Meeting documents

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Mr M Barbour, Mr M Hawkins, Mr D Southward and Mr D Wilson.

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 6 – Sustrans in Copeland - as a member of Whitehaven Town Council.

Mr A Lamb declared a personal interest in Agenda Item No 11 – Copeland Champions Update - as an employee of North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust.

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 18 January 2022 and the minutes of the special meeting held on 14 February 2022 (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED,that the minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 2022 and the minutes of the Special meeting held on 14 February 2022  be agreed as accurate records of the meetings.

To receive a presentation from a representative from Sustrans.

Members received a presentation from the Land Manager, North East and Cumbria, Sustrans on their work in the Copeland area.  The officer outlined Sustrans’ responsibilities, a charity making it easier for people to walk and cycle and the area the team covered.  Members were notified of the current schemes planned for the Copeland area.  It was noted that Covid had disrupted service but had  also offered opportunities for some proactive work.  To conclude the Land Manager outlined Sustrans priorities for 2022/23.

In discussion of the proposed schemes, members highlighted the need to align these with other planned projects to enhance the cycling/walking infrastructure.  The Land Manager agreed to raise this with the Project Manager to ensure there was advisory input and no overlap.  The difficulties in the area route around Sellafield were noted and acknowledged.  The Land Manager agreed to provide a local contact telephone number and email address and further agreed to raise network improvements south of Sellafield to Millom with the Project Manager.  In answer to a question on route priority and maintenance, specifically the Viking Way, the Land Manager said team members were not qualified to undertake highway work but would be keen for partnership working on parts of the route.

The Chair thanked the Land Manager for the informative presentation and extended a further invite, in the next financial year, to the Local Committee identifying key projects in the Copeland area.  The Land Manager agreed to circulate a shortened version of their end of year report to members.

RESOLVED,the presentation be noted.

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

Members received a report from the Place and Enterprise Manager and the Infrastructure Planning Officer requesting endorsement on the Connecting Millom and Haverigg business case, the full summary of which was appended to the report.  Members noted there was a requirement for this scheme to be submitted to Copeland Borough Council in April 2022, as accountable body, for appraisal and assurance assessment in advance of submission to Government.

The officers outlined the three interlinked elements of the project which were developing the railway station as a key gateway to the town, transforming cycling and walking around Millom and Haverigg through safe routes and wayfinding to access key activities and enhancing and upgrading the town centre streets and gateways through improvements to infrastructures and public realm.

Members discussed various aspect of the project.  The maintenance of the proposed scheme and involvement of the train operators were raised.  It was noted that bike storage rather than bike hire was planned at Millom train station.  The Local Member for Kells suggested community involvement in public realm spaces by introducing schemes such as vegetable planting and pollinator projects into the plans.  In answer to a question from the Local Member for Egremont North and St Bees, the officers confirmed the project’s risk register was kept up to date and would be regularly reviewed as the scheme progressed.  The Chair, as one of the Local Members, spoke in support of the scheme and commended the report for submission to the Borough Council.

RESOLVED,that the submission of the Business Case for Connecting Millom and Haverigg to Copeland Borough Council be supported.

[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. 

Members were informed that although top slicing had now been applied to the Highways Revenue budget, adjustments were still being made to the figures

RESOLVED, that

(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 £58,104 be noted;

(3)  the Highways Devolved Capital Budget forecasting an overspend of £1,178 be noted.

[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 18 February 2022 and presents recommendations for the Local Committee to consider.  

Members received a report giving details of the outcome of the meeting of the Copeland Highways Working Group held on 18 February 2022.  The minutes of the meetings were appended to the report.

The Local Area Network Manager reported that the A595 Liaison Group had met on 4 March and National Highways had identified two preferred schemes for the A595.  The Local Member for Egremont North and St Bees noted the latest discussion with National Highways, acknowledging that a number of potentially very beneficial projects to improve the road were discussed but felt that there was a complete absence of any firm delivery dates or confirmation that funding was available even for the prioritised schemes.  The Local Member continued by supporting the aims of the "Levelling up" agenda and expressed concerns that failure to deliver highways improvements in this part of the North of England could have harmful effects on local economic growth and thereby adversely affecting the ability to promote not just highways improvements but also the remainder of the agenda.  It was suggested that the Committee write to the Local MP for Copeland, and to the Chairman of the House of Commons Transport Select Committee, explaining the concerns and asking for an investigation into whether the delays in delivering small and medium highways schemes to support the "Levelling up" agenda reflect funding levels, capacity within National highways, or both, and what could be done to address them.  It was agreed that this be referred to the Copeland Highways Working Group in April for discussion.

The Local Member for Kells raised the need for an additional educational facility in her area given the amount of developments that were taking place.  It was reported that land given to the authority for a school was unsuitable for development as it was situated on an old mine shaft.  The discussion centred around outstanding developer contributions, the need for infrastructure improvements and the lack of an infrastructure plan in Copeland Borough Council’s Local Plan.  It was agreed that the Development Management team be requested to include in their report to the April meeting of the Copeland Highways Working Group a piece on Section 106 and Section 278 agreements and outstanding developer contributions in the Copeland area to ensure compliance on delivery. 

The Local Member for Egremont North and St Bees requested an update on the plans to improve the infrastructure around Whitehaven campus to be placed on the April’s Copeland Highways Working Group agenda and this was agreed.

The Local Network Manager concluded the item by updating members on the planned timescale for improvement work to commence on the Moresby embankment and the installation of tactile pavements in Cleator Moor. 

RESOLVED,that

(1)  the minutes of the meeting of the Copeland Highways Working Group held on 18 February 2022 be noted;

(2)  the three items outlined above be placed on April’s Copeland Highways Working Group agenda.

[Electoral Divisions: All Copeland]

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

This report provides an update on the activity undertaken by the Communities Team since its last meeting.  It is also to advise Members on their current budget position.

Members received a report from the Area Manager with an update of activity undertaken by the Community Team since their last meeting of the Local Committee.  Members were also advised on their current budget position.  The report made reference to the current Covid 19 response and recovery activities. 

Members heard how the community team attended the recent talk and tidy at Mirehouse which had provided a good opportunity to connect with local residents and support the community collecting over 40 bags of litter.  It was noted that Age UK had held seven Well@home roadshows in which a number of people had received helpful information and the Dementia Friends group were arranging new dates for the Dementia Workshops for family carers and volunteers. 

Following a presentation that was given to members on 14 February 2022 outlining the key points of the Council’s representations to the Copeland Local Plan 2021-2023, members were asked to approve their comments made at that session, shown at Appendix 2, to be included as an appendix in the Cabinet report.  The Local Member for Egremont North and St Bees asked that an amendment was made to one of the comments as it omitted part of the discussion that had taken place and therefore needed corrected.  The correction was to the eighth bullet point on Appendix 2 at the end of the sentence to add the words "and work with National Highways to do so" and this was agreed by members. 

An update was given on Borderlands (Egremont) and the fact that Millom Lateral Flow Testing Centre had to close by 31 March 2022.  It was noted that the Testing centre had provided an excellent service to the community and the Chair suggested writing a letter of thanks to the volunteers who had ran this service.  This was agreed and the Local Member for Kells expressed the hope that the volunteers be captured for involvement in other community projects. 

The Area Manager advised members on the Money Advice Contract.  The Local Member for Cleator Moor raised concerns on the value of the service for the area’s most vulnerable.  The Area Manager had arranged a workshop for members to identify priorities and to keep this in mind as part of the discussions.

The Community Learning and Skills Manager (Copeland) updated members on Adult Learning in Copeland.  Following a question from a member, the officer outlined the timeframe of the Digital skills project.  Members welcomed the English Café sessions that were being organised as a social space for non-English speakers to gather and chat.

A number of Committee members had expressed concerns about the allocation of school places in Copeland and a separate session for members on this had been arranged with the appropriate officers.  The main concerns expressed at the meeting were oversubscription, special educational needs pupils not being informed of their school place, school transport for dual catchment areas and sixth formers and the timeliness of school transport appeals.  Members felt that the education infrastructure needed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

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 advised that the Cumbria Health Scrutiny Committee had received a presentation from the Youth Council who, after undertaking surveys in the north west, had identified mental health as one of the main concerns.  Members were informed that invites for fourth covid jabs had been rolled out.

Children’s Champion

The Children’s Champion outlined the advisory/support group "Chiccs" established to taken action and campaign for children’s mental health.  The Champion also outlined a scheme taking place in libraries to assist 18/24 year olds into employment.

During the discussion, a brief mention was made of the pre-election period.

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.

Further to minute 42 of the last meeting of the Committee, the Local Member for Cleator Moor East and Frizington requested action on a review of the Committee’s appointments to outside bodies.

To discuss relevant nuclear issues.

There was no nuclear issues raised at the meeting.

To note that the next meeting of Copeland Local Committee will be held on 20 May 2022 at 10.15 am at Cleator Moor Civic Hall.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Committee will be held on 20 May at 10.15 am at Cleator Moor Civic Hall.