CandoFM

CUMBERLAND Council’s new community panels are keen to hear exactly what should be supported in each area.

The councillor groups are asking people to fill in a survey about their priorities for their communities. This will help the panels form Neighbourhood Investment Plans that support the right projects in those areas.

Cumberland Council Deputy Leader, Councillor Lisa Brown, said: “It’s vitally important as many people as possible have their say. The whole Community Panel structure is underpinned by a desire for communities to help decide what’s needed.

“We need to know exactly what people want to see in their area. If you have ever sat at home thinking the council doesn’t listen, we want to change that, and show we are committed to listening and being led by residents.

“We want to invest in the right things and only our communities can tell us that. These consultations are how people can take part in that process and make a difference.”

Each community panel is running its own consultation. These can be completed online and copies are being made available at some community events. The surveys are available in local libraries and the panels are also arranging engagement events this autumn, which will be publicised nearer the time.

How to take part in the Community Panels’ consultations on their priorities:

Lakes to Sea (the wards of Bothel and Wharrels, Cockermouth North, Cockermouth South, Dearham and Broughton, Keswick, Maryport North and Maryport South) – This survey ends on 30 October.
South Cumberland (the wards of Gosforth, Millom, Millom Without, Cleator Moor East and Frizington, Cleator Moor West and Egremont) – This survey closes on 1 November.
Petteril (the wards of Botcherby, Currock, Harraby South, Harraby North and Upperby) – This survey closes on 30 October.
Carlisle West (the wards of Castle, Belle Vue, Morton, Denton Holme and Yewdale) – This survey closes on 31 October.
Border, Fellside and North Carlisle (the wards of Belah, Stanwix Urban, Longtown, Brampton, Houghton and Irthington, Corby and Hayton and Wetheral) – This panel has a survey for adults and one for children and young people. The closing date is 31 October.
Fells and Solway (the wards of Dalston and Burgh, Solway Coast, Thursby, Aspatria and Wigton) – This survey closes on November 3.
Whitehaven and Coastal (the wards of Bransty, Egremont North, Hillcrest and Hensingham, Howgate, Kells and Sandwith, and Mirehouse). This survey closes on 30 October.
Workington Together (the wards of Mossbay, Moorclose, Harrington, Seaton, St John’s and Great Clifton, and St Michael’s) – This survey closes on 31 October.

Cllr Brown added: “The issues could be very different for each community panel area – that’s why it’s vital we don’t take a ‘one size fits all’ approach and we hear from as many people as possible.”

As well as the survey, residents can speak to the council’s community development officers at community events. These will be publicised on the council’s social media channels, in newsletters and locally. There is also a chance to speak to councillors and staff informally immediately before and after the formal Community Panel meetings. Visit the council’s Community Panel’s web page to find out when the next meetings are: https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/your-council/community-panels.

Cumberland has eight community panels, made up of the ward councillors for that area. Each panel is supported by a Community Network of residents, business, third sector partners and others. The Community Network helps the panel discover the needs and resources of the community. Together they will draw up a Neighbourhood Investment Plan with bespoke priorities for that area. The panels each have an amount of funding to spend in the community, but they might also offer signposting, lobbying, networking and other services to move projects forward.