposals which will deliver on Cumberland Council’s key priorities over the next year.
The Council’s Executive have agreed the proposals at their meeting in Whitehaven this past week [on 13 February]. These will now be considered by Council in March.
Central to the plans is spending on health and wellbeing initiatives to help the council deliver on the main priority area in its Council Plan and Delivery Plan. Initiatives which will be rolled out over the next 12 months include anti-smoking and Live Longer Better campaigns, and the setting up of the Health Determinants Research Collaborative in the area which will look to understand the health issues locally.
The budget proposals also include spending in areas which meet the other key commitments. The first of these is to address inequalities across Cumberland through initiatives like the Food Cumberland Partnership and a programme to transform its children and family wellbeing services.
Another commitment is ensuring the local economy works for local people through the delivery of regeneration projects across the area and looking at the council’s approach to procurement. Amongst the initiatives improving the environment and tackling climate change, are the rolling out of more electric vehicle charging points and pursuing active travel opportunities.
The council is also focussed on delivering excellent services through its council-wide transformation plan and the introduction, and better use, of technology. The plan also includes taking a more preventative approach to services and using the council’s assets and buildings more effectively to realise the opportunities of local government reorganisation.
The council is also committed to develop its Community Panels which aims to bring decision making to the heart of the communities of Cumberland.
This is the first time that councillors on the Executive have had the opportunity to fully shape the budget, having inherited the spending plans of the former local councils when Cumberland Council came into existence on 1 April 2023.
Since that time a lot of work has been going on to understand the budget position of the council and shape spending to focus on the council’s ambitions. This process included consulting with the public and stakeholders on some proposals.
Some 536 residents and groups responded to the consultation which ended on 12 January. Of those who provided an answer, just over 51% agreed that the core element of council tax should rise by 2.99%, and more than 52% agreed that the social care levy should increase by a further 2%. Over 70% of respondents said that council tax should increase on second homes by 100%.
To help those on low incomes, the council’s budget includes funding for the council tax reduction scheme which can help reduce the cost of a bill.
The council has already identified over £37m in savings which have been included in the budget. However, a predicted budget gap of just over £10m remains which will be funded through our request for the use of capitalised resources and the council’s reserves.
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A special celebration event recognised the contribution apprentices make to local authority services across Cumbria.
Apprentices from Cumberland Council, Westmorland & Furness Council and Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service were welcomed to the event at Penrith Rugby Club on 9 February as part of National Apprenticeship Week.
Senior leaders from each organisation kicked off the event by expressing their gratitude and thanks to the apprentices for their work, dedication and the positive impact they make on communities.
This was followed by a presentation from Cumbria Apprenticeship Ambassador Network (CAAN), a group of previous and current apprentices who are passionate about promoting apprenticeships as a career path.
The event culminated with uplifting stories and case studies from apprentices about their individual career journeys, including Francis Armstrong who began her local government career as a support worker and is now undertaking a BA Social Work Apprenticeship with Cumberland Council.
This week, a group of our cared for children launched the premier of a short animated film, ‘Home’, based on their own experiences. The group wrote the story, made the scenes and created all the music for the film themselves, to bring to life the home aspect of ‘Our Promise’ – the council’s pledge to children and young people we care for.
It is hoped the film will encourage more people to find out about fostering and will also support children coming into care, to know they are not alone.
If you would like to find out more about fostering please visit cumbriafostering.org.uk and register your interest today.
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In our latest video, Cumberland Council’s Director of Public Health and Communities, Colin Cox issues some advice surrounding how Cumberland residents can protect themselves and their families from measles.
If you would like to find out more about measles, what the symptoms of the infection are, and how you can protect yourself and your family please visit the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/measles/.
Our Community Transport Service is looking for some new faces to join the council’s voluntary social car schemes.
The Community Transport service has a team of over 100 volunteer drivers and co-ordinators providing around 17 voluntary social car schemes throughout the Cumberland patch, providing journeys for people who need to do the weekly shop, see the doctor, or just visit friends.
The council are on the lookout for more people who can give up some of their spare time to be volunteer drivers or scheme co-ordinators. All expenses are reimbursed. As well as learning new skills and providing a lifeline for people without access to transport, signing up as a volunteer is a good way to meet new people and give something back to the community.
The council understands that times are difficult at present with the cost-of-living, and hope that if you are in a fortunate position to help others, you will find the roles rewarding. Car sharing can also be beneficial to covering the costs of running your own vehicle and be able to run your own errands whilst helping others.
The council is looking for volunteer co-ordinators (to organise journeys) within the following areas:
- Wigton (the council need at least two co-ordinators in Wigton)
- Kirkbride, Silloth and Skinburness
Voluntary drivers only are needed in the following locations:
- Millom
- Dalston / Cummersdale
- Drigg / Carelton / Irton / Seascale / Eskdale / Gosforth
- Whitehaven / St Bees / Egremont / Cleator Moor / Arlecdon / Frizington
The council is currently looking to set up new voluntary schemes in several areas of the county, and are seeking volunteer co-ordinators (and drivers once they are established) in the following locations:
- Brampton
- Workington
- Maryport / Allonby
- Longtown
Anyone interested in finding out more should contact Katy Wood, the council’s Voluntary Transport Officer, 07788 396194, or visit Cumberland Council’s website.
As part of a review of in-house care services, Cumberland Council leaders have this week agreed to launch a public consultation into the future of Moot Lodge care home in Brampton.
Cumberland Council are reviewing in-house care provision delivered by Cumberland Care, to ensure services meet the needs of the residents now and in the future. The review aims to focus on the provision of sustainable, high-quality care, to help people to live better, healthier, and more independently, whilst addressing the council's financial sustainability goals.
The review includes proposals to close Moot Lodge residential care home in Brampton. The property is affected by factors such as minimal outside space for residents, limited access to the building for people with mobility issues, small communal areas which are split across multiple floors, and a lack of mechanical aids, such as ceiling track hoists, which cannot be installed in many of the rooms. These issues make the provision of dementia and intermediate care challenging at Moot Lodge. Even with significant investment, the home cannot provide the features desirable for the provision of dementia and intermediate care due to the property’s structure and footprint.
The proposal to close Moot Lodge will undergo a twelve-week public consultation process. The start date for the consultation is soon to be announced. The local community, those receiving care at Moot Lodge, family members, carers, staff, partners, and Trade Unions are being encouraged to have their say on the changes as part of the public consultation process.
The decision made this week by the Council’s Executive, to launch a public consultation into the future of Moot Lodge, is subject to call in from the Council’s Scrutiny Board.
There will be elections for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner on 2 May.
In the UK you are legally required to show photo identification (ID) when voting at a polling station at some elections. You can check which elections require photo ID on the Electoral Commission website.
Which forms of ID can I use to vote?
You may already have a form of photo ID that is acceptable. You can use any of the following:
- Passport
- Driving licence (including provisional license)
- Blue badge
- Certain concessionary travel cards
- Identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
- Biometric Immigration document
- Defence identity card
- Certain national identity cards
You will only need to show one form of photo ID, but it needs to be the original version and not a photocopy. The name on your ID must be the same name you used to register to vote.
For more information, including the full list of accepted forms of photo ID, visit the Electoral Commission website or call their helpline on 0800 328 0280.
If you don’t have an accepted form of photo ID
If you don’t already have an accepted form of photo ID, or you’re not sure whether your photo ID still looks like you, you can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate.
Alternatively, you can complete a paper application form and send this to your local Electoral Registration Officer.
The deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate for use at a particular election is 5pm, 6 working days before the date of that election.
If you need any help with applying for a Voter Authority Certificate or want to request an application form, contact our elections team.
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We have started taking a significant step in planning for the future housing needs of our communities, through the procurement of renowned consultancy firm Arc4 to undertake a thorough Housing Needs Study across our entire footprint.
The General Needs Housing Study (2024-2039) aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the size, type, and tenure of housing required for residents of Cumberland over the next 15 years. This study is crucial in informing Cumberland Council's housing strategy and the development of a new Cumberland Local Plan.
The overarching objective of the study is to identify future housing growth and local needs across Cumberland for the next 15 years at both Parish and Ward levels. The study will:
- Provide an analysis of the size, type, and tenure of housing needed across Cumberland, considering various market segments.
- Incorporate factors such as future employment growth, demographic changes, and the needs of the older population into the assessment.
- Offer a robust evidence base for the review of the Local Plan and support decision-making processes.
- Consider the needs of different groups within the community, including vulnerable populations, key workers, and those requiring affordable housing.
Arc4 will engage extensively with key stakeholders, including local community hubs, housing providers, developers, and estate agents, to gather essential insights into housing needs and market dynamics. This inclusive approach will ensure that the study reflects the diverse perspectives and priorities within the Cumberland community.
The study started in January 2024 and is expected to complete by November 2024.
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