You can find new LGR updates on our dedicated Local Government Reorganisation page here

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Update 8 March 2023 – Cost of Living resources

In addition to the two guides mentioned below (28 November update), we wanted to highlight that there are lots of resources available to support individuals.

Cumbria County Council’s Cost of Living Support website pages contain information about:

• Energy saving advice
• Financial support
• Food support
• Mental health support
• Domestic abuse support
• Help with childcare costs
• Help with your bills
• Help with transport costs
• Safety in your home
• Safety in your business
• Staying warm

Post LGR Vesting Day, visiting the website should still see you redirected to the right part of your new Unitary website. You can also Google something like “Cumberland Cost of Living” and it should take you to the right place. Or go straight to your new Unitary site and use their search function:

https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/
https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/

Other support and information:

Financial advice is available with Money Helper’s Money Navigator tool.

Household Support Fund: This is Government (DWP) money, administered by Cumbria County Council, which includes payments to individuals in immediate crisis. The households most likely to get a hardship payment are those which include:

• A child (or children) under the age of 16 (or 18 if in full time education)
• A person (or people) with long term health conditions or disabilities
• Pensioners

You can apply online here or call the Cumbria County Council Welfare Team: 0800 783 1966

Warm spots: A Warm Spot offers a warm, welcoming space for people to visit this winter if they need it. They are run by a range of different organisations including churches, village halls, local councils and libraries.

All Warm Spots have their own opening days and times and the services available vary.

There are over 200 registered across Cumbria, and the Warm Spots web page provide details, including an interactive map to help find locations and filter by facilities available.

Infant Formula Milk: Available through midwives and health visitors.

 

Update 23 January 2023 – LGR Stakeholder Newsletter

The seven authorities working together to create two new unitary councils and fire service governance for Cumbria are committed to keeping stakeholders informed on progress as we move towards a new era for local government in the county.

Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness Councils will take over the running of local authority services from 1 April, 2023. Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service will come under the Office of Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner.

The latest newsletter contains information on what’s new, budget consultation and Chief Officer recruitment.

 

Update 5 January 2023 – Local Government Reorganisation

A useful Powerpoint has been produced which contains details about confirmation of appointments, setting up of networks, confirmation of each area’s Council plans and the next steps before Vesting Day on 1 April.

 

Update 28 November 2022 – Cost of Living resources

Two new guides are available to support community leaders and individuals, created by organisations involved in the Cumbria Poverty Working Group.

The guide designed to help Community Leaders support people in their communities aims to give information on the key messages and where people can access support, with a little more detail and background information than it is possible to include in short press releases and other public information.

The Cost of Living Support guide is a public information leaflet, being delivered to all households in Cumbria, and provides information and advice on how to get help and support.

 

Update: 9 November 2022 – Local Government Reorganisation

Latest Update – New Councils agree Council Plans, Key Offices agreed. Click here to find out more.

Keep up to date on developments on the LGR website.

 

Update: 23 September 2022 – Cumbria TSN consultation with new authorities

As Cumbria navigates through the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), TSN recognised the need to liaise with the new Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness Council’s to ensure there is a connection with the VCSFE sector and the changes ahead.

As a result, Cumbria CVS facilitated sessions between VCSFE organisations and each new Council to discuss the progress of the new Councils and to make recommendations on each new Council Plan. These sessions were held on 1st September and 7th September, they were led by Andrew Seekings and Lisa Brown (Cumberland), and Sam Plum and Jonathan Brook (Westmorland and Furness).

Feedback from these sessions has been collated by CVS and TSN facilitators and can be found below:

Cumberland Council Plan
Response to Cumberland Council Plan
Westmorland and Furness Council Plan
Response to Westmorland and Furness Council Plan

Following these consultations, we’d like to hear your thoughts on how we should be engaging with the new Councils in the future. Please complete our very quick questionnaire here

 

Update: 3 May 2022 – Asylum Seekers in Cumbria

Cumbria is also welcoming a number of asylum seekers who will be housed in a hotel in Carlisle.

We have added an Asylum Seekers in Carlisle Briefing here here, along with an Asylum Seekers in Carlisle Frequently asked questions document.

This Refugee Mythbusters document, produced by local organisations, also addresses some common misconceptions about Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants in the UK.

 

Update: 13 January 2022 – Asylum Seekers in Cumbria

Cumbria is welcoming a number of asylum seekers, who will be housed in a hotel in Barrow-in-Furness.

This is part of a national government programme, and although local partners have not been involved in the decision-making process, we will be working closely together to make sure that the asylum seekers are well supported during their stay in Cumbria.

We have put together a briefing which explains what an asylum seeker is, what support they will receive, how long the asylum seekers will be staying in Barrow, how to report incidents, and useful links to find out more. Read our Asylum Seekers in Barrow Briefing here

A separate document is also available which answers some of the common questions regarding asylum seekers in Cumbria, and will be updated regularly with new information. Read our Asylum Seekers in Barrow FAQ here