Meeting documents

To elect a Chair for the ensuing year

Mr N Cotton was elected as Chair for the ensuing year

To elect a Vice Chair for the ensuing year.

Mr G Cook was appointed as Vice Chair for the ensuing year

Apologies for absence were received from Mr M Brereton, Mrs S Evans, Mrs B Gray and Mrs S Sanderson.

Petition - Improve the safety of the junction at Queens Road, Windermere Rd and Green Road and provide safe crossing place for pedestrians.

Laura Miller referred to the e-petition ‘Improve the safety of the junction at Queens Road, Windermere Rd and Green Road and provide safe crossing place for pedestrians’ which had been loaded on the County Council’s website (34 signatories) and advised that she had obtained signatures from local residents by knocking on doors and delivering leaflets (85 signatories).

She was a Kendal resident and owned a business in the town centre and made the following points:

·         Visibility was poor for road users at the junction when exiting Queens Road and Green Road

·         Traffic speeded up on Windermere Road as it went past the junction

·         HGVs speeded up past a small and exposed pedestrian refuge point

·         Pedestrian crossing provision at the location was poor and dangerous and was used by local families attending school and nursery

·         The Local Member was aware of the petition

·         Local residents were supportive of safety improvement measures, particularly those living in the vicinity of the junction

·         Those who didn’t sign the petition considered the County Council wouldn’t resolve the safety issues

·         Local residents felt that current crossing provision was dangerous

·         The junction was part of a busy key route around Kendal and there were no proposals to reduce traffic in the area so specific intervention would be required

·         Ms Miller had been involved in three petitions to Local Committee in the past six months which involved dangerous junctions in Kendal which were on key routes to school

·         Improving the safety of the junctions was essential to encourage active travel around Kendal

·         As a candidate in recent elections, Ms Miller considered that the petition had not reached as many people as she had planned in advance of the meeting as she had not referred to it during the election period

·         Ms Miller asked if more people were required to sign the petition in order to conduct a thorough safety review of the junction or could the review proceed on the basis of the petition presented at the meeting

Chair’s response:

Thank you for presenting the petition regarding safety of the junction at Queens Road, Windermere Road and Green Road in Kendal. 

Members have a high regard for road safety and take concerns raised seriously. This junction is to be considered for a road safety assessment.  Such an assessment would consist of review of the location, regard for the collision history for appraisal of road safety and also consideration of any possible remedial measures. Any measures identified are likely to be considered for implementation in a future year which will be for decision under a new Council Authority.

A report will be prepared for discussion and consideration of next steps at the Highways and Transportation Working Group, following completion of the safety assessment in the summer months.

Linda Polley presented a petition ‘We the undersigned want to draw attention to the speed of the vehicles travelling along Park Road, Swarthmoor, Ulverston, LA12 OHJ. The Sports Centre, 2 football pitches and a playground across the road from this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

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

RESOLVED that, the press and public not be excluded from the meeting for any item of business

Members are invited to 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).

There were no disclosures of interest made at the meeting

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Local Committee held on 22 March 2022

RESOLVED that,  the minutes of the meeting held on 22 March 2022 be confirmed as circulated

[Electoral Divisions: All South Lakeland]

To consider a report by the Executive Director – Corporate, Customer and Community Services

This report provides information and offers recommendations to the Local Committee for approval from meetings of the Strategic Planning Working Group and the Children and Young Peoples Working Group. It also updates the Local Committee on previously agreed activity supported with the latest financial statement.

A report was considered from the Executive Director – Corporate, Customer and Community Services regarding Area Working in South Lakeland. The report provided service information and offered recommendations to South Lakeland Local Committee for approval from the following working groups: Strategic Planning Working Group meeting held on 14 April 2022 and the Children and Young People’s Working Group meeting held on 7 April 2022. The report also provided Local Committee with an update on activity against agreed priorities and provided an overview of the current budget position.

The Area Manager presented the report and detailed all of the recommendations for members, giving a report on each.  She drew members’ attention to the increase in officer hours within the Area Team and the amount being requested for the Kendal Unity Festival. In relation to the COMF and Environment schemes, it was noted that three projects had been re-profiled and all of the money would be allocated.

The Chair advised that a workshop would be held to determine how this year’s funding allocations would be spent. He asked that a note be circulated on what schemes had been successful and asked for guidance on what kind of schemes could be supported this year. A member suggested that the schemes on the current reserve list could be revisited rather than identifying new schemes. The Area Manager advised that preliminary work will be undertaken with colleagues to ascertain what schemes were deliverable and the work that would entail.

After referring to the request for £11,500 to increase Community Development Officer hours, a member asked how this would have been funded had the County Council not ceased to exist from 1 April 2023. The Area Manager reported that a review of the Local Committee’s budget allocation would have been requested in the longer term.

A short discussion took place on the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ programme and how it was progressing. The Area Manager talked about the work of the Resettlement Team supporting this work and noted the confidentiality of the work taking place. The Chair commented on how this was different to the Refugee settlement work of the County Council and another member commented on how successful the programme was so far.

Discussion turned to underspend in the School Crossing Patrols budget and the locations in South Lakeland where the flashing lights were not working properly. A list of these would be brought to the next working group meeting. Members were informed that the lights needed replacing as they were at the end of their life and that it was not just a case of changing the bulbs or carrying out minor repairs. A member highlighted that some lights were on footpaths and queried if the Environment Fund could be used to pay for them.

The Chair proposed that the recommendations as set out in the report be agreed. These were agreed by assent of the Committee.

RESOLVED that,

1     Members note the budget update for 2021-22 including the commitments and expenditure to date.

2  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

[Electoral Divisions: All South Lakeland]

To consider a report by the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure

This report presents the minutes of the meetings of the Highways and Transportation Working Group held on 6 April 2022 and 25 April 2022 and brings forward recommendations for consideration by the Local Committee.

A report was considered from the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure regarding the Highways and Transportation Working Group meetings 6 April 2022 and 25 April 2022. The report provided the notes of the meetings of the Highways and Transportation Working Group held on 6 April and 25 April 2022 and included recommendations for consideration by the Local Committee.

The Chair of the Highways and Transportation Working Group presented the report. He advised that there had been 2 meetings of the Working Group since the last Local Committee meeting. He reported on the business conducted at the meeting held on 6 April 2022. This included a Streetworks presentation, Cross-A-Moor Traffic Regulation Orders and a Flood and Development Management briefing.

Members were informed about the meeting held on 25 April 2022 which considered the proposed Streetscape Improvement Works at Stramongate, Kendal. The meeting had been held to ensure that a decision could be made at this Local Committee meeting.  A vote had taken place at the meeting which related to the placement of trees at the entrance to Stramongate. Members had voted in favour of removing the trees from the proposal. Mr Collins moved and Mr Bland seconded that the recommendations as set out in the report be agreed.

Mr Thornton moved an amendment to recommendation 3.2.2, that the words ‘without trees’ be removed from it. He stated that the scheme had been created to include trees and noted that the Working Group’s membership who could vote to recommend to Local Committee what they thought the decision should be on this matter, was small whereas the Local Committee had significantly more voting members who determined the decision which could result in a different decision.

He added that the scheme was being delivered on behalf of SLDC who wanted trees included. The scheme was presented to create a view with visual cues that it was a pedestrian friendly area. At the Working Group meeting, the  Senior Manager, Highways Delivery had confirmed that the trees would not cause any problems and Mr Thornton trusted his professional opinion.

The amendment was seconded by Mr Wilson. He thought that the decision to not have trees as voted by the Working Group had been the wrong decision.

The Chair highlighted that the tree pits which would be used would not cause damage to utilities.

Mr Brook from SLDC reported that SLDC had worked with partners to develop the scheme. Trees were integral to the feeling of the area and the site was a precursor for future development in Kendal, when funding became available. He considered trees to be a valuable part of the scheme.

A member reminded the Committee that the scheme  was intended to be the first step in a larger town centre improvement scheme and that if and when funding was received in future, it could be added to. He supported the trees as part of the scheme.

Mr Collins advised that he was not convinced that root baskets would not damage  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

[Electoral Divisions: Low Furness]

To consider a report by the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure

This report sets out the responses to the statutory consultation and advertising of the Order.

A report was considered from the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure regarding the Cross-A-Moor Parking Restrictions Traffic Regulation Order. The report set out the responses to the statutory consultation and advertising of the Order and sought a resolution on the proposed introduction of the Order.

The Traffic Management Team Leader - South Lakeland presented the report. A synopsis of the consultation responses was provided and it was noted that the consultation responses for this and Agenda item 11 had been taken together as they were so closely linked that they could not be separated.

There were no questions or debate on this item.

The Chair put the recommendation as set out in the report to the Committee. This was agreed by assent of the Committee.

RESOLVED that, Having taken into account the objections and representations which were received during the statutory consultation and advertisement, and having also taken into consideration the matters contained in Section 122(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 which are more specifically referred to at paragraph 7.2 of this Report, that The County of Cumbria (Various Roads, South Lakeland Area) (Consolidation of Traffic Regulations) (Order 2002) (Cross-A-Moor) Variation Order  (20><) ("the Order"), be brought into operation as advertised. 

[Electoral Divisions: Low Furness]

To consider a report by the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure

This report sets out the responses to the statutory consultation and advertising of the Order.

A report was considered from the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure regarding the Cross-A-Moor Speed Limit Traffic Regulation Order. The report set out the responses to the statutory consultation and advertising of the Order and sought a resolution on the proposed introduction of the Order.

The Traffic Management Team Leader - South Lakeland presented the report. A synopsis of the consultation responses was provided and it was noted that the consultation responses for this and Agenda item 10 had been taken together as they were so closely linked that they could not be separated.

There were no questions or debate on this item.

The Chair put the recommendations as set out in the report to the Committee. This was agreed by assent.

RESOLVED that, Having taken into account the objections and representations which were received during the statutory consultation and advertisement, and having also taken into consideration the matters contained in Section 122(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 which are more specifically referred to at paragraph 7.2 of this Report, that The County of Cumbria (Various Roads, South Lakeland Area) (Consolidation of Provision of Speed Limits) (Order 2018)Variation Order (NO.9) 20>< ("the Order"), be brought into operation as advertised. 

[Electoral Divisions: All South Lakeland]

To consider a report by the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure

This report is for the Divisional Highway Priority Works schemes to be funded via the devolved 2022 /2023 highway capital budget for South Lakeland.

A report was considered from the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure regarding the Divisional Highway Priority Works 2022/2023. The report asked Local Committee to approve Appendix 1 of the report as the scheme of works for 2022 / 2023.

The Traffic Management Team Leader - South Lakeland presented the report. An updated Appendix 1 was circulated at the meeting.

The Traffic Management Team Leader - South Lakeland explained the number of Traffic Regulation orders that were still outstanding. She noted that some of the outstanding schemes would be for the newly constituted Westmorland and Furness Council to complete. Members were updated on the High Furness allocation and an amendment to the scheme in Ulverston.

The Chair wanted the County Council to have completed as many schemes as possible before Westmorland and Furness Council took over and asked officers for a frank and honest discussion on what schemes could and could not be delivered by the end of Cumbria County Council. If schemes could not be delivered and money was left over, guidance was requested on what it could be spent on. Members were asked to contact the Traffic Management Team Leader - South Lakeland to discuss schemes in their division.

The Chairs of the Local Committee and Highways and Transportation Working Group would meet with officers to ascertain what schemes could be delivered. A member asked for clarity on how long it would take for schemes to be delivered adding that Appendix 1 should include scheme end dates and progress columns. He thought this would help when the schemes were handed over to  Westmorland and Furness Council.

The Traffic Management Team Leader - South Lakeland would advise members outside of the meeting if funding was ring fenced and would contact individual members to discuss their allocations. The Traffic Management Team Leader - South Lakeland advised that she had contacted members to have these discussions and would welcome their input.

A member highlighted that some schemes had been postponed or stopped due to COVID. He advised that during recent elections members had told residents that certain schemes would be delivered so it was essential that Westmorland and Furness Council  knew what schemes should be delivered. The Chair of the Highways and Transportation Working Group talked about a number of meetings due to take place to discuss the outstanding  schemes and this would be reported to the next Highways and Transportation Working Group meeting.

The Chair put the recommendation as set out in the report to the Committee. It was agreed by assent.

RESOLVED that, the Local Committee approves the current Divisional Highway Priorities Works Programme 2022 / 2023 ("the Programme") set out in the updated Appendix 1 circulated at the meeting.  An entry for new schemes is shown for each division as this is the first report for this financial year. 

[Electoral Divisions: All South Lakeland]

To consider a report by the Executive Director - Corporate, Customer and Community Services

This report details the Public Health Activity undertaken by the South Lakeland Area Support Team and Locality Public Health Manager

A report was considered from the Executive Director – Corporate, Customer and Community Services regarding the Community Development and Public Health Activity Update. The report drew attention to key Community Development and Public Health Activity undertaken by the South Lakeland Area Support Team and the Locality Public Health Manager.   

The Public Health Locality Manager presented the report which focussed on the South Lakeland Health and Wellbeing Partnership. It had reviewed its local priorities within the Cumbria Joint Public Health Strategy. Members were given a detailed report on the role of the partnership and its agreed priorities. The members who had contributed to the Strategy were thanked.

Of concern to officers were financial issues and food (such as healthy food). There would be collaboration with partners on food. One issue of particular importance was climate change. It had been recognised that the Partnership couldn’t influence macro climate change issues but it would work with partners to ascertain what it could influence. The Partnership would be working with partners on mental health and wellbeing and physical health.

Discussion took place on how the Partnership prioritised issues and ascertained what it could influence. A member asked for clarity on the Partnership’s Sub Group, how it would be established and how it could be influential. The Public Health Locality Manager advised that a lot of activity would be localised and that a lot of work was in progress.

A member asked about how officers were dealing with rising suicide rates. The Public Health Locality Manager explained national and global suicide figures and that there was a correlation between unemployment and suicide rates. A short discussion took place on the provision of CALM for people with suicidal tendencies. Members were informed that it was not now in operation.

The increase in energy costs was of particular concern to one member. He thought that even if people could afford to pay for energy they would cut back on leisure pursuits and this could affect the wider economy. The Public Health Locality Manager talked about the safety nets being put in place relating to food, housing and health for example.

After referring to the ‘life course priorities’ agreed by the Partnership, for Older People, a member raised that diet, exercise and weight management should be included in the Older People section.

A member talked about the cost of food and the implication of people having an impoverished diet which then impacted on their health. He urged Westmorland and Furness Council to include home insulation as a priority in order to prevent excess winter deaths.

The Public Health Locality Manager joined a member in congratulating the County Council for doing a great job opening libraries for free to self-help groups and concurred that the Integrated Care Communities newsletters were excellent.

RESOLVED that, the report be noted.

There were no reports made to this meeting.

There was no report made to this meeting.

The next meeting will be held on 6 July 2022 at 10.00am at County Offices, Kendal.

The next meeting of the Committee would be held on 6 July 2022 at 10.00am at County Offices, Kendal.