Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absences were received from Councillor Gillian Troughton.

To receive declarations from members of any disclosable pecuniary interest, personal interests, other registrable interest or any other interests in respect of items on the agenda.

No Declarations of Interest were received.

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 not be excluded form the meeting for any items of business on this occasion.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 6 December 2023.

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 6 December 2023 be agreed as a true and accurate record.

To note the minutes of the Highways and Transport Strategic Board meeting held on 30 January 2024.

The Local Area Network Manager as the Highways Representative, as requested by the Chair, provided the Panel with highlights from the minutes which related to the Panel area, with a specific focus on the Capital Programme update, the Highways Funding Allocation, the 20MPH Speed Limit Policy and the 2024/25 draft Work Programme, noting that Members are welcome to contact the Local Area Network Manager to discuss planned work within their individual areas.

A Member asked if 20MPH speed limits were enforceable, which the Local Area Network Manager explained, noting that Cumberland are unable to enforce the speed limits but that the Council were working with the police to create an enforcement strategy with the appropriate engagement which would be built into the report.

A Member requested a briefing on the Streetscape project which the Panel agreed would be beneficial.

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the Highways and Strategic Board meeting held on 30 January 2024 be noted.

To consider a report by the Community Development Officer.

With permission from the Chair, the Neighbourhood Investment report was moved up the agenda.

Members received a report which set out the current position of the Neighbourhood Investment Fund allocation to this Community Panel as agreed by the Cumberland Council Executive. The CDO informed the Panel that there were 7 Community Investment Applications for either approval, disapproval, or deferment.

The Area Planning Manager noted the other recommendations within the report relating to the Panel priorities and Neighbourhood Investment Plan. Members queried the reason for the additions to future agenda which the Area Planning Manager explained was to promote discussion, provide evidence and encourage partner working to help achieve aspirations where required. The Area Planning Manager also noted that the team had an overview of all funding opportunities within the area and were reviewing the current grant application and process, with CDO help and support available to all participants when asked.

A Member noted the benefit of the Panel Members attending the launch event of the Proud and Diverse Cumbria Hub when it takes place, to meet the team and support the project, with the date of the event to be forwarded to Members when available.

A Member queried whether the Whitehaven Community Trust would be spending locally when purchasing items. The CDO explained that the Trust had a strong belief in buying local and would do so where possible but, as this would be a budgeting exercise, they would also be looking for the best value.

A Member commented on the benefit of creating connections between groups such as the Cricket Club, Proud and Diverse Cumbria and the Family Hub, who all wanted to host events and provide activities for the community. And noted the importance and benefits of working together and avoiding duplicating events.

Members discussed enhancing the publicity of the Community Panel and receiving feedback with the Area Planning Manager and CDO highlighting that a communications/engagement strategy was being developed to help personalise and share the Community Panel information. They also noted that those who received funding are asked to complete Practice Assessment Records (PAR) after six months to help provide improvements, case studies, data and overall feedback.

The Area Planning Manager noted that work was being undertaken to review the application form and process, as well as a list of all funding within the Community Panel area available to be shared with Members upon request.

Members discussed the funding available from Active Cumbria, which would affect three areas within the Community Panel area, and queried who would be responsible for the money for the area. The Area Planning Manager noted that the decision had not been made, but they would feedback the Panel’s preference of the responsibility being with either the Community Panel or Active Cumbria, rather than a new board being created.

Members thanked the Area Planning Manager, the CDO and the rest of team for their hard work within the community and the CDO thanked the Panel for their support.

RESOLVED – that,

a)    The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

To consider a report by the Area Planning Manager.

The Area Planning Manager provided an overview of the detailed report which updated Members on activity in the Community Panel area and included information on network events and activities, the Local Focus Hub, a more localised libraries update and Active Cumbria, noting that a briefing note would be shared with Members after the meeting with further details regarding the Active Cumbria projects.

The Community Development Officer (CDO) highlighted the events that they had attended which included the Network Events, noted the positive feedback received and highlighted the positive opportunities within the future.

The Panel discussed the ongoing Play Park Review, noting the importance of Members and their local knowledge being able to feed in to the results, and highlighted the possibility of future Network Events being themed around the Panel’s priorities, such as an event on the recreation of healthy spaces.

The Panel discussed the ongoing work being undertaken regarding Whitehaven Town Centre, noting the need to include a wide range of diverse people into the discussion to cover all aspects, the importance of being clear on responsibilities to avoid duplication and the importance of clear communication. The Panel also commented on the opportunity for involving the Council from the start of creating a revitalised Town Centre and the benefits of partnership working. It was noted that a meeting would be taking place in May 2024 which would feed into these needed conversations to start the process.

Members noted that opportunities also needed to be taken within the more rural areas covered by the Panel, rather than just focusing on the urban areas, through both Community Panel funding and Thriving Communities.

The Area Planning Manager noted that the Co-Opted Member process was within the final stages, with two applications received for the Whitehaven & Coastal Community Panel, and that the Panel would have the final decision of who to co-opt.

Members requested a briefing on The Edge and the Rum Story at the next meeting, if possible, which the CDO agreed to investigate and include on the appropriate future meeting agenda.

Members discussed the Cumbria Wildlife Trust project, querying how much funding they received from Cumberland, and provided their feedback regarding the areas which would also benefit from such projects. The CDO agreed to follow up on the query regarding the amount of funding and provide the Panel’s feedback to the relevant team.

RESOLVED – that the contents of the report be noted.

The date and venue of the next scheduled meeting of the Whitehaven and Coastal Community Panel to be confirmed.

RESOLVED – that the date and venue of the next scheduled meeting of the Whitehaven and Coastal Community Panel be confirmed following the confirmation of the 2024/25 Calendar of Meetings at the Annual General Meeting in May.