Equality Objectives for Allerdale Borough Council 2012 » view details

In April 2012 the Council will be required to publish a set of Equality Objectives. These will say what the Council plans to do over the next three years to meet their duty under the Equality Act.

The Wave Consultation » view details

Work has begun to undertake thorough research to find out what the public would like to see at Maryport’s Wave Centre.

Developing the Council Plan 2012-15 » view details

The Council has been working over the past few months on developing a new Council Plan: Council Commitment to Local Communities 2012-15.  This will replace the existing plan.  The new plan will set out the new administration's priorities and will: 

• Be a three year plan focussed on delivering priorities
• Set out outcome measures to monitor wider context surrounding priorities
• Identifiy key projects the Council will focus on during 2012/13
• Set out significant project deliverables

A draft version of the Council Plan is now out for consultation. You can download the document below. If you would like to give feedback or comments on the plan please email policy@allerdale.gov.uk no later than 7 February 2012.

Council Tax » view details

Allerdale Borough Council is interested in hearing residents’ views to help us reach a decision when we consider our budget at our meetings of Executive (8 February 2012) and Council (7 March 2012).

Jane Allder, Strategic Manager for Resources, said: “The Government has offered councils across the country a one-off grant to allow council tax levels to remain frozen for 2012-13. If we choose to maintain our council tax level at the same as the current year, we will receive a grant equivalent to a 2.5% increase.

“Last year the Government asked councils not to increase council tax and provided councils with the additional funding to allow us to do this. This year the offer is different as it is for one year only. If we accept the grant and freeze council tax, we would have to find this money next year (2013-14).

“Also the proposed offer of a grant at 2.5% is below current inflation levels, which means that our costs will not be covered even if the grant is accepted.

“For Allerdale Borough Council, a 2.5% increase in council tax would be about £1.21 for every person in the district. The Government are offering an equivalent grant of £114,000 to retain council tax at the current rates.

“But as the additional grant is for one year only this means that for our income to be the same in 2013-14 as it is in 2012-13, we would have to raise the £114,000 even before we consider the additional needed for 2013-14. In effect we would have to have an increase in council tax of 5% to allow us to catch up, or alternatively find additional savings to the base budget.

“Not all of the council tax you pay goes to Allerdale Borough Council as Cumbria County Council and Cumbria Police Authority charges are also included in your bill and at this stage it is unclear whether they will be accepting the freeze grant.

“This means that even if Allerdale Borough Council does accept the freeze grant, but the County or Police reject it, you may still see an increase in your bill.”

To give the Council your views, contact 01900 702528, email jane.allder@allerdale.gov.uk or to send via post click on the link in the 'Give us you views' section below.

The consultation deadline is 23 January 2012

Allerdale Borough Council savings consultation 2011 » view details

As you will be aware the Government has announced significant cuts in funding for local authorities.  In common with most councils, Allerdale is faced with a massive challenge in the next three years in trying to balance its budget.  The Council needs to reduce its budget by over £3.5m in the next three years. 

Leisure Partnership - National Benchmarking Service Reports » view details

The Leisure Partnership uses the National Benchmarking Service (NBS) to record the satisfaction levels of customers of Cockermouth and Workington Leisure Centres. Face to face interviews are carried out in each facility with a wide range of questions regarding the customers’ experience at the facility. 309 customers were surveyed at Cockermouth and 350 at Workington.

 Keswick Leisure Pool is not included in this survey as it doesn’t fit the NBS facility models; a similar survey was carried out by CN Group in 2008 and surveyed 300 customers.

The final reports can be downloaded below.

Land Allocations Making A Representation » view details

The Land Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD) will allocate land for new housing and employment development and protect green spaces from development in South Lakeland (outside the National Parks) in accordance with the adopted Core Strategy. The publication documents comprise the following documents:

• The Land Allocations DPD and Proposals Map and settlement inset maps
• The Sustainability Appraisal Report and Appropriate Assessment Report;
• The Consultation Statement; and
• Supporting documents that are relevant to the preparation of the Land Allocations DPD.

You are invited to submit representations on the "Soundness" of the proposed submission Land Allocations DPD from Friday 2 March 2012 to 5pm Tuesday 17 April 2012. The Inspector who will carry out the Independent Examination is only required to consider representations received within this period.

Consultation on Eden District Council's Equality Objectives » view details

Comments are invited to help shape Eden District Council's equality objectives and to identify actions that the Council could undertake to meet them.

Eden District Council is committed to equality, whether as an employer, service provider or partner.

Equality is about everyone having the same chances in life and getting the same access to services.

Diversity is about understanding and respecting people’s different needs and aspirations.

Heversham and Hincaster Neighbourhood Plan » view details

"Neighbourhood Plans provide a great opportunity for you to have more influence on how the places in which you live and work will change over time." Campaign to Protect Rural England - How to shape where you live: A guide to Neighbourhood Planning.

A Neighbourhood Plan is about a community taking stock of itself and agreeing a plan for developing its community life and supporting its residents in the future. Under the Localism Act a Neighourhood Plan gives potential for more local control over development.

2012-13 Scrutiny Work Plan Consultation » view details

The Council is preparing a new Scrutiny work programme to run from May 2012 to April 2013. This is your chance to be involved by ticking four of the six topics you consider the most important for the Council to investigate.If there is an additional topic you would like the Councillors to consider, you can add it to the questionnaire.

Consultation on Equality Objectives » view details

In April 2012 the County Council will be publishing a set of Equality Objectives. These will say what the Council plans to do over the next four years to meet their duty under the Equality Act.

The county council is asking for your views on set of key questions.

Equality Objectives for Public Sector Organisations in Cumbria » view details

What do you think Cumbria County and District Councils, NHS Trusts, Cumbria Police & the Lake District National Park Authority could do over the next 4 years to advance Equality?

Interim Planning Statement » view details

Planning Carlisle’s Future

Consultation underway on interim planning statement

A public consultation is now underway on a Carlisle City Council planning policy that will provide guidance on how the council will deal with the shortfall in new housing.

The Interim Planning Policy Statement will also manage the release of housing land prior to the adoption of the Local Development Framework (LDF). Work is well underway on the LDF, however a series of statutory processes need to be completed until it can be formally agreed. The interim policy will bridge the gap until the LDF is in place.

The statutory consultation started last Friday (24 February) and views are sought by Friday, 23 March.

A copy of the Interim Planning Policy Statement is available on the City Council’s website, www.carlisle.gov.uk. Paper copies are also available at the Civic Centre.

If you would like to comment on the draft planning policy document please contact the Planning Policy Team via email at lpc@carlisle.gov.uk, call 01228 817193 or write to Planning Services, Economic Development, Carlisle City Council, Civic Centre, Carlisle, CA3 8QG.

2012 Annual Review of Constitution » view details

South Lakeland District Council has a constitution which sets out how the council operates, how decisions are made and the procedures which are followed to ensure that these are efficient, transparent and accountable to local people. Some of these processes are required by the law, while others are a matter for the council to choose.

Each year the Councils Monitoring Officer has the responsibility to monitor and review the operation of the Council's Constitution to ensure that the aims and principles of the Constitution are given full effect.

Parking restrictions The Drive Ulverston » view details

Resdients of the Drive have raised concerns regarding parking over a number of years.  Cumbria Highways and Councillor James Airey have worked to determine restrictions as a solution.  Feedback is invited from residents of the proposals.

Extra Care Housing Strategy 2011-29 » view details

Cumbria County Council plans to build work with partners to develop new extra care housing units in the County to help to meet our needs for the future. To make sure we get our plans right we’re interested in finding out what you think about extra care housing in general, what type of facilities you think should be available, who is in need of extra care housing and where in the County it is most needed.

Kendal Traffic Regulation Order 2012 » view details

Cumbria Highways has prepared draft proposals to publish and advertise waiting restrictions at various locations in Kendal.  These are, Aynam Road area, Castle Road, Hawesmead Avenue and Drive, Lound Street area, Natland Road, Romney Road area and South Road.  The proposals have been developed from consultations with residents undertaken in early 2011, by Local County Councillors, Geoff Cook, Brenda Gray and Clare Feeney-Johnson.

Botchergate Consultation » view details

Botchergate consultation

Have your say!

(Date of issue: Wednesday, 18 January 2012)

Carlisle City Council is seeking views on a draft vision to improve and revive Botchergate.

Parking Restrictions Beech Bank / Church Walk Ulverston » view details

We are looking to consult with members of the community regarding proposed waiting restrictions on the following streets:

Beech Bank and Church Walk, Ulverston

A comment sheet is attached which can be filled in online and emailed back to carol.last@cumbria.gov.uk

Parking Soutergate, Ulverston » view details

We are looking to consult with members of the community regarding the proposed residents parking bays and restrictions on Soutergate.

Public consultation on proposals for changes to Cumbria's Household Waste Recycling Centres » view details

The council is dealing with the most significant ever reductions to its budget. We have to find ways to save money. Last year we confirmed our priorities for the future were about tackling poverty, supporting vulnerable people and improving the chances in life of the most disadvantaged. That has focussed our minds on where we should look to find savings.

That’s why we have reviewed our provision of household waste recycling centres. Our review has shown that our current provision, although very well run, is expensive and significant savings could be made that would bring us into line with other parts of the country.

We are proposing to:

1. Close six of the county’s least used household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) in 2012
2. Move to seasonal opening hours
3. Close sites on the least used days of Thursday and Friday
4. Introduce a mobile household waste recycling service to offset the impact of closures
5. Introduce charges for disposal of soil, rubble, asbestos, plasterboard and car tyres

We are already committed to investing in a new state-of-the-art HWRC in Lillyhall as part of West Cumbria HWRC improvement programme. This will involve the closures of Frizington and Workington HWRCs when the new site is operational in 2013

Carlisle City Council Executive's Budget Consultation » view details

Over the next four years, we have to save a further £2.3million from our budget. We want your views on how we should do this.

Consultation on draft county council budget 2012-2013 » view details

At Cumbria County Council we are once again assessing how we will spend the money we have available to us, in order to provide the best possible services to our residents.

Last year we reduced our council budget by £44 million. We carefully reviewed all of our services, re-engineered the council and made big changes.

Now we again have to make further savings for 2012/13. Thankfully because of the decisions we made last year the amount still to find is a comparatively modest £2.4 million.

We would like your views on our proposals to make savings.  On this site you can read about our proposals and give your views. 

If you wish to get involved please ensure you have your say before this consultation ends on 31 January 2012.

Proposed Changes to Empty Property Strategy » view details

Eden District Council is reviewing its approach to tackling empty properties. Whilst being mindful that it can enforce legislation to tackle empty properties, the Council would like to broaden the range of assistance it offers to property owners. As such, a number of new measures are proposed.

2012-2013 Budget Consultation » view details

The Council’s Executive (also known as the cabinet) considered the draft budget at its meeting on 6 December 2011. This had been proposed by the Leader and the Resources Portfolio Holder.

The proposals were agreed by the Executive and are now being consulted upon. Eden’s residents pay the Council Tax which helps to fund the Council’s services. Residents are the key group that is being consulted.

The Executive will then consider feedback at its meeting on 24 January 2012, when it will decide on the budget it will recommend to Council. Council will consider the Executive’s recommended budget at its meeting on 9 February 2012: agreeing the budget is a Council function. At its meeting on 23rd february 2012, the Council's Accounts and Governance Committee will set the total Council tax that it will collect.

Ambleside TRO 2011 » view details

Ambleside Minor Traffic Review includes restrictions for:

Birch Road, Fisherbeck Lane, Fisherbeck Park and Old Lake Road.

“Shaping Our Future" Strategy - an opportunity to comment » view details

“Shaping Our Future” brings together commissioning intentions for adults in Cumbria with changing requirements for Councils to support more people in their local communities. Councils have a role in stimulating, managing and shaping this market, supporting communities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises to flourish and develop innovative and creative ways of addressing care needs.   

The attached draft strategy reflects upon priorities in an era of changing demand and aspiration with a focus on the wellbeing of whole communities as well as directly supporting the most vulnerable people to live safely. It highlights a shift towards supporting the whole population to look after their health and wellbeing through unlocking community assets in order to offer people more choice and control in their local neighbourhoods.

For people that need more formalised social care support this will become increasingly personalised offering individuals greater levels of choice and control through service improvement and commissioning approaches.Service transformation shows a shift towards commissioning a broader range of services that enable people to maximise their independence, whilst simultaneously ensuring that resourcesare used effectively to support more people.

Personal budgets enable people receiving publicly funded care to choose their own support services.  Over time, it is anticipated that people who use social care services and their families will increasingly shape and commission their own services.  The rurality of Cumbria provides unique challenges to the commissioning of person-centred and outcome focused services. Our commissioning strategies see individuals as citizens, with a full array of rights, choices and responsibilities.

The success of market shaping will depend on strong partnerships, shared risks and a willingness and ability by commissioners and providers to put people with support needs, their carers and families in the driving seat. If councils are to lead the way in shaping local markets, they will need to develop approaches that empower people to set the direction for change and work closely with suppliers in the independent and third sectors to better understand their capacity and capability so that innovation and best value are most effectively incentivised.

 “Shaping Our Future” sets out the overall approach that the Council could adopt to address the issues set out above resulting in acommissioning framework that will benefit local citizens and communities.  It will also allow for the proper recognition of the value that local communities and voluntary organisations supporting those communities bring to service delivery. It highlights the importance of the involvement of local people in shaping sustainable services.

We would welcome your comments regarding the draft “Shaping Our Future” strategy on the Response Form attached so we can listen to your views.

The feedback period runs from Monday 21^st November 2011 to Friday 6^th January 2012.

Public consultation on possible geological disposal of radioactive waste in West Cumbria » view details

A major public consultation has been launched to give people a chance to air their views on whether West Cumbria should participate in the Government’s search to find somewhere to put a deep underground repository for higher-activity radioactive waste.

 The West Cumbria Managing Radioactive Waste Safely (MRWS)

Partnership is running the consultation until March 23 next year.

The Partnership, which involves a wide range of local organisations, was set up to help Allerdale Borough Council, Copeland Borough Council and Cumbria County Council decide whether or not the area should take part in the Government’s search for a site.

 Although there would still be a right to withdraw from this process during the search for a possible site, the decision that needs to be made now is an important one.

 The full consultation document, an Overview leaflet and a DVD are available on the Partnership’s website www.westcumbriamrws.org.ukor email contact@westcumbriamrws.org.uk.

 Higher-activity waste is currently stored above ground, the majority of it at Sellafield.

 Geological disposal is based on the idea that radiation can be contained for extremely long periods by a combination of engineered underground structures and the surrounding rocks.

 A repository would be located between 200 and 1,000 metres underground. The underground facilities could be anywhere between approximately one and four times the size of the Sellafield site.

 It is estimated that the surface facilities would be around 1km² and they could be either above the underground facilities or up to 10km away, possibly further.

 The Partnership has spent more than two years looking at a wide range of issues, including bringing in independent experts and commissioning research.

 It has reached initial views on a number of issues. For example on safety, it says that ‘On the basis of the information available now we believe the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and the regulators have suitable capability and processes in place to protect local residents, the workforce and the environment’.

 However, it says further monitoring and independent review would be needed as plans are developed.

 On geology, the Partnership says ‘In the absence of clear, detailed evidence showing that all of West Cumbria should be ruled out, our initial opinion is that there is enough possibly suitable land to make further investigations worthwhile’.

 The Partnership has also considered issues such as the possible negative and positive impacts of a repository and what additional community benefits there could be.

 The consultation document sets out much more detail and comes with a response form for you to give your views.

  There will be a series of series of community events in January and February where people can find out more..

 The Partnership will review all the feedback it receives before finalising a report to the Councils.

 If there is a decision to take part in the search for somewhere to put a repository the Councils would have the right to withdraw from the process up until the point where any construction starts and they would make their decisions based on recommendations from a new community partnership.

Consultation on proposals for Care Services in Allerdale » view details

The Council has looked at key statistics on changes in the population of Allerdale, including the rising number of older people, the rising expectations of service users in the future, government priorities and current gaps in services in Allerdale.  It became increasingly apparent that we had to change our services for older people and a plan was then written which details the types of services that will be required in the future.  This document sets out the proposals for these changes to services in your area.

SLDC Equality Scheme 2011-2014 » view details

The Equality Scheme (2011 - 2014) contains information on how SLDC aims to provide services that are accessible and fair for all.

The Scheme looks at services provided for the public, as well as policies for council employees.

Links are provided in the Scheme to current council documents, council meetings, information held on South Lakeland and details on partner organisations.

The Scheme contains an action plan to help the council improve its services for all.

SLDC Priorities » view details

South Lakeland District Council's Corporate Plan sets out the priority activities that will be delivered through a whole council approach by services.

The Community Consultation Roadshow ’Your Council Your Say’ that took place during October 2010, highlighted the priorities that were important to our customers. We would like to know if you still agree with these priorities.

Proposed Changes to Primary Education in the Carlisle West Area » view details

This consultation is about proposals for changes to the following schools:

• Yewdale School and Nursery
• Robert Ferguson Primary School
• Newtown Community Primary School
• St Bede's Roman Catholic Primary School

Consultation on Proposed Changes to Kingmoor Nursery & Infant School and Kingmoor Junior Schools » view details

This consulation is about proposals for changes to Kingmoor Nursery & Infant and Kingmoor Junior Schools. The proposals are part of a wider review of the number of primary school places in Carlisle as a whole.

Consultation on Proposed Changes to St Catherine's Catholic Primary School, Penrith » view details

This proposal is being presented as a result of increasing numbers of children living in Penrith and rising birth rates in the urban area.

Consultation on Proposed Changes to Captain Shaw's and Waberthwaite Schools » view details

This consultation is about primary education in Captain Shaw's/Waberthwaite Schools' catchment areas.

Proposed Changes to Primary Education in the Carlisle South/Central Area » view details

This consultation is about proposals for changes to the following schools:

• Brook Street Primary School
• Petteril Bank Primary School
• Inglewood Infant School
• Inglewood Junior School
• Pennine Way Primary School
• St Cuthbert's Catholic Community School
• Upperby Primary School

Site Allocation Policies Consultation » view details

Repeated Regulation 27 Consultation on the Site Allocations Policies and Proposals Map (Autumn 2011)

The Minerals and Waste Development Framework’s Site Allocations Policies and Proposals Map identify the sites and areas of land that will be needed in Cumbria (outside the two National Parks) for working and safeguarding minerals and for managing waste over the period to 2020. 

The County Council is now inviting comments on the sites and areas of land that it currently intends to submit to the Secretary of State for consideration

Public consultation on changes to the Blue Badge Scheme » view details

Cumbria County Council is holding a consultation which will gauge the public’s views on a proposed increase in the cost of a Blue Badge in Cumbria. 

The Blue Badge scheme allows people with severe mobility problems to park close to where they need to go.   Badges are usually valid for three years.

The proposed fee increase from £2 to £10 comes as a result of major reforms to the service announced by national government.

The national changes mean that there will be an increase in the cost for local councils to administer the scheme.  In light of this the government has asked councils to review the fee to apply for or renew a badge.

Should the proposal go ahead, it will be the first time there has been an increase in the cost of a blue badge in almost 30 years.   

The increased fee will enable better checks on applicants which will prevent fraud and misuse of the scheme, meaning better access to parking for those people who genuinely need it. 

The improvements include better security measures which will mean that Blue Badges cannot be duplicated.  A new national database will also mean that quick and easy checks can be made on cars displaying a Blue Badge.

Advocacy and Advice Review: Consultation Stage 2 Principles and Model » view details

Cumbria County Council is reviewing advocacy and advice services. The aim of the review is to work out:

• Why people are using advocacy and advice services
• If there are any groups that cannot access a service
• What works well and what needs to change
• If the Council needs to change the existing way it contracts advocacy and advice services.

Community Voice Autumn 2011 Survey » view details

Community Voice the citizens panel for Cumbria is a partnership including Cumbria County Council, Cumbria Police, Cumbria NHS and each fo the six district councils - Allerdale, Barrow, Carlsile, Copeland, Eden, and South Lakeland.

The survey sought panel member's views on a range of topics afecting people in Cumbria, with results expected to inform future police and service development across partnership prganisations.

Topics covered in the Autumn survey were:

• Local area - including parks and open spaces
• Healthy lifestyles
• Affordable homes
• The police in Cumbria
• The economy
• Household Waste Recycling centres; and
• Passenger transport Information.

Barrow Borough Council Budget Strategy » view details

The Coalition Governments Comprehensive Spending Review has placed an unprecedented burden on the Council’s finances and the loss of £4.23M a year in  government grant together with inflation means we must reduce our annual expenditure by £5.01m to achieve a balanced budget in 2015/16.

Our objectives in this process are to minimise the impact on front line services and reduce the number of compulsory redundancies and so we need to take a broad approach to deficit reduction.

We have now published our budget strategy until 2015.

Full and specific details are included in a report to our Executive Committee which is now available online or in paper form from the Town Hall.

Survey of Carlisle Sports Facility Users » view details

Please let us know what you think about Carlisle City Council and Carlisle Leisure Limited sports facilities by completing our online survey.

The results will help to plan for future events, prioritise upcoming maintenance and highlight areas for improvement. Please spend a few minutes completing the form.

Barrow Borough Council Key Priorites 2011-2015 » view details

The Borough Council’s Key Priorities provide structured management and direction of its efforts and resources. We are currently faced with massive withdrawal of central government grant and the Council must reorganise itself into a leaner organisation which focuses on only the most significant strategic issues. We have therefore revised or key priorities to reflect the current economic reality, and are now consulting on these new Key Priorities.

Planning Carlisle's Future » view details

Issues & Options Consultation

September - October 2011

The Issues & Options Stage is the next step in producing Carlisle’s Core Strategy. This document sets out the issues facing the District and suggests proposed options for inclusion in the Core Strategy to address these issues and provide the planning policy directions for growth development in the District until 2030. This consultation is more focused than the Key Issues with a questionnaire asking for preferences on a specific range of Options. Please note it is essential that you have read the Issues & Options paper when filling in the questionnaire.

Kirkbarrow 20mph Zone with Traffic Calming » view details

Kirkbarow Residents Association have been working with Cumbria Highways in designing a 20mph speed limit zone with road hump traffic calming.

Street Cleaning 2011 » view details

Street Cleaning Survey

Please let us know what you think about street cleaning in Carlisle by completing our online survey.

We want to know what issues matter most to you. Your answers will help us improve our services.

Housing Strategy Consultation » view details

We have recently finished work on our draft Housing Strategy 2011-15, and would like your views. You can view the Strategy using the link at the bottom of the page.

Our Housing Strategy sets out how we intend to deliver our housing priorities, which are:

• Balancing the Housing Market
• Decent and Healthy Homes
• Supporting Vulnerable People.

The Strategy sets out the key challenges our district faces in delivering these housing priorities, and the actions we will take to effectively meet and overcome these challenges.

Ultimately, we are working to achieve our Housing Strategy vision, which is:

'Everyone can access affordable, safe and warm housing, and the support they need to live independently'.

Our Housing Strategy has been developed with the Carlisle Housing Partnership's thematic groups. Through the Carlisle Housing Partnership, we are developing action plans for each housing priority, which will be used to support and measure the performance of the Housing Strategy.

http://www.carlisle.gov.uk/downloads/Housing_Strategy_2011-15_-_consultation_document.pdf

Kendal Highway Improvement Schemes » view details

Kendal residents can have their say on suggestions to spend more than £300,000 to improve highways in the town at a series of drop ins.

I n July, County Councillors from South Lakeland agreed to earmark monies for Kendal to improve walking routes, parking, bus shelters, traffic lights and other highways infrastructure throughout the next 12 months.

Vitality of Penrith Consultation: Signage for Penrith » view details

The public are invited to say what they think about proposals for a new visual identity and street signage for Penrith. The concepts for the new signage and artwork build on suggestions made by local people to improve links and information between Penrith's existing town centre and new developments such as New Squares and the Booth's supermarket on Brunswick Road.

An exhibition space with examples of the new street signage is being set up outside Penrith Library (Devonshire Arcade) and a drop-in event is being organised in Penrith Library on 7 September between 4.00pm - 8.00pm.

A hard copy information leaflet is available in Penrith Library. This leaflet incorporates a feedback form which can be completed and returned to Eden Area Support Team at the address provided.

An online version of the same leaflet can be accessed below (click the link to 'leaflet').  It is also possible to have a look at the artwork in the online copy of the display boards (link to 'display boards' below) and consider the options before completing the online questionnaire which can be accessed from the 'Give us your Views'  link below.

Day Services Consultation » view details

Cumbria County Council has looked at key statistics on changes in the population, including the rising number of older people, the rising expectations of service users in the future, government priorities and current gaps in services.In addition, in recent years, demand for traditional day service provision for older adults has been falling, commonly to between 60% - 70% of the capacity of each service. The Council has been thinking about changing day services, to ensure a modern menu of services would be available for people now and to the needs of the growing numbers of older people in future.
 

Alston Local Links Centre: Proposed revision of opening hours » view details

Eden District Council and Cumbria County Council jointly fund the Local Links centre in Alston. The Local Links Centre at Alston is a flagship and highly successful Local Link Centre which is achieving its role in providing a central point of contact for Alston residents and visitors to the area. The main services provided are Tourism, Library & Council and Community services. The unit is currently staffed by 4 members of staff who work a variety of shifts to cover the agreed opening hours.

Both Councils are currently seeking ways to improve operational efficiency and reduce staff costs whilst maintaining viable services wherever possible, to offset the reductions in central government funding.

Proposal

To revise the opening hours of the Alston Local Links Centre as follows;

This reduction will afford annual staff savings of 0.4FTE of a member of staff whilst maintaining a substantial and practical service for all customers. The savings will be apportioned to each Council, in line with the current staff funding levels. There is currently one 0.4 FTE vacancy within the Alston Links staffing and therefore the current staff’s permanent employment contracts will be unaffected by this reduction.

Even although this proposal does represent a reduction in key front line services (Tourism, Library, Community and Council), the revised service hours remain comparable with other similar services in the area as follows;

A 3 week consultation period has now begun which will run until Friday 26^th of August 2011. During this period, feedback and suggestions on this proposal are welcomed from all interested parties.

It is proposed that the new hours would be implemented as from 10^th October 2010.

Comparison of Opening Hours

In developing this proposal the Council has been mindful of the following key issues:

• Any negative effect on customers should be minimised.

• Equal consideration should be given to all service areas.

• To minimise ‘single manning’ wherever possible.

• Provision for school children to visit the library after school hours, should be maintained.

• The final agreed opening hours should be as simple and memorable as possible.

Work Priorities of the Cumbria Health and Well-being Scrutiny Committee » view details

The Cumbria Health and Well-being Scrutiny Committee is made up of seven County Councillors, representatives from each of the six District Councils in Cumbria and someone co-opted from the Cumbria LINk (Local Involvement Network). The Committee is concerned with matters relating to the planning, provision and operation of health services in Cumbria.  It holds those who commission or provide these services to account and may require them to report to the committee on any health matters of concern.  The committee is a recommending body that seeks to safeguard and promote the health and well-being of local residents.  Local health bodies are required to consult with the committee on any substantial changes to services.

The committee has an ongoing work programme based on matters that have been previously agreed and of `hot topics’ of local public concern.   Currently the committee’s programme includes:

·        Breast cancer services in the Barrow area

·        Breast screening service in North Cumbria

·        Removal of Night Sister posts at Westmorland General Hospital

·        North West Ambulance Service – response times in rural areas 

·        Drug and Alcohol Services

·        Tackling Obesity in Cumbria

·        Cumbria Dementia strategy

·        West Cumberland Hospital re-development

·        Child and Family Health services

·        Smoking and tobacco control

Periodically the committee meets with `stakeholders’ (those who have contributed to the work of the committee) to identify future work priorities.  Such a meeting took place on 6 July 2011 and, as a result of voting, the following priorities were short-listed:

1. Elderly patients in hospital care.
2. Self-care for long-term conditions.
3. Dignity in health care settings and Safeguarding in care homes (equal third).

Sure Start Children's Centre User Survey » view details

Survey of Cumbria County Council Sure Start Children's Centre users.

Land Allocations 2 » view details

In response to issues raised in the recent consultation, the Council is now seeking your views from 29 July to 9 September 2011 on some additional matters. 

You can view the consultation document , response form and lists and maps of suggested alternative sites on line and also at South Lakeland House (Kendal), Ulverston Town Hall, libraries at Arnside, Grange over Sands, Kendal, Kirkby Lonsdale, Milnthorpe and Ulverston and at Victoria Hall, Grange and Coronation Hall, Ulverston.  You can make your comments by:

• responding on line at  http://www.southlakeland.gov.uk/ldf/consultation or 
• emailing it to us at developmentplans@southlakeland.gov.uk or 
• posting it to the Development Plans Manager, South Lakeland District Council, Lowther Street, Kendal, LA9 4DL. 

Please ensure that your comments reach us by  Friday 9^th September.

Parking Services » view details

The Council is reviewing its car parking strategy and is seeking your views. 

The questions in this survey are designed to ensure that residents, visitors, businesses and community groups have the opportunity to comment on the Councils parking facilities and to put forward views and highlight issues that they think are important. This will assist the Council in deciding on issues in the future.

Corporate Plan Refresh » view details

The Corporate Plan is the Council's key document that outlines the public's priorities for the coming years. During the last Election that took place in May, residents raised a number of concerns they wanted addressing. As such, the Councillors have requested that the Corporate Plan is refreshed to include a number of the public's recent concerns.

A summary document of the Corporate Plan has been produced which highlights key actions that will be reported to the public on a regular basis. New actions have been inserted to better reflect public concern. In addition, the full Corporate Plan will have its duration extended by one year so it will run until 2015. You will need to download these documents which can be found at the bottom of the page so you can refer to them during the consultation questions.

South Lakeland District Housing Survey » view details

A strategic Housing Survey is undertaken across South Lakeland every 5 years in order to understand housing demand, need for affordable housing and issues such as the need for housing for older people. 

The results feed into planning policy and housing strategies

16,000 Households across South Lakeland are receiving a questionnaire by post.  Other households are invited to complete a questionnaire online

Feedback on Appleby Horse Fair 2011 » view details

Appleby Fair is an annual gathering of Gypsies and Travellers in the town of Appleby in Cumbria. The Fair takes place during the first week in June, from Thursday to the following Wednesday. However, the main days are Friday, Saturday and Sunday, which in 2011 will be 3-5 June. Engagement exercises are being held to gather opinions and feedback from those taking part and affected by the Fair.

Housing Survey » view details

A sample of households from across the Carlisle City Council area are being asked to take part in a survey that will be used to provide an up-to-date picture of the housing circumstances and aspirations of local people. It will help the Council develop its housing and planning policies to best meet local people’s needs in the coming years.

King Street change of use » view details

We would like to seek your opinion on the possibility of allowing businesses currently classed as A2 (banks, estate agents, betting offices) and A3 (restaurants and cafes) to move into King Street, Whitehaven.

Currently, King Street is restricted to businesses that fall into the Use Class A1 e.g. shops, hairdressers, post offices etc

Housing Transfer » view details

This is a formal consultation setting out the Council’s proposals for the transfer of all its homes to South Lakes Housing, which currently manages the homes.

To transfer all Council homes to South Lakes Housing, it would become a Registered Provider of Social Housing and a not-for-profit charitable organisation. As now, both tenant and Council representatives would serve on the Board.

The formal consultation: 'Offer Document' explains all the details tenants and leaseholders need to know about the proposed transfer, the new-style South Lakes Housing and what it means for homes and services.

The Council is following the Government guidelines on this statutory consultation.

Time for change? Ideas for the future of Cumbria's libraries » view details

Cumbria County Council values libraries. From firing the imaginations of our children, helping our students reach their potential and giving people the skills to succeed to providing advice on health and wellbeing or simply a space to relax and enjoy books, we think libraries are important. But is it time for a change?

We want to have a conversation with you during 2011 about the future of Cumbria’s library service. This is about involving you right at the start, before we have firm proposals, and well before any decisions are made.

We all know council budgets are being stretched and all council services have to be looked at. And while this is not about budget cuts and we aren’t starting this conversation with an expectation that we will save money we do need to be confident that we are getting the most value out of what we spend. While more people are using our online services, every year fewer people are visiting our libraries. We want to stop this trend. Our aim is for our libraries to be fit for the future, providing you with the right services in the right places and making sure that the money we spend benefits as many of you as possible.

Re-Ablement - Staff and Service User Consultation » view details

Reablement is a new service which aims to help people regain their independence following an illness, injury, disability or loss of personal support network.  It is a free service and is provided for a short period of time, usually no longer than six weeks. As part of the test phase of the project in South Lakeland we will be consulting staff to seek feedback about their role with the new service.  We will also be consulting service users when they leave the service.  This service user consultation is likely to continue on a ongoing basis.

Young Persons crime and anti-social behaviour questionnaire » view details

This consultation aims to seek out the views young people have around crime and anti-social behaviour in thier area