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Friday 20 March 2026

In this week's edition:

• TOP STORY: Support available for rural households as heating oil prices surge
• This week's headlines:
• In other news...
• The latest job vacancies from Westmorland and Furness Council

TOP STORY: Support available for rural households as heating oil prices surge

Westmorland and Furness Council has launched funding support for residents who rely on domestic heating oil and are experiencing financial hardship due to rising costs.

The fund provides assistance for households after the recent sharp rise in the cost of oil which has made it increasingly difficult for many rural residents to afford adequate heating and hot water.

Eligible households can receive a one-off cash award of between £200 and £250, depending on household size, with an additional £20 for each child in full-time education up to the age of 18.

This will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis until it the funding pot is fully committed. Residents are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as the Household Support Fund is strictly time-limited by the government and only available until Tuesday 31 March 2026.

This week's headlines:

Cumbria springs Into Easter with a focus on digital connectivity

As Cumbria prepares for the Easter break, local businesses are highlighting how essential strong digital connectivity is for tourism, rural enterprise and community life.

Next steps agreed in Barrow town centre transformation

Councillors have agreed the next steps in a multi-million pound programme to transform Barrow town centre.

Honouring Social Workers on World Social Work Day

The annual celebration brings social workers across the world together to champion the profession.

New welfare support drop ins for Armed Forces community

Members of the Armed Forces community are invited to attend a new series of support drop-ins run by Mark Kenny, the local Defence Medical Welfare Service Welfare Officer.

New Member of Youth Parliament selected

A new Member of the Youth Parliament for Westmorland and Furness was elected yesterday following a special ceremony held at Kendal Town Hall.

Last chance to apply for 2026 apprenticeship vacancies

Time is running out to apply for apprenticeship opportunities with Westmorland and Furness Council. Applications close at midnight this Sunday.

Council introducing garden waste service subscription

New subscription-based garden waste collection service for Westmorland and Furness from 1 April.

Thousands of free trees handed out across the area

More than 58,000 free tree saplings handed out across the  Westmorland and Furness Council area.

Next stage of decarbonisation works to begin at Appleby Leisure Centre

Following Sport England and council investment to install triple glazing and 190 solar panels to the roof, the next stage of works will soon begin at Appleby Leisure Centre.

Plans to improve a historic bandstand in Castle Park, Penrith

A bandstand at Penrith’s Castle Park is set to be revitalised as part of plans to create a welcoming, accessible event space for the community.

Council supports men’s mental health campaign

Council showing support for Andy’s Man Club by bringing messages of men’s mental health awareness to streets of Barrow and Kendal.

In other news...

Tell us what you’d like the future of care to look like

Westmorland and Furness Council launched a Community Conversation on the future of care for older residents. Complete the online survey for residents to share your views, whether as a carer for older relatives or thinking about your own future.

Find out more information about the Community Conversation at ‘A Place Called Home: Your living choices in later life’. Residents’ views will help inform the future direction of all aspects of our Adult Social Care support for older people’s independence and wellbeing.

Celebrating vibrant community hubs

This week is Village Halls Week, and we have been celebrating these vital community centres across the Westmorland and Furness Council area.

We have visited centres which are at the heart of their communities in the Furness, South Lakes and Eden areas.

Celebrating a Walney Island community hub

Celebrating 100 years of Barbon Village Hall

Celebrating the new 'vibrancy' of the refurbished community hub, Skelton Toppin Memorial Hall

Adults with learning disabilities reshaping Adult Social Care

Adults with learning disabilities who use Day Services in Kendal have drawn up a charter – called Union of Choices - stating how they want to work with the council, and importantly how they want the council to work with them.

Westmorland and Furness Council is working with the group to co-build services – and it is hoped that this approach can be used to improve the service delivered by Adult Social Care to all the people it supports. Thor from Union of Choices met Cath Whalley, our Director of Adult Social Care, to talk about care and working with the community.

The latest job vacancies from Westmorland and Furness Council

Join us! There are currently 82 job opportunities available to apply for now.

Combined authority holds first meeting

There was a big milestone for Cumbria this week. After months of work behind the scenes, the inaugural meeting of Cumbria Combined Authority (CCA) was held on Wednesday 18 March, officially marking the start of a brand-new organisation.

Cumbria Combined Authority will be working with partners from across the county to focus on what matters most to our communities: jobs, skills, transport, investment, and creating new opportunities for people and places right across Cumbria.

This week's meeting was live-streamed, making it easier for people to follow the decisions shaping our region.

The full meeting recording is available on the CCA website.

Pictured at the CCA's first meeting are (l to r): Westmorland and Furness Council's representatives on the CCA Board, Cllr Andrew Jarvis and Cllr Jonathan Brook, alongside Cumberland Council representatives, Cllr Mark Fryer and Cllr Lisa Hinton

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