2012-2013 Annual Report (cont.) 2012-2013 Annual Report alcohol-related violence, with education packs Making South Lakeland the best place to live, work and explore. distributed to secondary schools and youth groups across the district. SLCSP continues to raise awareness of domestic violence and SLDC now has six trained DV Champions who provide initial support and advice to those affected by domestic abuse. SLDC has a zero tolerance towards hate crime and is a “third party reporting centre”, meaning that people can report incidents anonymously and in confidence. The council has helped design and produce promotional posters advertising the service and the police have trained staff to deal sensitively and appropriately with enquiries. Community led planning is a tried and tested This was approved by the council and has resulted in Introduction Kendal was chosen to host the prestigious Action for continuing to calculate a reduction in Council Tax at Market Towns National Convention in October. The approach that helps local people to explore their This annual report by South Lakeland District Council the current rate and allowing the Council to fund the event generated over £100,000 for Kendal as well as needs, set priorities and plan actions. gives an insight into its business, activities and default scheme by reducing the Council Tax discount widespread TV, radio and newspaper coverage. successes over the last 12 months. The council held two well attended training sessions on second homes, without impacting on the Meanwhile the council’s shopfront grant scheme saw with district, town and parish councillors and other vulnerable members of the public. While this annual report looks back at 2012, it is also investment in shops in 11 locations across the district. community representatives and provided support with a bridge to future activity as the council focuses on its Local businesses were awarded £72,000, with match questionnaire development, online survey access, Consultation four priorities to make South Lakeland “the best place funding of £166,000 made by the traders, resulting in statistical data and community engagement advice. brightened up streets and a boost to trade. The The council consults on issues which affect the public to live, work and explore”. These priorities are: In the last 12 months two plans have been completed council has also played a key part in funding the (Casterton and Coniston), 14 plans started and a and responses help it to make decisions. • Economy Highgate Enhancement Scheme in Kendal, with further six groups have expressed an interest on Consultation results are published on the website. • Housing repaving, new lighting, de-cluttering, planting and Community Led Planning. Consultations in 2012/13 included: • Environment seating. All designed to create an attractive and welcoming environment for shoppers and visitors. Customer Services • Clean streets • Culture and Wellbeing • Council Tax Reduction Scheme A brand new community-based website “Explore In August 2012, SLDC achieved the Investors in South Lakeland South Lakeland” was launched. This interactive site People Standard (the UK’s leading management • The Quality of Life Survey 2012 in South features information on the character and heritage of standard). This demonstrates the council’s Lakeland, where: The population of South Lakeland is 103,658 the area, festivals, community and sporting events, (Census 2011) with 15% under 15 years old, 60% of commitment to the training, development and - 91% of respondents said they were satisfied offers and news from local attractions and venues. working age (16-64 years of age) and 24% over 65. wellbeing of its staff. overall with the local area The site is a great advert for South Lakeland’s vibrant 19% of the population have a disability. and diverse culture and economy, making it an Cllr Clare Feeney-Johnson, SLDC’s Environment and - 42% of respondents felt satisfied with how South Lakeland is the second largest district in attractive location for incoming businesses wishing to Sustainability Portfolio Holder, won a prestigious SLDC runs things award - the LGIU Sustainability Champion of the Year Cumbria, after Eden, with a geographical area of relocate. Award, held in London. She piloted the first - 35% felt SLDC provides value for money (an 1,534 km2. In 2011 15.8million tourists visited South SLDC, in response to community requests, have community energy switching project in the country increase of 7%) Lakeland, primarily to visit the Lake District. introduced 30 minute parking tariffs on some South and initiated projects which have helped South Lakeland car parks (Ulverston, Grange over Sands, Lakeland save £21,000 in carbon emissions and Managing your Money & Accounts Creating opportunities for economic Kirkby Lonsdale and Kendal) for shorter stays. £21,000 water savings per annum. 2012/13 growth Providing homes to meet need Members of the public can log on to the website to SLDC received an unqualified audit report from the SLDC has a key role in stimulating economic growth report and check on progress on most types of issues Audit Commission, showing the soundness of the in the area; from helping to secure major corporate The council helped to provide 78 new affordable and concerns (from abandoned vehicles to street 2011/12 accounts. Annual accounts (unaudited) for inward investment to supporting town centre homes in 2012/13 and coordinated the work of cleansing via household waste). With 40 services 2012/13 will be available to view on the website at the regeneration. Housing Associations and the Homes and online, customers can help the council tackle end of June 2013. Audited accounts will be available Communities Agency to bring housing schemes The council assisted with the GlaxoSmithKline “hotspots” by pinpointing where action is required on from the end of September 2013. Full details on the forward. Outside the National Parks, the council has project, which resulted in an investment of a map. 2012/13 accounts will be published in September’s negotiated with developers to deliver affordable £500million for a hi-tech biopharmaceutical plant in six-monthly annual report review. housing. Council Tax Reduction Scheme Ulverston. The financial benefits to South Lakeland’s Financial monitoring during 2012/13 shows that the economy are substantial and there will be new supply Council members and officers undertook a “Rough The Welfare Reform Act repealed Council Tax Benefit council is on course to deliver the savings built into chain opportunities for local businesses. For Sleeper” count (for homeless people sleeping (those in receipt of CTB get their Council Tax liability the 2012/13 budgets. example, Kendal College was successful in gaining outdoors) along with Cumbria Constabulary, Cumbria reduced in full, or in part) from 1 April 2013 and the £2million funding from government for a new Fire & Rescue Service, and North West Ambulance council was tasked with implementing a local Council Feedback engineering block which will provide a valuable skilled Service. The Count focussed on known hot spots, Tax Reduction Scheme. workforce to local employers. using thermal imaging The council welcomes feedback on the Annual equipment to search fields The abolition of CTB and the introduction of its Report – please send to: The council’s Economic Development Team helped and wooded areas. The replacement was a major change with a challenging [email protected] or telephone three local businesses to secure £1.5million to count represents a first timetable. In 2011-12, 6,200 households in South 0845 050 4434 increase and improve rural business hubs and in England, with its use Lakeland were in receipt of CTB. networks. Business units are to be built at Clawthorpe of specialist equipment Between 22 August 2012 and 31 October 2012 the Hall (Burton-in-Kendal) and Marl (Ulverston); as well and partnership Council consulted on a proposal to adopt the Default as a new hub at Sedbergh which will bring back into working with the Scheme as its Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme. www.southlakeland.gov.uk use a shop that has been empty for over thirty years. emergency services. 2012-2013 Annual Report (cont.) The council received and managed £176,000 of cardboard from the kerbside. Just over 7,000 events that raise the profile of South Lakeland Progress with Corporate Plan Actions for 2012/13 Government funding on behalf of all the district properties in Burneside and Kendal took part, with nationally, such as the Great North Swim, Kendal councils in Cumbria to address rough sleeping and the council collecting approximately 12 tonnes of Mountain Festival and Mintfest. Through SLDC’s homelessness of single people in the county. plastic and cardboard each month. The council ran a grants programme the council supported a wide A new Social Lettings Scheme launched by the public consultation which will help decide on future range of organisations for community initiatives. council will help prevent homelessness across the recycling options across South Lakeland. South Lakeland District Council was the first in the district and make private rented accommodation The Go Easy campaign was launched in July 2012, country to implement a collective energy switching easier to access for those who are homeless and on asking residents to pledge to drop 1 in 10 of the car scheme for its communities. The Scheme is unique benefits. Landlords will be able to contract directly journeys they make in Kendal. The aim being to as any switching fee received is ring-fenced to use in with the council and be guaranteed their rental reduce traffic congestion and pollution in the town projects that benefit those in fuel poverty. A total of income as well as the condition of the property on centre. To date, the campaign has included 1,669 people signed up for the scheme and, through return. competitions, cycling skills classes and the launch of combined buying power, many were able to access a SLDC secured a new three-year contract to deliver a website as a hub of information and advice to cheaper energy tariff with savings of up to £700.