The meeting made a number of decisions on how to allocate funding to local organisations and also heard a deputation from local residents about their concerns about traffic and pollution near their homes.

Issues with the C1026 at Heads Nook

Ms Ratcliffe and Mr Smith, local residents of Heads Nook, addressed the Panel about their concerns about traffic near their homes.

Heads Nook is bisected by the C1026, which the residents say is used as a rat run by commuters. They are also concerned about the number of HGVs using the road to access Bramcross Quarry.

We have a number of issues around the reopening but for brevity’s sake will distil them down to two areas of major concern: speeding and the effective control of materials being transported past our houses.

The residents say speeding has been a problem on the road for a long time, particularly because it is very straight. They say the problem has become worse since the C1026 reopened after being closed for 14 months, and that local children have become unused to the traffic.

Children in the village have become used to little traffic since summer 2023 and there is real anxiety that a tragedy may occur as a result now the road has reopened.

They have requested a number of traffic calming measures, including:

• Warning signs near the children's play area.
• Radar speed display signs.
• A reduction of the speed limit to 20mph.
• Average speed cameras.

Ms Ratcliffe and Mr Smith also expressed concern about HGVs transporting uncovered loads of potentially hazardous materials from demolition sites to the quarry. They asked for reassurances from the Council that local residents were not at risk from the materials.

The Panel heard that a number of the planning conditions attached to the quarry's operation are no longer being adhered to. They also heard that a condition requiring the establishment of a multi-agency Liaison Committee has not been met.

The Panel agreed to pass the residents' concerns to the Cumbria Road Safety Partnership.

The Panel also agreed to investigate placing a Speed Indicator Device in the village, and to undertake a traffic survey.

Investing in Our Neighbourhoods

The Panel discussed applications for funding from the Neighbourhood Investment Fund (NIF), which allows the Panel to allocate funding to projects that support its priorities. The Panel's priorities are:

• Community Facilities and Support
• Environment
• Highways

The Panel was advised that £106,872 was available to allocate in the current financial year. They had previously agreed to carry forward £5,297 of underspend from the 2023/24 financial year.

The Panel considered the following applications:

• The Happy Mums Foundation, a social enterprise that provides peer support groups for mothers experiencing mental health difficulties, applied for £4,337 to continue operating in Brampton.
• Longtown Memorial Hall Community Centre applied for £2,000 to buy new gym equipment for its recently refurbished gym.

The Panel agreed to approve both applications in full. Councillor Pickstone did not participate in the discussion of the application from Longtown Memorial Hall because he is a Trustee of the organisation.

The Panel also agreed to note that the following investments had already been approved by the Chair, Vice-Chair and local Ward Member:

• £700 to Hallbankgate Hub to refurbish a room.
• £1,500 to Stanwix Rural Parish Council to replace play equipment at Linstock.
• £1,500 to Roadhead Public Hall to buy new kitchen cabinets and tables.
• £500 to Rockcliffe Community Centre to install CCTV.

After approving these applications, the Panel was advised that £28,714 of funding remained available. The Community Development Officer reminded them that they only had one meeting left before the end of the financial year to allocate the money.

The Panel discussed how to allocate the remaining funding and agreed to prioritise projects in the Wards the money was originally allocated to. However, they also agreed that it could be allocated to other Wards if necessary.

The Panel was also informed that the UK Shared Prosperity Fund award of £3,000 to Brampton and Beyond Community Trust had to be withdrawn because the organisation was unable to complete the project in time. The Panel agreed to delegate the reallocation of this money to the Senior Manager, on the condition that they were informed of the revised recipient.

The Panel also discussed the Neighbourhood Investment Plan, which sets out the Panel's priorities and how they plan to invest in their communities.

A member of the Panel suggested that the plan be amended to include waste reduction. This suggestion was originally made at the Panel's previous meeting in September. The Area Planning Manager agreed to include waste reduction and any other feedback received at the Panel's network events in the plan.

Community Panel Update

The Panel received an update on recent activity in the area, including a network event on 26 November 2024, where local residents received a presentation on bus services in Cumberland. The Panel also heard updates on a number of local initiatives, including:

• The Carlisle Southern Link Road
• Flood resilience
• The Warm Spots scheme
• The Make Your Mark ballot
• Family Hubs
• The Healthy Happy Foundations Pledge for Early Years Providers
• The 10p Swims initiative
• Capital improvement schemes in Carlisle

The Panel discussed the option of appointing up to three co-opted members, but decided not to do so at this time. They agreed to consider the idea again in the future.

They also agreed to invite representatives of the Brampton and Longtown Integrated Care Community (ICC) to their next meeting in March 2025, and to receive an update on flood remediation.

Highways and Transport Strategic Board

The Panel received and noted the minutes of the Highways and Transport Strategic Board meeting, which took place on 24 October 2024. ¹ The minutes describe a number of decisions made about highways and transport in Cumberland.

A discussion took place on whether it would be possible to bring forward the planned review of the Carlisle Speed Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) if a developer offered to fund it. The review is not currently planned to take place until the 2026/27 financial year. The Panel was advised that it would be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The Panel heard about a pilot scheme to improve safety outside schools in Egremont, Seaton and Wigton. The scheme involves installing illuminated signs advising drivers of the 20 mph speed limit. If it is successful, it may be rolled out across Cumberland.

Finally, the Panel was informed that Amber Sykes would no longer be the Panel's Cumberland Network Manager. The Chair thanked Ms Sykes for her help and support.

Date of Future Meeting

The Panel noted that its next meeting would be on Thursday 27 March 2025. They also agreed that, starting with the March meeting, the December and March meetings would take place at 10am, while other meetings would continue to take place at 6pm.