Please see below my regular email update to residents across Longtown Ward. If you would like to add your name to the list please email me tim.pickstone@cumberland.gov.uk. Emails are just once a month and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Rockcliffe Gasification Plant Proposal
Thank you to the many local residents, and to the Parish Council, who have made comments on the proposed waste to energy gasification plant on the North West Recycling site just south of Rockcliffe village. 

I hope this email finds you safe and well. Please see below information about the local area which I hope is useful. 

Public comments have now closed, and the Council will be considering all the information it has received before bringing the issue to a meeting of the Planning Committee. We don’t know when this will be, but it can sometimes take months in complicated cases. As your local Councillor, I have made representations against the proposals, because of concerns about the impact on the local community and also on the local environment. When it does come to the decision I will be able to make these directly to the Committee. 

Council Budget Setting
Cumberland Council meets on 6th March to set the Council’s budget for the 2024-25 financial year. This includes the setting of the Council Tax increase for the next year. 

At the moment the proposal which will be put to Councillors is for a 2.99% increase in Council Tax, plus a 2% Social Care Precept increase. A much smaller part of our council tax is levied by local parish councils and also by the Police and Fire services who set their own rates. I will be able to report back in the next email about the final decisions and what this will mean for bills from 1 April 2024. 

The Government has changed the rules on Council Tax and second homes. This means that from 1 April 2025 (IE in one years time) local councils can charge double council tax on second homes. Cumberland is proposing to do this in one years time, which would bring in an extra £4 million a year for local services. 

Let me know if you have comments in advance of the meeting. 

Upcoming Roadworks
Don’t forget the special speed restriction on the Gretna Road, this is in place until 7th October 2024.

A number of residents have been in touch about the work that has taken place on the road which goes over Hallburn Bridge and on towards the Hidden River Cabins road. I am speaking to the Council about these concerns. 

Cumberland Council have confirmed that work is going to take place this year at two places on the A7 (Westlinton and Blackford) to address the poor condition of the road in many places, and also looking at the issue of flooding at Westlinton. More information to follow when I have this. 

Cumberland Council Consultations
The Waste Services Team are currently asking for your view on the future of waste collection services. The council is asking for residents to help them, by either completing an online survey, which should take around five minutes to complete.

The Adult Social Care team are asking for your views on the future of adult social care services. You can participate in our online survey at https://consult.cumberland.gov.uk/communications-and-marketing/copy-of-share-your-views-on-adult-social-care/

Free event for Private Landlords
Private landlords and letting agents are being offered free advice and information at a networking event hosted by Cumberland Council.Property owners and agents will have the opportunity to meet and discuss the latest changes in housing law and legislation and ask experts questions. The event will take place on Friday 1 March 2024, from 10.30am to 12.00pm, at Carlisle Civic Centre and is free of charge.

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) will be updating landlords and letting agents on legislative updates and changes within the private rented sector in 2024.

Finding out more about Fostering
Throughout February, the Council has been promoting the important work that foster carers do in looking helping look after children in the care of the local authority. There are a couple of nearby events remaining: 

• Friday 23 February – Fostering information stand at The Lanes Shopping Centre, Carlisle from 12pm to 2pm
• Wednesday 28 February – Fostering information stand at the Family Wellbeing event at Harraby Community Centre, Carlisle from 2.30pm to 5.30pm

For more information please cumbriafostering.org.uk or speak to our friendly team today on 0300 013 2065

Current Planning Applications
Current planning applications in our area. Please get in touch if you have any queries or issues you would like me to raise. Discharge Of Condition 5 (Surface Water Drainage System & Maintenance Schedule) Of Previously App…
Land North of Harker Grid Sub Station, Harker, Carlisle
Ref. No: 24/0051 | Received: Mon 29 Jan 2024 | Validated: Mon 29 Jan 2024 | Status: Registered

Roofing Over Existing Muck Midden & Re-Concreting An Area Of Farmyard 
South Slealands, Longtown, Carlisle, CA6 5RQ
Ref. No: 24/0013/AGD | Received: Mon 29 Jan 2024 | Validated: Mon 29 Jan 2024 | Status: Registered

Erection Of Agricultural Building 
Beyond The Moss, Penton, Carlisle, CA6 5PE
Ref. No: 24/0012/AGD | Received: Fri 26 Jan 2024 | Validated: Tue 30 Jan 2024 | Status: Registered

Change Of Use Of Field To Private Equestrian Arena For Personal Use Only 
Tewthwaite House, Tewthwaite Green, Blackford, Carlisle, CA6 4EZ
Ref. No: 24/0045 | Received: Wed 24 Jan 2024 | Validated: Mon 29 Jan 2024 | Status: Registered

Roofing Over An Existing Silage Pit 
Randalinton Farm, Longtown, Carlisle, CA6 5SX
Ref. No: 24/0042 | Received: Tue 23 Jan 2024 | Validated: Tue 23 Jan 2024 | Status: Registered

Roofing Over Existing Muck Midden
Randalinton Farm, Longtown, Carlisle, CA6 5SX
Ref. No: 24/0009/AGD | Received: Tue 23 Jan 2024 | Validated: Fri 26 Jan 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision

Discharge Of Conditions 3 (Samples Of Bricks & Slates) & 4 (Hard Surface Details) Of Previously A… 
Land Opposite 1-5 Cliff Road, Sandysike, Longtown, CA6 5SU
Ref. No: 24/0022 | Received: Thu 18 Jan 2024 | Validated: Thu 18 Jan 2024 | Status: Registered

Conversion Of Outbuilding Into 4no. Bedrooms For B & B Accommodation; Erection Of 1no. Timber Out… 
Rigg Moor Close, Blackford, Carlisle, CA6 4EH
Ref. No: 24/0020 | Received: Tue 16 Jan 2024 | Validated: Fri 19 Jan 2024| Status: Registered

Erection Of Agricultural Building To House Sheep 
Peela Hill, Bewcastle, Carlisle, CA6 6PX
Ref. No: 24/0005/AGD | Received: Mon 15 Jan 2024 | Validated: Wed 17 Jan 2024 | Status: Registered

Roofing Over Existing Silage Pit (Phase 2) 
Laws Hall, Longtown, Carlisle, CA6 5RJ
Ref. No: 24/0003/AGD | Received: Tue 09 Jan 2024 | Validated: Tue 09 Jan 2024 | Status: Registered

Remodelling Of Existing Dwelling; Demolition Of Timber-Framed Side Extension; Ground Floor Kitche… 
Carwinley Watermill, Carwinley, Longtown, Carlisle, CA6 5PE
Ref. No: 24/0011 | Received: Mon 08 Jan 2024 | Validated: Mon 08 Jan 2024 | Status: Registered

Roofing Over Existing Silage Pit 
Laws Hall, Longtown, Carlisle, CA6 5RJ
Ref. No: 24/0002/AGD | Received: Mon 08 Jan 2024 | Validated: Mon 08 Jan 2024 | Status: Registered

Erection Of Wagon Wash Facility With Canopy 
Wm Armstrong Longtown Ltd, Townfoot, Longtown, Carlisle, CA6 5LY
Ref. No: 23/0876 | Received: Fri 29 Dec 2023 | Validated: Fri 26 Jan 2024 |Status: Registered

Erection Of Fencing To Provide Enclosed Private Garden Area For Netherby Hall 
Netherby Hall, Longtown, Carlisle, CA6 5PR
Ref. No: 23/0865 | Received: Wed 20 Dec 2023 | Validated: Fri 22 Dec 2023 | Status: Registered

Hope all of this is useful. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any queries.