Also in this week's edition:
Join us for a free Family Fun Day this half-term to celebrate the official launch of Hub2U – The Family Hub on Wheels, an innovative new mobile service bringing essential family support, activities, and advice directly to communities.
The event will take place at the Family Hub on the Harbour, Whitehaven, on Tuesday 18 February 2025, from 1pm to 4pm. Families can enjoy free activities, snacks and drinks, and much more, with a full programme of fun to be announced soon.
|
Our Early Careers and Apprenticeships team are hosting a special open evening for budding apprentices. It will be held on Monday 10 February 2025 in Conference Room A & B at Cumbria House, Carlisle, from 3.30pm to 5pm.
The Open Evening, offers a welcoming space designed to help you understand the potential of an apprenticeship here at Cumberland Council for yourself, friends, or family members.
Attendees of the open day will have the chance to:
- Learn about the wide range of apprenticeships offered by Cumberland Council.
- Understand how apprenticeships can shape future careers and open doors to new opportunities.
- Ask questions and get advice from the friendly Early Careers Team.
Visitors can stop by the stand in Conference Room A & B to explore resources, chat with the team, and even grab some of their latest merch too.
National Apprenticeship Week is an annual week-long celebration which highlights the success of apprenticeships and their vital role in supporting skills development across the country. Cumberland Council are proud to take part National Apprenticeship week as it highlights the incredible achievements of its current apprentices while showcasing the diverse range of apprenticeship opportunities available at the council too.
This event is supported by Enterprising Cumbria.
|
Road improvement works in Cockermouth begin Monday 17 February 2025 and are expected to take five weeks, weather permitting.
Part of the £14.3 million Levelling Up Fund, these works aim to enhance road safety, improve travel conditions, and reduce future disruptions. The project includes road repairs, drainage upgrades, traffic sign replacements, and refreshed road markings, delivered in three phases with a mix of road closures and temporary traffic lights:
- Phase 1 – Gallowbarrow/Sullart Street
- Phase 2 – Crown Street
- Phase 3 – The Level
Access will remain available for emergency vehicles, pedestrians, and dismounted cyclists. Waste collections will run as normal, with updates on temporary bus stop relocations posted at affected stops.
A drop-in session will be held for residents and businesses to learn more:
- Tuesday 11 February 2025
- 3pm – 7.30pm
- Kirkgate Centre, Cockermouth
For more information, visit our website.
|
Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council have both responded positively to the news that Cumbria will be included in the Government’s Devolution Priority Programme.
Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, said:
"This is good news for Cumberland and Cumbria as a whole.
"Being included in this priority programme is a vote of confidence in our ability to drive investment and deliver for local communities.
"Devolution will unlock more funding and more powers for our area, with decisions being made in Cumbria rather than in London."
|
The Old Bank, an exciting new Arts and Enterprise Centre in the heart of Millom
A contractor has been appointed to re-develop The Old Bank, an exciting new Arts and Enterprise Centre in the heart of Millom
Reflecting its roots in the local community and its historic significance, the centre will now be known as “The Old Bank”, marking its transformation into a vital hub for creativity, business, and community activity.
The Reactivating Heritage Buildings project is part of the £29.3 million Millom Town Deal, which has secured government funding and additional investment to improve the town. Alongside The Old Bank, improvements will be made to the public spaces in the Market Square area, making it more welcoming for residents, businesses, and visitors.
Story Contracting Limited has been selected to lead on the project which aims to bring life back into an unused building and create a valued community asset.
The Old Bank, located in the former NatWest building on Market Square, will provide a mix of spaces for local businesses, start-ups, and the community. The centre will include a café, start-up and maker spaces, co-working areas, and workshops. These facilities will help attract people and businesses into the town and create new opportunities for residents.
Work on the project is expected to be completed by March 2026.
For more information about The Old Bank and other Millom Town Deal projects, visit: www.millomtowndeal.org.uk
Introducing the Uptown Art Gallery
We have been working in partnership with local artists, Tullie, and the University of Cumbria, to bring vibrant, homegrown art to the heart of Carlisle’s city centre.
The Uptown Art Gallery will feature stunning artwork on the fencing and hoarding boards surrounding the Market Square and Greenmarket regeneration project, adding a splash of creativity to the construction site while celebrating the talent of local artists.
This initiative is part of a larger £5.5 million investment from the central government’s Future High Streets Fund, aimed at transforming a 5,000-square-metre area into a vibrant, multifunctional space for both residents and visitors.
Introducing the Uptown Art Gallery | Cumberland Council
Whitehaven transformation underway
We're investing £450,000 to revamp Green Market & Duke Street. With funding from Sellafield Ltd, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and the Council, improvements include new seating, planting, litter bins, and heritage features to celebrate the area’s history.
Local firm Thomas Armstrong Ltd begins work from17 February (approx. 13 weeks). All businesses will remain open, and efforts will be made to minimise disruption.
This project will create a more inviting and vibrant town centre—great news for Whitehaven!
Pop here for more information: Transforming Whitehaven: £450,000 investment in Green Market and Duke Street | Cumberland Council
|
Local school children, whose schools were impacted by Storm Eowyn have been given a free visit to a local museum
Following the severe impact of Storm Eowyn, three local schools - Jericho Primary School, Mayfield School and St Benedict’s Catholic High School - were forced to close due to damage. In response, The Beacon Museum, Whitehaven stepped forward to support students by offering free entry last Friday (31 January) providing them with an opportunity to continue their learning in a dynamic and interactive environment.
Recognising the potential for prolonged school closures, the museum opened its doors to affected children and young people, enabling them to explore exhibits, engage in hands-on learning, and reconnect with their peers during this challenging time. The initiative was well received by local headteachers, staff, and the wider community with 237 attendees from across the 3 affected schools.
Organisers and partners of the Lakesman Triathlon are celebrating after the event was voted ‘the Best of the Best’ triathlon by Racecheck - a leading event review platform.
With more than 100,000 reviews contributing to the rankings, this recognition is a significant achievement for the popular local event.Lakesman Triathlons, based in Keswick, has been a key fixture in the triathlon calendar since its inception in 2016. The event is a collaborative effort between Cumberland Council, Better, and local family-run business Lakesman Events Ltd., who all work together to deliver an unforgettable experience each year.Lakesman Triathlons, based in Keswick, Cumbria, is to host the British Championships and English Championships in June 2025.
Lakesman 2024 voted ‘Best of the Best’ Triathlon by Racecheck | Cumberland Council
This week, another election notice has been published for one of the parish councils in Cumberland. The notice is for two vacancies on Ennerdale & Kinniside Parish Council.
If you wish to stand, nomination papers must be received no later than 4pm on Friday 14 February 2025. If the election is contested the poll will take place on Thursday 13 March 2025.
For those voters in the Workington Town Council Harrington ward, the by-election for this poll will take place on Thursday, 27 February. Find out about the deadlines for this election on our website - applications to register to vote must reach us by 12midnight on Tuesday 11 February 2025; with applications, amendments or cancellations of postal votes must reach the us by 5pm on Wednesday 12 February 2025.
More information on both elections can be found at: Current local elections | Cumberland Council
|
|