MORECAMBE BAY PARTNERSHIP
Susannah Bleakley gave an entertaining talk on the Partnership’s Headlands to Headspace programme (H2H) which, in competition against six other projects in the North West and many other projects nationwide, was successful last Autumn in being awarded significant grant funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. She also presented a short archive film from 1963 of fishermen from Flookburgh,
believed to include Jack Manning who still lives in the village, fishing from horse drawn carts. This helped to illustrate the importance of capturing oral history and local traditions before they are lost. The H2H programme is actually a suite of projects covering one of four themes. Natural Heritage e.g. the seal haul out on Walney, the bay’s tidal islands and roost sites; Cultural Heritage e.g. making safe and considering new uses for heritage sites, “Adopt a Monument”, conservation of ritual and religious sites, preserving oral histories; Access e.g. the importance of the railway and creation of local hubs for integrated transport based around stations and Training - how to use the outdoors as a teaching resource; living history lessons; a community archaeology programme. The aim of the whole scheme is to restore, enhance and celebrate what is distinct about the Bay, to make the area better connected, more accessible to all, better appreciated and better understood. The initial £100k development phase is now under way and will last about 18 months. This will involve
selecting and finalising detailed plans for each individual project which will go ahead and continuous monitoring from the Heritage Lottery
Fund. The Partnership is overseen by a Board which includes representatives from councils and the communities but it will be re-structured to include other bodies such as the National Trust and the RSPB. The partnership currently has one full time and one part time member of staff but new officers will be appointed to manage and deliver the various projects. The 4-5 year delivery phase is scheduled to start in late 2013 and will draw down the bulk of the funding. Staffing costs will inevitably eat into the Heritage Lottery award but match funding from other sources has also to be found and this is being actively sought, with 2 years worth already secured.
Alongside this the Partnership has also been successful in a bid for a 3 year project for a Nature Improvement Area, covering a similar area but focusing on wetlands, woodlands and limestone outcrops. A further bid is being prepared for a share of £19m from the Coastal Communities Fund.
NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING TEAM
Inspector Kevin Spedding, Sgt Ken Jewell and PCSO Howard Firth from the Ulverston & Lakes Policing team updated the Forum on recent crime statistics for the Grange and Cartmel area. They were pleased to report that, year on year, there had been a reduction overall in reported crime but a slight rise in violent crime. This appears to be a trend across the whole South Lakeland area and is
mainly linked to incidents involving alcohol and licensed premises. As well as investigating these incidents the local team has also been involved in a Barwatch scheme, providing support and training for staff and licensees. In late 2011 there were several incidents of criminal damage in the Grange area, possibly linked to a single, non-local individual whilst metal and fuel thefts continue to be a general
problem. The PCSO has been visiting schools to talk to pupils about bike safety and has also been involved in a youth project to restore benches – 1 on the promenade and 1 at Cark Play Park. The whole NPT is gearing up for a summer of events including Cartmel Races, the Steam Fair and the Great North Swim.
At the last meeting of the Forum the NPT was asked to focus on incidents of damage to the toilets and shelters on Grange promenade. Evening patrols were increased and there have been no reported incidents since 1st January. The Town Council also now has some barrier tape to seal off areas should further incidents occur, so that potential evidence is not tidied up before the police can examine it. From engagement with local communities other issues have now been raised:
• Speeding around Grange, Lindale and Allithwaite and specific incidents at High Newton involving the X35
• A series of break ins in Lindale
• Fly tipping & Dog Fouling
Those attending the Forum were asked to indicate which issue they considered a priority and speeding around Grange, Lindale and Allithwaite was selected. The NPT, with the aid of their colleagues in Traffic will now focus on this and report back to the next Forum meeting. Dog fouling will be monitored by the PCSO and he will link up with the District Council and Dog Wardens as necessary.
Any reports of fly tipping will also be investigated as they occur. Further feedback can be viewed at www.cumbria.police.uk/neighbourhood-overview .
Finally the Forum was reminded that the new nonemergency contact number for the Police is 101.
Post Meeting Note – Sgt Ken Jewell has contacted Stagecoach and they have requested that all incidents are reported to Stagecoach immediately stating where and what time it happened. This will be monitored and has been passed onto the drivers.
You can contact Stagecoach on 01228 597222 or
cumbrianorthlancs.enquiries@stagecoachbus.com
QUICKFIRE UPDATES ON LOCAL PROJECTS
Grange & Cartmel Broadband Group Update Mike Pye, the Broadband hub co-ordinator for the Grange & Cartmel Local Area Partnership reported to the Forum that the group has been undertaking a survey to establish exactly what download speeds those living in the Grange & Cartmel Peninsula currently achieve.
If you have not already done so, you can measure your speed by going to www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/diagnostics or www.speedtest.net.
To report your findings please
e-mail Mike at cartmelpeninsulahub@gmail.com
making sure to include your postcode. All information gathered will be handled confidentially and will only be used for the purpose of this survey.
Faster broadband speeds are becoming more vital for businesses and individuals and the Connecting Cumbria project aims to provide a minimum of 25Mbps to at least 90% of properties within Cumbria. Communities will be able to have some input into how their broadband service is delivered; this may involve roadside cabinets or hubs in, for example, village halls. The two preferred bidders for the contract are in the process of putting together their final proposals for the County Council to make a decision in July. For more information please go to www.connectingcumbria.org.uk
LOCAL AREA PARTNERSHIP
Over the last 12 months the Partnership has been focusing on activities for young people, which resulted in some mobile music workshops visiting various village locations over a four week period in February and March. Music was chosen this time as several sport related activities have been provided in the past. Improving Road Safety, especially around the schools in Cartmel, has also been a priority, as has the work of the Broadband sub-group (see above).
GRANT APPLICATIONS
Applications for grant funding were heard from the following groups, and all were supported by the Forum.
Lower Holker Bowling Club: Awarded £790
Cartmel in Bloom: Awarded £308
Lindale Village Playground: £790
COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
A sponsored Cross-Bay Walk in aid of Lindale Village Playground will take place at the end of June 2012.
The Next Meeting…… … of the Grange & Cartmel Neighbourhood Forum will be held in late June or early July 2012. If you
have a suggestion for an item you would like to see on the agenda or you need to get in touch please contact
Kelly Alty on 01539 713447
or e-mail kelly.alty@cumbria.gov.uk