Meeting documents

Apologies for absence were received from Ms C Bell, Mrs PA Bell, Mr B Berry, Mrs C Bowditch, Mr A Bowness, Mrs H Carrick, Mr F Cassidy, Ms D Earl, Miss H Fearon, Dr S Haraldsen, Mr M Hawkins, Mr A Kennon, Mr J Lister, Mr J Mallinson, Mr P McSweeney, Mrs S Sanderson, Mr B Shirley, Mr S Stoddart, Mrs H Wall, Mr R Watson, Mr D Whipp, Mr T Wentworth Waites, Mr S Wielkopolski, Mrs E Williamson, Mr D Wilson and Mr R Worthington.

To disclose any disclosable pecuniary interests relating to any item on the agenda.

Members are asked to refer to the Monitoring Officer for advice in relation to the declaration of interests at meetings of the full Council.  A complete list of declarations notified to the Monitoring Officer by 5.00 pm on Monday ???  will be circulated at the meeting. If any member wishes to correct or add to the circulated list, guidance on what constitutes a disclosable pecuniary interest is set out below.

NB The following is a summary of what constitutes a disclosable pecuniary interest. Please seek advice from the Monitoring Officer.

Members must disclose any disclosable pecuniary interest they have in any item on the agenda which comprises

1          Details of any employment, office, trade, profession or vocation carried on for       profit or gain.

2          Details of any payment or provision of any other financial benefit (other than from the authority) made or provided within the relevant period in respect of any expenses incurred by you in carrying out duties as a member, or towards your election expenses.  (This includes any payment or financial benefit from a trade union within the meaning of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.

3          Details of any contract which is made between you (or a body in which you have a beneficial interest) and the authority

(a)       Under which goods or services are to be provided or works are to be           executed; and

            (b)       Which has not been fully discharged.

4          Details of any beneficial interest in land which is within the area of the authority. 

5          Details of any licence (alone or jointly with others) to occupy land in the area of the authority for a month or longer. 

6          Details of any tenancy where (to your knowledge)

            (a)       The landlord is the authority; and

            (b)       The tenant is a body in which you have a beneficial interest.

7          Details of any beneficial interest in securities of a body where

(a)       That body (to your knowledge) has a place of business or land in the          area of the authority; and

(b)       Either –

(i)      The total nominal value of the securities exceeds £25,000 or one        hundredth of the total issued share capital of that body; or

(ii)     If that share capital of that body is of more than one class, the total nominal value of the shares of any one class in which the relevant person has a beneficial interest exceeds one hundredth of the total issued share capital of that class.

In addition, you must also disclose other non-pecuniary interests set out in the Code of Conduct where these have not already been registered.

Note

A "disclosable pecuniary interest" is an interest of a councillor or their partner (which means spouse or civil partner, a person with whom they are living as husband or wife, or a person with whom they are living as if they are civil partners).

Mr Wearing declared a non pecuniary interest in Agenda Item No 5 – Presentation from the Chief Constable, as his son was a Police Officer.

Mr Dew declared a non pecuniary interest in Agenda Item No 5 – Presentation from the Chief Constable, as he was a member of the Appleby Fair Multi Agency Co-ordination Group.

To consider whether there are any items on the agenda in respect of which the press and public should be excluded during consideration of the item.

RESOLVED,     that the press and public be not excluded from discussions on any items on the agenda today.

To receive petitions or questions from the public under the Public Participation Scheme for the Council.  This item is time limited to 30 minutes.

There were no public questions, statements or petitions on this occasion.

Chief Constable Michelle Skeer to give members the annual presentation from the Constabulary.

Mr Wearing had declared a non pecuniary interest in this item as his son was a Police Officer.

Mr Dew had declared a non pecuniary interest in this item as he was a member of the Appleby Fair Multi Agency Co-ordination Group.

Chief Constable Michelle Skeer gave members a presentation from the Constabulary, which covered the following:-

·           The challenges with finances

·           Cumbria Constabulary reconstruction

·           Appleby Fair

·           The changing nature of policing

·           Additional police officers

·           Cyber crime

·           Cumbria Constabulary Performance Figures

·           The multi layered police response

·           County lines

·           Operation Uplift

·           Police Hubs

·           Mental health/vulnerable people

One of the members raised the issue of speeding in rural areas, and what the Constabulary might do to help reduce speeding.

The Chief Constable said the constabulary took the issue of speeding in rural areas seriously and last year 26,000 speeding tickets had been issued.  As well as issuing speeding fines the Constabulary also carry out education in schools to try to impress on young people how dangerous speeding was.

The Local Member for Kirkby Stephen asked the Chief Constable about policing of the Appleby Fair and whether the new Police and Crime Bill would change the approach of the Constabulary to the Fair.

The Chief Constable responded to say it was unlikely to change the way the event was policed.  Appleby Fair was very different from usual fairs/events as it was not an organised event.  The event would still take place even if all partners stated they did not want it to happen.  With no one organiser it was very difficult to have any influence over this, and all the Constabulary was able to do was to reduce the impact of this on local communities, and each year carry out a ‘lessons learned’ review.

The Local Member congratulated Superintendent Matt Kennerley and all the officers involved in the running of Appleby Fair this year.

One of the members asked about the increase in numbers of those that had suffered from domestic violence in the past 12 months, and asked the Chief to comment on this.

The Chief Constable responded to say that the increase in numbers could be seen as a positive, as in the past many domestic violence incidents had gone unreported.  Cumbria Constabulary had a high conviction rate for domestic violence prosecutions and this was a priority for the force.

One of the members asked how confident the Chief Constable was that the increase in reporting was the reason for the increase in the numbers of incidents.

The Chief Constable said victims used to suffer violence up to 35 times before they reported it to the police.  Figures had reduced to, on average, 20 times before reporting it.  The Constabulary had allocated monies to third sector organisations to help and support victims and this was one of the key priorities for Cumbria Constabulary.

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services commented about the dreadful reports this week on historic child exploitation case, and asked the Chief how confident she was that historic events  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 28 April 2022 (copy enclosed)

RESOLVED,     that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 28 April 2022 be agreed as an accurate record.

To receive any announcements from the Chair, Leader, Members of the Cabinet or the Chief Executive

Mrs B Gray arrived at the meeting at this point.

The Chair began by drawing attention to the fact that this week marked Armed Forces Week. Reserves Day, held on 22 June, was an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the important part that Reservists played in supporting the UK’s defence capability, making a valuable contribution to the nation over and above their day jobs.

Armed Forces Day, was being held on 25 June and was a chance to show support for the people who made up the Armed Forces community, from currently serving troops to service families, veterans and cadets.

Last month, the Chair attended a commemoration event marking the centenary of the unveiling of the County War Memorial and Memorial Bridge in Rickerby Park, Carlisle, along with other dignitaries including representatives from the Canary Girls.  These were made up of local women who were employed in the munitions industry during the First World War. Representatives of the families of the Canary Girls laid a yellow wreath to commemorate the centenary and the role of the women on the war effort.

Over the Jubilee celebration weekend, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Cumbria, Mrs Claire Hensman announced several Cumbrian people had been named in this year's Birthday Honours List. The Chair congratulated all the recipients whose contributions to local communities were invaluable.

He congratulated Cockermouth Emergency Response Group who were awarded with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service this year, the highest award a voluntary group could receive in the UK.

The Chair ended his announcement by informing members that this would be the last meeting of full council attended by Dawn Roberts, Executive Director – Corporate, Customer and Community Services.  He invited the Group Leaders to say a few words of congratulations and took this opportunity to thank Dawn for all her hard work and commitment to the Council and Cumbria over the last 13 years.

The Group Leaders each congratulated Dawn and said a few words about her.

The Cabinet Member for Environment announced that Cumbria County Council had been awarded a Carbon Literacy Organisation Bronze Award by The Carbon Literacy Trust.

Carbon Literacy was an awareness of the carbon costs and impacts of everyday activities, and the ability and motivation to reduce emissions on an individual, community and organisational basis.

Staff and Elected Members had been undertaking this training, provided by Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS), which helped to increase knowledge and understanding of the issues and challenges of climate change, and also gave the Council real tools to take positive action to tackle the climate emergency.

The County Council had a longstanding commitment to tackling climate change, and this Carbon Literacy training enabled us to further reduce our carbon footprint both as an organisation and as individuals.

The minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 21 April 2022 are enclosed (copy attached)

The Leader will ask members if they have any questions on the minutes taking each page in turn. Members should state clearly the minute number of the item concerned.

On Minute No 230 – Copeland Local Plan Mr Hitchen asked the Leader to pass on his thanks to the officers that worked with Copeland Local Committee on this.  During discussions the local committee had raised 15 issues and the officers had included all of these in the response.  He asked the Leader to ensure these recommendations were followed up to ensure Copeland Borough Council understood the importance of the points raised by local members.

The Leader responded to say Cabinet welcomed the input from Copeland Local Committee, as it was vitally important that Cumbria County Council, and especially the local members had the opportunity to comment on the Local Plan.

Cumbria County Council had been concerned for some time about the lack of development of a Local Plan for Copeland, and although one was now in process the Council still had concerns about whether this could be completed by 31 March 2023.

After 31 March 2023 this would need to be replaced by a Local Plan for Cumberland, and major changes were also expected for planning regulations.  Cumbria County Council officers would be monitoring the progress of the Copeland Local Plan and would continue to work closely with local members.

Mr Roberts commented that the lack of a Copeland Local Plan had impacted a number of other agencies including the Town Council and the Highways Agencies.  He felt the lack of a Local Plan was the reason the Whitehaven Link Road had been pushed back.  Planning issues were contentious and he hoped this could not be moved forward.

The Leader shared members frustrations with the Whitehaven Relief Road, and had continually made this point to Government.  Cumbria County Council and Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership had contributed funding towards this scheme, but one of the major factors for the delay of the road was the lack of evidence and detail of the Local Plan.

Mr Morgan reminded members, for clarity, that the Whitehaven Relief Road had been removed from the Government’s Road Investment Strategy (RIS 3), which was of great concern to all local members.

RESOLVED,     that the minutes be received and noted.  

The minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 9 June 2022 are enclosed (copy attached)

The Leader will ask members if they have any questions on the minutes taking each page in turn. Members should state clearly the minute number of the item concerned.

On Minute No 5 – Statements by the Leader and Cabinet Members Mr Dew asked the Cabinet Member for Environment whether had any insight she could share to encourage members to take part in this.

The Cabinet Member encouraged all members to visit the site.  She found the training invaluable in helping to understand her own carbon footprint.

She was hoping that the training would be split in future into ‘bite size’ courses to encourage greater take up.

On Minute No 7 – 2021/22 Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring Report Provisional Year End Results Mr McGuckin congratulated Cabinet on agreeing the amended recommendations to create a Cost of Living reserve in response to the increased cost of living, increased energy process and the increase in inflation.

The Leader responded to say that Cabinet was mindful that there was going to be some difficult months ahead for the majority of the population.  The increases in the cost of living rise, energy prices and rising inflation was also compounded by the continuing recovery of Covid 19, the impact of Brexit and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Lord Liddle asked the Council to look at the impact of inflation on the quality of school meals.

The Leader responded to say that all areas of the Council’s business was being impacted by this due to the increased cost of resources.  The Finance Team was currently considering the impact on the revenue budget and within this they would be looking at school meals.  However, decisions on how much money the schools pay to the contractor and how much money they charge parents for school meals in usually a decision for the individual schools.

On Minute No 8 – Corporate Performance Monitoring Mr Whiteside was concerned about the red target to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity in reception years.  He had spoken to the Director of Public Health about this but wanted to raise it with Cabinet.

The Leader replied to say Cabinet shared these concerns.  Progress was being made with this target pre pandemic, but since then the target had slipped and was getting worse.  This would need to be addressed.

Also Mr Hitchen asked about the number of Children Looked After with a child protection plan which was red and worsening.  He asked for details on actions being taken to resolve this.

The Leader replied to say there were no easy answers to this question.  The societal changes taking place had had an effect on this and also the issue of recruitment was still an issue in some areas of the County.  There were no more resources available to deal with this and the demand would have its own pattern.  Work was continually ongoing to try to resolve recruitment issues, but this was going to be a challenge for the new unitary authorities next year.

RESOLVED,     that the minutes of the Cabinet held on 9 June 2022 be received and noted.

To consider a report from the Leader of the Council (copy enclosed)

Mr Metcalfe, Chief Executive left the meeting at this point.

The Leader presented a report which recommended to Council that the Chief Executive (Head of Paid Service) be appointed to the role of Returning Officer following a recommendation by the Chief Officers Committee.

At a meeting held on 25 May 2022, the Chief Officer Committee removed the role of Retuning Officer from the responsibilities carried out by the post of Executive Director Corporate, Customer and Community Services with effect from 24 June 2022.  This was due to the resignation of the current post holder and review of arrangements for her post following her departure from the Council on 24 June 2022. 

The Council had discretion on which officer to appoint as Returning Officer, and it was now timely to consider whether the role should sit within the responsibilities of  the post of Executive Director Corporate Customer and Community given the resignation of the current postholder.

The decision taken by Chief Officer Committee was to adopt a distributed leadership model amongst existing Assistant Directors to fill the duties of the post up to 1 April 2023, and to transfer the role of the Returning Officer to the Chief Executive.

RESOLVED,     that Council approve the RECOMMENDATION from Chief Officers Committee that the revised role profile for the role of Chief Executive incorporating the designation of Returning Officer so that the role of Returning Officer be included in the designations of the Chief Executive (Head of Paid Service) with effect from 24 June 2022.

To consider a report from the Leader of the Council (copy enclosed)

Mr Metcalfe returned to the meeting at this point.

Members had before them a report, presented by the Leader which recommended a number of changes to the Constitution arising from the decision of the Chief Officer Committee to adopt a Distributed Leadership Model for the replacement of the role of Executive Director Corporate Customer and Community Services (CC&CS).

The report also sought to update Council on the reallocations put in place by the Chief Executive and minor amendments to the Constitution made by the Monitoring Officer to reflect current roles and asked Council to approve the arrangements referred to.

At a meeting on 25 May 2022, the Chief Officer Committee approved the adoption of an internal distributed leadership model to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of the Executive Director Corporate Customer and Community Services from 11 July 2022. 

This approach required the four designated Assistant Directors within the CC&CS Directorate to take a greater role in strategic and corporate management of that directorate until the County Council was dissolved on 31 March 2023. 

A model had been developed which set out the new responsibility prescribed statutory roles which were previously the responsibility of the Executive Director Corporate, Customer & Community Services.  The power to make the necessary changes to the terms and conditions of employment for these amended temporary roles were delegated to the Chief Executive.

The  Assistant Director Organisational Change would become the Council’s Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO); the Assistant Director Customer and Community Services would become the Council’s Scrutiny Officer.

All employed Assistant Directors within CCC&S Directorate, would be given the full range of powers currently delegated to the Executive Director CCC&S in the Constitution to enable them on a monthly rotating basis to have the powers necessary to discharge the Council's functions and decisions to ensure efficient management of the services, contracts and staff for the CCC&S Directorate. 

These Assistant Directors posts referred to were:-

·           Assistant Director Customer and Community Services,

·           Assistant Director Organisational Change,

·           Assistant Director Strategic Commissioning and

·           Assistant Director Workforce and Organisational Development

RESOLVED,     that Council

(1)      notes the amendments to the Constitution made by the Monitoring Officer under her delegated powers to update the constitution to reflect current roles, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report;

(2)      notes the detail of the reallocation of the functions as set out in the distributed leadership model as detailed in Appendix 4 of the report;

(3)      notes and approves the continuation of the reallocation of all of the functions arising from the decision to adopt a Distributed Leadership Model for the replacement of the role of Executive Director Corporate Customer and Community Services up to 1 April 2023 as detailed in Appendix 2 of the report;

(4)      approves the consequential amendments to the Constitution arising from the decision to adopt a Distributed Leadership Model for the replacement of the role of Executive Director Corporate Customer and Community Services up to 1 April 2023 as detailed in Appendix  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

To consider a report from the Leader of the Council (copy enclosed)

The Leader presented a report which recommended that members be appointed to the Cumbria Police and Crime Panel for 2022 in line with the procedure agreed between the County Council and District Councils in Cumbria.

The Council made annual appointments to the PCP.  Entitlement to seats was determined by a procedure agreed between the County Council and District Councils which operated as follows.  The County and six District Councils each appointed one member to sit on the PCP.  This filled 7 of the 10 places on the committee.

In determining its nomination, the Council was required to give consideration to the "balanced objective requirement" and to the continuity of membership to enable the Panel’s expertise and skills to be developed for the effective scrutiny of the Police and Crime Commissioner.   Mr Bill McEwan was appointed to the Panel to fill this place at the AGM held on 28 April 2022.

Following the nomination of the 7 places by the County Council and 6 District Councils, the County Council was required to undertake a review of the membership to ensure that it reflected as far as possible the overall political proportionality of the political parties across the 7 Councils.

Following receipt of the nominations from the Districts, the review had been undertaken, and concluded that independent members were entitled to one place on the PCP in 2021-2022.  As the nomination from Copeland Borough Council was an independent this filled this place and there was no requirement to fill this through an election. 

Therefore, the County Council was required to appoint three additional members.  To reflect political proportionality across the seven Councils as far as possible all of these appointees should be members of the Conservative Group. 

RESOLVED,     that the following members to appointed to fill the additional County Council places:

                            Mr R Bingham

                            Mr M Johnson

                            Mr D Whipp

To consider a report from the Leader of the Council (copy enclosed)

The Leader of the Council presented a report which reminded members that the Council had adopted a new code of conduct for members in November 2021.  The Standards Committee had recommended some changes to the code of conduct adopted in November 2021 which reflected changes made by the Local Government Association to their model code.

Following an extensive consultation exercise the LGA produce a draft model Code of Conduct on 23 December 2020.  This was considered by the Standards Committee in January 2021 and after consultation with group leaders was recommended to Council for approval in November 2021.  Council approved the adoption of the new model code.

The draft model Code of Conduct issued by the LGA in December 2020 extended the definition of a disclosable pecuniary interest to include any unpaid directorship.  This was included in the Code of Conduct adopted by full Council in November 2021.

The treatment of an unpaid directorship as a disclosable pecuniary interest goes wider than the requirements of the relevant regulations, the Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012.  In addition, this had been changed in updated versions of the model Code of Conduct issued by the LGA.  Under the latest version of the model Code of Conduct issued by the LGA unpaid directorships were treated as other registerable interests. 

Under the Code of Conduct if a matter arose at a meeting which directly related to a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest the member was not able to participate in any discussion or vote on the matter and must not remain in the room during the debate unless a dispensation had been granted.  In contrast if a matter arises which directly related to an Other Registerable Interests the member must consider whether a reasonable member of the public, knowing all the facts, would think the interest such that it may influence the way the member would vote.  If it would then the member should not participate in the discussion or vote (except to the extent that a member of the public is allowed to speak) but is not required to leave the room. 

The Standards Committee considered whether the reference to unpaid directorships should be removed from the definition of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests and instead included within the definition of Registerable Interests at its meeting on 22 April 2022.  Making this change would make the Code of Conduct consistent with the relevant regulations, the revised model code.  This also reflected the Code of Conducts which were adopted by the Shadow Authorities at their first meetings.  The Standards Committee recommended the change was made.

RESOLVED,     that Council to adopt the changes to the Code of Conduct recommended by the Standards Committee.

To consider a report from the Deputy Leader of the Council (copy enclosed)

The Deputy Leader presented a report which informed members that the Capital Programme set out the Council’s investment plans over the current and following five years to achieve the Council’s priorities and vision.

Although it was recognised that the County Council would no longer exist from 1st April 2023 it was important that the longer term financial planning continued in order to support the future planning by the new Unitary Councils.  

The Council approved the 2022-2027 Capital Programme in February this year and as in previous years subsequent changes were then made throughout the year.

As part of the provisional year end outturn report to Cabinet on the 9 June changes to the 2021/22 and the 2022-27 capital programme were proposed. Cabinet approved a number of changes and recommended further changes for Council to approve.

The purpose of this report was to ask Council to approve the changes, as recommended by Cabinet, to the Capital Programme for 2021/22 and 2022-2027.

RESOLVED,     that Council

(1)      approve the addition of £2.201m to the Capital Programme 2021/22 for existing schemes, as detailed in paragraph 5.1 financed from previously approved un-allocated prudential borrowing;

(2)      approve the addition of £4.676m to the Capital Programme 2022-2027 for new schemes, as detailed in paragraph 5.2 financed from previously approved un-allocated prudential borrowing;

(3)      approve the virement of £1.368m between the Additional Inflation Risk allowance and A595 Grizebeck scheme in 2022/23, as detailed in paragraph 5.3.;

(4)      note the final position for the Capital Programme 2021/22 of £122.153m, as detailed in Table 1 paragraph 4.2;

(5)      note the proposed revised Capital Programme 2022/27 of £489.165m, as detailed in Table 2 paragraph 4.3.

To consider a report from the Deputy Leader of the Council (copy enclosed)

Members had before them a report from the Deputy Leader of the Council, which detailed treasury management activities for the 2021/22 financial year.  It highlighted performance and activities which confirmed all Treasury Management activities undertaken during the period were in compliance with the Annual Strategy agreed by Members at Council in February 2021.

Despite the volatility in economic expectations and therefore the markets during 2021/22, borrowing and investment activity was undertaken in accordance with the Strategy and this resulted in a net interest budget outperformance (i.e. underspend) of £2.735m for 2021/22.  This outperformance was achieved within all prudential limits while also maintaining the Council’s prudent strategy regarding investment counterparties.

The primary reason for underspending against the Treasury Management budget was a consequence of the delay in borrowing.  Council had approved, for a number of years, the tactical strategy of using internal cash reserves rather than incurring borrowing costs in respect of approved borrowing by Council to fund the capital programme.  This continued during 2021/22, and the delay in borrowing generated savings against the budget of £1.309m.  The current estimate of internal borrowing at 31 March 2022 was £58.9m (31 March 2021: £58.6m). The externalisation of this borrowing would be subject to continuing review.

RESOLVED,     that Council

(1)      note the treasury management annual report for 2021/22;

(2)      note the year-end position for the Prudential Indicators 2021/22 and full compliance with the Council’s treasury management policies and practices during the year; and

(3)      note the Treasury Management function reports a £2.735m underspend for 2021/22, due primarily to the Council’s tactical strategy to utilise internal cash reserves whilst available, albeit that this will be kept under review given various uncertainties, including interest rate movements and cash flow requirements.

To consider questions from Members, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No 11.2 to 11.5 to the Leader, a Member of the Executive or the Chair of any Committee.

Mr Bingham asked the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Property about the artefacts currently held by Cumbria County Council.  He had been asking about these for a number of years now.  He wondered what would happen to these on the resolution of Cumbria County Council in March 2023.

The Cabinet Member said the artefacts had been listed and circulated but at the time there had been little response to this. Some had been sent to Archives whilst others had been left in the Courts.  The Cabinet Member agreed to get a brief report on this out to all members.

Mr M Wilson asked the Leader of the Council, whether, following the meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board last week and the development update report on the Integrated Care Systems, he was able to offer any reassurances to members on behalf of their communities, that these changes would leave Cumbria with responsive and sufficient services.

The Leader responded to say that current health reforms were the largest reforms of the NHS and the changes were significant, and along with the current local government reform would be extremely complex.  However, how services would be effected was not yet known.  The Association of North East Councils, of which Cumbria County Council was not a part of had been asked by the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System to nominate a local authority representative to its Integrated Care Board.  In 2023 the Board would re-visit the representation by Cumberland Unitary Council.  

Mr Brereton asked the Leader of the Council to confirm why the start of the Grizebeck Scheme had not yet commenced.  The Leader had implied it was due to the lack of commitment of funding from Government, but he understood it was contingent on the approval of planning applications currently lodged with South Lakeland District Council.

The Leader replied that his understanding was that a final decision on funding was still awaited, but he would ask the Executive Director for a written response to clarify this.

Mr Lamb asked the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Property whether Cumbria County Council would be undertaking a ‘lessons learned’ exercise in relation to property to pass on to the two new unitary councils.

The Cabinet Member asked the member if he was referring to something specific, as he was not aware that any lessons learned were needed.  Mr Lamb  was referring to the state of some of the County Council buildings, which were due to be passed over to the new unitary councils.

He reminded members about the County Council’s Community Asset Transfer scheme, which had proved to be very successful.  He also said that when the County Council sold a property it was not possible to sell this ‘conditionally’, and that once it was sold it was no longer the responsibility of the County Council.  He was unable to comment on property issues for the new unitary authorities.

Mrs Mallinson was concerned that the figures for childhood obesity were on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

To consider a report from the Chair of Scrutiny Management Board (copy enclosed)

The Chair of Scrutiny Management Board presented a report which updated members of the work of Scrutiny and any issues and developments that had occurred since the last meeting of full Council.

The current Scrutiny Work Programme, which members were asked to note, was undergoing review and regularly updated to reflect new and emerging issues.

The Chair of Scrutiny Management Board took members through the report.

RESOLVED,     that the report be received and noted.   

To receive reports from Committees of the Council and receive questions and answers in accordance with Council Procedure Rules 11.1 to 11.5.

To receive the draft minutes of a meeting of the Audit and Assurance Committee held on 24 March 2022 (copy enclosed)

RESOLVED,     that the Minutes of the Standards Committee held on 24 March 2022 be received and noted.

To receive the draft minutes of a meeting of the Cumbria Pensions Committee held on 18 March 2022 (copy enclosed)

RESOLVED,     that the Minutes of the Cumbria Pensions Committee held on 18 March 2022 be received and noted.

To receive the draft minutes of a meeting of the Workington Harbour Board held on 22 April 2022 (copy enclosed)

Mr Dobson asked the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport whether he was able to give any further information on the performance figures contained in Minute 54.

The Cabinet Member agreed to provide a written response.

RESOLVED,     that the Minutes of the Workington Harbour Management Committee held on 22 April 2022 be received and noted.

To receive the minutes of a meeting of the Standards Committee held on 22 April 2022 (copy enclosed)

RESOLVED,     that the Minutes of the Standards Committee held on 22 April 2022 be received and noted.

To consider a report from the Leader of the Council (copy enclosed)

The Leader of the Council presented a report, the purpose of which was to notify members of any urgent decisions taken in the period sonce the last County Council meeting.

Two relevant decisions had been taken since the last meeting and the details were set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

RESOLVED,     that the report be received and noted.

To consider notice of motions for up to a specified period of one hour.

There were no notices of motion on this occasion.

To hear speeches (not exceeding five minutes each) for up to a specified period of 30 minutes, from individual members, of which at least 24 hours’ notice has been given to the Executive Director – Corporate, Customer and Community Services.

Mr M Wilson gave a speech on the green achievements of the County Council.

Mr S Collins gave a speech on the use and abuse of statistics.