This week’s Executive approval for Cumberland’s Family Help and Prevention strategy marks a significant commitment to improving the lives of children and families across Cumberland. It sets out how investment will change, prioritising providing support to children, young people, and families at the earliest opportunity and improving access to services by bringing them closer to the communities that need them.
The strategy, developed from feedback given by the community, children and families, is designed to address issues before they escalate and seeks to create a supportive environment where families can thrive and children can achieve their full potential.
It outlines a number of challenges faced in Cumberland, including the large geographical spread of population and health inequalities, as well as describing how support will be provided by partners and the council within local communities to ensure needs are met and effective family help and prevention is delivered.
Family help and prevention is a collaborative approach between services and families that provides support as soon as a need is identified. All families, children and young people may need some support at different points in their lives, from preconception to breastfeeding advice and safe sleep, all the way through to supporting accessing education and responding to changing circumstances.
Don’t forget we also have a consultation out on proposals for our 0-19 Healthy Child Programme of activities.
Also in this week's update:
All schoolchildren aged up to 16 years old from the Cumberland area will be able to go for a swim in a choice of five indoor pools for only 10p over the school summer holidays.
The discounted scheme has been put in place with the support of GLL and Wigton Baths Trust.
Our scheme ofers discounted swimming opportunities throughout the week, including weekends (at some of the venues).
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Don't forget that we are also providing fully funded activities during the school holidays for eligible children and young people.
Thank you to all the Raffles residents who joined us this week for our Operation Respect day.
And another for all the partners who gave their time to create a fabulous free family event.
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Details of some upcoming events in Cumberland:
Following an extensive review and public consultation process, the Executive of Cumberland Council agreed this week to close Moot Lodge care home in Brampton.
Several key factors have influenced this decision. Moot Lodge has been facing challenges related to reduced occupancy and its capacity to meet the diverse and evolving needs of our residents. The building has limitations relating to facilities on multiple levels and access to safe outside space, which cannot be resolved through capital investment.
Brampton is fortunate to have two other care homes currently with advertised vacancies. This ensures that even with the closure of Moot Lodge, residents of Brampton will have access to care homes within their local community. Both homes are currently rated as "Good" by the regulator, CQC (Care Quality Commission).
Cumberland Council recognises the importance of family on individual care and wellbeing. Individual planning with Adult Social Care professionals will take place for each of the current Moot Lodge residents to support them to find suitable, local and reasonable alternative accommodation or any alternative accommodation of their choice, based on individual preferences and circumstances.
The public consultation highlighted that independence, dignity, and privacy were highly valued by respondents when thinking about their current or future care needs. Current limitations within the Moot Lodge building sometimes hinder these outcomes, something that was recognised in a number of the responses. People also told us that that good quality care appropriate to their needs was a priority, and this is something that we do not believe Moot Lodge can fully offer in the future.
This decision aligns with Cumberland Care’s mission to provide compassionate, sustainable, and high-quality care that supports the wellbeing and independence of all residents. By aligning resources with community needs and preferences, Cumberland Care aims to uphold its vision of promoting independence, dignity, and better health outcomes for all residents under its care.
The Executive is committed to ensuring a smooth transition for all residents affected by this decision. Cumberland Council understands the concerns raised during the consultation and is dedicated to considering these factors carefully to prioritise the wellbeing and quality of life for all Brampton residents.
The decision is subject to call in.
The Executive also agreed a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) during their meeting held on Tuesday 23 July.
The decision follows the consolidation of the three district councils, (Allerdale, Copeland, and Carlisle City Council) and the County Council, into the newly organised Cumberland Council. The expiration of existing PSPOs provided an opportunity to reassess and refine regulations across the entire region.
A PSPO is a positive way to help prevent anti-social behaviour (ASB) and can provide an effective response to some of the issues that are of concern to local people and businesses.
Governed by the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, these orders provide local authorities with flexible measures to address the broad and growing challenges of Anti-Social Behaviour. Recognising councils are well-suited to identify and address such concerns, these orders empower councils to safeguard the community and uphold the quality of public spaces.
We have recently completed giving Keswick's streets a good clean ahead of the school holidays.
This comprehensive project, which spanned two weeks, has significantly enhanced the cleanliness and appeal of the area for residents, businesses and visitors.
The street cleaning team focused on eliminating stubborn dirt from pavements and pedestrian zones, removing chewing gum and weeds, washing street furniture, and cleaning street signs. These efforts have greatly improved the overall appearance and cleanliness of Keswick.
Given the size of the area, dedicated crews utilised specialised equipment, including the mechanical scrubbing deck for deep cleaning large pedestrian spaces, specialist jet washers, and mechanical sweepers. The thorough cleaning covered Keswick’s town centre, including St John Street, Lake Road, and ending at the A5271.
Our wonderful Keswick Market was featured on Channel 5 recently as part of their Cumbria - The Lakes and the Coast programme.
Whitehaven was also featured alongside other coastal towns.
The Keswick Market is held every Thursday and Saturday. It's well worth a visit as there more than 65 stalls to browse.
We continue to improve road safety measures with the launch of new signage which is visible throughout the road network.
Launched in April, this initiative has seen an increasing number of signs installed across Cumberland. It addresses safety concerns raised by the council’s staff and aims to deter the public from speeding through road works or attempting to pass through road closures while works are ongoing.
The new, prominent signs display images of Cumberland’s dedicated Highway teams and their children, emphasising the importance of road safety and urging caution. The goal is to ensure that all council staff return home safely to their loved ones.
Join us at our Cleator Moor Town Deal engagement event on Tuesday 30 July.
The public event will be held between 3pm and 6.30pm at the Cleator Moor Civic Hall and Masonic Centre, The Square.
The plans for the Connected Town, part of the Cleator Moor Town Deal, will be on display with officers from Cumberland Council on hand to answer questions
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Could you lead the brand-new Cumbria Economic Growth Board?
As the Chair of the newly formed Economic Growth Board, you will play a pivotal role in providing a strong business voice in strategy development and ensuring that decisions are made in the best interests of the people and places in Cumbria. This is part of the new arrangements following the assumption of the functions and responsibilities of the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (CLEP) by Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness Councils on 1 April 2024.
This is a fantastic opportunity to be a critical leader in the Cumbria Economic Growth Board. We are seeking applications from ambitious business leaders from businesses and voluntary organisations of all sizes to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to deliver strategic economic growth.
We are committed to ensuring that the Cumbria Economic Growth Board is representative of our diverse communities and businesses. Therefore, we welcome applications from all business sectors across Cumbria, as well as from a diverse range of candidates regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith, or disability.
Please note that this is a remunerated position. Board appointments are for a three-year term, with the option for re-appointment for a further three-year period. The role will require a time commitment of 3-4 days per month.
City centres and high street retail centres serve as crucial economic and cultural hubs across the country, attracting residents, workers and visitors alike.
We recognise the need to support our high streets in this challenging economic context, by providing businesses and organisations with the confidence to invest in high street property again.
Our High Street Building Grant Scheme, funded by government, has two separate priorities:
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Priority A will focus on supporting landlords and new or existing businesses taking up an empty property. Giving grants of up to 50% of the costs (max £35,000) of eligible works to improve the property.
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Priority B will focus on support to landlords and new or existing businesses requiring funding to do facelift works to their properties. Grants of 50% of the costs (max £5,000) can be applied for.
Funding is available to landlords and businesses within the centre boundaries of Aspatria, Brampton, Carlisle, Cleator Moor, Cockermouth, Dalston, Egremont, Keswick, Longtown, Maryport, Millom, Silloth, Whitehaven, Wigton and Workington.
This is a discretionary grant for businesses that can demonstrate that they contribute to the vitality of the high street. Grants will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Cumbria Business Growth Hub is delivering a business revenue grant scheme on behalf of Cumberland Council, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Capital grants up to a maximum of £100,000 (50% match funded) are available for purchase of equipment and capital improvements to help businesses grow, diversify, innovate and improve productivity
Revenue grants of up to £7,500 (50% match funding) are on offer to support work with a consultant of your choice in areas such as marketing, websites, accountancy, legal, planning, business continuity, succession planning, business growth, productivity, agricultural or other specialist advice. Also available are £500 advice vouchers for similar support which require no match from the business. Both of these grants are available to micro and small businesses throughout Cumberland.
Tourism grants up to a maximum of £20,000 (50% match funded) can support development and promotion (to both trade and consumers) of the visitor economy for activity such as development of local visitor experiences, local attractions and trails or tourism products more generally.
Cumbria Adoption is appealing for more adopters to come forward in Cumberland as it joins a national 'You Can Adopt' campaign aimed at reversing a ‘concerning’ decline in adoption rates in England.
For the first time in recent years there are now more children in England in need of a permanent home than those coming forward to adopt.
Cumbria Adoption Service Manager Ruth McHugh said there has been a marked slowdown in adoption enquiries in the county this year, which mirrors the national picture.
“Last year Cumbria Adoption enabled 40 children being cared for by Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council to join new adoptive families. Every child should have a loving, permanent home, so it is concerning we don’t have enough adopters coming through to meet the needs of some of our children.
“Adoption England research has found the cost of living and other factors have been leading to many people interested in adoption putting the idea on hold. Our message is that while you need to have a stable home in place, there is never a ‘perfect time’ to adopt.
“So we’re encouraging anyone considering adoption to take the first step in their journey and get in touch with Cumbria Adoption because the right time for our children waiting for their forever family would be now.”
The campaign video follows real adoptive families chatting about their experiences while on a car journey, showing that much like any family trip, adoption is an adventure filled with chaos, challenges, conversations - and love.
Our Whitehaven and Coastal Community Panel has been funding some fantastic projects.
At its last meeting, they ranged from new noticeboards to an inclusive music festival.
The Chair of Cumberland Council, Cllr Andy Semple would like to everyone that took part and supported this year's Cockermouth Charities Week.
The former bandmember was busking on the streets of Cockermouth last weekend in aid of local Cancer charities. He was joined by his long-time musical partner George Macdonald.
The event was organised by the Cockermouth Chamber of Trade. They did a fantastic job, and the event was well supported.
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This week has seen the launch of the Police, Fire and Crime Plan public consultation and they are trying to encourage as many people as possible to take part.
Check out our website to see the latest vacancies at Cumberland Council and see if there is a job for you.
Check out our website to see the latest vacancies at Cumberland Council and see if there is a job for you.
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