CUMBRIA COUNTY COUNCIL LOCAL COMMITTEE FOR Paper No. th Meeting date: 9 May 2006 From: CORPORATE DIRECTOR: STRATEGY & PERFORMANCE 17

NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUMS REPORT

1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1.1 This report feeds back on forums activity including any recent referrals; and also seeks authority to adapt forum arrangements in parts of Workington in line with emerging neighbourhood management objectives.

2.0 POLICY POSITION, BUDGETARY & EQUALITY IMPLICATIONS, AND LINKS TO CORPORATE STRATEGY

2.1 Putting the Public First – developing the potential of our neighbourhood forums; is a priority within the County Council agreed corporate strategy. Local Committee has previously agreed (29.05.02) to a regular pattern of reporting from local Forums, together with the regular opportunity to receive referrals from local Forums.

2.2 Of relevance to this report, the CCC Constitution sets out the following:

2.2.1 Article 10.02(c) requires a standing agenda item allowing items from Neighbourhood Forums to be considered by local committee at each meeting.

2.2.2 Article 12 sets out the membership and terms of reference of neighbourhood forums

3.0 RECOMMENDATION

3.1 To receive any referrals from neighbourhood forums in the Allerdale area and respond appropriately.

3.2 To agree the division of the Moorclose and Westfield forum into two, namely a Moss Bay Community Forum, and a Moorclose Community Forum, in order to intensify community engagement as part of the S. Workington) Neighbourhood Management (Safer & Stronger Communities Agreement) arrangements. 3.3 To agree that the Allerdale Area Support Team undertake the administration of any Community Chest grants regime, subject to the conclusion of neighbourhood management negotiations; the detail being agreed by the Corporate Director of Strategy & Performance in consultation with the Chair of Local Committee.

3.4 Note the sample of recent Forum reports of meetings.

4.0 BACKGROUND

4.1 There are no referrals from forums since last local committee.

4.2 Set out in Appendix A is a sample of recent forum meetings.

4.3 At last local committee there was a summary of new funding and co-ordination arrangements for ‘joined up’ public services currently described during 2006/7 as the Safer & Stronger Communities Agreement – ‘Building Pride and Respect’.

4.3.1 Mention was made of the opportunity for a partnership approach to neighbourhood management in an area surrounding the specific area that has ‘triggered’ the funding strand because of its position in the national index of multiple deprivation. The map illustrated the proposed area of focus, within Moss Bay ward, together with the adjacent ward of Moorclose.

4.3.2 Whilst partner delivery arrangements are yet to be concluded, it is intended that the Moorclose and Westfield neighbourhood forum be separated into a Moorclose community forum and a Mossbay community forum. This is in keeping with the intensified arrangements suggested at March Local Committee.

4.3.3 Furthermore, authority is requested to complete negotiations on a proposal for the Allerdale Area Support Office to administer a neighbourhood management ‘community chest’ within the emerging governance arrangements. This would build upon the successful completion of the 5 community chest programme (SRB funded) which ran alongside the CCC forum grants regime for 5 years, ending 31st March 2006.

4.3.4 Any financial requirement for the above is expected to be within current budget (including the extra £10,000 agreed at March ALC; min158 refers.); with any additional resource coming from the neighbourhood management programme.

5.0 OPTIONS

5.1 Members could choose to positively vary; or, reject recommendations.

5.2 CCC is the accountable body for SSCF and a key partner in neighbourhood management. Commitment to partner delivery arrangements should therefore be demonstrable.

6.0 CONCLUSION

6.1 This initiative will enable West Partnership arrangements to deliver resources and a style of ‘joined up’ service deliver across public service bodies that should bring welcome positive change to this group of communities in Workington.

Phil Atherton Area Support manager - Allerdale 01.02.06

APPENDICES

Appendix A. - sample of forum reports: Bowness, Thursby & Caldbeck; Wigton; Solway Coast

IMPLICATIONS

Staffing: none Financial: none Electoral Division(s): all allerdale * Please remove whichever option is not applicable

Executive Decision Yes

Key Decision No*

If a Key Decision, is the proposal published in the current Forward N/A* Plan?

Is the decision exempt from call-in on grounds of urgency? No*

If exempt from call-in, has the agreement of the Chair of the relevant N/A* Overview and Scrutiny Committee been sought or obtained?

PREVIOUS RELEVANT COUNCIL OR EXECUTIVE DECISIONS [including Local Committees]

No previous relevant decisions.

BACKGROUND PAPERS

No background papers

*Contact: Phil Atherton: Area Support Manager – Allerdale 01900 32 5015 [email protected]

Thursday 2nd February 2006 ~ Kirkbampton Village Hall ~ 7pm

1. Welcome, Introductions and Apologies – Councillor Duncan Fairbairn 2. Feedback on speeding focus meeting - Councillor Duncan Fairbairn 3. Allerdale Borough Council – Gillian Bishop Chief Executive, ABC 4. Affordable Housing – Elsa Brailey, Home Housing 5. The future of Wigton hospital – Eveline Dugdale, League of Friends 6. North Allerdale Partnership – Gerald Sewell, ABC 7. Youth Matters – Pam Eland & Stacey Wigton Youth Station 8. Community Grants 9. Next Meeting

Welcome Councillor Fairbarin welcomed everyone to the Neighbourhood Forum and explained that the forum is visiting parishes one by one. Apologies received from Joe Mumberson, Ray Warwick, Mary Watson, Nicki Quayle, Jacqueline Mounsey and Victoria Nixon

Feedback from Speeding Focus Meeting Following the previous Forum there was a supplementary meeting at Kirkbride School focusing on speeding in local villages and issues raised both at the Forum and at the focus meeting have been fed back to Andrew Butler, Highways Engineer CCC. This is the feedback to date:- SID in rural areas The mobile speed indication devices can act as a deterrent and Pat Ackred, Duncan Fairbairn and Inspector Barr are currently looking at various funding options. Radar guns in Welton Inspector Barr confirmed that radar guns had recently been used in Welton.

Kirkbride The road outside the school is currently on the list of those to be resurfaced, an engineer has confirmed that the south end is worse and therefore will be resurfaced first.

The issue of overgrown hedges has been taken up by Kirkbride Parish Council

One resident has been taking vehicle details when they have been speeding or using the mobile phone while driving, however, action cannot be taken against these drivers as this is only an “evidence of opinion” and the police require evidence to pursue any cases. Signs in Easton Duncan confirmed that the signs will be ordered at the beginning of the next financial year. Fingland Duncan confirmed that there will be an increase in marker posts by the ‘S’ bends. There will also be a meeting on site with an engineer, the police and the residents to discuss any further issues.

Inspector Barr confirmed that over the last 11 years there have been 11 accidents resulting in injury which are included in statistics.

Pat asked people to leave their contact details if they wanted to attend a further meeting focusing on traffic issues in villages.

Allerdale Borough Council Gillian Bishop, Chief Executive of Allerdale Borough Council (ABC) was at the Forum to hear what communities want locally. She also wanted to advise what the process has been in establishing the Corporate Improvement Plan (CIP) and how this will move forward.

Why have a Corporate Improvement Plan? • To deliver the vision of making Allerdale a great place to live, work and visit • To make firm commitments on delivery • To produce a common picture • To encourage joined up working with the Borough, County Council and other agencies and partnerships

In 2003 there was a consultation which identified customer top six priorities, these were:- 1. Jobs for Local People 2. Transport & Access to Services 3. Feeling Safer 4. Young People 5. Housing 6. Image & Environment 7. Are these still the priorities? In order to find out Gillian has held staff sessions, workshops and attended Forums to identify what is important to make Allerdale a great place to live, work and visit.

The information has been collated and presented 4 common themes of Live, Work, Visit and Improve under which there lays 10 strategic priorities each having clear actions and key performance measures to ensure it is achieved in the 5 year target.

LIVE Environment Refuse & recycling, open spaces, protect heritage Housing Decency, affordability, homelessness Transport & Access, movement, car parks Infrastructure Community Crime and fear of crime Safety WORK Job creation Jobs, careers, business support, worklessness Regeneration Physical development, remediation, inward investment Skills & Training, people, link business need and skill development Education VISIT Tourism Heritage, culture, leisure, natural environment IMPROVE Corporate HR, Finance, Performance, Risk, Services, Customers Improvement Partnerships LSP, External contracts, young and older people

Significant Dates: February 2006 – CIP goes to executive for approval March 2006 – CIP goes to Cabinet. 01 April 2006 –“Go Live”

Page 5 of 15 F:\Member Services\COMMITTEE\Allerdale Local Committee\2006\090506\reports\Agenda Item 17 Report from Neighbourhood Forums .doc

A copy of the plan will be available to download from ABC website.

Points raised:- The CIP is the “bigger picture” for Allerdale and will link in with service plans and any parish plans that have been developed. There is no detail within the CIP regarding youth provision locally and this will be detailed in the service plans. ABC receives an annual budget of approx £14 million from council tax, various income streams and central government, and this will be dedicated to delivering the CIP. There will be no change in the rural and urban split but ABC is conscious of the balance of beneficiaries and consequently the actions have been written with this in mind. Kirkbampton Parish Council thanked ABC for the prompt supply of the 3 waste bins, eliminating the eye sore of bin bags being left on the roadside. Within the CIP there is a proposal to manage the travelling sector more effectively and ABC is looking for recognized sites where they will be able to reside. Local schools are encouraging the children to recycle their paper are being hit with a charge to remove the paper from the premises, as a result the recycling is not getting past the front door. The charge is incurred as it is deemed as trade waste, although Gillian is very keen to look at working with partners to develop paper collection service free of charge. The CIP will be reviewed on an annual basis and refined if required to ensure it “moves with the times”. If anybody has any comments or issues they would like to raise about the CIP can do so by getting in touch with ABC. Affordable Housing Elsa Brailey, a Project Manager for Home Housing, was at the Forum to discuss the issue of affordable housing in rural areas. The Affordable Rural Housing Commission defines “rural” as a settlement with less than 10,000 residents.

The Affordable Housing schemes allows first time buyers and people wanting to return to the area the chance to be able to live in a property in a rural community. This can be achieved by “stair casing” where you can buy shares of the property up to 80% of the value, if stair casing is not an option then the planning application will be turned down. It should be noted that 100% stair casing permitted in towns only. Currently the obstacles faced by Home Housing in providing affordable housing are:- • Availability of sites • Expectation of land value have increased • NIMBY-ism resulting in a loss of planning applications • Proving housing needs; struggle to get responses back from needs surveys.

Caldbeck have successfully obtained 10 affordable units. This scheme was led by the Parish Council who were not willing to wait for the Housing Needs Survey to be completed in the normal manner and so did their own analysis and received a 54% reply rate showing that 10 units were needed. They have agreed a suitable site and the plans have been drawn up. The next stage of the process is community consultation before the planning application is submitted. The price of these properties has not been decided yet.

Any Parish Council who is interested in looking at the affordable options in their area can get in touch with Elsa Brailey on 01900 811105 or [email protected]

The future of Wigton Hospital

Page 6 of 15 F:\Member Services\COMMITTEE\Allerdale Local Committee\2006\090506\reports\Agenda Item 17 Report from Neighbourhood Forums .doc

Evelyn Dugdale, from the League of Friends of Wigton Hospital, was at the Forum to raise support to save the 31 beds at Wigton Community Hospital, which serves a large area. A white paper details that the community hospitals are safe provided the PCT agrees and that it is viable to keep them open. Currently our PCT is not agreeing so officially there are no definite plans to close the hospital but the community needs to raise awareness and show support for keeping the beds at Wigton. • There will be a march in Wigton on Saturday 4th March starting at 10am from the hospital gates and marching to the market hall. People are encouraged to wear bright colours and carry bright umbrellas with them.

• The League of Friends in Wigton is working closely with other League of Friends and there will be a march with the League of Friends of tomorrow at 3pm. • There will also be a rally on the weekend of 1st and 2nd April starting from Wigton and taking in all of the community hospitals at risk ending the rally at Workington. The rally will be carried out by different forms of transport from each hospital.

North Allerdale Partnership The North Allerdale Partnership (NAP) is part of the national Market Town Initiative (MTI) to enable the channeling of money from various agencies down to local projects. NAP is unique in that it involves three towns; Wigton, Aspatria and . NAP has no direct funds and creates bids to agencies such as the NWDA to create funds and it currently has £1 million which will be shared evenly within the partnership boundaries. Wigton’s project is a community resource centre and Asaptria has gone for a similar project in the form of the Cinema Project. Silloth is managing a project to develop and improve the mini dock area. The projects will be up and running by 2008 and it is hoped that the partnership will roll out another programme ensuring regeneration continues. If anyone has a project they would like funded then speak to Victoria Nixon who is the Project Officer for NAP on 01900 66184.

Commercial Facelift Scheme NAP also operates a Market Towns Commercial Facelift Scheme which enables local businesses to have external works to the frontages of their commercial premises at 50% of the cost, as it will be match funded by the NAP funding. If anyone is interested in this scheme contact Victoria Nixon on 01900 66184 for more details.

Finally, if anyone needs help with their village hall there is a website that may be of interest, the address is www.defra.gov.uk/rural/community/halls

It was also brought to the Forum’s attention that Greggs the bakers sponsors schools to start a Breakfast Club.

Page 7 of 15 F:\Member Services\COMMITTEE\Allerdale Local Committee\2006\090506\reports\Agenda Item 17 Report from Neighbourhood Forums .doc

Community Grants New Applications considered at the meeting and recommendations made as follows:- Border Harriers Athletic Club Withdrawn Ireby Players Company £500 Allerdale Branch MS Society £60 Wigton Cricket Club £500 Thursby Parish Hall Cmte £500 Parish Hall Cmte £500 Northern Fells Group £999.50 Michael Noblett £300

Sitting on the grants panel were:- D Fairbairn County Councillor B P Edwards Thursby PC S Smithson Sure Start C Smithson Caldbeck PC J N Graham Newton Arlosh PC D Smith Westward PC B Knowles Bowness PC W Bell Newton Arlosh PC L Auld Caldbeck PC

The following personal interests were declared:- J N Graham and W Bell –Newton Arlosh Parish Hall application B P Edwards - Thursby Parish Hall application C Smithson – Northern Fells application

Attendance: 48 of which 7 were young people aged between 13 and 19.

Page 8 of 15 F:\Member Services\COMMITTEE\Allerdale Local Committee\2006\090506\reports\Agenda Item 17 Report from Neighbourhood Forums .doc

02 March 2006 ~ St. Cuthbert’s Parish Rooms ~ 7pm

AGENDA 1. Welcome & Introductions – Paul Radcliffe, Community Chair 2. Youth Update – Wigton Youth Station 3. The role the Allerdale Youth Co-ordinator – Graham Bassett, Development Co-ordinator for 4. Housing Matters – Julie Wills, Housing Officer for Home Housing 5. North Allerdale Partnership Work Placement Study – Anne Owens 6. Wigton Hospital Update – Becky Blake and Eveline Dugdale 7. Community Grants • Staff training will take place including Open Welcome & Introductions College Network (OCN) and 3 members are John Crouch made sweet pancakes for the forum and going through child protection and youth work briefly explained the history of the pancake. Shrove qualifications. Tuesday, or “Pancake Day”, is the day prior to Lent commencing on Ash Paul talked about the stigma attached to young people Wednesday, and pancakes and he stressed that the young people at the Youth were made to use up the Station contribute a lot to the community in a positive ingredients of eggs and fats. manner and this should be considered by all. Pancake is the 1st recipe food we Ainsley from the Youth Steering Group talked about how ate. the young people feel intimidated sometimes. Paul continued to say that all young people are gifted and It is Fair Trade Fortnight during March and Elaine need to be heard to be given a chance. We need to Davidson from Wigton One World provided Fair Trade interact with them to find out what they need to help refreshments, including sugar, tea, coffee, biscuits and encourage development. chocolates. The experience of many residents has been positive; Fair Trade is to ensure those who made the product or young people are getting involved in the Hospital march who picked the bean get paid a fair by helping Age Concern distribute drinks and acting as price for what they do. marshals. The young people recently attended a meeting Elaine asked that people encourage with the Town Council and they were respectful in others to try Fair Trade products. You behaviour, and asked clever questions. can buy Fair Trade products from Co- One 83 year old resident stated that when he was op or Chrysalis on West Street. growing up young people had rules to abide by and that difference in attitudes and behaviour these days is due to Wigton Youth Station a lack of acknowledging and respecting the rules.

Sarah Radcliffe from the Youth Station talked about recent projects:- The role of the Youth Co-ordinator. • The Youth Station has been refurbished with the Graham Bassatt was at the Forum to talk about his role as help of the young people and the public is Youth Development Co-ordinator for Cumbria County welcome to visit and have a look. Council. • The young people were involved in the Graham’s role is primarily to support the young people, Doorstep Green project mushroom shelter by monitor that youth organisations run correctly and to help painting the table and chairs. organisations secure funding. • Reese dug a hole for the time capsule and He visits organisations such as Wigton Youth Station to included items relating to the Youth Station and find out what young people need in order to youth in general at this time. develop and integrate with the community; • The Youth Station received the Lottery’s this may be achieved Charities Blue Plaque Award by undertaking • A Fitness Group has been set up various projects and • The Juniors Group have made a peacock from the young people’s handprints efforts can be • The Outreach programme is still been worked recognised through on Page 9 of 15 F:\Member Services\COMMITTEE\Allerdale Local Committee\2006\090506\reports\Agenda Item 17 Report from Neighbourhood Forums .doc incentives such as Duke of Edinburgh Awards. The Police pointed out that the majority issues are private The government is pushing youth work therefore funding lettings and hopefully they have got on top of this issue. is likely to increase although figures are still to be decided. North Allerdale Partnership – Work Placement Study Anne Owens is an independent consultant has been The Chair asked the Forum to consider “What has commissioned by North Allerdale Partnership (NAP) to triggered this feeling of isolation in youth?” research and report on skill gaps and training provisions These are the responses. in Cumbria. The generation gap and changes in society Anne has talked with employers, youth groups, and A lack of interaction and communication skills, community development centres to establish what the which may be caused by TV and computer gaps and training provisions are. In addition to this Anne games. is seeking feedback from the community to present a Extended family not as strong as it used to be. global picture to NAP. John Crouch stated that it was good to see both Once identified Anne needs to establish if there is a need young and old at the forum communicating for any new training provisions, or can they just build getting to know each other. upon the existing training centres?

Housing Matters Skill and Training issues raised at the Forum:- Julie Wills a Housing Officer for Home Housing was at • Lack of specific trades the Forum to talk about various housing matters. • Fuel costs mean travel costs are high for young The Housing Officer’s work includes:- people. (Anne has been looking at public Housing advice transport as part of the research). Allocation of empty properties • It appears that young people what “techy” jobs Rent collection and there is a lack of manual labour. Estate issues • There is a lack of male volunteers in youth Minor tenancy enforcement issues supported by service – there is no representation at youth specialist officers station to act as a role model for young people. Welfare benefits advice. • Interview skills needed, especially aimed at Housing lists are open to all and applications are those just leaving school. available for all areas covered. Housing needs are assessed and allocation of a property is given based on Anne hopes to complete her research at end of month and the assessment, and also the balance of communities. then a report will be produced. A Summary report will be Homelessness applications are usually prioritised as they available for the public to view. have a greater housing need. If anybody has any ideas then please get in touch with The Community Development Officer brings community Anne:- work into the estates by arranging activities involving all Anne Owens age groups. T: 017687 83823 E: [email protected] Brewery Barn, Beckses, Penruddock, Penrith CA11 0RX

Wigton Community Hospital Becky Blake, an Occupational Therapist at Wigton Community Hospital was at the Forum to raise awareness of the campaign to save beds and services at the hospital. There was an issue raised regarding the vetting of Closure of the Therapy service would result in an families moving into estates. increase of home care, influencing the patient’s quality of Julie confirmed that a new family’s housing need and life and independence. It would also mean an local connection is assessed, there is also the requirement increase in travel for therapists resulting in a to complete a disclosure on the back of an application decrease of contact with patients form and Home Housing will seek references from impacting on the level of care and previous landlords. The Housing Officer also works in evaluation of therapy. partnership with the police, although data protection and The Out Patient human right legislation limits the details that Home Physiotherapy Service Housing can receive in relation to previous convictions currently receives 500 etc. new referrals every year! If Wigton Hospital eliminated this service

Page 10 of 15 F:\Member Services\COMMITTEE\Allerdale Local Committee\2006\090506\reports\Agenda Item 17 Report from Neighbourhood Forums .doc patients would be required to travel to or Penrith. Cumbria ProHelp - Would your group like The distance between patient and service will results in a professional advice – for free? lack of local knowledge and continuity of care will be Cumbria ProHelp is a scheme that recruits volunteer affected. . Transport links in this rural area are also very professionals to give their expertise to community and poor. voluntary groups.The 70-strong register of volunteers includes solicitors, surveyors, graphic designers, Eveline Dugdale advised the Forum of the upcoming journalists, IT specialists, business experts, architects, events to campaign against the closure. accountants, engineers, PR experts and many more. On Saturday (4th March) at 10am a march commences from Wigton hospital gates. Shout If you would like to know more about how “BEDS” during the rally as it is fundamental for ProHelp could help your group, please call the survival of the hospital to save the beds. the co-ordinator Leila Cox on 01900 From 9am onwards buses and cars can transport 825760. You can also email her at people from the car park to gates of hospital. [email protected]. The Campaigners will be encouraging donations during the march. Applications considered at the meeting and

th recommendations made as follows:- On Tuesday 28 March signed petitions will be Cor Et Lumen Christi Trust £500 delivered to London, Wigton has currently Allerdale Branch Multiple Sclerosis Society £250 obtained 6600 signatures. Buses will be leaving Wigton Cricket Club £500 from Aston and Penrith and if there is enough Friends of Wigton Park £500 interest a bus can be put on from Wigton. It will Wigton Harriers Football Club £500 leave at approx 4am and return at 10pm. Wigton Youth AFC £500

st nd Wigton Hospital League of Friends £500 The weekend of 1 and 2 April will see a mass Friends of St Cuthbert’s School £200 relay taking place across Cumbria. The relay will pass through each hospital at risk and a Sitting on the Grants Panel were:- ring will be gained at each hospital making an eventual Steph Smithson CumbriaSureStart link of 9 rings. st Mary Heslam Local History Society Starting at Wigton on 1 April a vintage tractor will take Dennis Graham Wigton Town Council the first ring to Brampton where a second ring will be Paul Radcliffe Community Chair linked. A gyrocopter will then travel to Alston. From C. Robinson Woodside PC Alston 300 motorbikes will travel to Penrith from where John Crouch County Councillor George Bowman will travel to Keswick by stagecoach. nd On 2 April a canoeist will take the rings from Keswick Dennis Graham declared a personal interest in the to Cockermouth and then runners will run the rings to Friends of Wigton Park application. Maryport. From Maryport a cycling club will cycle the Paul Radcliffe declared a personal interest in the Wigton rings to Workington, and finally the Mercedes Car Club Youth AFC application. will take the rings to Millom. Each destination will add a new ring to the link. On Monday 3rd April the rings will be taken to Preston and campaigners will encourage the authority not to break the chain!

Have Your Say Groups wanting to redecorate community buildings should contact Free For All as they have paint available for a small donation. Craft materials are also available. Free for All is open on Saturdays from 0930 and is run by volunteers.

The Next Neighbourhood Forum will meet on Monday 5th June at Nelson Thomlinson School.

Community Grants

Page 11 of 15 F:\Member Services\COMMITTEE\Allerdale Local Committee\2006\090506\reports\Agenda Item 17 Report from Neighbourhood Forums .doc

Please write one thing that makes you smile about the young people in Wigton!

The fact they exist – Wigton would be a sad place without them! Seeing that my work with them has made a difference Energy They still talk to the Police They are there!! Vast majority are kind and pleasant Their youth! No problems if you’re respectful. The local school offering cookery sessions with the young people for members of ‘Chrysalis’ who always enjoy these visits Youth Station (3) If you can interest them they will put their energies into a project / activity They have passion about the town that they live in Nothing Their youth Their energy and their humour The way they dress They are children of their time and when I see myself in the things they do, say and wear. Most children are well brought up and are an important part of their community.

Please write one thing that bugs you about the young people in Wigton!

All the creativity gone to waste A lot of adults have only one view about them (e.g. intimidated) Not knowing what they are capable of The amount of nuisance and damage they cause which is vindictive and senseless Litter (2) Their youth. No problems if they are respectful Getting intimidated by older people Sometimes they are unwilling to move out of their safety zone I would like to see less youngsters hanging around the streets when there are opportunities to keep themselves busy available They crowd the streets Their indifference What people who do not know them presume That all the other young people are let down by the bad behaviour of a few.

Page 12 of 15 F:\Member Services\COMMITTEE\Allerdale Local Committee\2006\090506\reports\Agenda Item 17 Report from Neighbourhood Forums .doc

Thursday 16 March 2006 ~ Village Hall ~ 2pm – 5.30pm

The Neighbourhood Forum organised a community event with West Cumbria Council for Voluntary Service (CVS). The format was very informal and community friendly with organisations taking part setting up their stall about what they can offer to communities. There were also lots of activities for children and a wide selection of delicious savoury and sweet food!

Organisations represented at the Community Event

Cumbria County Council – Area Support 4U Rural Outreach Parish Councils Age Concern Derwent & Solway Housing Association North Cumbria Primary Care Trust Home Housing Cumbria Fairtrade Network Catholic Caring Services Voluntary Action Cumbria Cumbria Surestart West Cumbria Council for Voluntary Service Older Persons’ Forum Barnados Cumbria Community Foundation Refreshments were supplied by: Philomena Morley from Philo’s Catering

Rural Health Priorities – Mike Graham Age Concern – Geoff Wilkinson Information available to residents included:- Age Concern Northwest Cumbria provides:- Healthy Eating Day Care Opportunities Healthy Lives for the elderly Hospital After Care/Prevention of Diabetes Admission NHS Direct self-help guide: NHS Direct An Information and Advice Service is a phone service staffed by nurses Accident Prevention and Home Safety and professional advisors, giving Service (APHS) confidential healthcare advice and Products & Services - Over 50s information. Call on 0845 4647 (calls Plus much more charged at local rates) or visit For more information contact www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk. Age Concern Northwest Cumbria, Old Customs For deaf people and those hard of House, West Strand, Whitehaven CA28 7LR hearing there is a textphone service T: 01946 66669 available on 0845 606 4647 Email: [email protected] Information and advice on drugs.

Page 13 of 15 F:\Member Services\COMMITTEE\Allerdale Local Committee\2006\090506\reports\Agenda Item 17 Report from Neighbourhood Forums .doc

Older Persons’ Forum – Peter & Christine Children’s centres and extended Johnstone schools The Older Person’s Forum West Cumbria For more information please contact The campaigns on issues of interest to older people Children’s Information Service on 08457 125 such as: 737 Lifelong learning Or visit Transport www.cumbria.gov.uk/education/sure-start. Crime Prevention Or email Better hospitals [email protected] Improved community health & social care Voluntary Action Cumbria – Sarah Mitchell Benefits Cumbria Rural Forum bringing people together Rural issues to share ideas, influence opinion and learn If you would like more information about Older about new initiatives. The forum:- Persons’ Forum (West Cumbria) please Looks at issues of concern for rural contact:- communities The Hill, Egremont Road, Hensingham, Shares news and good practice on rural Whitehaven, CA28 8NQ issues T: 01946 693903 Is a co-ordinated voice for rural Email: [email protected] Cumbria Provides an arena for members to Catholic Caring Services – Phil Moore express their views Catholic Caring Services is the social care To join the Cumbria Rural Forum please agency of the Lancaster Diocese covering contact Julia Wilson, Voluntary Action Cumbria, Cumbria and provides a Community Service The Old Stables, Redhills, Penrith, CA11 0DT and a Children’s Service. The Community Service provides day, Cumbria Community Foundation – Roger outreach and domiciliary services for people Hart who have learning disabilities, deaf service, Cumbria Community Foundation (CCF) is a and gets involved in community projects. grant making charitable trust, set up to support The Children’s Service provides a foster care voluntary and community groups that help service, child care advice, and residential people in Cumbria. CCF mange a number of therapeutic childcare. different grants programmes on behalf of For further details please telephone 01772 public, private and charitable donors with a 732313 or email £1.4 million grants budget for 2005/06. The [email protected] Foundation is particularly interested in supporting rural community regeneration, Cumbria SureStart – Amanda Winskill urban regeneration and children & young Cumbria County Council’s Children’s people. Information Service holds details about a wide For more information visit range of provision for children and families in www.cumbriafoundation.org Cumbria. or call 01900 825760. Call for instant access to information about:- Childcare options including Cumbria ProHelp - Would your group like Childminders, Day Nurseries, Pre- professional advice – for free? school groups, Out of school care, Cumbria ProHelp is a scheme that recruits Childcare in your own home, and volunteer professionals to give their expertise Babysitting. to community and voluntary groups.The 70- Nursery education options strong register of volunteers includes solicitors, The Foundation Stage surveyors, graphic designers, journalists, IT Parent & Toddler groups specialists, business experts, architects, Finance and families accountants, engineers, PR experts and many Balancing family and work more. Page 14 of 15 F:\Member Services\COMMITTEE\Allerdale Local Committee\2006\090506\reports\Agenda Item 17 Report from Neighbourhood Forums .doc

If you would like to know more about how ProHelp could help your group, please call the Community Grants co-ordinator Leila Cox on 01900 825760. You The following grants were considered at the can also email her at Forum and recommendations made: [email protected]. Safety Net Advice and Support Centre West Cumbria Council for Voluntary Service £500 – Deb Muscat & Debbie Young Abbeytown Under 11’s Boys Team £400 West Cumbria Council for Voluntary Service Wigton Cricket Club £500 (CVS) can offer:- Holme Cultram Abbey Tea Room £500 Information – funding information, support for Silloth Football Club £150 your group and regular news updates Abbeytown Road Run £400 Health – access to healthy activities and Abbeytown Village Hall £250 signposting to local support groups Solway Mexico Link £250 Volunteering – quality volunteer opportunities Silloth Vintage Rally £250 and student/work placements. Silloth Community Craft Show £188 Training – free or low cost training, Pennine View Sheltered organisation/personal development and fully Housing Social Club £172 equipped rooms for hire. Tots N Toddlers £250

Community Empowerment Network (CEN) Sitting on the Grants Panel were:- enables local community and voluntary groups to come together, share ideas and concerns John Graham Holme Low PC and have a say on local issues that matter to Graham Wilkinson Silloth Town Council them. Wilson Wise PC The CEN wants to include all communities Tony Markley Cumbria County Council within West Cumbria particularly those who have not previously had a voice. So whatever group you belong to, please register with CEN today! Send registration to West Cumbria CEN, FREEPOST NWW1728A, Maryport, CA15 6BR

Tel 01900 819191 Email: [email protected] Web: www.westcumbriacvs.org.uk

Page 15 of 15 F:\Member Services\COMMITTEE\Allerdale Local Committee\2006\090506\reports\Agenda Item 17 Report from Neighbourhood Forums .doc