COUNTY COUNCIL LOCAL COMMITTEE FOR

Meeting date: 22 July 2014

From: Corporate Director – Environment & Community Services

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITY

1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1.1 This report provides case studies of recent community engagement activities delivered across the Carlisle Area and a summary of General Community Engagement Activity undertaken by the Area Support Team to date.

2.0 STRATEGIC PLANNING AND EQUALITY IMPLICATIONS

2.1 Neighbourhood Forums, Community Events and Community Based Consultation form part of the County Council’s consultation process and support the Council to ensure the underpinning aim of being “Effective and Efficient” is achieved whilst targeting the County Council’s priorities: To safeguard children, and ensure that is a great place to be a child and grow up To enable communities to live safely and shape services locally To promote health and wellbeing, and tackle poverty To protect and enhance Cumbria’s world class environment To provide safe and well maintained roads and an effective transport network To promote sustainable economic growth, and create jobs To support older and vulnerable people to live independent and healthy lives To be a modern and efficient council 2.2 In addition this work of the Local Committee will contribute towards the County Council Plan 2014 – 2017which has as its vision:

‘For the people of Cumbria, to benefit from sustainable economic growth and an enhanced quality of life.’

The Carlisle Area Plan has four main priorities:

Economic Growth Accessibility Strong Communities Health & Well being 2.2 A separate Equality Impact Assessment is not required as equality issues are dealt with at a grant level and through monitoring of the Directorate EIA. Applicants are required to submit equal opportunities statements, child protection and vulnerable adult’s policies along with supporting data about inclusion of the community and responding to the community based on Ward Profiles, Community Plans, Parish Plans, etc. Grant funding is monitored on the District protected characteristics under the EIA for the Directorate.

3.0 RECOMMENDATION

3.1 Members are asked to note the Community Engagement reports and to confirm support to the agreement with the Parish Council Association and the City Council for two tri-partite meetings a year instead of the separate joint meetings with each council. 3.2 Members are asked to agree to a letter of support for the restoration project of Warwick Bridge RC Church being sent by the Chair on behalf of Local Committee.

4.0 BACKGROUND

4.1 This report will outline the activity of the Area Support Team in supporting community engagement work across Carlisle and District with a focus on three case studies 4.2 There have been a number of general community engagement activities as detailed in Appendix 1 . 4.3 The Area Support Team have also been involved in specific community engagement activities, showcasing the range of work the team deliver including, Bus Subsidy Withdrawals, Harraby Community Plan, and Belah Sparks as detailed in the case studies in Appendix 2 4.4 The Area Support team have been working closely with the Integrated Transport team coordinating a number of engagement activities regarding the Bus Subsidy Withdrawal. Specific engagement plans have been drawn up for each route and the team have worked closely with members to ensure parish councils and other stakeholders are informed and to explore potential solutions. 4.5 A bus workshop for all the parish councils on the East of Carlisle was held on 26 th June to explore solutions for the routes affected. A follow up meeting is planned at the end of July. This engagement activity will continue whilst potential solutions can be explored.

4.6 Harraby Community Plan . The Area Support team have been working with Harraby Together We Can (HTWC) to develop a community plan for the Harraby area. HTWC is a local resident’s action group and has been working with and for the local community for over 5 years. 4.7 A community plan takes into account the views of people living in the local area, how they feel about the area and what they feel are the priority future developments. It is a document that can be used by the whole community to find out what is happening, but also identifies the priorities for local councils and community groups to work on for the future. 4.8 Carlisle Area Support team have been working closely with HTWC to deliver engagement opportunities for the Harraby community to put forward their ideas and have worked with members of the HTWC committee to develop, design and produce the plan. 4.9 Harraby community plan is now being distributed through key hubs in Harraby and will guide the future development of Harraby Together We Can as a community led action group. 4.10 Belah Sparks are a new local community group set up in response to the decision made by Carlisle City Council to remove a play area on the Belah Estate. 4.11 The Area Support Team have been working closely with group to support their initial development, offering guidance on matters such as community consultations, applying for grant funding, becoming a constituted group and skills development. The group have managed to secure the commitment of Carlisle City Council to look at developing a new community play area on the site of the former park in partnership with this local community group. 4.12 With funding secured from Councillor Toole and the Belah & Lowry Hill Community Forum the group were able to host a Community Big Lunch Event during which a community consultation was completed looking at how the park may look in the future. 4.13 Carlisle Parish Council Association Members will be aware that the Local Committee holds regular meetings with the Parish Council Association. At the last meeting the Association asked if the joint meetings could be held as tri-partite meetings between the City Council, County Council and the Association. At a follow up meeting which the Chair attended it was proposed that there be two tri-partite meetings a year. 4.14 Members are asked to confirm their support to the two tri-partite meetings a year where the Chair and Vice-Chair would attend as a minimum but all Members of the Local Committee would receive an invitation. 4.15 Warwick Bridge RC Church was designed and built in 1841 by Augustus Pugin, an eminent Victorian architect who started the Gothic revival. He is well known for his work on the Houses of Parliament. The church in Warwick Bridge is the only such Church in Cumbria; its interior decoration is unique, the organ predates the Church and is one of the few remaining long- compass type. 4.16 In order to restore the church, Our lady of Eden RC Parish are seeking funds from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), as part of this application they have to demonstrate the importance of the church to the wider community.

4.17 Members are asked to confirm their support for the restoration of Warwick Bridge RC Church by submitting a letter of support from Carlisle Local Committee to be included in the first round of the HLF application.

5.0 OPTIONS

5.1 Members are asked to note the content of the Community Engagement Activity report.

6.0 RESOURCE AND VALUE FOR MONEY IMPLICATIONS

6.1 The recommendations in this report do not contain any specific implications for Local Committee budgets.

7.0 LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

7.1 There are no direct legal implications arising from this report.

8.0 CONCLUSION

8.1 Members are asked to note the work of the Area Support Team in Appendix 1, and case studies in Appendix 2

Jim Savege Corporate Director - Environment & Community Services

July 2014

APPENDICES

Appendix 1 – Summary of general community engagement activities Appendix 2 – Three case studies of Area Support Team activities

Electoral Divisions: All Carlisle Electoral Divisions

Executive Decision Yes

Key Decision No

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

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?

Has this matter been considered by Overview and Scrutiny? No If so, give details below.

Has an environmental or sustainability impact assessment been N/A undertaken?

Has an equality impact assessment been undertaken? N/A

N.B. If an executive decision is made, then a decision cannot be implemented until the expiry of the eighth working day after the date of the meeting – unless the decision is urgent and exempt from call-in and necessary approvals have been obtained.

PREVIOUS RELEVANT COUNCIL OR EXECUTIVE DECISIONS No previous relevant decisions.

CONSIDERATION BY OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY

Not considered by Overview and Scrutiny.

BACKGROUND PAPERS

No background papers.

REPORT AUTHOR

Contact: Rhian Davies - Area Engagement Officer 01228 226315 [email protected]

Appendix 1 – Summary of general community engagement activities

ACTIVITY Yewdale School / Yewdale Community Centre – community issues meeting FORUM AREA Yewdale DATE 30 April 2014 VENUE Yewdale School & Yewdale Community Centre BACKGROUND/DETAILS Parking issues at Yewdale School have been an issue for some time, this meeting looked at utilising an alternative entrance to the school with the Community Centre Breakfast Club as a partner to encourage parents to park away from the school entrance. ATTENDANCE Paul Carrigan (AEO), Beth Furneaux – County Councillor, Les Tickner – City Councillor, Kevin Crawley – Cumbria Highways, Stephen Carter – Yewdale Community Association, Jeannie Paisley – Carlisle City Council, Green Spaces

ACTIVITY Belah SPARKS Community Group meeting FORUM AREA Belah & Lowry Hill DATE 01 May 2014 VENUE The Belah Centre BACKGROUND/DETAILS A meeting of a local community group where a community consultation event was being planned ATTENDANCE Paul Carrigan (AEO), Gareth Ellis – Councillor Carlisle City Council, 14 residents

ACTIVITY CPCA Executive Meeting FORUM AREA Carlisle - Rural Electoral Divisions DATE 7 May 2014 VENUE Newtown Irthington Village Hall BACKGROUND/DETAILS Carlisle Parish Council Association – Executive group meets four times a year to discuss issues affecting rural parishes ATTENDANCE Members of parish councils, Rhian Davies (AEO)

ACTIVITY Brampton Economic Partnership FORUM AREA Brampton DATE 8 May 2014 VENUE Irthing Centre, Brampton

BACKGROUND/DETAILS Carlisle Parish Council Association – Executive group meets four times a year to discuss issues affecting rural parishes ATTENDANCE Cllr Lawrence Fisher, representatives from community organisations, Carlisle City Council, Rhian Davies (AEO), Cheryl Cowperthwaite and Caroline Watson (Integrated Transport)

ACTIVITY Warwick Road Residents meeting FORUM AREA Botcherby DATE 08 May 2014 VENUE 286 Warwick Road BACKGROUND/DETAILS Meeting with residents & partner organisations to look at resolving local ASB issues ATTENDANCE Paul Carrigan (AEO), PC Kath Paterson – Cumbria Police, Ruth Crane – Carlisle City Council, local residents

ACTIVITY Harraby Together We Can FORUM AREA Harraby DATE 20 May 2014 VENUE Harraby Community Centre BACKGROUND/DETAILS Community led group meeting ATTENDANCE Cllr Cyril Weber, Cllr Deborah Earl, representatives from Parish Councils, Representatives from the Local community Niall Mcnulty (Area Engagement Officer.)

ACTIVITY Denton Holme Alley Gates consultation FORUM AREA Denton Holme DATE 15 May, 20 May VENUE Westmorland Street, Norfolk Street and Richardson Street

BACKGROUND/DETAILS Consultation with residents about proposed alley gates ATTENDANCE Over 40 residents filled out consultation forms

ACTIVITY War Memorial Event FORUM AREA Brampton DATE 27 May 2014 VENUE BACKGROUND/DETAILS Unveiling of newly restored war memorial ATTENDANCE Cllr Lawrence Fisher, representatives from Nether Denton PC, Rhian Davies (AEO)

ACTIVITY Community Meeting – Friends of Chances Park FORUM AREA Morton DATE 04 June 2014 VENUE Morton Community Centre BACKGROUND/DETAILS Meeting of a well established community group that delivers activities at Chances Park & works in partnership with local councils to ensure the Park is maintained in the best possible manner ATTENDANCE Paul Carrigan (AEO), Phil Gray Carlisle City Council Green Spaces, 12 residents

ACTIVITY Connecting Cumbria Event FORUM AREA Brampton DATE 13 June 2014 VENUE Moot Hall Brampton BACKGROUND/DETAILS Connecting Cumbria Project is rolling out super-fast Broadband. The Area Support Team worked with Connecting Cumbria to organise the event and publicise in the local community ATTENDANCE Cllr Lawrence Fisher, MP Rory Stewart, representatives from parish councils, general public, Connecting Cumbria Team, Rhian Davies (AEO)

ACTIVITY St Aidans Community First FORUM AREA Currock DATE 11 June 2014 VENUE Greystone Community centre BACKGROUND/DETAILS St Aidan’s community first is a community led group which meets to discuss grants funding for projects benefitting the St Aidan’s community ATTENDANCE Cllr Reg Watson, representatives from the local community, Niall Mcnulty (Area Engagement Officer.)

ACTIVITY A595 Meeting FORUM AREA Dalston & Burgh / Thursby DATE 16 June 2014 VENUE The Courts BACKGROUND/DETAILS Following the development of the CNDR traffic movements on the A595 have changed, members had particular concerns regarding northbound traffic on the A595 approaching CNDR and there are issues regarding the Cardewlees junction ATTENDANCE Paul Carrigan (AEO), County Councillors Trevor Allison & Duncan Fairbairn, Jonathan Smith Cumbria Highways

ACTIVITY Durranhill Cuts - meeting to look at local issues in the Durranhill area FOUM AREA Botcherby DATE 16 June 2014 VENUE Durranhill Estate – patch walk BACKGROUND/DETAILS Meeting with residents & officers to discuss concerns regarding maintenance & planned work ATTENDANCE Paul Carrigan (AEO), Robert Betton County & City Councillor, Jon May Carlisle City Council Green Spaces, 3 residents

ACTIVITY Grants Panel meeting FORUM AREA Wetheral DATE 25 June 2014 VENUE Cotehill Village Hall BACKGROUND/DETAILS Grants Panel meeting to discuss and allocate grant funding. ATTENDANCE Cllr Nick Mariner, representatives from Parish Councils, Niall Mcnulty Area Engagement Officer.

ACTIVITY Bus workshop FORUM AREA Corby & Hayton, Wetheral, Longtown, Brampton, Stanwix Rural DATE 26 June 2014 VENUE Irthing Centre Brampton BACKGROUND/DETAILS To explore community transport solutions for routes on East side of Carlisle with Parish Councils ATTENDANCE Cheryl Cowperthwaite (CCC), Caroline Watson (CCC), Rhian Davies (AEO), Paul Carrigan (AEO), Stanwix Rural PC, Scaleby PC, Burtholme PC, Nether Denton PC, PC, Brampton PC, Rockcliffe PC, Hethersgill PC

ACTIVITY Carlisle West Bus Services meeting FORUM AREA Dalston & Burgh, Thursby, Solway Coast, Wigton DATE 09 July 2014 VENUE Thursby Village Hall BACKGROUND/DETAILS Meeting with Parish Councils to look at Community Solutions in areas where bus service subsidies are being withdrawn. ATTENDANCE Paul Carrigan, Sally Scales, Hayley Bishop (AEO’s), County Councillors Trevor Allison, Tony Markley, Alan Bowness, Representatives from Parish Councils.

ACTIVITY Harraby Together We Can FORUM AREA Harraby DATE 15 July 2014 VENUE Harraby Community Centre BACKGROUND/DETAILS Community led group meeting ATTENDANCE Cllr Cyril Weber, Cllr Deborah Earl, representatives from Parish Councils, Representatives from the Local community Niall Mcnulty (Area Engagement Officer.)

Appendix 2 – Three case studies of Area Support Team activities

Supported Bus Service Withdrawals

Members have been kept informed and involved in the work of the Area Support Team regarding the buses. Each route has a specific community engagement plan drawn up by the lead Area Engagement Officer. The team have been working closely with the Integrated Transport Team to identify routes where possible solutions could be explored.

Some of the routes on the North/East and South/West of Carlisle have been identified has having potential for solutions. These are being currently explored with commercial providers, parish councils and key community organisations. An invite was sent out to 20 parish councils on the East of Carlisle to come together for a workshop on 26 June to explore solutions. Nearly half of the parishes invited attended the workshop which was facilitated by the Area Support Team and Integrated Transport Team. Following the workshop 75% of the parishes have now expressed a wish to be involved in a second workshop.

A similar meeting is to be held on the 9 th July with Beaumont, Orton, Cummersdale, Dalston, Burgh-by-Sands Parish Councils along with Parishes in the North Allerdale district area. This meeting will be facilitated by Carlisle and Allerdale Area Support Team with support from integrated transport.

Harraby Community Plan

Harraby Together We Can (HTWC), with support from Cumbria County Council Area Support team ran a range of engagement opportunities for the local community to celebrate what was good about living in Harraby, and comment on what could be better. Residents could access the survey in the following ways:

• Survey delivered to all homes in Harraby • Survey filled in by local primary school children • Survey handed out at the Community Fire station open day • Drop in event held at Harraby Community Centre for the community to give their opinions • Focus Groups and informal discussion at HTWC meetings • Information received from local Councillor surgery’s The information collated through the survey and various engagement activities was used to inform the community plan and develop the key priorities that the community feels are major issues now and for the future. (Full feedback from the survey can be found in appendix A of the plan)

Copies of Harraby Community plan will be available at Carlisle Local Committee

Belah Sparks

Belah SPARKS with support from Cumbria County Council Area Support Team were able to deliver a community ‘’Big Lunch’’ in Parkside, Belah. The aim of the day was to get as many people from the local community together so that a community consultation could be completed looking at ideas on the development of a new play area.

The Belah SPARKS Group was established in response to the decision of Carlisle City Council to remove the existing play area in Parkside, Belah. The Group is now working in partnership with Carlisle City Council’s Green Spaces team towards the development of a new play area using the example set by the ‘Friends of Acredale Park’ as a model of how a play area can be developed and managed by a community.