Meeting documents

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Mr M Hawkins, Mr M Barbour and Mr A Pratt.

The Chair welcomed Ms L Shaw to the meeting who would be taking over the Area Manager – Copeland role when the current Area Manager left the position.

Members are invited to disclose any disclosable pecuniary interest they have in any item on the agenda which comprises:-

1          Details of any employment, office, trade, profession or vocation carried on for profit or gain.

2          Details of any payment or provision of any other financial benefit (other than from the authority) made or provided within the relevant period in respect of any expenses incurred by you in carrying out duties as a member, or towards your election expenses.  (This includes any payment or financial benefit from a trade union within the meaning of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.

3          Details of any contract which is made between you (or a body in which you have a beneficial interest) and the authority

(a)       Under which goods or services are to be provided or works are to be executed; and

            (b)       Which has not been fully discharged.

4          Details of any beneficial interest in land which is within the area of the authority. 

5          Details of any licence (alone or jointly with others) to occupy land in the area of the authority for a month or longer. 

6          Details of any tenancy where (to your knowledge)

            (a)       The landlord is the authority; and

(b)       The tenant is a body in which you have a beneficial interest.

7          Details of any beneficial interest in securities of a body where

(a)       That body (to your knowledge) has a place of business or land in the area of the authority; and

(b)       Either –

(i)      The total nominal value of the securities exceeds £25,000 or one hundredth of the total issued share capital of that body; or

(ii)     If that share capital of that body is of more than one class, the total nominal value of the shares of any one class in which the relevant person has a beneficial interest exceeds one hundredth of the total issued share capital of that class.

In addition, you must also disclose other non-pecuniary interests set out in the Code of Conduct where these have not already been registered.

Note

A "disclosable pecuniary interest" is an interest of a councillor or their partner (which means spouse or civil partner, a person with whom they are living as husband or wife, or a person with whom they are living as if they are civil partners).   

Mr G Roberts declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda Item No 7 – Copeland Highways Working Group Update Report from 17 December 2021 - as a member of Whitehaven Town Council.

Mr F Morgan declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda Item No 9 – Area Planning Report – as a Board Member of Phoenix Enterprise Centre.

Ms E Williamson declared a personal interest in Agenda Item No 9 – Area Planning Report – as an employee of Copeland Borough Council.

To consider whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any item on the agenda

RESOLVED,that the press and public be not excluded from the meeting during consideration of any item on the agenda.

There are no public questions, statements or petitions to be considered at this meeting.

There were no questions, petitions or statements to be considered at the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Local Committee held on 16 November 2021 (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED,that the minutes of the meeting held on 16 November 2021 be agreed as an accurate record of the meeting.

To consider a report by the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure (copy enclosed).

Members received a report that provided details of the Place Plan for Egremont and that requested endorsement to submit the document to the Borderlands Partnership.  It was noted that the Plan was supported by a programme of engagement and with the support of a Town Team which brought together a range of community stakeholders.  The draft Egremont Town Plan was appended to the report.

Members spoke in support of the Place Plan but recognised that it was not feasible for all the projects to be delivered through Borderlands and if the Borderlands bid was successful, it could be used as a tool to support steps to secure other external funding.

RESOLVED,that the Egremont Place Plan and its submission to the Borderlands Partnership be endorsed, with delegation given to the Executive Director, Chair, Vice Chair and Local Member for Egremont to agree the final designed version.

[Electoral Divisions: All Copeland]

To consider a report by the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure (copy enclosed).

This report provides details of the meeting of the Highways Working Group held on 17 December 2021 and presents recommendations for the Local Committee to consider.  

A report was given to members detailing the discussions and recommendations of the Copeland Highways Working Group which met on the 17 December 2021.  The minutes from the meeting were appended to the report. 

The Local Area Network Manager advised members that the A595 Liaison Meeting scheduled for 20 January 2022 had been postponed to 23 February 2022 at the request of National Highways.  The Local Member for Egremont North and St Bees expressed disappointment at this, feeling that discussion was needed with National Highways to campaign for a route for the Whitehaven Relief Road ensuring Copeland Borough Council include it in their Local Plan.

RESOLVED,that the minutes of the Copeland Highways Working Group held on 21 December 2021 be noted.

[Electoral Divisions: All Copeland]

To consider a report by the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure (copy enclosed).

This report presents the Highways Devolved Budget Finance figures and includes an update on the Highways Revenue and Capital Programme for Copeland.

Members received a report presenting the Highways revenue and capital programme for Copeland, details of which were contained within the appendices to the report. 

The Local Area Network Manager advised that a Bellwin claim had been submitted to recuperate the money spent on the clean up operation following Storm Arwin and all the affected roads were reopened.  Members noted that all current scheduled schemes were expected to be completed in this financial year.

It was noted that the Department of Transport final budget figures were still awaited and the budget would be submitted to Cabinet for approval.  Members recognised and thanked the Team for all their hard work carried out during the year.  The Local Member for Egremont North and St Bees requested assistance in the reinstatement of a litter bin at the station in St Bees.  The Local Member for Bransty welcomed the work that was taking place to resolve traffic issues around St Benedict’s School, Red Lonning, Whitehaven. 

Following questions from the Local Member for Gosforth and Seascale on the work and value of Sustrans, the Local Area Network Manager reported that currently Sustrans was paid £15,000 a year to maintain the off highway cycle routes.  It was agreed that a representative from Sustrans be invited to the next meeting of the Copeland Highways Working Group to explain their work in the Copeland area.

The Local Member for Millom thanked the Team for work carried out at Poolside/Main Street, Millom and raised a query on a drainage issue that had occurred in the area.  It was agreed that a report be brought to the Copeland Highways Working Group on this issue.

RESOLVED,

(1)  the devolved revenue and capital budget allocations for 2021/22 and the commitments and expenditure recorded in Appendices 1 and 2 be agreed and kept under review;

(2)  the Highways Revenue budget currently forecasting an overspend of £86,553 be noted;

(3)  the Highways Devolved Capital Budget forecasting an overspend of £19,795 be noted.

[Electoral Divisions: All Copeland]

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

This report provides Local Committee with an update on the activity undertaken by the Communities Team since its last meeting and also advises Members on their current budget position.  This report also includes an update on the ongoing COVID 19 response and recovery activities.

The Area Manager presented a report that gave an update on the activity undertaken by the Communities Team since the last Local Committee meeting. The report also advised Members on their current budget position and an update on the ongoing COVID 19 response and recovery activities.

Members noted the Team had been supporting work around gambling addiction and a webinar had been held on 17 November which had been attended by a wide range of local partners.  The Team continued to support and undertake activity to enhance Copeland as a dementia friendly area.  The work undertaken over the past 2 years either to the response to Covid or helping communities to recover was outlined. 

Members were informed that Adult Social Care were looking to recruit local volunteers to provide amongst other things befriending and low level home support to enable easier transfers from hospital and respite care for families.  In line with this work and following issues identified by members, the Team had made a visit to the Carlisle Meals on Wheels service to look at opportunities to replicate the service locally.  The pressures on Adult Social Care were highlighted as well as the transportation difficulties in distributing hot food, therefore members welcomed any opportunity to provide meals/assistance wherever possible. 

The Area Manager informed the Committee that Millom Hub was progressing with a tender seeking a consultant for the next stage of development.  The Area Manager assured the Local Member for Millom that access to the Hub was being resolved so that it wasn’t impeded by traffic from the next door school.  Members were asked to note grant funding and endorse projects exceeding £5,000 which included a substantial request for funding from the Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF) Harnessing Local Capacity Fund from Together We to fund two 12 month fixed term posts for the Copeland area.  Members were also asked to note a change of use to previously recommended funding, details of which were listed in the report.  It was noted that approval had been received to carry forward any unspent COMF into the next financial year.  The Area Manager confirmed that COMF funding could be utilised for platinum jubilee events.

A discussion took place around grants and available grant funding.  Members agreed to re-establish the Grants Panel to better scrutinise grant applications.  It was further agreed to review the grant application criteria and provide a summary of available grants to members at that meeting.  The Local Member for Kells and Sandwith requested ring fencing of COMF funding to extend the successful voucher scheme and it was agreed that this be considered at the Grants Panel. In discussion of the Together We request for funding, members were very supportive and agreed, subject to checks carried out by officers that it was not doubled funded, the full grant be awarded from the COMF harnessing fund and the Committee’s general provision budget allocation.  Members recognised that some communities/organisations may need help when applying for grants.  Members welcomed publicity on grant availability.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

To receive updates from the following Copeland Champions:-

Armed Forces Champion

Autism Champion

Children’s Champion

Dementia Champion

Fire Champion

Health Champion

Health Champion

The Health Champion and the Public Health Locality Manager advised on the latest Covid and vaccination figures as well as the changed isolation rules.  The date for the Health and Wellbeing Forum would be confirmed to members.  The Health Champion warned of health pressures arising from the pandemic, specifically mental health pressures.

Children’s Champion

The Children’s Champion updated members on work carried out by South Whitehaven Youth Partnership and Valley school to help address social isolation for residents in the area.  Hampers had been prepared and distributed at Christmas time and pupils from the school had handwritten letters to people who live on their own which had been well received.  The Children’s Champion advised that focus was now turning to jubilee celebration activities.

Dementia Champion

The Dementia Champion reported that due to the end of grant funding, Dignity in Dementia would be losing one of their Copeland workers.  The Local Member for Kells suggested that this element of need be raised at the Age Well Partnership which the Chair agreed to do.  Discussion was taking place with the Drigg and Carleton Village Hall Committee on the organisation of a once a week social event in the village hall to help with social isolation.  It was acknowledged that if successful this could be rolled out in other communities.

Fire Champion

The Fire Champion reported that communication had commenced with the Local Fire Area Manager and it was hoped that visits to fire stations could recommence in the near future.

The Champions were thanked for their updates.

To receive a verbal update from members serving on any outside bodies/external committees they attend on behalf of Copeland Local Committee.

The Committee’s CRASH representative updated members on CRASH matters, specifically speeding concerns at Cleator, Beckermet and Holmrook.  Data gathering machines and speed cameras had been placed in various locations and a high number of speeding tickets had been issued.  The Local Member for Cleator Moor East and Frizington highlighted problems on the A5086 and at Arlecdon and suggested that discussion take place with Sellafield as issues mainly occurred around their shift start and finish times.  The CRASH representative advised that a meeting had been arranged with a Sellafield representative.  It was agreed to circulate the data gathered for Cleator to the Local Member for Cleator Moor West.

The Chair passed on Mr Pratt’s thanks, on behalf of families and parish councils, for the support and hard work of Local Committee members in getting Cabinet’s subsequent decision to allow secondary school dual catchment areas in that area.  Concern however was raised on ongoing school transport issues.  The Area Manager had passed the school transport issue on to the Senior Manager - Transport Services who was trying to address and resolve the matter.

The Local Member for Cleator Moor East and Frizington suggested that a review of the Committee’s outside bodies takes place and this was agreed.

To discuss any relevant nuclear issues.

Mr D Southward, the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Property updated the Committee on nuclear issues including a nuclear meeting that he was attending with the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure in February, NuLeaf, RWM and the partnerships and the Moorside site.

Members thanked the Cabinet member for the update.

To note that the next meetings of Copeland Local Committee will be held on:-

·         4 February 2022 (Special Meeting) at 10.15 am at Cleator Moor Civic Hall;

·         22 March 2022 at 10.15 am at a venue to be confirmed.

It was noted that a Special meeting was to be held on 14 February 2022 at 2.00 pm at Cleator Moor Civic Hall.  The next Local Committee was to be held on 22 March at 10.15 am at Cleator Moor Civic Hall.

The Chair and the Local Member for Cleator Moor West, the previous Local Committee Chair, both thanked the Area Manager – Copeland for all her hard work and dedication over the last few years and wished her well in her new job.