The Workington Together Community Panel of Cumberland Council met on Tuesday, 25 June 2024, to discuss various community investment initiatives and updates on local activities. Key decisions included the allocation of funds to local groups and the deferral of an investment application for further information.

Investing in our Neighbourhood Report

The panel reviewed the Investing in our Neighbourhood Report, which detailed the current position of the Neighbourhood Investment Fund allocation. Members discussed the need for setting targets to measure the impact of funding allocations. The Area Planning Manager and Community Development Officer noted that project achievement records would be shared with members in future reports.

A request was made to defer the investment application for the Workington Heritage Group pending further information. The panel approved the following allocations:

• £5,000 to 1st Seaton Scout Group for a climbing wall.
• £3,050 to St Mary’s Parish Council for equipment to create a community garden.

The Neighbourhood Investment Plan (NIP) was noted and will be reviewed at each Community Panel meeting.

Community Panel Update

The panel received a Community Panel Update report, which included information on network events, co-opted member recruitment, and activities by Active Cumbria. The Community Development Officer highlighted the success of ASIST training sessions provided by A New Hope, with more sessions scheduled for May.

Highways and Transport Strategic Board Minutes

The panel noted the minutes from the Highways and Transport Strategic Board meeting held on 22 April 2024.

Date of Future Meeting

Members noted that future meeting dates would be agreed upon at the full Council meeting in May 2024, with a request for the next meeting to be held in the St John’s Ward.