Latest news with #Cumberland
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Cumberland Council to pay £2,000 for child's missed education
A council has been ordered to pay £2,000 compensation to a family after their child missed out on two school local government and social care ombudsman upheld a complaint from the mother of a child with special educational needs after Cumberland Council failed to review these.A report published by the ombudsman said the council had "failed to secure" educational provision detailed in the child's health and care plan (EHC) - a document which outlines what needs they have and the support they require - and provide a suitable alternative between September 2024 and April Council has been approached for comment. The ombudsman said the child, referred to as Y in documents, had been going to a special school until April 2024, at which point they started struggling to council arranged out-of-school tuition but, when it issued a draft EHC plan following a review, it continued to name the previous school as the child's family complained and the council committed to making changes. 'This was fault' By the October, Y's tuition had stopped because they struggled to engage with it and council records showed the authority had asked a special advisory teacher to carry out a review of the child's in the February the family complained to the ombudsman because there was still no final plan nor provision in place."There is little evidence of the council reviewing Y's progress or acting on [the mother's] concerns. This was fault," the ombudsman said in the added that, while Y had received some education since leaving the special school, the council had failed to provide the child with a suitable alternative."The council failed to consider carrying out an interim review when Y left school and failed again to do so when Y's alternative provision was unsuccessful," it said. "This left Y with an out-of-date plan which did not meet their needs."The report showed the council had agreed to apologise to the family and review its approach on interim EHC council also agreed to pay £1,800 compensation for failing to secure the provision in Y's plan for two terms, and £200 for the uncertainty caused. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
Country diary 1925: The frantic search for a pet fox called Rufus
CUMBERLAND: A pet fox, it seems, has the homing instinct of a well-cared for and intelligent dog. Rufus, the young fox who in April was dug out of an earth on the fell side near one of the lakes, was lately taken to Cheshire and spent a fortnight in a hunting country. He accompanied his master on his rambles, but one evening he went into a covert and failed to return. A vigorous, almost a frantic search was made for him. It was dreaded, since he has no fear of dogs and approaches them with all the trustfulness of a puppy, that he might be attacked and killed by a spaniel or retriever. But he could not be found. Two of the household remained up all night, and went out again at dawn to look for Rufus. They met him crossing the lawn. Somehow or other he had nosed his way back. The griminess of his coat almost suggested that he had been among the village ashbins. I saw Rufus the other day. The bracken and the heather had restored the glossiness of his coat. He looked what he is – a typical fell fox.
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Thirlmere wild campers fined for felling trees and lighting fire
Wild campers have been fined for cutting down trees and lighting a large fire in a wooded Council said the group had caused "significant" and "unnecessary" damage to the area when they camped in Thirlmere, in the Lake District. Those involved were fined £100 and made a voluntary donation of the same value to wildlife conservation charity the John Muir Trust, to support tree replanting in the councillor Denise Rollo said wild camping would "not be tolerated" when it led to "litter, fire damage and abandoned gear". "Although wild camping itself isn't an offence, damaging the environment is," she said. "Cumberland Council has zero tolerance for environmental harm and anyone breaching the public space protection order risks a fine or prosecution." The council said it was able to fine those involved with the help of the landowner, United Wright, the water firm's woodland officer, said the company regularly finds trees that have been "hacked down by wild campers"."As well as destroying habitats, they are also creating a fire risk which is extremely dangerous," he said."We work together with the council, National Park and other partners to engage with visitors and remind them that camping is only allowed in designated areas and urge them to leave only footprints." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Wild campers fined for cutting down trees and lighting fire in the Lake District
A group caught wild camping has been fined for environmental damage. The offenders felled trees and lit a large fire, breaching a Public Spaces Protection Order in the Thirlmere area. The damage was significant, causing 'unnecessary harm to the local landscape,' said Cumberland Council. The council, working with United Utilities, identified the offenders, levying fines for the breaches. The group also made a voluntary donation to the John Muir Trust to aid tree replanting and area restoration. Cumberland councillor Denise Rollo, executive member for sustainable, resilient, and connected places, said: "Although wild camping itself isn't an offence, damaging the environment is. Damage caused by the campers at Thirlmere (Image: Cumberland Council) "Cumberland Council has zero tolerance for environmental harm, and anyone breaching the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) risks a fine or prosecution. "When wild camping leads to litter, fire damage, or abandoned gear, it will not be tolerated. "I urge everyone to camp responsibly, please follow Leave No Trace principles, and use designated sites to help protect our landscapes for everyone to enjoy." Andrew Wright, United Utilities woodland officer, added: "Unfortunately, we regularly find trees that have been hacked down by wild campers. "As well as destroying habitats, they are also creating a fire risk, which is extremely dangerous. "We work together with the council, National Park, and other partners to engage with visitors and remind them that camping is only allowed in designated areas and urge them to leave only footprints." The public is encouraged to report any instances of environmental vandalism.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
10p summer swim scheme launched for Cumberland kids
Children from Cumberland will be able to swim for just 10p this summer. All schoolchildren aged up to 16 in the area can take advantage of the offer at five indoor pools during the school summer holidays, due to a scheme from Cumberland Council, supported by GLL and Wigton Baths Trust. Cllr Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council's executive member for vibrant and healthy places, said: "We have put health and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do, and we want to encourage the young people of Cumberland to get active. "The 10p swims will be available in five locations, at different times throughout the week. "It is a great opportunity for children to use our facilities at a discounted rate and will also support families." The scheme runs from July 21 to August 31 and offers discounted swimming sessions throughout the week, including weekends at some venues. Participating leisure centres and session times include: Cockermouth Leisure Centre: Monday to Friday, 1pm to 1.50pm each day Copeland Pool and Fitness Centre (Whitehaven): Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 1pm - 1.50pm, Saturday: 12pm - 12.50pm, and Sunday: 10am - 10.50am The Sands Centre (Carlisle) - July 21 to September 3. Monday to Friday and Sunday: 10am - 10.50am Wigton Baths: Monday: 11am - 12pm and 3pm - 4pm. Tuesday: 11.15am - 12.15pm and 4.15pm - 5.15pm. Wednesday: 11.30am - 12.30pm. Thursday: 11am - 1pm. Workington Leisure Centre: Week commencing July 21, Monday to Saturday: 11am - 11.50am. Week commencing July 28 until August 31, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 11am - 11.50am. Tom Rice, partnership manager at GLL Cumberland, said: "As Cumberland Council's leisure partner, we are delighted to see the 10p swim initiative not only continue but also extended across the whole of the new area. "Swimming is not only one of the healthiest activities that children can participate in but building and improving on swimming capability and confidence is a valuable life skill. "We look forward to welcoming local children into our pools over the summer and are hoping for a huge response to this excellent initiative." The 10p swim scheme is in addition to Cumberland's free Holiday Activity and Food Programme, which offers a range of summer activities for children. The programme provides up to 16 fully funded days for children who qualify for free school meals, with some paid places also available.
