This meeting was about noting the minutes of a previous meeting, considering an update from Citizens Advice, and approving funding for projects and organisations in the Whitehaven and Coastal Community Panel area of Cumberland Council. A report on community activities was also scheduled to be considered.

It is important to note that this summary is based only on the documents that were provided to attendees of the meeting, and does not reflect what was actually discussed or decided in the meeting.

Investing in Our Neighbourhoods

The report pack for this meeting contains 5 applications for funding from the Community Panel's Neighbourhood Investment Fund, and 1 application for funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The most significant application to be considered was from Friends of Pica. Friends of Pica is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation that aims to raise funds for community projects in Pica. They were applying for £9,874 towards the purchase of an accessible roundabout as part of a project to re-establish a play park in the village.

The next most significant application was from Keekle Community Park. Keekle Community Park is a registered charity responsible for the upkeep of Keekle Community Park. They were applying for £5,000 towards the purchase of an accessible swing set.

Whitehaven Heritage Action Group were applying for £3,330 to restore 20 blue plaques in Whitehaven, and install new ones.

Whitehaven Sea Cadets were applying for £2,800 to put towards a new boiler. This is part of a larger project to refurbish a property they recently purchased in Whitehaven.

Friends of Hensingham Primary School were applying for £2,000 to create a 'safe space' in Hensingham Primary School. Safe spaces are designed to provide support to children who have experienced trauma.

Growing Well were applying for up to £1,000 to run additional gardening sessions in Egremont. This is part of a £3,000 application that was also to be considered by 3 other community panels in Cumberland.

Neighbourhood Investment Plan

The meeting was also scheduled to include a discussion of the Whitehaven and Coastal Neighbourhood Investment Plan. This plan outlines how the panel will use its funding to support its priorities for the area.

Since the previous meeting, 3 actions have been added to the Neighbourhood Investment Plan. The plan now includes actions to:

• hold a network event on financial education,
• work with councillors to identify specific projects for the panel to fund, and
• establish ‘shelf ready’ projects.

Highways and Transport Strategic Board Meeting Minutes

The meeting was scheduled to include an item about the minutes of a meeting of the Highways and Transport Strategic Board that took place on 24 October 2024.

Issues with the A6071 Through Brampton

The meeting was to note a petition that was submitted by a member of the public about the volume of HGV traffic on the A6071 in Brampton. The petition also highlighted the poor road conditions and the number of speeding vehicles in the town.

(2) In order to reduce the amount of unnecessary large articulated vehicles travelling through Brampton, it is requested that they are re-directed to use the more suitable A689 by-pass as opposed to cutting through the small narrow roads of Brampton, unless access is needed in the town centre.

Cumberland Council officers responded that:

It is difficult to restrict the number of large vehicles travelling through Brampton as most are likely to be accessing a location within the town and the A6071 was part of a designated timber transport route

The board agreed to note the petition and that Cumberland Council officers should liaise with Brampton Parish Council on the issues raised in the petition.

Proposed Installation of Pedestrian Crossing Facilities at the Traffic Signals on the Windsor Way Junction with Kingstown Road, Carlisle

The meeting was to decide whether to proceed with the installation of pedestrian crossings at the junction of Windsor Way and Kingstown Road in Carlisle.

The board agreed to proceed with the installation subject to consultation.

Health and Safety Update

The meeting was to note an update on the safety measures being undertaken to improve safety outside schools in Cumberland.

Capital Programme Update

The meeting was scheduled to include a presentation about the progress being made on several projects in Cumberland's Capital Programme, including:

• Devonshire Street, Carlisle
• Reimagining Greenmarket/Market Square, Carlisle
• Carlisle Southern Gateway
• Citadel Junction, Carlisle
• Carlisle Station Gateway
• Active Travel 4 - Carlisle
• Active Travel 4: Cargo Cycleway
• Connected Millom and Haverigg
• Connected Cleator Moor
• Workington Town Centre Connectivity
• Workington Gateway
• Active Travel 4 Extension Funding
• Active Travel 4: South Whitehaven – Cycle improvements

Bus Services Update

The meeting was scheduled to include a presentation about bus services in Cumberland, including a discussion of the Bus Service Improvement Plan.

Cargo Active Travel Route - Speed Limits

The meeting was to decide whether to approve the Cumberland Council (Various Roads, Carlisle & District) (Consolidation and Provision of Speed Limits) Order 20><. The board agreed to bring the order into operation as advertised.

South Cumberland Speed Limit Review

The meeting was to decide whether to approve the Cumberland Council (Various Roads in the South Cumberland Area) (Consolidation and Provision of Speed Limits) Order 20><. The board agreed to bring the order into operation as advertised, except for the proposal to introduce a new speed limit in Gilgarran.

Whitehaven Traffic Regulation Order Review

The meeting was to decide whether to approve the Cumberland Council (Various Roads, Whitehaven) (Consolidation and Provision of Traffic Regulations) Order 20><. The board agreed to bring the order into operation as advertised, with the following exceptions:

• Proposal 8 – Rutland Avenue will only be implemented in part
• Proposal 21 – James Pit Road will only be implemented in part, with the removal of disc parking
• Proposal 10 – Jericho Road will not be introduced
• Proposal 14 – Irt Avenue will not be introduced

Road Lighting Policy

The meeting was to decide whether to approve a Road Lighting Policy for Cumberland Council. The board agreed to approve the policy.

Road Safety Plan for Cumberland - 2024 to 2027 and Cumberland Council Road Safety Policy

The meeting was to consider the Road Safety Plan for Cumberland and a Road Safety Policy. The board agreed to approve both.

Highways Bridges and Structures Management Strategy

The meeting was to decide whether to approve a Highways Bridges and Structures Management Strategy. The board agreed to approve the strategy.

Cumberland Council Permit Scheme

The meeting was to decide whether to approve the Cumberland Council Permit Scheme for Road & Street Activities. The board agreed to approve the scheme.

Highways and Transport Draft Works Programme 2025/2026

The meeting was scheduled to note the draft Highways and Transport Draft Works Programme 2025/2026.

Verge Maintenance in Cumberland

The meeting was scheduled to note an update on verge maintenance in Cumberland.

Community Panel Update

The meeting was scheduled to note a report on community activities in the Whitehaven and Coastal Community Panel area.

Co-opted Members

The meeting was scheduled to consider extending the terms of appointment of the Community Panel's co-opted members until March 2026, and to recruit an additional co-opted member in March 2025.

Whitehaven and Coastal Community Network Event

The meeting was to note that the panel had held a Community Network event on 8 October 2024. The event was themed around 'Community Food, Community Parks and Our Natural Environment'.

A further network event on the theme of 'New Year, New Start' was scheduled for 15 January 2025.

Library Service

The meeting was scheduled to note that Whitehaven Library had taken part in The Reading Agency's Summer Reading Challenge, and had been hosting performances in collaboration with Arts Out West.

Adult Learning

The meeting was scheduled to note a table containing the pass rates for English, ESOL and Maths qualifications across Cumberland's 3 Adult Learning centres.

Cumberland Early Help, Prevention and Youth Justice

The meeting was scheduled to note an update on the Family Hub offer across Cumberland, including the launch of a mobile Family Hub called Hub2U.

Cumberland Youth Voice

The meeting was to note an update on Cumberland Youth Voice, including information about the:

• Cumberland Youth Council,
• Unique Voices,
• Chat 2 Change, and
• Courage Influences Creative Change groups.

Youth Substance Misuse Team

The meeting was to note that the Youth Substance Misuse Team had been granted £10,000 by the Community Alcohol Partnership to run alcohol awareness sessions for young people in Cumberland.

Make Your Mark Update

The meeting was to note an update on the results of the 'Make Your Mark' vote.

The Make Your Mark vote, which gives all young people aged 11-18 in the UK the chance to have a say on the biggest issues facing young people.

West Cumbria Child Poverty Forum (WCCPF)

The meeting was to note that the West Cumbria Child Poverty Forum had held an event on 22 October 2024 to launch their New Horizons report.

Cumberlands Healthy Happy Foundations Pledge launch

The meeting was to note the launch of the Healthy Happy Foundations Pledge. This pledge will be a quality marker to help parents and carers choose childcare, and will be awarded to Early Years settings that are committed to supporting young children.

10p Swims - Make a Splash

The meeting was to note that all school children in Cumberland had been able to swim for 10p during the October half term holidays.

Warm Spots Report

The meeting was to note that Cumbria Community Foundation's Warm Spots funding had been made available for 2024/25, and to consider a report on the Warm Spots funding for 2023/24.

The funding is for community groups that are establishing a warm spot to support the ongoing needs of people impacted by the cost-of-living crisis to ensure that their health and wellbeing is maintained

Partnership meetings led by the Community Development Team

The meeting was to note an update on several partnership meetings that are led by Cumberland Council's Community Development Team, including the:

• Thriving Communities,
• Financial Resilience,
• Refugee Locality, and
• Children and Young People partnership meetings.

Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week 18 – 24 November 2024

The meeting was to note that the Community Panel had taken part in Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week.

Christmas free parking offer

The meeting was to note that Cumberland Council had offered free parking in all of its car parks on 16 November to coincide with Whitehaven's Christmas light switch-on.

Citizens Advice Update

The meeting was scheduled to note an update from the Copeland Citizens Advice Chief Executive.