COUNTY COUNCIL LOCAL COMMITTEE FOR COPELAND Paper No nd Meeting date: 2 June 2010

From: Chief Executive 9

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITY 2009/10

1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1.1 This report provides members with an overview of community engagement activity from 1st April 2009 to 31st March 2010.

2.0 STRATEGIC PLANNING AND EQUALITY IMPLICATIONS

2.1 The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act (2007) confirmed a new approach to improving public services and community well being through the Local Area Agreement (LAA). This approach emphasised far more opportunity for local empowerment within an overall national and sub-region framework. The Act also imposes a ‘duty to involve’ communities on all public bodies and the ‘Councillor Call for Action’ through which community concerns can be identifies measures by which specific community concerns can be addressed. None of these duties does more than codify what any effective service public service should do as a matter of course.

2.2 Specific actions within the LAA focus on greater community influence, cohesion, confidence in the neighbourhood and strength of the third sector. The Council recognises this ‘stronger’ communities work, as a vital cross cutting approach to improvement in public services. The Community Strategy, Council Plan and specific service plans each include actions to support these priorities.

2.3 This work is at the heart of the Council’s delivery of its responsibilities to increase residents’ perception that they can influence decisions that affect them (National indicator 4).

3.0 RECOMMENDATION

3.1 Members are asked to note and comment on the report.

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4.0 BACKGROUND

4.1 Neighbourhood Forums were first established in in 1994 and, though few in numbers, their community consultative value was soon recognised.

4.2 There are now over sixty forums meeting on a regular basis and covering every electoral division in the county.

4.3 There are ten forum areas in Copeland, all of which meet a minimum of four times per year. Each has a grants budget that varies according to the number of people living in the forum area.

4.4 Over recent years wider engagement and empowerment activity has developed beyond Neighbourhood Forum activity with local issue monitoring and Together We Can events.

4.5 The mantra of “You Said …. We Did” has been adopted as a clear definition of much of the engagement and empowerment work we do. The Together We Can projects are founded on this ethos whilst with our Neighbourhood Forum meetings we must always be mindful that, as well as enabling local people to have their say on agencies plans and ideas, they are also an ideal way of capturing community issues which can be worked on and solved to demonstrate the “You said.. We Did” ideal.

4.6 Examples of this recently are the Service 6 bus route raised by the residents of Seascale; HGV problems raised by Mill Street residents in ; Cold Fell road traffic problems.

4.7 Members regularly receive performance and monitoring information relating to engagement activity at local committee meetings but this report takes the opportunity of bringing together all that has taken place over the year just concluded.

4.8 The report takes the form of a series of appendices which cover the full range of community engagement and empowerment activity throughout the year which ended on 31st March 2010.

5.0 OPTIONS

5.1 Members may comment as they wish but as this is a report on the outcomes of past activity there are few options available to members.

6.0 RESOURCE AND VALUE FOR MONEY IMPLICATIONS

6.1 There are no budgetary implications arising from this report.

7.0 LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

7.1 There are no legal implications arising from this report.

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8.0 CONCLUSION

8.1 Neighbourhood Forums play an effective part in community consultation and participation in engaging with individual community members, community groups and county/district wide organisations.

8.2 A wider variety of engagement opportunities and techniques are utilised to enhance our ability to effectively engage and empower local people.

Jill Stannard Chief Executive [14 May 2010]

APPENDICES

Appendix A: Summary of Neighbourhood Forum Activity 2009/10 Appendix B: Hensingham Together We Can Appendix C: Together We Can

IMPLICATIONS

Electoral Division(s): All Copeland * Please remove whichever option is not applicable

Executive Decision No

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 the Head of Member Services and Scrutiny has obtained the necessary approvals.

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PREVIOUS RELEVANT COUNCIL OR EXECUTIVE DECISIONS [including Local Committees]

Communities Budget: Copeland Local Committee 13.03.2009. Local Committee Action to Increase Community Influence: Copeland Local Committee 31.07.2009

CONSIDERATION BY OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY

Not considered by Overview and Scrutiny.

BACKGROUND PAPERS

No background papers.

Contact: Jonathan Marriott, 01946 505042, [email protected] . Marilyn Pritchard 01946 505023 [email protected] Mary Kipling 01946 [email protected]

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Appendix A

End of Year Report on Neighbourhood Forum activity 2009/10

The table below gives an overview of the planned Neighbourhood Forum meetings held during this last 12-month period.

Forum Neighbourhood Numbers Average meetings Organisations Forum attending attendance held & 4 104 26 13 Bransty & 4 147 37 13 Harbour Bootle & 4 120 30 13 Seascale Cleator 4 106 27 16 Moor Egremont & St 4 93 23 14 Bees Gosforth & 4 149 37 11 Ennerdale Hillcrest & 4 113 28 14 Hensingham

Millom 4 190 48 11

North West 4 143 36 11 Copeland South 4 114 29 12 Whitehaven Total 40 1,279 32 128

The total number of programmed Neighbourhood Forums held this year was 40, representing 4 per Forum area.

The total number of attendees at the regular forums was 1,279 giving an overall average attendance of 32, however, it must be noted that the figure of 1,279 does not represent 1,279 individuals, as many people attend more than one meeting in their area.

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PROGRAMME OF NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM MEETING DATES FOR 2009/10

FIRST ROUND

FORUM AREA DATE OF MEETING TIME VENUE OF MEETING BOOTLE & SEASCALE Tuesday 16th June 2009 7.00pm Bootle Station Village Hall GOSFORTH AND ENNERDALE Monday 22nd June 2009 7.00pm Gosforth Public Hall BRANSTY & HARBOUR Tuesday 23rd June 2009 7.00pm Bransty Legion ARLECDON AND FRIZINGTON Monday 29th June 2009 6.30pm Adams Recreation Hall, Arlecdon EGREMONT & ST. BEES Tuesday 7th July 2009 6.30pm Egremont Parish Church Hall Thursday 9th July 2009 6.30pm Copeland Bowls & Sports Centre SOUTH WHITEHAVEN Wednesday 15th July 2009 7.00pm West Coast Fitness Centre HILLCREST & HENSINGHAM Thursday 16th July 2009 6.30pm Sneckyeat Community Centre MILLOM Monday 20th July 2009 7.00pm Millom School NORTH WEST COPELAND Wednesday 22nd July 2009 7.00pm Parton Village Hall

SECOND ROUND

FORUM AREA DATE OF MEETING TIME VENUE OF MEETING BOOTLE & SEASCALE Thursday 3rd September 2009 7.00pm Muncaster Parish Hall GOSFORTH & ENNERDALE Monday 7th September 2009 7.00pm WI Hall ARLECDON AND FRIZINGTON Monday 14th September 2009 6.30pm St Joseph’s Community Hall BRANSTY AND HARBOUR Tuesday 15th September 2009 7.00pm United Reformed Church, Market Pl MILLOM Monday 21st September 2009 7.00pm Alexandra Hall, Millom School EGREMONT & ST. BEES Tuesday 22nd September 2009 6.30pm Orgill Primary School, Egremont SOUTH WHITEHAVEN Wednesday 30th September 7.00pm Greenbank Community Centre 2009 HILLCREST & HENSINGHAM Thursday 1st October 2009 6.30pm Copeland Athletics Stadium NORTH WEST COPELAND Wednesday 7th October 2009 7.00pm Moresby Sports & Social Club CLEATOR MOOR Thursday 15th October 2009 6.30pm The Celtic Club

THIRD ROUND

FORUM AREA DATE OF MEETING TIME VENUE OF MEETING BOOTLE & SEASCALE Thursday 12th November 2009 7.00pm Seascale Methodist Church Hall GOSFORTH AND ENNERDALE Monday 16th November 2009 7.00pm St Mary’s Church Hall, Gosforth ARLECDON AND FRIZINGTON Monday 23rd November 2009 6.30pm Adams Hall, Arlecdon BRANSTY AND HARBOUR Tuesday 24th November 2009 7.00pm Bransty Legion EGREMONT & ST. BEES Tuesday 1st December 2009 6.30pm St Bees Village Hall CLEATOR MOOR Thursday 3rd December 2009 6.30pm Cleator Moor Civic Hall HILLCREST & HENSINGHAM Thursday 14th January 2010 6.30pm St John’s Hensingham Church Hall MILLOM Monday 18th January 2010 7.00pm Millom Network Centre NORTH WEST COPELAND Tuesday 19th January 2010 7.00pm Lowca Village Hall SOUTH WHITEHAVEN Wednesday 20th January 2010 7.00pm St Peter’s Church Hall, Kells

FOURTH ROUND

FORUM AREA DATE OF MEETING TIME VENUE OF MEETING CLEATOR MOOR Thursday 4th February 2010 6.30pm Cleator Moor Sports & Bowling Centre GOSFORTH AND ENNERDALE Monday 8th February 2010 7.00pm Shepherds Arms Hotel, Ennerdale BOOTLE & SEASCALE Thursday 11th February 2010 7.00pm Silecroft Village Hall ARLECDON AND FRIZINGTON Monday 15th February 2010 6.30pm The Lingla Centre, Frizington BRANSTY & HARBOUR Tuesday 16th February 2010 7.00pm United Reformed Church, Market Pl EGREMONT & ST. BEES Tuesday 23rd February 2010 6.30pm The Falcon Club, Egremont MILLOM Monday 1st March 2010 7.00pm Millom Network Centre NORTH WEST COPELAND Tuesday 9th March 2010 7.00pm Distington Community Centre SOUTH WHITEHAVEN Wednesday 17th March 2010 7.00pm Mirehouse Community Centre HILLCREST & HENSINGHAM Thursday 18th March 2010 6.30pm Mayfield School

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Individual Neighbourhood Forums Report 2009-10

Arlecdon and Frizington We held four planned Forum meetings, and the following topics were covered • Proposed Changes to the 217 Frizington – Bus Service • Eskett and Quarries – Development Updates • Proposed Keekle Head Waste Management Centre • West Cumbria Managing Radioactive Waste Safely Partnership • North East Copeland Connecting Communities consultation • Safer Stronger Cumbria local update from

A particular concern has been the future of Greenvale Court sheltered housing in Frizington, and we have been working with forum members to access up to date information about it through the year.

We have provided information and contacts to Arlecdon Adams Hall Committee on water charges

Bootle and Seascale We held four planned Forum meetings, and the following topics were covered • Community Fire Safety • Millom Geodiversity Project • Planning in the Lake District National Park – Planning for the Future • Changes to Refuse Collections in the Area • Locality Working - 5 Rivers and South Copeland Partnerships • West Cumbria Managing Radioactive Waste Safely Partnership • Millom Community Hospital • West Cumbria Crime and Disorder Partnership

In addition we held a single issue joint meeting with Millom forum to address concerns local people had following the initial Nuclear Newbuild meeting in March. This was very well attended. We also attended the public consultation meeting held by DECC on the second stage of the Nuclear Newbuild planning process for the Kirksanton site, and kept closely in touch with local people and groups to ensure those who wanted to be were engaged in this process. As a result it was decided that we did not need to hold a separate public meeting at this stage of the process

We also had regular updates throughout the year on issues of concern in the area, including, Seascale Bus Service, Highways problems, and feedback from the Community Police Team.

Bransty and Harbour We held four planned Forum meetings, and the following topics were covered • Playground Facilities in the Area • Whitehaven Civic Quarter Project • Whitehaven Street Scapes for People (Whitehaven Town Centre Traffic Flow) • West Cumbria Managing Radioactive Waste Safely Partnership • Whitehaven Foyer Project • Albion Square Development • Safer Stronger Communities

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In addition to the planned meetings a special Forum meeting was held for Whitehaven Town Centre Residents to discuss, with councillors, the problems they have parking near their homes. From this meeting a report was taken to Highways Working Group - these issues are still on going awaiting the outcome of the CCC Parking Policy Review.

Residents of Mill Street Whitehaven have had on going problems with large vehicles accessing the Carpet Warehouse on the street. These issues have hopefully now been resolved, as the premises are no longer used as a warehouse.

Cleator Moor We held four planned Forum meetings, and the following topics were covered • Cleator Moor Local Links • Cleator Moor Town Council: Annual Report • Cleator Moor Physical Activity Project • Community Policing Issues • West Cumbria Managing Radioactive Waste Safely Partnership • North East Copeland Connecting Communities consultation • Safer Stronger Cumbria local update from Cumbria Constabulary

At these meetings we have provided updates on the proposed new Cleator Moor Health Centre, the progress of Cleator Moor and Cleator children within West Lakes Academy, and progress on the Ehenside demolition and future use of the site

We have provided major input into assembling the funding package for the refurbishment of Cleator Moor Youth and Community Centre, which had its official opening on 23rd April 2010.

We have also provided support and information to a number of local groups, including Cleator Moor Celtic’s Centenary events, and Blue Skies Support Group

Egremont and St Bees We held four planned Forum meetings, and the following topics were covered • Sustaining Community Facilities in Egremont • Community Policing Team • Creative Egremont – Wembley Roundabout • West Cumbria Managing Radioactive Waste Safely Partnership • Age Concern – New Activities in Egremont • Egremont & Area Regeneration Partnership – Florence Mine Centre • Safer & Stronger Cumbria

The main issues of concern in this Forum area were the potential loss of community facilities in Egremont due to the closure of Wyndham and school and the building of the West Lakes Academy.

A major concern raised by forum members was the relocation of the Library to a smaller facility in Egremont Town Hall. The Librarian told the Forum that the number of members has risen since the move with customers being pleasantly surprised by the selection of stock on offer.

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In addition we held a single issue joint meeting with Gosforth and Ennerdale forum to address concerns local people had following the initial Nuclear New build meeting in March. This was very well attended, with many well informed questions from a concerned local audience.

Gosforth and Ennerdale Our four planned Forum meetings covered the following topics • West Lakes Academy • Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) Report to Government on the Deep Geological Disposal of Higher Activity Wastes • Locality Working • West Cumbria Managing Radioactive Waste Safely Partnership • North East Copeland Connecting Communities consultation • Safer Stronger Cumbria local update from Cumbria Constabulary

In addition we held a single issue joint meeting with Egremont and St Bees forum to address concerns local people had following the initial Nuclear New build meeting in March. This was very well attended, with many well informed questions from a concerned local audience. We also attended the public consultation meetings for the proposed Sellafield and Braystones sites on the second stage of the Nuclear New build planning process, and kept closely in touch with local people and groups to ensure those who wanted to be were confident they were sufficiently engaged at this stage. As a result it was decided that we did not need to hold a separate public meeting at this stage of the process

There have been updates from the Lake District National Park, and local groups have used the opportunity to promote their events

We have continued to provide support to the Cold Fell Road Action Group, who have reached the stage of drawing together the relevant parties to apply for a 40 mph speed limit, which both Cumbria Constabulary and Civil Nuclear Constabulary if invited are keen to enforce. This is against a background of the education and awareness campaign not having had positive results and increasing killing and damaging of livestock on the common through which this fell road runs, carrying heavy volumes of Sellafield site and other traffic.

Hillcrest and Hensingham Our four planned Forum meetings covered the following topics • Positive Opportunities in Whitehaven – Youth Event • Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre • New West Hospital • Cumbria Link – Local Involvement Networks • Together We Can in Lower Hensingham • Safer Stronger Cumbria • West Cumbria Managing Radioactive Waste Safely Partnership • Mayfield School – Specialist School Status • Whitehaven Local History Society – A Walk Round Hensingham

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Complaints of speeding traffic on Main Street; Hensingham is an ongoing issue in this Forum area. The Police and Neighbourhood Wardens have been out with the Speed Indicator, to monitor traffic speeds, on several occasions.

Other concerns are the very poor condition of Homewood Road and the state of the old Sekers site at Hensingham.

We have also provided regular information and updates to the forum on the “New Build” at West Cumberland Hospital.

Millom We held four planned Forum meetings, and the following topics were covered • Millom & Haverigg Economic Development Group – Questions & Answers on current projects • Question & Answer Session with Councillor Elaine Woodburn, Leader of Copeland Borough Council, and senior officers. • West Cumbria Managing Radioactive Waste Safely Partnership • Together We Can • South Copeland Disability Group

We have had updates on the proposed Health Campus/ Hospital developments, and the forum is keen to hear of progress which will lead to the project starting on the ground

In addition we held a single issue joint meeting with Bootle and Seascale forum to address concerns local people had following the initial Nuclear New build meeting in March. This was very well attended. We also attended the public consultation meeting held by DECC on the second stage of the Nuclear New build planning process for the Kirksanton site, and kept closely in touch with local people and groups to ensure those who wanted to be were engaged in this process. As a result it was decided that we did not need to hold a separate public meeting at this stage of the process

We instigated and coordinated a multi-agency Together We Can week in Central Millom, in March. This was very well received and supported (see information elsewhere in report) and had many positive outcomes.

North West Copeland We held four planned Forum meetings, and the following topics were covered • West Cumberland Hospital Rebuild Survey • Proposed Keekle Head Waste Management Centre • Stagecoach Bus Service No 1: Lowca • West Cumbria Managing Radioactive Waste Safely Partnership • Safer Stronger Cumbria • Lowca Holiday Park • Distington Club for Young People • Whitehaven Rugby League Development Foundation

The main issue affecting all the villages in this forum area are the safety concerns surrounding the A595 Lillyhall to Parton improvement scheme. The Highways Agency had planned to undertake a Post opening project evaluation report in 2009, but due to the November floods and road closures this will not take place until October 2010.

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As a variety of issues regarding the bus services to the villages have been raised at forum meetings throughout the year, it was agreed to invite the relevant organisations to first meeting of 2010/11 to discuss bus services in this area. .

The proposed Keekle Head Waste Management Centre is a big issue for this area. At a meeting in October local residents had many questions and were very keen to have an input to the proposals and be kept informed of further developments. Endecom, the developing company, have submitted a planning application to Cumbria County Council and this will be heard towards the end of July 2010, the company have agreed to come back to a future Forum meeting when there are any developments.

South Whitehaven We held four planned Forum meetings, and the following topics were covered • Traffic and Speeding Issues in Mirehouse • Whitehaven Credit Union • Update from Home Group • West Cumbria Managing Radioactive Waste Safely Partnership • Maintenance of High Road, Kells • Future of the South Whitehaven Neighbourhood Wardens

South Whitehaven Neighbourhood Wardens have given much appreciated updates at each forum. There have also been updates on relevant issues including the Whitehaven Town Centre Traffic Flow consultation, Valley Traffic Management Review, Regeneration on Greenbank, and Greenbank Woodland.

We have also attended and contributed to South Whitehaven Neighbourhood Management meetings, and intend to keep well informed of changes and how future initiatives move forward as this programme winds down later in the new financial year.

Enabling other organisations to interface with communities

In addition to the specific forum agendas, we have enabled a substantial number of organisations to interface with local communities through our forum meetings. These include other areas Cumbria County Council, Copeland Borough Council, and a range of other organisations. Listed below are a range of consultations and information giving which have each taken place through a number of our forums.

Consultations • Copeland Borough Council Local Development Framework - Issues and Options Consultation • Lake District National Park Western Connections consultation • Cumbria County Council Fair Access to Care : Equipment consultation • Draft Nuclear National Policy Statement – Public Consultation • Managing Radioactive Waste Safely • Minerals & Waste Development Framework

New projects • Cumbria County Council New Start Adult Education programme

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• Macmillan & Age Concern Community Support Project • Credit Union DRAMA project • Sellafield Stories Oral History Project • New West Cumbria Carers Project

Other information provided • Copeland BC Customer Services • Copeland Borough Council Customer Focus Groups • Cleator Moor Health Centre updates • Safer Stronger Cumbria feedback from Cumbria Constabulary • Cumbria County Council Parish Paths Initiative for 2010-11 • Cumbria CVS support to local organizations • Information on the Copeland Community Fund • Locality Working • Updates from the Lake District National Park Authority • Concessionary Travel Scheme

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Neighbourhood Forum Grants awarded under delegated authority 2009/10

The Table below gives a summary of the Grants considered by Neighbourhood Forums in Copeland from 1st April 2009 to 31st March 2010

Neighbourhood Forum Grants 2009/10

A&F B&S B&H CM E&STB G&E H&H MILLOM NWC S/WH TOTAL

Grant Applications 14 21 22 19 28 19 22 23 20 18 206 Received

Grants 13 18 21 18 21 16 17 19 16 17 176 Awarded Grants 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Deferred Grants Turned 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 Down Grants 1 3 1 1 4 1 5 4 3 2 25 Withdrawn Grants 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 1 0 5 Pending Youth Grants 4 3 4 4 8 3 4 1 5 5 41 Amount Paid ** £5,516 £5,947 £9,914 £8,858 £10,587 £4,955 £5,600 £9513 £6,281 £9,860 £77,030 £

**Please note: 1. “Amount paid” does not include grants earmarked by Forums but not actually paid before 31st March 2010 2. These figures include £10,000 additional grant funding provided by Copeland Borough Council

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Once again, this last year has been a very busy one for the Community Team. In addition to the usual round of forum meetings we have held additional meetings listed below.

Special Meetings • Joint forums meeting Gosforth and Ennerdale forum and Egremont and St Bees forum, at Calderbridge Village Hall; • Joint Forums meeting Bootle and Seascale Forum and Millom forum, at Millom School; these two meeting were a follow up to the initial meetings about Nuclear Newbuild proposals by RWE. They had an attendance of 105 and 150 respectively

• Millom Together We Can public ‘Drop in and Find Out’ afternoon, to meet organizations delivering services in Millom

Community Engagement – Projects/Groups the team have worked with and supported over the year • Lowca War Memorial Committee – to relocate memorial to another site in the village • Parton Village Hall alternative energy project • Bangladeshi Welfare Association – working with CBC and CVS to support the group • Copeland Community Fund Grant Advisory Panel • St Bees Play Area • Bootle Action Group • Cleator Moor Youth and Community Centre Committee – support to fund and implement the renewal of the building • Lamplugh Village Hall Committee • 217 Focus group, in connection with the operation and timetabling of the 217 rural bus route • West Cumbria Dyslexia Association • Cold Fell Road Action Group • .Whitehaven Traffic Management – Whitehaven Streetscapes project

The Area Support Manager and Neighbourhood Development Officers have continued to support Locality working partnerships and advisory groups in Copeland over the last twelve months.

Additionally, following the special meetings at the beginning of the financial year, we remained in touch with local groups and residents in the areas of the proposed Nuclear New build sites to ensure they were up to date with developments and had sufficient information and confidence to input into the next consultation phase on Strategic Siting with the Department of Energy and Climate Change, in January.

Together We Can (you said we did!)

We instigated and coordinated two ‘Together We Can’ weeks, one in November in Lower Hensingham and one in March in Millom.

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Each Together We Can delivers a week of focused multi-agency delivery in a discrete, targeted area. It aims to make a visible difference within that week, in response to local people’s concerns. It also aims to bring longer term issues to the attention of relevant agencies. Each was coordinated and delivered by one Neighbourhood Development Officer and one Community Involvement Officer.

The weeks were both successful in eliciting and dealing with local concerns, and demonstrating the range of services which address local issues. Together We Can, by bringing a wide range of services and organisations together in intensive delivery, also has the much desired outcome of developing delivery partnerships and enabling different agencies to build key contacts in other organisations.

The Lower Hensingham week has already been reported to an earlier Local Committee. See attached report (Appendix B) with outcomes of issues raised.

The report on Millom Together We Can is attached as Appendix C

Local Capital Scheme (Electoral Divisions) This was a new funding stream, whereby each Divisional Elected Member was able to make capital grant/s towards projects in his or her electoral division. £12,000 was available per Division.

The scheme has enabled the delivery of some much needed and effective project work, responding to the unique needs of specific communities.

It was not without teething troubles, as the County Council elections resulted in delay in starting to work on this scheme. It took time in some instances to clarify what was or was not eligible under this scheme.

The whole scheme required close collaboration between Elected Members, their Neighbourhood Development Officers, the communities in which the projects were situated, and partner delivery organisations or departments. Each project had to be properly worked up and costed, and submitted for approval to the County Council Copeland Local Committee, and was then subject to the call in period.

The requirement was for the funding to be committed and the project completed by the end of the financial year.

Specific issues arose over the delivery of Highways projects, as by the time the projects were sufficiently worked up and the money was committed, the floods had robbed Highways, Capita and Amey of the capacity to programme in some of these projects. Issues also arose around maintenance of other projects, which delayed their implementation.

Despite these teething problems, the majority of projects went ahead and were completed within the required timeframe. The small minority will have to rely on unspent budgets being approved for carried forward by County Council, later in June.

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A summary of the projects, and their status, for 2009-10 follows

E.D. Member Summary of proposal(s) Status BRANSTY Graham 1. To supply and install a column mounted CCTV Roberts camera with recording/monitoring equipment at Completed Fairfield, Bransty £6,636,87 to CBC

2. To provide additional “salt bins” in Bransty ED To be approved £5,363.13 CLEATOR Tim 1. Occupation Lonning, Frizington. Use of donated Phase 1 completed MOOR Knowles quarry waste donation to provide surface to boggy NORTH & bridleway £6000 to Frizington PC FRIZINGTON 2. Heating upgrade at Frizington Youth Club £6000 grant to Phoenix Youth project Completed CLEATOR Frank 1.Egremont Pool Completed MOOR Morgan £6000 to Egremont Pool Trust SOUTH & EGREMONT 2.Cleator Moor Youth and Community Centre Completed £6000 to CM Y&C Centre DISTINGTON Cam Ross £3000 each to 4 parishes & MORESBY 1.Distington – towards sit on Lawn Mower grant to Completed Distington PC £3,000

2.Lowca – Towards Central Heating System Village Completed Hall Grant to Lowca PC £3,000

3.Moresby - Play Park equipment Completed £3,000 to Moresby PC

4. Parton- Play Park equipment Completed £3,000 to Parton PC

GOSFORTH & Norman Improvements to community facilities, inc village halls ENNERDALE Clarkson 1. Lamplugh Village Hall £2400 Completed 2. Netherwasdale Community Hall new heating to upgrade £2075.50 Grant to Wasdale Parish Completed Meeting

3. Beckermet reading Rooms building facilities upgrade, £2508 Completed

4. Calderbridge Village Hall building facilities upgrade £2508 Completed

5. Thornhill Social Club building facilities upgrade £2508.50 Completed

HENSINGHAM Mike Towards Multi Use Games Area Hensingham Approved – project & ARELCDON Hawkins £12,000 to South Whitehaven Partnership under discussion with CBC HILLCREST Andrew 1. Equipment for playpark on Hillcrest £8,000 Outstanding Wonnacott 2. Rascals Pre School Play Group – New Safety To be approved Flooring £4,000 KELLS & Wendy 1. Dropped kerbs Completed SANDWITH Skillicorn £5,543.55 to CCC Highways

2. Location post for Moveable security camera Completed £6,456.45 to Copeland BC

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MILLOM Ray Cole Towards programme of dropped kerbs identified for Approved, Work Millom outstanding £12,000 to CCC Highways

MIREHOUSE John Road widening to enable parking at Burnmoor Ave Approved, Work Woolley £12,000 to CCC Highways outstanding

ST BEES & David Improvements to and equipment for Egremont Pool Completed EGREMONT Southward £12,000 to Egremont Pool Trust

SEASCALE & Sue Brown 1. Energy efficiency at Seascale School Completed WHICHAM £8627 to Seascale primary School

2. Improvements to Seascale Sports Hall £2155 Completed to Seascale parish Council

3. To provide 4/5 salt bins Approved – Work outstanding

Elected Member Rota Visits to Cumbria Care Residential Homes in Copeland Visits to the five residential care homes in Copeland were co-ordinated by the Community Unit in September 2009. Each home was visited by a County Councillor accompanied by the NDO for the area. These visits were very successful and councilors were impressed by the accommodation and standard of care and social activities on offer. The staff felt supported and valued by the visits and residents were pleased to have a visit from their County Councillor. It is hoped that we can arrange a programme of visits again this year with other Local Committee Members.

M Pritchard and M Kipling Neighbourhood Development Officers – Copeland Area May 2010

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APPENDIX B

Together We Can – November 2009 – Lower Hensingham

Together We Can project took place the week beginning 2nd November 2009 in Lower Hensingham, targeting Lincoln Road, Bedford Street, Devon Road, Cambridge Road, Westmorland Road, Cumberland Road, Dorset Close, Suffolk Close and Oxford Close to make a visible difference in this area. Bungalows on Homewood Road and Sneckyeat Court were taken in as an extra area at the request of the councillors, to invite residents to the hot lunch on the Friday.

Agencies involved were, Cumbria County Council, Copeland Borough Council, Copeland Homes and Neighbourhood Wardens, South Whitehaven Partnership; Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service; Cumbria Police; St John’s Church, Hensingham; Cumbria Highways

The week started with Ward walks, routes were organised, all properties were visited and where no answer were revisited, these took place on Monday morning, Tuesday early afternoon and Wednesday late afternoon, this involved small teams made up of the local county councillor and district councillors, officers from Cumbria Fire & Rescue, Copeland Homes Housing, Cumbria Highways, Copeland Borough Waste Management, South Whitehaven Neighbourhood Management and Wardens and County Council officers, going door to door asking residents if they were generally satisfied with living in the area and what if anything could be done to improve things. A White Goods collection had been arranged for the following Monday 9th November, contact details were taken from households who had goods to be collected, highways defects were noted, and any requests for transport to the coffee morning/drop in & lunch on Friday were taken. Some issues were raised and discussed on the door step with the appropriate organisation; others were referred on for action. The Fire Service took details of anyone needing a smoke alarm fitting and/or home safety checks and in one case a particularly vulnerable resident had this done the same day.

A gentle walk around Lower Hensingham took place on Monday afternoon, organised by the CBC Walking Co-ordinator and led by a Neighbourhood Warden. Unfortunately no residents turned up but councillors and officers together with dog enjoyed a stroll around the area.

Wednesday morning at Sneckyeat Community Centre and Thursday afternoon at St John’s Church hall Waste/Recycling Information sessions took place which were not particularly well attended.

Thursday 5th November the project joined with the Not in My Neighbourhood Week and the Cumbria Police to carry out a Street Safe in the area. There was an increased presence by the Police and Fire Service for this day. Information Packs had been put together from all the organisations involved and freebies for householders and these were given out. The Crime Disorder Reduction Partnership information vehicle and a Fire vehicle were present in the area. Interviews were conducted by Radio Cumbria, the Home Office had sent a team to film and speak to participants and residents, a photographer accompanied teams on their door step visits. Tea, coffee and a lunch was served at St John’s church hall for those taking part (30) as this event started at 10.00 a.m. and went through until mid afternoon.

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That evening at 5:00 pm a mini Olympics event had been organised by Copeland Sports Development Officer, for young people aged 8-16 years but unfortunately due to the bad weather this was cancelled.

Friday 6th November Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service carried out their Home Safety Checks, appointments had been made earlier in the week.

10:00am at St John’s Church Hall, members of the church served and helped set up for the Drop in coffee morning, the vicar and curate were also present. Representatives from Age Concern, Cumbria Library, Whitehaven Credit Union, Citizens Advice Bureau, Cumbria Police, Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service and Copeland Waste Management, attended and set up tables with information.

County and District Councillors attended together with South Whitehaven Neighbourhood Management and Neighbourhood wardens, Copeland Homes and County Council officers. Age Concern provided the mini bus and collected residents who had requested transport and brought them to the Hotpot lunch which had been organised primarily for single older persons, free, at the hall. A questionnaire, which had been prepared by Adult Social Care, was undertaken with these residents. The lunch was a success in spite of the wet weather which probably was responsible for the low turn out.

An Action List was collated of all issues raised by residents throughout the week and those that couldn’t be sorted at the time have been passed onto all the organisations involved in the week; most issues have been dealt with, those that are still outstanding are either in progress or in the system waiting to be actioned.

Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service

Had officers present taking part in the ward walks and Street Safe initiatives. They received 50 Home Safety Check Referrals.

Cumbria Police

Cumbria Police were involved in the ward walks and street safe initiatives throughout the week.

8 people expressed an interested in Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in Hensingham They will be contacted by letter and invited to a meeting.

A security light was given out whilst on ward walks and 5-6 bulbs given out at the Drop in.

Issues raised for the police were mainly to do with anti social behaviour such as young people drinking on the streets and creating a nuisance.

Problems were highlighted with the footpath behind Suffolk Close, where the windows and fences of some houses were broken.

Parking problems on Cumberland Road were also an issue.

The police say that they have continued to patrol these areas. Anti social behaviour has dropped significantly and happily is at an all time low.

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Copeland Homes & Neighbourhood Wardens

Keith and the Wardens said the initiative was well received by the residents. People were pleased to see agencies working together to try to make a difference.

Specific issues were raised by residents such as: • paths and fences in poor condition and needing repair • people using a garden on Westmorland Road as a short cut • garage site on Homewood Road gets obstructed by parked cars • children using a garden on Westmorland Road as a short cut to get to school • bungalow on Homewood Road suffered vandalism and attempted break in • Young people hanging around at the substation dropping litter etc.

Copeland Home’s staff have talked to residents and dealt with all the issues, with the exception of a fence on Cambridge Road which is still outstanding but this is in hand and will be completed shortly.

Cumbria Highways - Andrew Dodds Inspector

Cumbria Highways carried out extensive work in the area during the Together We Can Week. The Highways Inspectors carried out daily inspections and provided Hot Box teams, Highways Stewards, Gully Emptier, Verge maintenance (two men with strimmers etc), Street Lighting Inspections/repairs/testing to carry out the work.

• Full carriageway and footway safety inspections carried out in area throughout the week, from these inspections work was raised and assigned either to the permanent repair team (Potholes) or the Area Highways team (footway repairs) Once the work from the safety inspections had been completed the two teams were instructed to remain in the area and carry out “find and fix” work on less serious defects. • Routine gully cleansing carried out in the area. (All gullies in area cleansed, any problems which could not be rectified have been earmarked for further investigation/repair when funding/resources allow) • Various areas identified by the inspector to be measured and work ordered when funding allows.

Specific issues that were raised by residents on the “door knocks” were passed onto the appropriate teams, the main issues raised were: • Blocked drains –these were cleared • Footpath next to High Grange in poor condition • Potholes on various Roads • Parking issues • Pavement edging on Westmorland Road a trip hazard • Cumberland Road – surface in poor condition

Andrew is still waiting for returns back from the contractors on many of these issues. When these come through he will check for any follow up work i.e. repairs to pipes etc.

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Copeland Waste Management arranged for teams to patrol the area and make good where appropriate.

A list of all requests for white goods collection was compiled by the South Whitehaven Partnership office and goods were collected as arranged.

Copeland Waste Management and Enforcement teams were involved in the “door knocking” around the estate, below are issues that were raised and responses received.

• Bedford Street is not swept for litter very often –This Street generally has parked cars on both sides making it difficult to sweep the gutters. Manual litter picking has been requested, but this will still leave any litter that is underneath parked cars at collection time • Bad litter problems outside chip shop and cemetery at Hensingham - The Main Street at Hensingham is litter picked daily. There have been continual problems with members of the public, especially during school term time, not using litter bins in the area, often after consuming food and drink • Recycling people do not clear up after themselves (Bedford Street) - I’m not entirely sure who the “people” were in this comment, but if it is members of our collection crews, they have been told to pick up any spilt materials, and if members of the public have a specific complaint, they should get in touch with Copeland Direct to report it • House on Devon Road had issues with recycling - white bag was issued • Lincoln Road, recycling collections are not weighted - New bags for plastic and cardboard are now weighted. If any customer needs a replacement, they can get one delivered by contacting Copeland Direct • Cumberland Road Sign vandalised - Reported for repair/replacement – CBC have ordered a new sign which is due to be fitted by the end of May 2010 • Cambridge Road, no recycling bag or boxes, noisy dogs in house behind – Bag and boxes delivered. Dogs reported to Environmental Health Team. • Cambridge Road resident reported mess being left after waste collections - Collection crew reminded to clear up any spillages during collection. • Pit bull loose on Cumberland Road - Unless the dog is barking, or otherwise causing a nuisance, we cannot stop someone having a dog in their garden. • Bedford Road resident very keen to recycle does not always get bags/boxes collected – The street is on the collection list for both plastic and cardboard, and the black box system for glass, cans and paper. If customers ever get a collection missed, they should let our Copeland Direct line know. • Dog fouling problem on Bedford Road – Reported to enforcement who have visited resident. This has now been passed to the Environmental Health Team who are looking at the legal position • Westmorland Road – long-term waste beside garage (private house) - This is a private house. We can only remove rubbish if asked to do so by the householder, unless it is a risk to public health, when Environmental Health would deal with it • Westmorland Road - Rubbish collection issues - Visited this resident. He wanted unlimited black refuse sack collections. Unfortunately we cannot provide this.

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Points to note: • Response from residents on the door step was very positive, they appreciated officers making the time to listen; • Some residents were happy with area and felt they could influence decisions being made for the area • Unfortunately there were a few who felt they couldn’t influence decisions • All houses in the area were visited, but unfortunately, despite revisits, there was no response from a number of properties • Numbers were disappointing of residents attending drop in sessions however, the weather was wet, and as this area has no community centre, the two venues used were just out of the immediate area and although known to the community were not possibly as accessible. There is an empty shop, which was used by the team throughout the week as a base but this was not suitable to host events.

We will continue to monitor progress of any outstanding issues and report these back to future forum meetings.

Marilyn Pritchard Neighbourhood Development Officer

Suzanne Cooper Community Involvement Worker

Community Unit – Copeland Area Cumbria County Council May 2010

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Appendix C

Millom Together We Can, 1 – 5 March 2010

The Millom week was coordinated by one Neighbourhood Development Officer and one Community Involvement Worker from the team, and involved the following organizations, in alphabetical order Age Concern Copeland Borough Council Sports Development Copeland Borough Council Waste Management Services Cumbria Constabulary Cumbria Community Foundation Cumbria County Council Highways Cumbria County Council Library Service Cumbria County Council Neighbourhood Forums in Copeland Cumbria CVS Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service Friends of Millom Park Friends of Millom Station Home Group Lapstone House Millom Children’s Centre Millom Citizens Advice Bureau Millom Network Centre Millom School Millom Town Council Railtrack South Copeland Disability Group Ways into Successful Enterprise West Cumbria Carers

The week focused on the centre of Millom, as this would benefit both local and other residents of the town. This area has 324 homes, as well as shops and other commercial properties.

The programme was announced at Millom’s January Neighbourhood Forum, where residents were invited to suggest issues which might be tackled through the week, and the week itself included the March Neighbourhood Forum.

During the week, all the residences in the target area were door knocked with a doorstep questionnaire, and we achieved 110 replies. 16 people from 6 organisations took part in interviewing. The issues highlighted were collated. A lot were dealt with in the course of the week and the remainder have been referred on to appropriate organizations.

A separate youth questionnaire was completed by all Millom School’s pupils, and also by young people at the Youth Café.

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In response to residents telling us that they struggle to know which organizations are responsible for different issues in Millom, we organized a ‘Drop in and Find Out’ afternoon at which 16 services were represented.

Cumbria Highways fixed an extraordinary number of potholes and other small scale highways defects in the course of the week, as they were reported.

Organisation of the week started in January, later than anticipated due to the November floods followed by the severe weather which limited people’s ability to attend meetings. Participating organizations pulled out all the stops to make the week work, but it was pointed out that a longer lead in time should be built in for future such initiatives.

The week generated a real feel good factor in Millom, as there was highly visible activity from a wide range of agencies. In particular Cumbria County Council’s Highways and Copeland Borough Council’s Parks team, local team, and Gum buster, were seen to be solving problems in a wide range of streets and public places, while teams of volunteers and workers from different organisations went door to door with questionnaires and took part in litterpicks in identified ‘grot spots’.

Activities and drop ins to cater for specific sections of the community, such as young people, elderly, and people with disabilities, were appreciated.

The Council Centre was the focus for the week, with a display in the foyer, and the Library used the week as a way to publicise its regular activities as well as holding specific events for the week.

The ‘Drop In and Find Out session’ saw 16 organisations available to explain their services to local people, in response to a Neighbourhood Forum comment that ‘we don’t know who’s responsible for what here in Millom’.

A very important outcome of the week for the different agencies and organisations working together was getting to know one another and who is who within each organization. This is particularly significant for Millom as it has to be acknowledged that it is, in delivery terms, out on a limb for many services. In the main, county or borough-wide organisations are based elsewhere and officers come to Millom to deliver and then head back to their base, so don’t necessarily have the bigger picture of who else is delivering what in the town. This is compounded by some services running from different towns in north Copeland and some from Barrow. Together We Can forged a very effective, if temporary, delivery team which overcame geography for the week, and built a more effective contact base for future cooperative delivery in the town.

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Together We Can x Millom x March 1-5

Morning Afternoon Evening 01 x Launch of Together We Can by Mayor of Millom, 10am x Area Walk 1.30pm–4:30pm starting at Millom Council x Millom Neighbourhood Mon at Millom Council Centre Centre Forum, 7pm at Millom x Area Walk 10.15am–12.30pm x Tots to Teens Parenting Course – an 8 week programme Network Centre Area Walks involve representatives across a range of starting today, 1.30pm-3pm at Millom Children’s Centre. organisations going door-to-door to talk to residents Call 01229 6374 to book a place. about their satisfaction with the area and the services x 4pm-5pm at Millom Library: Yu-Gi-Oh Club for people available to them. wishing to swap trading cards, just turn up! Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. 02 x 9am-11am Litter pick at the railway bridge with Friends x Area Walk 2pm–4pm starting at Millom Council Centre x Area Walk 5pm–6pm Tues of Millom Station, Home Group & Millom School *By the end of Tuesday residents in Wellington Street, Lord starting at Millom Council x Home Group Estate Inspection starting from Home Street, Albert Street, Crown Street, Katherine Street and Centre Group Offices, Newton Street at 10am. Tenants and parts of King Street, Queen Street & Lapstone Road should residents welcome to attend. have been visited. x 10am-12pm Coffee & Crack at Millom Library: pop in for a coffee and see what the Library has to offer. Refreshments provided. 03 x 9.30am-10.40am Litter pick at the railway bridge with x Drop In and Find Out, 12pm–6pm at Millom Guide Hall. x Youth Café at Millom Wed Cllr Elaine Woodburn, Home Group, Cumbria Fire & Refreshments provided. Children’s Centre, 5pm– Rescue Service & Millom School x Community Police Drop in at Millom Children’s Centre, 8pm 2pm-3pm 04 x Litter pick at Slag Bank Play Area 10am–1pm - x Litter pick at Slag Bank Play Area 2pm–4pm - volunteers Thurs volunteers welcome, meet at the Play Area welcome, meet at the Play Area x 9am-12pm Drop in at Age Concern, Bradbury House. x South Copeland Disability Group ‘Centre for Independent Highlighting services for older people, also with a display Living’ drop in introduction, 1.30pm-3.30pm at Millom of independent living aids by the South Copeland Library Disability Forum 05 Fri x Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service ‘Fire Safe’ house calls from 10am – 2pm in Market Street x Friday Night Football x Jamie Reed MP 11am–12.00pm ‘MP’s Question Time’ with Millom School Council at Millom Network Centre coaching session from x Police & Home Group Enforcement Team home visits to follow up concerns identified during Area Walk Copeland Borough x 1.30pm-3pm Book Babes at Millom Library: a chance for your child to meet and play with other children; listen to Council’s Sports stories and join in fun activities. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Development staff, 7pm– 9pm at Millom School All Weather Pitch.

• Cumbria Highways will be in the town centre all week, including Highways Steward, Maintenance Team, Highways Inspector, Patching Team and Gulley Cleaning Cart. • Wednesday and Friday: Free one–to-one Internet Taster Sessions at Millom Library – booking essential. Please call the Library on 01229 772445. • RESIDENTS ONLY: Reminiscence Session at Lapstone House 10.30am-11.30am • FOR DAILY UPDATES AND ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY, PLEASE SEE OUR DISPLAY IN THE LIBRARY FOYER OR VISIT www.millomlocal.co.uk Page 25 of 29

The following suggestions, issues and ideas were raised, and acted on or referred on. They have been summarised in the “You Said…We Did” format and have been distributed throughout the target area.

You Said...Include young people.

We Did…Publicised activities at Millom Children’s Centre, involved Millom School in litter picking and completing questionnaires, organised youth activities including MP’s Question Time, serving refreshments at a reminiscence morning at Lapstone House, a video project at the Children’s Centre Youth Café, and a football Coaching session.

You Said… you’d like to see the range of independent living aids available.

We Did…the South Copeland Disability Group held a drop in to display the type of independent living aids available to the elderly and people with disabilities

You Said… Include older people

We did…arranged a drop in session at Age Concern’s Bradbury House and a reminiscence session at Lapstone house

You Said…litter is a problem in the town

We Did…we organised litterpicks at the areas you identified as being the worst

You Said…we need to know what services are available in Millom, communicated to the public either through service booklet or free ‘fun day’ with all agencies holding stalls and advertising services!

We Did…organised a Drop In and Find Out afternoon at Millom Guide Hall

You Said…potholes and various other highways defects needed to be repaired.

We Did…Cumbria Highways were in Millom every day during the Together We Can week. Work carried out: • Potholes filled or patched: on Newton Street by The Peel, and other locations, various locations on Wasdale Road, on Lancashire Road, by the old West County Hotel, at the junction of St Georges’ Road/St George’s Terrace, at the corner of Horn Hill by the Post Office and on Lord Street • Potholes filled and road by Millom Infants School patched. • Road patching at various locations on King Street. • Gulley made safe on Wasdale Road, and all gullies in the area cleaned where accessible • Pavement on Wellington Street opposite the old co-op – measured up to replace damaged flagstones and re-lay other flagstones. Work to be programmed into work for this year. • Drains investigated in Lancashire Road, Albert Street, and rear of Lord Street. • Pothole and collapsed gulley at the back of a property on Wellington Street – pothole filled and gulley to be renewed as part of works for this year. • Junction markings refreshed in the town centre. Outstanding markings will be programmed into works for this year. • Unsafe dead and rotting branches of trees on Lancashire Road trimmed back • Inspection of St George’s Road, Lapstone Road, Wellington Street, St George’s Terrace and the Market Square carried out. Defects identified were repaired and made safe

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You Said…there is a need for more dropped kerbs around Millom.

We Did… A programme of dropped kerbs needed in Millom has been identified by Cumbria Highways, from the total sites identified through the Millom Access to Mobility Study. Councillor Cole allocated his Councillor’s Electoral Division Capital Allowance of £12,000 to add to the scheme. The work will be completed this year.

You said…dog fouling is a problem in the town

We Did…informed Copeland Borough Council’s enforcement team. Millom Town Council provides free dog waste bags, at Millom Council Centre. Please use them!

You Said…there is a problem with parking for residents living in the town centre.

We Did…there are negotiations for a County wide review of residents parking and parking enforcement. Residents only parking would be legally enforceable but a Traffic Regulation Order would be needed.

Currently Wellington Street, Nelson Street, Lapstone Road, Crown Street and Katherine Street are all covered by a residents parking scheme. Residents without off street parking can apply for a permit. These streets are disc parking zones so residents and members of the public can park there. A resident with a permit who lives in Katherine Street can, for example, park in Crown Street.

You Said…you’d like kerbside card and plastic recycling collections.

We Did…Copeland Borough Council’s Waste Management Officer explained Copeland only has one vehicle for collecting plastic bottles and cardboard, purchased using central Government funding. This was part of a project for South Whitehaven to increase levels of recycling and waste reduction awareness.

After the project finished the collection round was extended to the rest of Whitehaven and some of the smaller surrounding villages. The Council is keen to extend this service as soon as they are able to secure funding to both buy the necessary vehicles and run the service. Due to uncertainty over funding for public services in the future, the Council cannot be sure how long it will take to get the money to expand the service.

The Council are keen to look at alternative options like finding suitable sites for new recycling banks. New banks would have to use the larger skips, like the ones on the car park of Tesco in Millom. There would also need to be suitable access for wagons collecting the banks. If any residents or community groups have any suggestions for new sites, please contact Tessa McKee on 01946 593027.

You Said…rubbish bags split and rubbish is left in the street.

We Did…Millom will be part of a roll out of restricted collections - either wheelie bins or restricted blue bags for properties, reducing the amount of rubbish spilling.

You Said…you’d like a bridge to Barrow.

We Did…a formal report is being produced and funding is being sought for a feasibility study. It would be a barrage, not a bridge, and would carry the National Grid connection. The landing would be around Haverigg Prison/North Lane to Walney on the A590 road. The barrage would make the journey from Millom to Asda in Barrow around 3 miles.

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You Said…you’d like to see the Police more often. There were issues about ‘boy racers’, young people banging on windows, and anti social behaviour at Slag Bank Play Area.

We Did…there will be more frequent foot patrols of the town. Millom Police have launched a crackdown on anti social behaviour after residents raised this issue as a priority at the latest Safer Stronger Communities meeting.

You Said…street cleaning and less litter in the town would make Millom a better place to live.

We Did…we are now in touch with Cumbria Probation Service about Community Payback in Millom. This is free labour carried out by offenders to pay back for the crimes they have committed. They are keen to do projects in Millom.

You Said…you’d like a Sunday train service.

We Did…while there is support for a Sunday service from both the railway industry and local communities, due to manning signal boxes and level crossings a Sunday service along the coastal line would not cover its costs.

You Said…the road at The Oaks/The Green needs to be resurfaced.

We Did…Cumbria Highways plan to resurface the A5093 at The Green through The Oaks to the A595 junction by summer 2010, subject to funding.

You Said…there is a problem with intimidation at Tesco.

We Did…Millom Police will be addressing this issue at problem times.

You Said…the toilets on the Tesco car park should be open for when trains are arriving.

We Did…Millom Town Council is responsible for those toilets. They open around 7.30am and close at 4.30-5pm due to vandalism during the evening. At present there are no plans to open the toilets any later due to the cost of repairing vandalism.

You Said…vehicles parking on the pavement on Albert Street cause an obstruction.

We Did…this was reported to Copeland Borough Council who said that vehicles parking on pavements does not happen very often, it was a one off.

You Said…you’d like to see more flowers planted around the town.

We Did…Millom In Bloom has now been absorbed by Friends of Millom Park. The Group has a polytunnel of plants growing at Haverigg HMP, which will be used to fill hanging baskets and window boxes along St George’s Terrace. The beds outside the public toilets on Lancashire Road will be planted, and Copeland Borough Council is planning to dig over and plant shrubs in a bed at Millom Park.

You Said…money is spent in the north of the Borough – Millom gets nothing!

We Did…this was brought up at the Millom Neighbourhood Forum last year. There was a general feeling that Millom pays Council Tax but doesn’t get much in return, while money and regeneration is put into Whitehaven and Egremont. Councillor Elaine Woodburn came to a Neighbourhood Forum in September

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2009, along with Council Officers. The point was raised about services in Millom – and it appeared that it is more about perception that ‘Millom gets nothing’ from Copeland Borough Council. Millom actually has a locally based team who can respond immediately to things like missed bin collections and fly tipping. No other town in Copeland has that service. There are aspirations for a Local Links at Millom Council Centre in 2010/11, to provide a one stop shop for County and Borough Council customer services.

You Said…you can’t get very far using public transport now that bus passes can only be used on off peak travel.

We Did…the criteria for concessionary travel is set by Government. Everyone who is a resident of , is of eligible age or is eligible disabled has been entitled to a free annual bus pass allowing free off-peak travel on local bus services. This is from 9.30am to 11.00pm Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and public holidays. Until this year, Copeland Borough Council subsidised the scheme to allow travel on-peak. Unfortunately the Council can no longer afford to sustain this and has therefore reverted back to ‘standard’ provision.

You Said…you’d like a Skate Park in Millom.

We Did…Millom Town Councillor Brian Crawford has been working on plans for a Skate Park. The total cost of the project is £335,000 and so far £55,000 of funding has been secured. The next stage is to obtain a 25 year lease on the site at Millom Park from Millom Town Council, so more funding can be applied for. Millom Skatepark Management Group is looking for more active young people to join to take the project forward. Please contact Millom Town Council on 01229 772340.

You Said…there was a fly tipped TV on the cycle route near the old water plant.

We Did…this was reported to the local Copeland Borough Council team who removed it straight away.

You Said…you’d like a Saturday Market in the town.

We Did…there has never been a Copeland Borough Council market in Millom, although there may have been a private market. A major problem is finding a suitable location; a car park at the entrance to Millom was proposed but it is not council land. Current markets in Copeland have historic Market Charters dating back a long time, allowing markets to be held. There are currently no plans for have a Saturday market in Millom. There have been tentative discussions about setting up a weekday market. Residents will be informed when and if any decisions are made.

You Said…you’d like the Council Offices to be open on Saturdays, or have a facility for dropping off forms. You’d like a display board outside with Council information.

We Did…any notice board or secure deposit box is subject to discussion with Cumbria County Council, who own the Millom Council Offices building. It is a good idea in principle and will be looked into. Due to funding, opening the Council Offices on a Saturday is not an option at present.

You Said…weekend anti-social behaviour in backstreets after pubs/clubs close.

We Did…details have been passed on to the Millom Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Mary Kipling and Maria Hewitt

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