Latest news with #Westmorland&FurnessCouncil
ITV News
17-07-2025
- Business
- ITV News
The UK Government agrees to delay Cumbria's mayoral election until 2027
The UK Government has agreed to a request from Cumbria's two main councils to delay the upcoming mayoral elections until 2027. Both Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council requested a one-year delay to appoint their first mayor, a year later than other areas, such as Norfolk and Suffolk, Greater Essex, Sussex and Brighton and Hampshire and the Solent. The request was made to hold the mayoral vote at the same time as local elections, creating more time to prepare and to save almost £1m in resources. Cumbria's future mayor will have powers over housing, transport and other vital areas. Government work will continue with Cumbria's local authorities to confirm the framework for its thirty-year investment funds, a key part of the new model. Minister for Local Government and English Devolution Jim McMahon OBE MP says the "devolution revolution" will shift power out of Whitehall. He said: "These sweeping new powers for communities will put them on the fast track to deliver growth, opportunities, transport and housing. "The six devolution priority areas are leading the way towards a new era of devolved power in England and a stronger relationship between central and local government. We stand ready to work with local leaders in realising their areas' incredible potential." The new English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which aims to encourage better ownership over regional growth, was introduced in Parliament last week.
ITV News
09-07-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness Councils request delay to mayoral election
Cumbria's two main councils have written to the UK Government to request a one-year delay to the upcoming mayoral elections. Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council have requested that a vote be held in May 2027, a year later than planned. The government has yet to confirm that statutory tests have been met and that devolution in Cumbria can proceed. If it can, both councils then still need to make a formal decision to agree to a Mayoral Combined Authority, which would then require an election. In a letter requesting a deferral to Jim McMahon MP, Minister for English Devolution and Local Governance, the councils state: 'This request is made in the spirit of constructive partnership and with a shared ambition to ensure the strongest possible foundations for a successful new governance model that delivers for the people of Cumbria.' Local elections for Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council are both scheduled for 2027. The two councils say holding a mayoral election on the same date would save significant resources - about £1 million if held as a standalone election - and would result in a higher voter turnout. They added that a deferral would also provide more time to prepare for the establishment of a new combined authority. It was announced that Cumbria was included in the Government's Devolution Priority Programme in February. Both councils were invited to join the Priority Programme after earlier expressing interest in exploring what greater devolution of powers could mean in Cumbria. The new Labour Government has set out its intention to widen devolution across England, giving regions more powers and decision-making over matters such as economic development, transport, employment support, planning, and housing. The Government has not yet reported back on the public consultation exercise it held earlier this year.
ITV News
07-07-2025
- Business
- ITV News
Tourism in decline in Cumbria as county sees 14% drop since 2019
New figures have highlighted the decline of tourism in Cumbria with visitor numbers down 14% compared to 2019. The statistics are produced from the Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor, commonly known as 'STEAM' and released by Cumbria Tourism in partnership with Cumberland Council, Westmorland & Furness Council and the Lake District National Park Authority. Also in comparison to 2019 the number of day visitors to Cumbria have fallen by 18%. What are some of the key statistics compared to the previous 12 months? Visitor numbers are down 3.3% and visitor days down 5% Revenue is down by 5.7% once adjusted for inflation Staying visitor nights fell by 6.3% Day visitors fell by 4% - the equivalent loss of 1.42 million visits President of Cumbria Tourism Jim Walker says: "Cumbria's £4.6billion tourism and hospitality industry is made up of hundreds of small businesses who make a huge contribution to other sectors, including transport and the wider supply chain. "They also help to create the assets that make Cumbria such a special place to live and work for our local communities. "However, this latest data clearly demonstrates that - after the economic shock of the pandemic and subsequent government policy changes around immigration and taxation - long-term recovery is proving extremely challenging for these vital visitor economy businesses as they face reduced visitor numbers coupled with increasing costs. "Ultimately, this means less profitability and ability to employ and re-invest." In Cumbria more than half of the revenue made from tourism comes from visitors staying overnight in the county. The percentage of revenue generated outwith of the traditional summer months also increased from 38.9% in 2024 compared to 36.1% in 2023. Where do tourists spend their money in Cumbria? President of Cumbria Tourism Jim Walker added: "Cumbria has a shared Destination Management Plan, which public and private partners are collectively ambitious to deliver, enabling sustainable growth for the benefit of the whole of the whole of the county and its communities. "At the moment, a combination of the cost of living crisis and a series of unlinked and uncoordinated national policy changes are seriously damaging business profitability, the economy, jobs and therefore communities. "We are determined to work in partnership with others to help to stabilise and improve this situation."
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Firm could get planning permission for storage units
RETROSPECTIVE planning permission for 19 modular containers/buildings for storage at a Kendal business park could be granted next week despite objections from the town council. Members of Westmorland & Furness Council's south Lakeland local area planning committee are due to meet on Thursday (June 19) at Kendal Town Hall to consider the matter. The application is for a site at Kendal Fell Business Park, Boundary Bank Lane, and Lakeland Self Storage has also applied for planning permission for seven unit mounted lights. The application is recommended for approval subject to conditions and the report states: 'The modular storage buildings measure 6m x 3m with a total height of 2.7m. 'The lighting proposal has been amended to remove the two columns and include the installation of 7 new unit mounted lights. The lights would have a maximum height of 2.7 metres compared to the previous 6m high proposal.' According to the report the site comprises of a secure commercial compound located north of Underbarrow Road which is accessed via Boundary Bank Lane. It states: 'The site lies on the western edge of the settlement of Kendal and is bound by the Underbarrow Road to the south, the wider business park to the north and east and the residential property of Foxdale to the west. There are also residential properties along Marble Crescent to the south on the opposite side of Underbarrow Road.' However, Kendal Town Council has raised a material objection to the current application and, in its initial response, a spokesman said: 'The committee would require a larger number of lower lighting columns in order to comply with the Dark Skies Policy. 'Also, the committee notes residents' comments regarding potential noise from generators and would require further information on this. 'The committee disagrees with the argument for Biodiversity Net Gain exemption, as this application is current, and the fact that the development was built without planning permission is irrelevant in this case. 'Notwithstanding this opinion, should planning permission be given, then the committee would like to restrict hours of lighting as suggested in principle within the application, specifically from dusk to 11pm. 'In addition, the committee expresses disappointment in the retrospective nature of the application.' In the final response, following amended details with a lowered lighting scheme and new planting proposal, the spokesman raised another material objection. They said: 'The committee does not see a significant improvement from the previous iteration of this application and reiterates its earlier comments. 'In particular, the questions formerly raised with regard to generator noise have not been addressed.'
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New plans for controversial Appleby statue submitted
REVISED plans for a controversial artwork in Appleby have been submitted to Westmorland & Furness Council. The application to install the Gypsy Stallion sculpture is now proposing to site it on land off Roman Road after the original application was rejected in April. According to the decision notice issued by the council the proposed 2.1-metre-tall sculpture, originally planned on the River Eden, would have 'eroded the neutral and harmonious relationship between the built and natural environment in this part of the town'. The council said the siting of the Gypsy stallion sculpture would visually compete with surrounding listed buildings including the Grade I listed Church of St Lawrence and the Grade II listed St Lawrence's Bridge. After the plans were refused the decision notice from the council stated: 'While the cultural intention of the proposal is fully acknowledged and respected, no compelling justification has been provided for locating the sculpture in this specific, highly sensitive position. 'It is considered that the commemorative aim could reasonably be delivered in an alternative location without resulting in such harm, and the public benefit is not sufficient to outweigh the identified heritage impact. 'Furthermore, the proposal would undermine the inclusive and neutral amenity value of a well-used public space, with a significant number of local representations raising concerns about the impact of the sculpture's symbolic presence on community cohesion, emotional comfort and the shared use of the site.' According to the artist's statement submitted with the application, outside the fair week, 'very little tangible evidence' exists of the 'central importance' of the fair to the town and its Gypsy and Traveller visitors. It adds the Gypsy and Traveller community would like to donate a public sculpture to the town of Appleby to make this 'crucial' part of the town's heritage more visible. The statement reads: 'It celebrates our history, culture and horses, and is intended as a thank you to the town for hosting an event that is like a spiritual pilgrimage for us.' Ward councillor Andy Connell (Appleby and Brough, Lib Dems) has commented on the proposal and said: 'This is a much better option than the previously proposed site on the riverbank, and has the support of at least some local previous objectors. 'It will be a striking and handsome feature at the main entrance into the town. Allusion to the annual Appleby Horse Fair won't be to everyone's taste; but it happens and the town is renowned for it.' However, a spokesman from the Appleby Fair Communities Group, said: 'Many of the issues raised, and reasons for refusal, in the original application remain unresolved and still relevant, particularly the distress that this statue will cause to many local residents. 'For a significant portion of the community, the Appleby Fair is not a celebration but a source of disruption, anxiety, and hardship. Installing a permanent statue commemorating the event is highly likely to deepen these feelings and worsen community division. 'The group behind this statue have shown themselves to be tone deaf and either have not listened to the original feedback or simply don't care. 'It appears they have ignored what many residents said and simply re-submitted their application for a different location, which I find quite bullish. 'The statue itself is little more than a Trojan horse — a supposed gift designed to impose an identity on the town that many do not recognise as their own, stamping ownership where none has been earned. It is certainly noteworthy that funding and effort can be readily found for a statue, with strong advocacy to ensure its installation, yet there seems to be no similar energy spent on funding the event itself. 'Instead, the expectation remains that local taxpayers will shoulder the burden. This is particularly jarring at a time when many residents are struggling to afford basic necessities, such as heating, while council tax continues to rise. The contrast is striking and unjust.'
