This week, the Cumberland Council held several important meetings that addressed a variety of local issues. Below is a summary of the key discussions and decisions made.

South Cumberland Community Panel

The South Cumberland Community Panel met on Wednesday 26 June 2024 to discuss local issues, including updates on the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan, the Local Nature Recovery Strategy, and a report on the South Cumberland Community Grant Fund.

South Cumberland Community Grant Fund

The meeting provided an update on the South Cumberland Community Grant Fund, a scheme set up to distribute funding raised through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to local community groups. This round of the fund awarded over £14,000 to groups including Millom Recreation Centre for lighting upgrades and Bee Unique, a group for autistic individuals in Millom, for sensory and play equipment. Councillors praised the fund for its focus on hyperlocal spending.

This is all about spending money where it’s raised

Officers confirmed they would provide a further report on the fund's progress at the next meeting.

Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan

The Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) was also discussed. This 10-year plan, part of the Department for Transport's Gear Change strategy, aims to develop cycling and walking infrastructure across Cumberland. Funding has been secured, and consultants have been appointed to begin studies in Summer 2024, focusing on Whitehaven, Cleator Moor, and Workington.

We are starting from a low bar...We weren't successful in attracting funding

The panel agreed to raise the profile of the consultation to ensure public input.

Local Nature Recovery Strategy

The Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), a requirement of the Environment Act 2021, was also discussed. This strategy aims to provide a framework for nature conservation, restoration, and enhancement. The new Cumberland authority inherited three partially complete strategies, which will now be developed and consulted on publicly later in the year.

Health and Wellbeing Board

The Health and Wellbeing Board met on Friday 28 June 2024 to discuss various health-related topics. Key discussions included the approval of the Better Care Fund (BCF) plan for 2023/24, the Children's Services Improvement Plan, and an update on the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA).

Better Care Fund

The BCF report was discussed, which is the main mechanism for improving joined-up care between health and social care organisations[^2]. This year's fund amounts to £101m. An addendum to the report was required to reflect changes to national policy. Councillor Arthur questioned the Integrated Care Board's experience, while Councillor Yorath raised concerns about the reliance on agency staff. Councillor Mallinson expressed concerns about mental health funding, which is ringfenced nationally and not part of the BCF planning process. The Board approved the BCF plan for 2023/24.

Children's Services Improvement Plan

The Children's Services Update was introduced by Councillor Mallinson, following an Ofsted inspection in May. The update included three workstreams: a learning review, a systemic review, and a cultural review. An immediate improvement board has been mobilised to ensure all areas for improvement are addressed urgently.

We've already mobilised an immediate improvement board, which is chaired independently, and is holding us to account in terms of the work that we're doing.

The Board noted the report and the ongoing work.

Joint Strategic Needs Assessment

The JSNA was discussed, identifying four key priorities: reducing health inequalities, improving mental health, tackling obesity, and reducing smoking and substance misuse.

The JSNA is a really key document for health and wellbeing boards in that it brings together routinely collected data to really help us understand the health needs of our population, and what that means for service planning, but also more broadly about how we improve people's health and wellbeing.

The Board endorsed the JSNA's findings.

Housing Update

The Housing Update was also discussed, including the council's housing stock, homelessness strategy, and plans to build new affordable homes. The council has successfully bid for £5.8m from the government's Affordable Homes Programme to build 58 new homes in Workington, Whitehaven, and Cockermouth.

Staffing Sub-Committee 4

The Staffing Sub-Committee 4 met on Tuesday 25 June 2024 to discuss the senior management restructure at Cumberland Council. They recommended a new structure consisting of a Chief Executive Officer and four Corporate Directors, arguing this option represented better value for money.

Option 2 provides a much more streamlined and efficient structure, whilst still ensuring that all of the council’s key functions are adequately covered.

The proposed pay grades for the new Corporate Director roles were also discussed, with some members expressing concern over the high salaries. The sub-committee's recommendations will be considered by the Executive Committee at its next meeting.

Fells and Solway Community Panel

The Fells and Solway Community Panel met on Monday 24 June 2024 and approved £11,694 of grants. They also agreed on an action plan for the next twelve months and discussed various local issues.

Investing in Our Neighbourhood

Grants were awarded to Silloth Sports Association in Silloth for youth projects, Chrysalis (Cumbria) Ltd for IT equipment to support vulnerable adults, and Aspatria Town Council for improvements to Jubilee Walk.

Highways, Transport and Environment

The panel received an update on upcoming works and schemes in the Fells and Solway area.

Public Participation Scheme

The panel discussed developing a Public Participation Scheme for future meetings, exploring options for a bespoke scheme.

Community Panel Update

The panel received a report on recent activity, including the recruitment of co-opted members and a proposal to hold a community safety event with the Council's Local Focus Hub.

Staffing Committee

The Staffing Committee met on Wednesday 26 June 2024 to discuss the pay progression of Directors and Assistant Directors. No decisions were made, but the focus was on benchmarking senior roles against those at similar councils to ensure competitiveness and fairness.

To ensure external competitiveness and internal fairness, it is important that we have a clear, consistent, transparent and fair approach to determining the pay of our senior employees.

Workington Together Community Panel

The Workington Together Community Panel met on Tuesday 25 June 2024 and approved five community grant applications. They also discussed the Local Nature Recovery Strategy and the future of the Neighbourhood Investment Fund.

Investing in Our Neighbourhood

Grants were awarded to Focused Therapies for free counselling sessions, Queer Cumbria for event expenses, Northside Community Centre for a summer activity programme, Harrington Youth Club for sports equipment, and Workington Heritage Group for an exhibition on local industry.

Co-opted Members

The panel discussed the recruitment of new co-opted members and issues related to engagement with Children in Care Councils and Care Leaver forums.

Community Panel Update

Updates included a rejected proposal for a pedestrian crossing on Kingstown Road, a proposed speed limit change near schools, and the use of Glyphosate on the highway network.

For more detailed information on any of these topics, please visit the links provided.