Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for Absence were received from Councillors F Cassidy and Murphy.

To receive declarations of interest by members of any interests on respect of items on this agenda, and to consider any dispensations.

Members may however, also decide, in the interests of clarity and transparency, to declare at this point in the meeting, any such disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, as well as any other registerable or other interests.  

There were no declarations of interest made on this occasion.

To consider whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any item on the agenda.

RESOLVED: - To note that no questions, representations, deputations or petitions had been received in respect of the meeting.

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting held on 15th January 2025 (copy enclosed).

Councillors Burns asked for an update regarding the Fell Street Toilets.

The Senior Manager – Safe and Strong Communities advised that the toilets had been identified for an upgrade and there had been discussions with a contractor to instal a radar key entry on the disabled toilets.

RESOLVED:- That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 15^th January, 2025 be agreed.

To receive any questions or statement which have been received from members of the public and to receive any petitions.

(note questions or statement must be received in writing (including email) by the Council at least 3 clear working days before the day of the meeting (not including the day of the meeting). So, for example, if the meeting is on Tuesday requests must be received by 11.59 pm on the previous Wednesday by the person named on the front of the agenda.  Petitions must have been presented to the Monitoring Officer 9 working days before the date of this meeting to be valid).

RESOLVED: - To note that no questions, representations, deputations or petitions had been received in respect of the meeting.

No representations to Cabinet were received.

To receive a report from Alison Meadows - Senior Manager Community Services (Area Manager Furness)

The Senior Manager – Safe and Strong Communities presented the report.

The Safe and Strong Communities report brought together information from across Thriving Communities. It presented the 2024/25 devolved budget with

recommendations to agree budget allocations, mechanisms for awarding grants and agree grant recommendations from 2024/25 within the devolved budget. The report included updates from thematic work streams, in line with priorities, highlighted issues, actions and risks and provided an update on the devolved budget positions.

She provided an update on the Thematic Working Groups, Community Grants, Priorities fund, DWP Household Support Fund, Dalton Borderlands and the Informal Briefing Sessions.

Councillor Hall asked who would be receiving the Safeguarding Training.

Councillor Shirley added if they could ask for more substance on what the money for the safeguarding training was being spent on.

The Senior Manager – Safe and Strong Communities stated she would look into this.

Barrow on Bikes

Councillor Taylor asked what land would be used for a permanent track in Dalton.

The Senior Manager – Safe and Strong Communities advised that once they knew what the design would be that would dictate what land could be used, they would be working with a specialist and it was only in the early stages at the moment.

Active Furness

Councillor Shirley asked if Members would be involved outside local committee.

The Senior Manager – Safe and Strong Communities advised that they had decided and at the current point they were seeking approval to move forward, however it would be great to have local members involved.

The Committee discussed the old Barrow Sports Council.

Councillor Hamilton stated he had been to a Community Partnership meeting and he wanted to note how well the Officers had done bringing the partners together.

Councillor Morgan advised that she thought Active Furness should have a Member Champion.

Councillor Shirley asked if there was a timescale for delivery.

The Senior Manager – Safe and Strong Communities stated she had made a note that the committee wanted a Member Champion and she also advised that as soon as it had been approved the officers would get together.

Barrow & District Disability Association

Councillor Hamilton Stated that the SureStart centre on Greengate street had closed and asked what would be happening with that building.

Councillor Burns added that the other SureStart centre had also closed.

Councillor Morgan advised that the Greengate centre had been agreed as a care leavers hub and it was a Children Services building.

Councillor Brook stated he had asked Children Services for a briefing on this.

The Senior Manager – Safe and Strong Communities advised that she had emailed Children Services for an update and she would follow it up.

The Committee discussed the need for a Children’s and Young peoples group and asked if Children Services could attend the working groups/Locality Board meetings. 

The Senior Manager – Safe and Strong Communities stated that she had raised the need for Children Services to engage more with all of the Locality Boards.

She also added that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 99.

To consider any urgent items of business.

Councillor Morgan raised the issue of Councillors not being informed of decisions being made.

The Chair stated he would send an email to the authority’s management team regarding lack of communication.