Here's a summary of the Cumberland Council meeting held on 9 September 2025:

The meeting included questions from councillors to the leader and portfolio holders, updates on various initiatives, and discussion of motions regarding support for children with special educational needs and lamppost flags. Councillors also reviewed the Treasury Management Annual Review for 2024/25 and approved the Youth Justice Plan for 2025/26.

Here's a more detailed look at the key topics discussed:

Councillor Conduct

A member of the public submitted a question to Councillor Mark Fryer, Leader of the Council, regarding criminal record checks for councillors, referencing a similar move by Westmorland and Furness Council and the Nolan principles. The question asked whether Cumberland Council would follow suit to ensure high ethical standards.

Questions from Councillors

• Pensions and Divestment: Councillor Gareth Ellis asked about the Local Government Pension Scheme contributions and whether taxpayers would cover any funding shortfalls from Israel-related divestment decisions.
• Asylum Seeker Accommodation: Councillor Ellis also asked for a breakdown of accommodation types used for asylum seekers in Cumberland.
• Flooding in Botcherby: Councillor Robert Betton raised concerns about repeated flooding in Botcherby, particularly on Borland Avenue and Ennerdale Avenue, and the lack of action to address the problems.
• Durranhill Viaduct Repairs: Councillor Betton sought reassurance that the full £2.7 million package of remedial works to the Durranhill Viaduct would be completed.
• Fly-Camping: Councillor Tim Pickstone asked for an update on actions to tackle illegal camping in natural landscapes.
• Audit Recommendations: Councillor Pickstone also requested an update on progress in delivering recommendations from external auditors and CIPFA reviews.
• Roll of Honour: Councillor Roger Dobson asked for confirmation that the Roll of Honour Board for Carlisle City Corporation employees who died in the Second World War would be moved to a more prominent location in time for Remembrance events.
• NHS Dental Care: Councillor Brian Wernham asked what action the Leader had taken to secure regular, preventative NHS dental care, especially for lower-income residents.
• Agency Staff: Councillor Chris Wills asked for an update on progress being made to reduce the number of agency staff being employed by Cumberland Council.

Portfolio Holder Reports

The council received reports from members of the Executive, including Councillor Bob Kelly, Environment and Planning Portfolio Holder, Councillor Chris Southward, Digital Connectivity and Security Portfolio Holder, Councillor Mark Fryer, Leader of the Council, Councillor Emma Williamson, Deputy Leader (Non-Statutory) and Children's Services, Family Wellbeing and Housing Portfolio Holder, Councillor Lisa Hinton, Deputy Leader (Statutory) and Adult Social Care Portfolio Holder, and Councillor Elaine Lynch, Lifelong Learning and Development Portfolio Holder.

Treasury Management Annual Review 2024/25

The council received the Treasury Management Annual Review 2024-25 from Councillor Barbara Cannon, Financial Planning and Assets Portfolio Holder. The report provided an overview of the council's treasury management activities, the effects of treasury management decisions and transactions executed in the past year and compliance with the Council's approved Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Treasury Management Policy.

Youth Justice Plan 2025/26

The council approved the Youth Justice Plan 2025-26. The plan sets out the Youth Justice Service's vision, priorities, and partnership commitments to improving outcomes for children and young people in the youth justice system. The plan has three key aims:

• Effective Interventions at every level
• Reducing reoffending
• Improving outcomes for Children, young people, and their families

Report from the Chair of the Improvement Panel

The council received a report from the Chair of the Improvement Panel providing an update on its activities. The Audit and Risk Committee had been charged with overseeing the work of the independent Improvement Panel and considered the Improvement Panel Second Report to Council at its meeting on 1st September 2025. The Committee resolved that the report should be referred to Council for consideration.

Appointment to Committees and Panels

The council considered the 9.9.25 Reallocation of Committee seats and approved the allocation of seats on, and the appointment of Members to, the various Committees and Panels of the Council.

Devolution Update

The council received an update from the Leader of the Council on the Devolution Priority Programme.

Motions

• Stop Profiteering from Children with SEND: Councillor Tim Pickstone proposed a motion calling on the government to introduce an 8% cap on the profits of private SEND providers.
• Consistent, Safety-Based Rules for Lamppost Flags: Councillor Gareth Ellis proposed a motion asking for simple, content-neutral rules for lamppost displays, applied equally to council banners/hoardings and national flags of Britain.