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Notices

Council launches surveys to help shape future of library services

Westmorland and Furness Council is excited to announce the launch of community-wide surveys aimed at gathering valuable feedback on its library services.

The council is inviting everyone, current library users and non-users, adults and children, to share their views on what matters most to them, ensuring that our libraries continue to meet the diverse needs of our community.

This engagement is a key part of our commitment to developing a high-quality, modern library service that is accessible and beneficial to everyone. The insights collected through the survey will play a crucial role in shaping and informing our upcoming Library Strategy and Delivery Plan.

Councillor Virginia Taylor, Westmorland and Furness Council Cabinet Member for Sustainable Communities and Localities, said:

“Our libraries are at the heart of our community, offering not just books, but a wide range of services that support learning, creativity, and social connections.

“We want to hear directly from our residents about what they value most and what improvements they would like to see. This feedback will guide us in creating a library service that truly reflects the needs and aspirations of our community.”

The surveys are designed to capture a broad range of opinions and are open to everyone, whether they are regular library users or have not yet experienced what our libraries have to offer. Participants will have the opportunity to provide input on a variety of topics, including the types of services they use and any suggestions for new services or improvements.

There are two surveys, one for adults and one for children, and they can be completed online at:

Paper copies will also be made available at all local libraries. The deadline for responses is Friday 31 January 2025 at 5pm.

Please refer to attached poster for the opportunity to complete via QR codes, kindly share on notice boards etc.

We encourage everyone to take a few minutes to complete the survey and make their voice heard. By doing so, you’ll be helping to shape the future of our libraries, ensuring they remain high-quality, vibrant, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of our entire community.

The council will also be holding a series of drop-ins across the Eden, South Lakeland and Furness localities to allow the public to come along, find out more and ask any questions they may have. Dates and locations for the South Lakeland area as follows:

South Lakeland:

  • Wednesday 22 January, Ambleside Library, 10am-12pm
  • Wednesday 22 January, Sedbergh Library, 10.30am-12.30pm
  • Wednesday 22 January, Kendal Library, 3-5pm
  • Tuesday 28 January, Kirkby Lonsdale Library, 2-4pm
  • Thursday 30 January, Kendal Library, 10am-12pm

A draft version of the Library Strategy will be written using feedback and comments from this initial engagement. The council will then invite further comment on the proposed strategy in March 2025.

For more information about the Council’s Library Service, visit: https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/libraries-and-archives.

  • January 22, 2025 by

W&F Council News Release – Cultural Framework

RELEASE: Council agrees ambitious cultural framework to boost health, well-being and local growth
Council announces new Cultural Framework designed to strengthen arts and culture as key drivers of health, well-being, and economic growth across the area.
 
Westmorland and Furness Council is pleased to announce the launch of its Cultural Framework.
At a meeting of Cabinet (21 January), a five-year vision designed to strengthen arts and culture as key drivers of health, well-being, and economic growth across the area was agreed by members.

The Cultural Framework emphasises the pivotal role culture plays in supporting local communities and outlines how the council will harness arts and heritage to improve physical and mental health, tackle issues such as loneliness and isolation, and foster local economic development.

The Cultural Framework aims to achieve several key objectives that will enhance the social, economic, and cultural fabric of Westmorland and Furness:

•            Building civic pride and promoting a strong sense of place.
•            Promoting better health and well-being by addressing challenges such as mental ill health, loneliness, and social isolation.
•            Supporting local economic growth through revitalising high streets, boosting commercial creative industries, and developing the visitor and night-time economies.
•            Encouraging social mobility by ensuring inclusive access to local cultural opportunities and pathways into the rapidly growing creative industries.

This comprehensive document is a key part of the council achieving its Council Plan priorities and Council Plan Delivery Framework mission to embed culture in all it does, contributing to improved health, well-being and quality of life, and ensuring everyone has access to a diverse range of opportunities to be creative and enjoy high-quality cultural experiences across the area.

The framework’s development has been shaped and informed by extensive engagement and collaboration with cultural sector stakeholders across Westmorland and Furness to ensure it reflects the importance of community arts as well as the ambition and vision of the sector.
Councillor Virginia Taylor, Westmorland and Furness Council Cabinet Member for Sustainable Communities and Localities, said:

“Culture is at the heart of thriving communities, and Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to ensuring arts and heritage are integral to our future. This framework not only highlights the substantial social and economic value of culture but also underscores our dedication to fostering collaboration and connection.
“Recent research measuring the positive impact of arts and heritage on health and well-being continues work over 25 years here in Cumbria, in Westminster and at universities. It validates our ambition and demonstrates the tangible benefits culture can bring – to individuals, communities and education, to the high street, nighttime economy, tourism and community spaces.

“I would like to extend my thanks to the many individuals and organisations who contributed to developing this framework. We at the council look forward to making a ‘Cultural Compact’ with all our partners to deliver this vision. Together, we can build a more connected and vibrant future for all – making Westmorland and Furness a great place to live, work and thrive.”
ENDS
 
  • January 22, 2025 by

W&F Council News Release – Housing Strategy


NEWS RELEASE: Council announces ambitious Housing Strategy to address local needs Council approves new Housing Strategy aimed at ensuring everyone in the area has access to high-quality, affordable, and sustainable housing.
Westmorland and Furness Council has approved an ambitious Housing Strategy aimed at ensuring that everyone in the area has access to high-quality, affordable, and sustainable housing.

At a meeting of Westmorland and Furness Council’s Cabinet on Tuesday, 21 January, a new Housing Strategy was agreed which sets out the objectives, targets, and policies in relation to the council’s delivery of its housing service over the next five years (2025-2030). As outlined in the council’s Council Plan and Delivery Framework, providing good quality housing is a priority. The council is committed to ensuring everyone has access to a safe, warm, clean, and affordable home. This commitment includes ensuring the right people get the right houses in the right place at the right time.

The strategy, developed through extensive engagement with residents, communities, Town and Parish Councils, Community Land Trusts, developers and Registered Providers, reflects the council’s commitment to tackling housing challenges and seizing opportunities across the area.

The new strategy outlines an ambitious vision under three key themes: Our People, Our Places, and Our Homes, and aims to address critical issues such as homelessness, housing supply, availability and affordability, and stock quality while prioritising sustainability and the unique needs of diverse communities. The plans include growing the council’s housing stock, collaborating with Housing Associations and developers, and creating additional temporary accommodations to support homeless households.

The strategy details initiatives to upgrade council-owned homes to meet new social housing regulations, prevent and tackle damp and mould, and enforce higher standards in the private rental sector. All new council homes will meet Future Homes Standards and net-zero carbon goals, while existing homes will be retrofitted for improved energy efficiency to reduce fuel poverty and contribute to climate targets. Efforts will focus on addressing the rural housing crisis, regenerating neighbourhoods, and providing tailored support for vulnerable groups, including veterans, care-experienced young people, and the elderly.

The council has already made significant progress including awarding £570,000 in Affordable Housing Grants to deliver 20 new homes and investing over £3 million in Disabled Facility Grants. An additional £460,000 has also been allocated over the next three years to bring empty homes back into use, alongside ongoing work to address damp and mould in both public and private housing.

Detailed action plans will now be developed by the council which will ensure progress is measurable and impactful. Councillor Judith Derbyshire, Westmorland and Furness Council Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety, said: “Providing good quality housing is an absolute priority for us as a council and this strategy demonstrates a deep commitment to ensuring that people can live in a place that they can proudly call home – one which is affordable, safe, and sustainable.

“We have already taken important steps by investing in several projects to improve housing conditions and access, but this strategy will help build on that progress and drive even greater change. By focusing on people, places, and homes, we are laying the foundation for a brighter future for all. “We are hugely appreciative of all the voices which have helped to shape and inform this strategy and have enabled a meaningful document to be produced which has a strong sense of ownership. We look forward to continuing to work closely with our communities and partners to make this shared vision a reality.” ENDS ​
  • January 22, 2025 by

Weather Warning – Storm Eowyn

Please find below a message from our Met Office Colleagues about Storm Eowyn.

The weather system hasn’t even formed yet but such is the consistency between the various forecast models that confidence is already high for a very deep low to impact us at the end of the working week. It has already acquired a name, Storm Eowyn, the fifth named storm of the 24/25 season. The key now is nailing down the exact track and intensity of the system which will, of course, determine those parts of the UK that will be exposed to the strongest, most disruptive winds. In the past 24 hours there has been a notable southwards shift in the forecast track of Eowyn which is not good news for us as the more southward trajectory brings our region much more into the firing line for disruptive winds than was the case this time yesterday.   

Expected weather sequence through Friday:

The most probable scenario will be a band of rain, heavy in places, and accompanied by strengthening S to SE’ly winds, moving through the region early Friday. The most disruptive conditions, however, look likely to occur once the worst of the rain is through and the centre of Eowyn makes its way across Northern Ireland and then Scotland. As this happens so the winds move round to a more W’ly point and reach their peak strength through the middle part of Friday before moderating into Friday evening as Eowyn clears out into the North Sea.  

Latest severe weather warnings:

Two yellow wind warnings are now in force across the Northwest. A new high impact yellow warning covers those areas currently reckoned to be most at risk from Eowyn’s strongest winds whilst yesterday’s medium impact yellow wind warning which was confined to Scotland and Northern Ireland has now been updated and extended to a large part of the UK.

The first is for Friday covering all of Cumbria – UK weather warnings – Met Office

The second impacts the north of Cumbria on Saturday – UK weather warnings – Met Office

These warning are likely to be updated once the weather system is closer, but please do keep an eye out on the Met Office Website/App –

  • January 21, 2025 by

20 Westmorland & Furnace Council-funded bus services to hit the road next year

£1.7 million of council funding will see 20 new and enhanced bus routes hit Westmorland and Furness roads next year.

From Spring 2025, communities will benefit from significant bus service improvements that will provide better access to employment, education and essential services.

A total of 11 new bus routes will be in operation across the area until Spring 2026, directly addressing needs highlighted through the Council’s extensive consultation with over 2,000 people. The funding will also keep nine existing bus services running until November 2025 which were originally restored or enhanced earlier this year by the council.

As a part of the investment, enhancements to the 105 Greystoke service will see the highly requested North Lakes Primary School bus route reinstated, providing children and young people with a reliable way to travel home. Vast improvements to the frequency and timings of services will also be introduced right across the areas of Eden, Furness and South Lakeland.

Westmorland and Furness Council received the £1.7 million of Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus (BSIP+) funding from the Department for Transport to support bus services across the area in 2024/25 for up to one year. The short-term funding aims to create a commercially viable network of self-sustaining bus routes.

The 10 new services confirmed to be funded from Spring 2025 until Spring 2026 are:

  • 1 Barrow Biggar Bank – Hospital – doubling the daytime frequency from hourly to every 30 minutes
  • 2/4 Barrow Westshore – Holbeck Park – later journeys from 7:15pm to 11:15pm
  • 3 Barrow Newbarns – Ormsgill – doubling the daytime frequency to every 30 minutes.
  • 11 Ulverston – Barrow via Coast Road – new twice a day Friday service and an extra return journey on a Tuesday to bring the level of service in line with other days providing better access to local services for residents and local camp sites
  • 105 Greystoke – Penrith – new Monday to Saturday service improving links from villages the West of Penrith, Shap, Penrith Town Service and North Lakes School bus
  • 555 Kendal – Grasmere – introducing later trips on a Monday and a Thursday and running the last bus one amenities later to improve return journeys
  • 561 Appleby – Kendal – new Wednesday direct service
  • 563 Kirkby Stephen – Appleby – Penrith – enhanced current off-peak service with extra journeys including peak times for work and education
  • X5 Penrith – Keswick – Cockermouth – Workington – introducing an hourly Summer Saturday service through winter enhancing the current commercially operated two hourly service
  • X12 Coniston – Ulverston – new Saturday service introducing four trips per day.

The nine council-funded routes that will be maintained until November 2025 are:

  • 6 Barrow to Windemere – additional journey on a Sunday morning and late evening service improving access to employment in the central Lakes and late return
  • 40 Kendal Town – hourly Sunday service improving access across Kendal
  • 104 Penrith – Carlisle – doubling the frequency of the current Monday to Saturday service to every 30 minutes
  • 530 Cartmel to Kendal – Monday to Friday service four times a day 
  • 532 Cartmel to Grange – Monday to Friday service five times a day 
  • 552 (Carnforth) Arnside to Kendal – Two journeys a day on a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday enhancing the commercial Monday, Wednesday, and Friday service
  • 597 Windermere Town Service – Friday morning service every 30 minutes
  • 680A Alston – Carlisle – one trip a day on a Monday and Wednesday with the introduction of a new start point from Garigill instead of Nenthead every week
  • X4/5 Penrith – Keswick – doubling the daytime frequency of the Monday to Saturday service to every 30 minutes.

Cllr John Murray, Westmorland and Furness Council Cabinet Member for Transport and Regulatory Services said: “This £1.7 million investment will deliver vital connections for residents and visitors, addressing key priorities identified by our communities. These significant changes reflect what people have told us they need and will make a real difference to the lives of residents here, many of which rely on buses to access key services and employment.

“It’s important to understand the Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus funding from the Department for Transport provides short-term support for these services. It is therefore absolutely vital that, when these routes launch, our residents and visitors choose bus when they can to make these services sustainable for operators to continue running in the future.”

The funded routes were identified based on value for money, ensuring the council has the best opportunity to secure an operator or likelihood of sustainability going forward by either becoming commercially viable or requiring a reduced level of subsidy. There was also consideration of whether requested routes had been tried before and found to be unsustainable.

The Council has taken account of local circumstances and are exploring a further six ‘seasonal’ services, subject to a further tender process in early 2025. They will focus on improving access to the Lake District for the visitor economy and hospitality workers:

  • 1-6 Barrow Shipyard – extra direct bus at shift change times to improve access to work via bus
  • U1/509 Ulswater – Support the existing weekend service funded by the Sustainable and Integrated Transport for Ulswater (SITU) to retain improvements to visitor transport for leisure
  • 505 Ambleside Coniston – daily early morning service to improve access to employment and education
  • 508 Windermere – Kirkstone – Penrith – improving daily frequency in summer to enhance access to Patterdale, Windermere via the West Coast Mainline at Penrith and the Lakes Line at Windermere
  • 516 Ambleside – Dungeon Gill – daily early morning service to improve access to employment and education
  • 517 Little Langdale Shuttle – explore a weekend service in summer (July to August) and on a Monday to Friday in summer school holidays to reduce parking issues in the area.

In response to calls from residents to boost bus services through Sedbergh, the Council is also exploring additional opportunities with its in-house Community Transport Team. It will aim to maintain a six day a week service once the current Stagecoach 563 contract ends by enhancing the Wednesday route provided by Western Dales between Kirkby Stephen and Penrith via Appleby.

An additional nine services that were provisionally backed by Cabinet in April 2024 to receive funding were not awarded contracts following the tender process. This was due to factors including the cost proposed by operators being too high or the presence of competing routes which would reduce the likelihood of establishing a sustainable, commercially viable service.

A further £4 million of DfT funding has been awarded for 2025/26 which includes £1.2 million of funding to continue supporting bus services into next year and £2.6m towards capital improvements.

South Lakes Timetable here: https://kirkbyirelethpc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/South-Lakes.pdf

  • December 11, 2024 by

Notice from the A595 Grizebeck Improvement Scheme – HGV Restriction.

We are writing to inform you that Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) will be restricted from travelling on a narrow section of the A595 early next year to reduce congestion through Grizebeck.

From 13th January 2025, HGVs over 7.5 tonnes will be restricted from passing through Grizebeck Village and School Road in Kirkby-in-Furness throughout the construction phase of the Council’s multi-million pound investment scheme.

The upcoming temporary measure will alleviate pressure and ease congestion on narrow sections of the A595 which the creation of a new single-carriageway road will address.

Throughout the 18-month restriction, HGVs can continue to access the area if providing a service to businesses and properties in the vicinity. Access for all emergency services and buses will also be maintained throughout.

The Council is working with haulage firms to ensure they are aware of the restriction criteria and clear signage is set to be installed along the route from December.

Once enforced, permanent on-site crews will also ensure HGVs do not proceed through the restricted area.

For information on the restriction and diversion route for HGVs, visit the Westmorland and Furness Council road closure map.

If you require further information, please contact the relevant team by emailing: A595grizebeck@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

  • December 10, 2024 by