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Westmorland & Furness Local Plan

Westmorland and Furness Local Plan – Consultation 8th July – 9th September 2024

Westmorland and Furness Council are starting work on a new Local Plan for Westmorland and Furness (excluding
the National Parks) which will replace all the existing local plans adopted by the former Councils.

They are kicking off the process with an ‘early conversation’ with our communities and stakeholders from 8th July 2024 until the 9th September 2024. Drop in events are happening across the district, where people can chat to Council officers about the
new Local Plan. Information about the early conversation, the drop-in-events and how to respond is available on the website

People are encouraged to take part in the conversation and other consultations listed below using the online survey forms. Paper copies are available upon request.

To support the Westmorland and Furness Local Plan we are also undertaking the following consultations:

  • A Design Code for the Westmorland and Furness Local Plan area which will guide and shape how new development is designed.
  • A ‘Call for Sites’ for land or sites that are available for housing, employment and mixed-use sites to be considered for potential allocation in the Local Plan (excluding sites in the Arnside and Silverdale National Landscape). As part of the Call for Sites we are also seeking comments on the draft SHELAA methodology.
  • A ‘Call for Sites’ for land or sites that are available for minerals and for waste development to be considered for potential allocation in the Local Plan.
  • Further details are available on our website, including how to access the online survey forms.
    Sites previously submitted or allocated to the Council must be re-submitted on the new form or they will not be taken forward for consideration in the Westmorland and Furness Local Plan.
  • Housing and employment site allocations in the Barrow, Eden and South Lakeland Local Plans, which do not yet have planning permission, will be reassessed for allocation in the new Local Plan. To ensure the review of these sites
    is based on to-up-date information, they should be resubmitted on the new Call for Sites form.
  • If you have any queries about the above please email us at localplan@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk or call 0300 373 3300

Westmorland and Furness Council Logo

Consultation on a New Public Space Protection Order (PSPO)

Following Local Government Reorganisation last year, the three separate PSPOs for the former district councils have, or are due to, expire and, given their important role, Westmorland and Furness Council is proposing a new order for the Westmorland and Furness area.

A PSPO is a tool available to local authorities under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 which helps to address the impact of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and make sure that it does not have a detrimental effect to the local community’s quality of life. The orders are intended to help ensure that people can use and enjoy our public spaces and are kept safe from anti-social behaviour.

For frequently asked questions relating to Public Space Protection Orders, as well as drafts of the proposed orders relating to dogs, alcohol and anti-social behaviour, and fires, barbecues, vehicles and unauthorised camping, see the related documents.

Why your views matter
The PSPO is aimed at making Westmorland and Furness a safer and more pleasant place to live, work and visit. The Council seeks to address various areas within the PSPO including dog fouling, regulating alcohol consumption and a range of other anti-social activity.

By completing the survey, you will be helping to shape and inform the future of the Public Space Protection Order.

To access the Related Documents (FAQ’s etc} and the Survey, click here

Further information on the Westmorland and Furness Council Public Space Protection Orders 2024 Proposal Consultation Guidance for Parish and Town Council, can be found on the Arnside Parish Council website.

The current proposed consultation period for the Council wide PSPOs ends on 1st September 2024.

Should you wish to discuss the PSPO consultation, please contact locality@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

Cumbria Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner

Police Fire and Crime Plan Consultation 2024 – 28

New Commissioner, David Allen’s public consultation to help develop the Police, Fire and Crime Plan

‘As Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC), I am responsible for producing a Police, Fire and Crime Plan that sets out the priorities for Cumbria Police and Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service over the next four years.
I am now developing this Plan and I want to hear from you.
In my role, I am the voice of Cumbrian residents in respect of policing and fire and I want to know what you think about Cumbria Police and Cumbria Fire & Rescue Services and if you have any concerns or issues.

By taking part in this survey, you are helping me develop the priorities and objectives I set out in my new Plan, by which I can then hold the Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Service to account.

This survey will take no more than 10 minutes to complete. No individual will not be identifiable as all responses are anonymous.

The survey will close on Thursday 5th September 2024. All feedback will be analysed and used to inform my Plan.
Paper copies of the survey are available from my office. To receive one, email commissioner@cumbria-pcc.gov.uk or call 01768 217734′

To access the survey, click here

North West Ambulance Service Appeal: Use NHS 111 online for non-urgent health concerns

North West Ambulance Service is highlighting the benefits of an online service that could provide quicker health advice for people who need it this bank holiday weekend.

Callers to the NHS 111 phone line often find there are longer wait times to speak to a health advisor during the bank holiday as demand traditionally rises when access to their GP is restricted. Earlier this month, during the early May Bank Holiday weekend (4th-6th May 2024), the North West NHS 111 service saw a 46% increase in calls compared to the previous week.

Patients seeking help through NHS 111 online (111.nhs.uk) will answer the same questions as if they were speaking to someone but without the wait.

111.nhs.uk can help you with:

  • Where to get help for your symptoms if you’re not sure what to do
  • How to find general health information and advice
  • Where to get an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine
  • How to get a repeat prescription
  • Getting emergency dental appointments

You can also access it through the NHS app. 111 online is not suitable for queries regarding patients under 5. You should still dial 111.

Paul Johnston, 111 Senior Service Delivery Manager, said, “Demand is always high on the 111 service during bank holidays as the public has less access to other healthcare options, such as their GP. We try to ensure we answer as many calls as possible by increasing staffing levels, but some callers will still wait longer than usual. We also expect the number of people calling 999 to increase in the days after the bank holiday, so we also urge patients to ONLY call 999 in life-threatening emergencies (see below) so as to keep ambulances available for those who need them.”

You should call 999 if you or someone else experiences:

  • Signs of a heart attack like pain like a heavy weight in the centre of your chest
  • Signs of stroke, such as your face dropping on one side
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Heavy bleeding that won’t stop
  • Seizures
  • Or sudden and rapid swelling of the eyes, lips, throat or tongue.

Dr Paula Cowan, Medical Director for Primary Care at NHS England – North West, said: “This is an extremely busy time for NHS staff and we are extremely grateful for them working tirelessly over this bank holiday weekend and the days after, to ensure all those that need care receive it. The public can help us by using the right service for their needs, including 111 online for quick and easy medical help. NHS 111 online can help with the same problems as the 111 phone service and is a fast and convenient alternative. You can answer questions about your symptoms on the website or in the NHS App and get advice about what to do next. This includes getting a call back from a clinician if you need one.”

Vacancy For Gentle Exercise Volunteer Leader

Age UK South Lakeland are looking for enthusiastic Volunteer Leaders to host our weekly hour-long classes for older people in Grange, Endmoor and relief cover in the South Lakes area (including Arnside) which focus on gentle chair-based activities and exercises.

The classes provide a vital role in helping the community keep fit, active and healthy in a fun and supportive environment.

If you like working with groups and have an interest in physical activities, this could be the volunteer role for you! They will pay your expenses and training is provided.

If you can spare a few hours a week, or just a few hours a month and would like more information, please call Suzanne Ambrose on 01539 728118, or email sambrose@ageuksouthlakeland.org.uk

The next training day is on Thursday 16th May so don’t delay in getting in touch.

Gentle-Exercise-Volunteers-wanted_20240315Download

Bus Timetable Poster

Improved Bus Service in Arnside!

Arnside now has a bus service to Kendal (552) on 6 days of the week. From Monday to Saturday, the bus will leave the Promenade at 9.30am, travelling though Milnthorpe, Heversham and Natland to Kendal. The return journey will leave Kendal Bus Station at 1.15pm.

On Tuesdays, the 550 will leave the Promenade at 9.30am, travelling via Carnforth to Morecambe. The return journey will be from Morrisons in Morecambe, leaving at 1.15pm.

There is an option to catch the school bus (99) to Kirkby Lonsdale during term time, leaving the the Promenade at 7.45am.

The reason for the improved service is that the Department for Transport has awarded Westmorland and Furness Council £1.7 million of Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus (BSIP+) funding to enhance services across the area in 2024/25.

To ensure that services supported by the latest tranche of BSIP+ funding meet the needs of communities and lead to well-supported provision, the Council has launched a consultation offering residents, businesses and visitors the opportunity to shape spending plans.

To have your say and complete the online Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus Funding Consultation, click here. The consultation ends on 30th April.

Councillor Neil Hughes, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environmental Services, said: “The £1.7 million funding awarded to our council, supports us in taking a significant step towards enhancing bus provision across Westmorland and Furness. Living in a rural area like ours, providing more frequent, enhanced services will open the door for our residents and visitors to choose travelling by bus as their preferred way to travel and create more enjoyable, sustainable journeys for all. It is the Council’s ambition to allocate the funding towards creating a network of well-supported bus services that moves us closer towards achieving our net-zero ambitions. We recognise that in order to do so, supported routes must meet the needs of communities and visitors across the area. I encourage you to take part in our consultation, whether you currently use bus transport or you aspire to, to make sure we get the most out of every pound that we spend.”

Six drop-in sessions have been arranged at various locations in April, providing communities the chance to engage directly with the Sustainable Transport Team and share their perspectives. Sessions will be held on the following dates in Barrow-in-Furness, Grange, Kendal, Kirkby Stephen, Penrith, Sedbergh and Ulverston:

  • Penrith Library – Thursday, 4th April, 10am to 2pm
  • Westmorland Shopping Centre, Kendal – Wednesday, 10th April,10am to 2pm
  • Grange Library – Thursday, 11th April, 10am to 2pm
  • Methodist Church, Kirkby Stephen – Thursday, 18th April, 5.30pm to 6.30pm
  • Sedbergh Medical Centre – Tuesday, 23rd April, 5.30pm to 6.30pm
  • The Coronation Hall, Ulverston – Thursday, 25th April, 10am to 2pm
  • The Forum, Barrow-in-Furness. Friday, 26th April, 10am to 2pm

For those unable to attend during the day, an online event has been arranged on Wednesday, 24th April from 6pm to 7pm. To receive a link to join, please email media@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk.

The Council is also exploring the possibility of holding additional public meetings at locations across the area.

Paper copies of the survey will be available to complete at Westmorland and Furness Council Libraries in Barrow, Grange, Kendal and Penrith from Monday, 25 March until the end of the consultation period on Tuesday 30 April.

For more information about bus services across Westmorland and Furness, visit westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

NWAS Promotes the Use of NHS 111 online During the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend

As Easter approaches, North West Ambulance Service is highlighting the benefit of using NHS 111 online to help with non-urgent health concerns.

Traditionally, Bank Holiday weekends are a busy time for health advisors in the NHS 111 call centres in the North West, as the public has less access to GPs and pharmacies. This can lead to patients waiting longer than usual to speak to a health advisor over the phone. NHS 111 online can supply a wide range of health advice and information without the wait.

It can help with:

  • how to find general health information and advice
  • where to get help for your symptoms if you’re not sure what to do
  • where to get an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine
  • how to get a repeat prescription
  • how to get emergency dental appointments

The online service is not suitable for children under 5 years old; for these cases, it is still recommended to dial 111.

Paul Johnston, Senior Service Delivery Manager for NHS 111, said, “37,000 calls were made to the 111 number in the North West over the 2023 Easter Bank Holiday weekend. In comparison, there were 10,000 fewer calls from Friday to Monday the following weekend. We also know that a high proportion of those calls were made by people who ran out of repeat prescription medication. We would encourage the public to check now that they have enough medicines to make it through the weekend and to make sure they collect any repeat medicines that have been ordered or arrange to have them delivered ahead of the bank holiday.”

Dr Paula Cowan, Regional Medical Director for Primary Care at NHS England – North West said: “We are extremely grateful to the dedicated NHS teams working across the North West this coming Easter bank holiday weekend to ensure all those who need care receive it. The NHS is always there for anyone who needs it. NHS 111 online should be the first port of call for anyone who needs urgent medical advice, as it is quickly and easily accessible. It helps direct people to the right service quickly and provides medical advice. It’s just one of the ways that we are trying to get people to the right service, first time, while keeping urgent and emergency services free for the most seriously ill and injured patients. Urgent and emergency care services will be open over the bank holiday, and in the event of a life or limb threatening emergency, people should call 999.

“Some GP practices and pharmacies will have limited opening hours over the Easter bank holiday, and many will be closed from Friday 29th March to Monday 1st April. Some pharmacies will continue to be open over the Easter bank holiday and members of the public can seek health advice on a range of illness and health concerns from the pharmacy.

To find your nearest open pharmacy please check online Find a pharmacy – NHS (www.nhs.uk). Think Pharmacy first.

The train seen from above with Morecambe Bay and Grange in the background (Image: Network Rail)

Northern Train Derails Near Grange-Over-Sands

A Northern service from Preston to Barrow derailed on the approach to Grange station early on Friday, March 22nd. Four passengers and four members of staff were safely evacuated from the train.

Network Rail is advising passengers that the route will be closed while the investigation, train recovery and repair work is complete. Initial investigations suggest this could take two weeks.

Around 150m away from the derailment location, a void in the ground has opened. Network Rail is working with the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) to determine the cause of the void and the train derailment. Once the RAIB have completed their initial investigation, Network Rail will begin the complex recovery process. This will involve using a specialist Network Rail crane to re-rail and remove the train, carrying out repairs to the ground, installing new ballast (railway stones) and laying new track over the affected area.

Chris Pye from Network Rail said: “On the rare occasions trains leave tracks like this it can cause extensive damage and unfortunately this incident is no exception. The additional problem with the ground conditions means this is an especially complicated recovery process. I understand this will be extremely frustrating for passengers travelling between Lancaster and Barrow-in-Furness. Across the rail industry we’re working hard to keep people on the move through rail replacement buses while we work as fast as we can to restore the railway for passengers and freight.”

The closure will not significantly affect the timetable over the Easter bank holiday due to preplanned work in the area. From Monday 25th March, train services will run between Carlisle and Barrow on the Cumbrian coast line. Bus replacement services will be in operation between Barrow and Lancaster while the recovery of the train and repair work takes place at Grange. They will call at Lancaster, Carnforth, Silverdale, Arnside Grange-over-Sands, Kents Bank, Cark, Ulverston, Dalton, Roose and Barrow -In-Furness.

Disruption is expected to last some time, so customers should make alternative arrangements wherever possible. “We’re sorry for the inconvenience and delay. Customers can always speak to a member of our team at their local station or visit northernrailway.co.uk/service-updates for the latest information.

Image Courtesy of Network Rail

Community Catalysts

Community Catalysts South Lakes

Community Catalysts

Community Catalysts is a social enterprise working across the UK to try to make sure that people who need care and support to live their lives can get help in ways, times and places that suit them, with real choice of attractive local options. We help local people use their energies and talents to deliver sustainable community enterprises that can support other local people, creating jobs and volunteering opportunities.

Community Enterprise Project in the South Lakes

This is a new and exciting project delivered in partnership with Westmorland and Furness Council. The two- year project aims to stimulate the development and growth of community enterprises that provide a wide range of help and support for older and disabled people or similar.

Community Enterprise

People with talents, passion and local knowledge run community enterprises. They all aim to make a difference to the lives of local people. Our project has a focus on enterprises that support older or disabled people who need some care or help to live a good life or similar:

  • have 8 or fewer full-time staff or volunteers
  • are independent of any larger organisation.
  • are set up in many different and creative ways such as: sole trader, partnership, small business, social enterprise, charity or voluntary organisation.

Support from the Community Enterprise Project

Community Catalysts has a huge amount of experience helping local people establish community enterprises. We run a development programme which can:

  • offer you a friendly and supportive point of contact to explore ideas
  • support you to develop your community enterprise
  • give you practical information on regulation, training and opportunities in the health and social care sector
  • direct you to other organisations who can help

What might this mean for me?

Community Catalysts can support people who are currently running a community enterprise that helps older or disabled people who need some care or help to live a good life or similar. We can also help people who are interested in starting a new community enterprise.

We would also like to connect with people, organisations, businesses or groups across the South Lakes area who have an interest in building stronger communities.

Get in touch

Jade Gibson is employed by Community Catalysts to coordinate this project and to run the development programme.

Click here to leave your details on the form and Jade will get back to you:

Contact Jade Gibson on 07435 943933 or at jade.gibson@communitycatalysts.co.uk

CommCats-South-Lakes-A6-FlyerDownload

‘Arnside Parish’ is not the same as ‘Arnside Village’ Website

It has been brought to my attention that some local businesses are being contacted by a website called ‘Arnside Parish’ and were wondering if this is the same as the Arnside Village website where those of you with adverts in the Arnside Directory have listings included as part of your advert.

So, just to clarify, this is nothing to do with the Arnside Village website where your entry IS included with your advert in the Directory.

It looks like the PARISH.UK Network is a Community Action Initiative by local government – in this case, the South Lakes.