County Report 2011/12
County Highways have resurfaced a number of roads in my Division over the last 12 months with the costs being over a quarter of a million pounds.
We hope to continue the improvement programme of our highways by resurfacing part of Main Street and The Esplanade in Grange in the coming months.
The A592 is being resurfaced near the roundabout junction with the A590 shortly and work has been approved to alter the road markings and cat eyes at Fell Foot to slow traffic and make it easier for residents to access their properties.
At Lindale I am working with Cumbria Highways to extend the footpath between Lnydene and Lindale so that we have a continuous footway from Lindale to Grange.
I have asked Highways to look at means of protecting the grass triangle at the junction of Windermere Road to Lindale Hill.
The continued partnership working with the District, Town and Parish Councils in the Grange and Cartmel areas has resulted in funding projects along the promenade from the tiny tot’s playground to the larger youth and recreation area at the far end.
I must thank the Grange Youth Group for making this happen because without the voluntary helpers in our Town many projects would not even get off the ground.
The Medical Centre has finally been given financial approval by the NHS so hopefully by this time next year we will see our new centre.
Health issues I have been involved with at county include reviews and report on Obesity and Dementia both very important health problems which impact a great deal on the resources of the NHS.
Another related health issue which the County Council will be tasked with as from next year will be Public Health and the whole promotion of Healthy Lifestyle which we will take over from the NHS.
The County Health Scrutiny Committee met recently with the new Interim Chair of Morecambe Bay Hospital Foundation Trust who gave us a very positive vision on how he sees the Trust should progress from their past failings.
Sir David Henshall was very focused on the future of the organisation and mentioned the new directors he is bringing in to the Trust who, along with the help of all the dedicated staff already in place will help to turnaround the Trust.
The committee were pleased to see a more focused and positive attitude from the Trust but will need to see evidence in the coming months that improvements are being made
It is important that in a time of such changes, continuity of service is maintained and
that trust is rebuilt with local communities. This committee remains one of the few
democratic bodies that can hold the Trust to account and we will continue to reflect
local concerns as we challenge the Trust to drive up improvement.
I recently met with the Grange Disability Group and the County Highways Engineer to look at improving access in Grange Town Centre. We came up with an agreed programme of works which will be assessed by the Engineer and included in the Highways Programme for the coming year.
Youngsters in South Lakeland will continue to get on their local bus for less thanks to a
county council travel scheme.
County councillors on South Lakeland local committee have agreed to continue to run
the A2B NoW Card until April 2013. The card gives five to 18-year-olds discounted
fares outside of school travel times.
Existing users of the scheme do not need to take any further action, they will receive a
letter with their new cards that will be valid through to April 2013. New users must be
aged 5 - 18 and live in South Lakeland and can now apply for a card electronically at
Kendal library. More information about the scheme and the application process is
available online at cumbria.gov.uk/A2Bnow
After paying just £5 young people can use a smart card which will apply for all journeys
in South Lakeland as well as on any bus starting its journey in South Lakeland and
making its way to Barrow, Keswick, Penrith, Kirkby Stephen or Lancaster - permitting
travel for no more than £1 for a single journey or £1.80 for a return.
The Household Recycling Centre at Guides Lot on Allithwaite Road will remain open with restricted hours which will come into place later this year .The basis of this will mean an operating site opening two days instead of three which is not ideal but better than no service at all. I would like to thank everyone who responded to the consultation. Your efforts did not go unrewarded.
Another youth led programme has been initiated by the Grange and Cartmel Local Area Partnership funded from both the County and District Councils working together with our eight local Parishes. This Multi-media Musical MashUp as it is called has been run in village halls around the area to the delight of many youngsters and hopefully we will try and run similar workshops later in the year.
Bill Wearing
County Councillor Grange Division.