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Friday 16 January 2026

In this week's edition:

• A message from our new Chief Executive, Miranda Cannon
• TOP STORY: Ofsted praises council for support to care experienced young people
• This week's headlines:
• In other news...
• The latest job vacancies from Westmorland and Furness Council

A message from our new Chief Executive, Miranda Cannon

Earlier this week, I was delighted to join Westmorland and Furness Council as Chief Executive, and I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce myself as I begin this role. Having grown up not far from here and now living close by, this is a place I care about deeply. It is a privilege to lead an organisation that plays such an important role in the lives of our residents, businesses and communities, and I am committed to serving this area with energy, clarity and ambition. My background is in senior leadership across local government, with a strong focus on transformation and improving services so they are easier to access and deliver better outcomes. I believe firmly in the power of partnership, in prevention, and in supporting our communities to thrive. In the weeks and months ahead, I will be spending time across Westmorland and Furness meeting people, listening to what matters most and understanding the opportunities and challenges we face. I am ambitious for this council and for all our places, and I am determined that we continue building on the great work already underway. Thank you for the warm welcome I have already received. I look forward to working with you and to championing Westmorland and Furness as a fantastic place to live, work and thrive.

TOP STORY: Ofsted praises council for support to care experienced young people

This latest inspection looked at the local authority’s arrangements for its care leavers, including a focus on the quality of support for young people as they move into adulthood and the overall support that it provides to its vulnerable, care experienced young people.

During this latest inspection Ofsted has found that the quality and consistency of services for care-experienced young people have been strengthened and improved. They highlighted that young people receive timely support as they move from care into adulthood and that they benefit greatly from the early allocation of a personal adviser to help support them at this milestone in their lives.

Read the full story and learn more about other areas of good practice highlighted by Ofsted

This week's headlines:

Westmorland and Furness Council disputes highways rating

The council is challenging its rating in the Department of Transport’s newly-introduced RAG rating system for highways authorities.

Ferry to be out of service for two weeks for essential work

The Windermere ferry will be out of service for up to two weeks next month for maintenance work to extend its working life and improve reliability.

Tour de France heads to Westmorland and Furness

One of the world's greatest sporting spectacles, the Tour de France, is coming to Westmorland and Furness

in 2027.

Options being developed for next steps in town centre transformation

Work is progressing to develop options for the first stages of a major Barrow town centre transformation

programme.

In other news...

Budget Consultation - last chance to have your say

Our annual budget consultation closes tonight (Friday 16 January) at 11:59pm. If you haven’t shared your views yet, there is still time to take part.

Have your say on proposals for our 2026/27 budget before the deadline

Apprentices step on site to see A595 transformation

Fourteen of our engineering apprentices visited the A595 Grizebeck site to see first-hand how a major piece of infrastructure is taking shape.

Our new and qualified apprentices began their day with a safety induction before embarking on a guided tour to see progress on the construction of the new road up close.

Funded by £23 million from the Department for Transport, this project is delivering a 1.4km stretch of single carriageway between Chapels and Grizebeck on the A595, north of Barrow - designed to improve safety and boost economic growth. 

The apprentices viewed key areas of the improvement scheme, from the new junction, under the impressive new road bridge which opened in November 2025, and all the way to Penn Hill, where major excavation and drainage works have taken place.

Thank you to everyone involved for this fantastic opportunity to learn, connect and see engineering in action!

Upcoming adoption information events

Adoption Cumbria is urging people across the region to consider adoption in 2026, as the need for loving, permanent families for children waiting is greater than ever.

Latest national figures show 12% fewer families stepping forward to register to adopt compared to last year, leaving 2,940 children in need of adoption. Across the country, and here in Cumbria, there is a shortage of adopters, particularly for brother and sister groups and older children, who often wait much longer than others to find a family.

If you’ve ever thought about adoption but aren’t sure where to start, our online adoption information events are the perfect first step. You’ll also hear from a guest speaker who shares their own adoption journey - an invaluable insight into what life as an adopter is really like.

Upcoming dates:

• Tuesday 20 January – 6pm
• Wednesday 25 February – 6pm

Book your place now

The latest job vacancies from Westmorland and Furness Council

Join us! There are currently 48 job opportunities available to apply for now.

To find out more and apply, visit our website.

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