Proposals to change local government submitted
This week alongside our colleagues at Copeland Borough Council, we have made our case to the Government on how they view future service delivery and devolution in Cumbria.
On Tuesday the councils jointly submitted their preferred model for local government reorganisation in the county. In the detailed submission, we outlined how our proposals will meet the objectives of creating integration between areas and improving service delivery and outcomes for the community, while offering strong local leadership, accountability and representation. The model proposed would also offer a more simplified structure and remove duplication, while generating efficiencies.
All submissions will now be considered by the government before they consult with everyone in Cumbria on final proposals. This is not likely to be until into the new year.
'Free after 3' in council car parks on late night shopping Thursday
Car parks owned by the council will be offering free parking after 3pm each Thursday in the run-up to Christmas to help encourage people to shop local and support town centre businesses.
The initiative started on Thursday (December 10) and the offer will also run on December 17 and December 24.
We hope that by introducing the offer it will help support late-night shopping initiatives in the borough and further encourage residents and visitors to support businesses in Allerdale this Christmas.
The initiative will be available in any council-owned car parks which are normally pay and stay. These are:
- Workington: Udale Street, Ladies Walk, Elizabeth Street, Brow Top, Central Station, Allerdale House and Workington MSCP
- Cockermouth: Fairfield, Bitterbeck, Memorial Gardens, Sullart Street and Riverside
- Keswick: Bell Close, Otley Road, Central and Lakeside
- Wigton: Water Street
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Car park under new management
We have taken over the management of a car park in Workington town centre.
The council will now be operating the car park in Gray Street on behalf of its owner.
We will be managing the car park by collecting the pay and stay fees and carrying out the enforcement of parking regulations.
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Coronavirus vaccine
The first phase of the NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme has started with the vaccine being delivered to Cumbrians on day one of the national roll out. This is being coordinated by the local NHS Trust.
When it is the right time people will receive an invitation to come forward. For most people this will be a letter, either from their GP or the national NHS.
This letter will include all the information you will need to book appointments, including your NHS number. Please do not contact the NHS to get an appointment until you get this letter.
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Buy tickets for our lottery and help local good causes
The first draw in our community lottery takes place next week. So if you haven't bought your ticket already, do so now. They only cost £1 and 60% goes to help local good causes - and you could be in to win up to £25,000 with the added possibility of wining 1 of 5 Entertainment Bundles! Each Entertainment Bundle includes an Amazon Echo Show8, Echo Dot, & Fire7 Tablet.
What better way to start Christmas!
We have over 60 good causes signed up to the lottery from environmental groups, school friends groups, sports clubs, and theatres.
So click the pic below and buy a ticket to be in to win. And if you run a good cause in Allerdale, details of how you can join the lottery is also on the website - it's free and easy to do.
WATCH: Meeting of the full council
This week there was a meeting of the full council which was streamed live on YouTube. You can watch a recording here.
There was also a meeting of the Licensing Regulatory Panel...
Fine issued for dog fouling
Our enforcement officers have this week issued a fixed penalty notice to a dog owner in Dearham who was caught failing to pick up after his pet.
The man offered no excuse as to why he did not pick up his dog's poo in Row Brow.
Small changes to garden waste
Just another reminder that we've made some small changes to garden waste collections in the run-up to Christmas.
Collections of garden waste will now end one week earlier than normal to allow crews to collect the Christmas and new year waste and recycling.
This means that the final garden waste collections of 2020 will be made in the weeks beginning 7 or 14 December. There will be no garden waste collections in the weeks beginning 21 and 28 December.
There has traditionally been very little garden waste collected over this period, and by stopping the collections earlier crews can collect the waste and recycling which tends to increase over the Christmas and new year period with more people also making use of the brings sites around the borough. With more people staying at home due to the coronavirus rather than travelling abroad, and the growing popularity of online shopping, this is expected to increase even more this year.
Residents can check their bin day, and download a bin collection calendar, at https://www.allerdale.gov.uk/en/bincollections/
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Last chance to apply for one of the Covid-19 business grants
With the deadline fast approaching for one of the grant schemes to help businesses affected by the national Covid-19 restrictions introduced between November 5 and December 2, eligible businesses in Allerdale are urged to submit their application as soon as possible.
The Additional Restrictions Grant scheme is designed to help those businesses unable to benefit from the Local Restrictions Support Grant which is available to those who pay business rates, and were forced to close due to the national coronavirus restrictions in November and early December.
The Additional Restrictions Grant is funded by the government but allows Allerdale Borough Council, who is administering it, some discretion on the eligibility criteria. Businesses must make their applications to the council no later than 5pm on December 15.
Applications should be made via the online form at https://www.allerdale.gov.uk/en/coronavirus/coronavirus-business-grants-claims/. Applicants are urged to read the full policy document before applying.
We're waiting on further guidance for other businesses grant support schemes announced by government and will make details available as soon as possible.
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