Agenda

To receive any apologies for absence.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Council meeting held on 4 March 2025 and the Special meetings held on 20 March and 2 April 2025.

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

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

1)    To receive any announcements from the Chair;

2)    To receive any announcements from the Leader;

3)    To receive any announcements from Members of the Executive;

4)    To receive any announcements from the Chief Executive.

Pursuant to paragraph 10 of the Council Procedure Rules, the following questions has been submitted from a member of the public:

The following question was submitted to the Leader –

‘Having read the 2024 October CIPFA External Assurance Review regarding Cumberland council, I welcome the positive remarks of the review. (see note 1). One of which, I can happily say that I have personal participation with and have had the pleasure of making an official compliment to a council worker on their excellent customer service.

However, as a council tax payer and a pensioner on a fixed income, I'm concerned that support and the delivery performance of the service departments to the public have been negatively high-lighted, as well as the worrying negative financial aspect of the CIPFA review. (see note 2).

How does the council leadership intend to fully support all of the CIPFA recommendations that will help and assist the people of Cumbria and does the council have sufficient, suitable personnel within the council to achieve this?

Notes: 

1. "The council has made strides since October/November 2023 in terms of stabilising the top three tiers of management, making service improvements and agreeing a number of key strategies and policies" - source: October 2024 CIPFA External Assurance Review).

2."There is still insufficient capacity within finance and performance to deliver the support required by service departments. Finance reporting is critically poor, and while the 3 performance management structure is good, there is a lack of comparative data to enable effective benchmarking" - (source: October 2024 CIPFA External Assurance Review.)’

To consider the following questions from Members in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 11.

1. Councillor Betton to Portfolio Holder for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places –

‘Residents have raised concerns about the ongoing improvement works in Carlisle City Centre and Greenmarket. There is frustration regarding delays in the timeline and the current state of the site which resembles an assault course just to cross English St. It was previously stated that the contractor would operate extended working hours from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM but it appears this schedule has not been consistently maintained and there’s been zero accountability. Can the council outline how contracted performance is being monitored and when can the public expect the works to be finished?’

2. Councillor Davison to the Leader –

‘Would the leader of council give council an indication as to when members are going to be briefed on the CIPFA report and what actions the Executive are planning to take in response to it?’

3. Councillor Pickstone to Portfolio Holder for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places –

‘Is Cllr Rollo, the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places aware that Network Rail is planning to close the West Coast mainline through Cumbria for two weeks in January 2026, and then for at least three more two-week periods during 2026-28, leaving Carlisle and Cumberland without mainline rail links? Are they willing to make representations to Network Rail for diversionary rail routes to be used rather than bus replacement for such prolonged periods on a key economic link?’ 

4. Councillor Pickstone toPortfolio Holder for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places –

‘Following heavy use and two years of high rainfall, many of our rural roads are suffering from deep ruts it the grass verges adjoining the carriageway. Could Cllr Rollo, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places inform members what plans the council has to tackle this potentially dangerous situation?

5. Councillor Wernham toPortfolio Holder for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places –

‘Can Cllr Rollo, the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places provide an update on its application for funding under the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) scheme and all other upcoming schemes? Given that only 10 of 78 projects have been approved for delivery nationwide as of October 2024, what steps has Cumberland Council taken to ensure our application progresses, and what is the anticipated timeline for the installation of EV charge points in our area?  What efforts is the Council making to progress kerbside charging across pavements for residents in terraced houses?’

6. Councillor Dobson to Portfolio Holder for Financial Planning and Assets –

‘Will Cllr Cannon, the Portfolio Holder for Financial Planning and Assets, advise the council what total borrowings and investments were on the 1st of April 2025? Given that the medium-term financial plan forecasts that interest payments for fiscal year 2026/27 will rise by 40% to almost £6.5 million what does she forecast will be our borrowings during that year?’

7. Councillor Dobson to Portfolio Holder for Sustainable, Resilient  ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

To receive the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive (Special) held on 27 March 2025 and ask questions of the Leader and Portfolio Holder on those minutes.

To receive the Annual Report from the Director of Public Health for 2024-25.

To receive the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report on the work of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees during 2024-25.

To receive the Annual Report on the work of the Community Panels during 2023-24 and 2024-25.

To receive a report from the Monitoring Officer for consideration and approval of amendments to the Constitution.

To receive a report from the Monitoring Officer on the operation of call-in and urgency provisions over the past twelve months to comply with Rule 14.3 of the Overview and Scrutiny procedure rules.

To consider the following notice of motions in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 12.

1.    Call for a National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs

Proposer: Cllr Stoddart

Seconder: Cllr Betton

‘Over the past 30 years, the United Kingdom has witnessed a deeply concerning and widespread scandal involving the systematic abuse of young working-class girls by grooming gangs across the country.  The situation was so prevalent that in April 2023, the then Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak established the Grooming Gangs Taskforce, comprised of specialist officers working with all 43 police forces in England and Wales to support child sexual exploitation and grooming investigations. In the 12 months following its inception the crack team of expert investigators and analysts had helped police forces arrest over 550 suspects, identified and protected over 4,000 victims, and built-up robust cases to get justice for these appalling crimes. 

In January 2025 Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced plans for a nationwide review of grooming gang evidence and five government-backed local inquiries but stopped short of launching a statutory national inquiry, as called for by the Conservatives and some Labour MPs. 

This national issue has not received the attention it deserves, and it is imperative that those responsible are held accountable and face justice.  I urge my fellow elected councillors on Cumberland Council to support this motion and call on the Labour Government to initiate a national inquiry into this matter’.

2.    80th Anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day

Proposer: Councillor Dobson
Seconder: Councillor Wills

This Council notes with pride:

1. That 2025 marks the 80th anniversaries of VE Day on 8 May 2025 and VJ Day on 15 August 2025, both of which are significant milestones in our national and international history, commemorating the end of the Second World War in Europe and the Pacific respectively.
2. The remarkable contributions made by the people of Cumberland during the Second World War, whether through service in the armed forces, in war-related industries, agriculture, civil defence, or in everyday life under challenging wartime conditions. The Council also remembers and honours those who made the ultimate sacrifice and the many who were deeply affected by the war.
3. The ongoing commitment of Cumberland Council to honouring service and sacrifice, as demonstrated through our adoption of the Armed Forces Covenant, and the valuable work already being undertaken by both officers and elected Members to support our armed forces community.

This Council welcomes:

1. The dedicated efforts of veterans’ groups, armed forces charities, community organisations, and town and parish councils who are already preparing to mark these important anniversaries across Cumberland, ensuring the legacy of VE and VJ Day continues to be remembered and respected.

This Council resolves:

1. To use the mechanisms available to us as a local authority to support commemorative activities, including but not limited to, promotion through our communications channels, assistance with temporary road closures, and facilitation of community-led events where appropriate.
2. To request that the Chief Executive writes to local representatives of the armed forces and veterans’ organisations in  ...  view the full agenda text for item 14.

To receive reports from members of the Executive and receive questions and answers on any of those reports.

Cllr Fryer – To follow

Cllr Kelly – To follow

To receive an update from the Leader of the Council on the Devolution Priority Programme.