This week, the Westmorland and Furness Council held several important meetings, each addressing significant issues within our community. Here’s a rundown of what was discussed and decided.

South Lakeland Local Area Planning Committee

Date: Thursday 27 June 2024

Key Decisions:

1. 1 Low Pastures, Allithwaite: Approved plans for a new dwelling despite concerns about highway safety.
2. Haggs Lane, Cartmel: Approved a detached dwelling outside the settlement boundary, despite initial recommendations for refusal.
3. 36 Kendal Green, Kendal: Approved the demolition of an existing dwelling and the erection of two new dwellings.
4. Hillside, Grange Fell Road: Issued a certificate of lawful development for an existing dwelling.

Notable Discussions:

• 1 Low Pastures, Allithwaite: Councillor Andrew Jarvis raised concerns about the narrow access road for construction traffic. However, the planning officer, Ben Long, assured that the access was suitable, leading to a close vote that approved the application.

• Haggs Lane, Cartmel: Initially deferred for a site visit, this application was controversial due to its location outside the settlement boundary. Despite the planning officer's recommendation for refusal based on Policy T2 of the South Lakeland Local Plan, the committee approved the application, citing the need for housing and proximity to local services.

• 36 Kendal Green, Kendal: Councillor Brian Cooper expressed concerns about the scale and privacy impacts of the proposed development. The committee ultimately approved the application, considering it a redevelopment of a brownfield site¹.

• Hillside, Grange Fell Road: The committee issued a certificate of lawful development based on the 'four-year rule,' confirming the property's use as a dwelling for over four years.

Project Updates:

• Burneside Road, Kendal: The committee discussed an update on an application for 89 dwellings by Oakmere Homes. The refusal reasons were deemed unsound, and the applicant submitted an addendum to address highway safety concerns.

• Castle Oval, Milnthorpe: The committee received an update on a planning appeal, which was dismissed, upholding the council's decision to refuse permission for a new dwelling.

• South Lakeland Local Plan: The plan, submitted in March 2023, is under examination by a planning inspector to ensure it is 'sound' and legally compliant.

Health and Adults Scrutiny Committee

Date: Tuesday 25 June 2024

Key Discussions:

1. Support for Carers: The council is implementing its Carers Strategy 2023-26, focusing on identification, support, empowerment, and outcomes for carers.

The most recent estimates from Carers UK are that there are 1 in 8 adults are now providing unpaid care, which equates to approximately 22,000 unpaid carers living in Westmorland and Furness.

1. Recruitment and Retention in Adult Social Care: The council is addressing challenges in recruiting and retaining Adult Social Care staff by offering competitive pay and enhancing benefits.

The recruitment and retention of a suitably skilled and experienced Adult Social Care workforce is a key challenge for the council.

1. Joint Local Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2024-2034: The strategy aims to improve health and well-being, focusing on reducing health inequalities. It will be presented to the Health and Wellbeing Board for adoption in July 2024.

Children, Young People and Families Scrutiny Committee

Date: Wednesday 26 June 2024

Key Discussions:

1. Ofsted Inspection: The committee was updated on the upcoming Ofsted inspection of Children's Services, which began on 24 June and will conclude on 11 July 2024. Concerns were raised about the timing of the inspection.

2. Education Sufficiency Strategy: The strategy aims to ensure enough school places for all children and addresses the needs of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

3. Cumbria Regional Adoption Agency: The agency, formed in April 2024, is working to find adoptive families for children in care. The committee was assured that the agency prioritizes recruiting parents from within Cumbria.

Regulatory Sub-Committee

Date: Monday 24 June 2024

Key Decision:

• Taxi Licensing: The committee granted a license for a 2015 Mercedes Benz Vito taxi, despite it being too old per the council's Taxi Licensing Policy, due to its higher specification and wheelchair accessibility.

The applicant is proposing to replace an existing vehicle currently licensed by this Authority with the one this application relates to. This vehicle does not comply with the age policy but is an improvement on the one being replaced.

Barrow in Furness Local Area Planning Committee

Date: Monday 24 June 2024

Key Decision:

• South End Caravan Park, Walney: Approved the addition of 142 static caravans, subject to conditions, including a landscaping scheme and electric vehicle charging points. The decision was made after considering the economic benefits and addressing concerns about tree loss, traffic, and impacts on the nearby Grade II listed Biggar Bank Farmhouse.

Development will be permitted which, having regard to the scale and significance of the heritage asset, would preserve or enhance the setting of a heritage asset.

Staffing Committee - Appeals Panel

Date: Thursday 27 June 2024

This meeting has been postponed.

This week's decisions and discussions reflect the council's ongoing efforts to manage development, support carers, address social care staffing challenges, and ensure the well-being of children and families in Westmorland and Furness. Stay tuned for more updates on how these decisions will impact our community.