Windermere Youth Project and Detached Youth Work
Meals On Wheels And Day Care Charges
Older people are a particular priority for the County Council, and it has an aim of helping more people to live independently in their own homes each year. However, the increasing numbers of older people living in Cumbria puts significant pressure on the adult social care budget. The Council needs to deal with this pressure whilst ensuring that the budget remains in balance.
Hence, it has been decided to increase meals on wheels by £1 per meal, which brings the cost into line with the national average.
The earlier decision to introduce a charge of £5 per session for day care was probably the most controversial during the consultation period and will be reviewed again at the meeting in September. If charging is introduced, people would be financially assessed and would receive a benefits check to ensure they were maximising their income. This would mean that only the people able to afford the service would be charged the full amount.
If you would like to give your views on the proposal to introduce charging for day care or would like details on the meals on wheels increased charge, do call 01228 607110.
Local Bus Services
The recent Neighbourhood Forum at the Ladyholme discussed two local bus services subsidised by the County Council, whose long term future is currently under review.
We would like your views and comments on both the 597 service around Windermere and Bowness , and the 541 Bowness to Kendal service.
The 597 PHD Travel service round the town is already fairly well used, but how can we make the service more attractive and ensure more people used it?
We would also welcome any suggestions how other local bus services could be improved. To discuss views, contact Mark in the Passenger Transport Team on 01228 606723.
The search is on for Community Heroes! – ring 01768 242365 for details and nomination forms.
Community Consultation
The community is often concerned that the County Council pay ‘lip service’ to consultation. I hope that local people will realise that Jim and Joan, as local Councillors, along with the local committee for South Lakes did listen to local voices on the A591 junction and Crescent Road enhancement.
We could all have done the consultation better, but to be honest, the fact CCC was working in Partnership with others made this more complex, and a lot of past consultation on the A591 junction had already taken place.
Consultation can never please everyone because opinions are so varied and we do have to accept that.
As we move into the next phase of finalising the scheme for Windermere, developing the scheme for Ellerthwaite Square and perhaps the library if we are lucky enough to get the Big Lottery funding, the County Council needs to ensure that we use every means we can to keep the community informed, and involve people to help ensure wide ranging views are represented. The Neighbourhood Forum, Town Council, public meetings and SLDT, along with Paul our Town Centre Manager, will all help to keep the information flowing.
A591 Junction & Town Centre Enhancement Scheme
Consultations on this project have taken place, and have resulted in a further review of the design proposals. A public exhibition was held last month, and members of the scheme steering group listened to local views and suggestions for amendments.
Councillor Stocker felt that with the agreed amendments made to the scheme, it will now reflect both local and visitor needs. Local Committee approved the scheme, subject to the suggested changes, including the removal of the raised ‘tables’ and the removal of the 20 mph speed limit on Crescent Road.
Windermere & Staveley District Neighbourhood Forum
The Forum meets 5 times a year at different venues. It welcomes everyone living and working in the area to suggest ideas for improving the area; to share information; to raise concerns; and to network. If you would like to be included in the mailing list, please call 01539 773180 or email kath.craig@cumbriacc.gov.uk. Grants are also available for local community projects.
Debbie Binch, Neighbourhood Development Officer
Cumbria County Council
Tel 01539 773180
Fax 01539 773183
or visit
www.cumbriaforums.org.uk
The dates for your diary for the next Forums are:-
Tuesday 2nd October at Winster Village Hall, 7.30pm
Wednesday 5th December at Ings Church Hall, 7pm
Tuesday 26th February at St. Mary’s Centre, 7pm
Jim Bland,
Oakridge, Underbarrow.
015395 68576
Joan Stocker,
Rivendell, Brook Rd.
Windermere
015394 44403