The Carlisle West Community Panel of Cumberland Council met on Tuesday, 18 June 2024, to discuss various community investment projects, updates on local activities, and future plans for the area. Key decisions were made regarding funding allocations for community initiatives and the approval of the Neighbourhood Investment Plan.

Investing in Our Neighbourhood Report

The Panel reviewed the current position of the Neighbourhood Investment Fund allocation and considered the draft Neighbourhood Investment Plan. Several investment applications were discussed and approved, including:

• £1,000 to Laurie Brewis Trust - CCGA/1997-24
• £2,000 to Carlisle Mencap - CCGA/2011-24
• £4,000 to Spiral - CCGA/2010-24
• £6,000 to Yewdale Community Centre - CCGA/2000-24
• £2,500 to Carlisle Matters - CCGA/2043-24
• £376 to Carlisle Society for the Blind - CCGA/2036-24
• £500 to St Cuthbert’s Parochial Church Council - CCGA/2042-24
• £2,700 to Cumberland & Carlisle Community Arts Project - CCGA/2004-24, on the condition of collaborative work with similar organisations
• £1,000 to Meals on Wheels - CCGA/1996-24
• £5,000 to Carlisle One World Centre - CCGA/2039-24
• £1,500 to Denton Holme Longsowerby Community Engagement - CCGA/2034-24
• £2,000 to Yewkids @ Yewdale Community Centre - CCGA/2001-24

The Panel also agreed to decommit £3,000 previously allocated to Friends of Chances Park for a labyrinth project.

Community Panel Update

The Panel received updates on recent activities and events in the community, including the Carlisle West Community Network Event, Carlisle Youth Festival, the Teenage Market, Family Wellbeing Transformation, and the Waste Collection Review. Updates were also provided by the Local Focus Hub, Active Cumbria, and Carlisle Library Service. Members expressed interest in conducting similar multi-agency patch walks in their wards, following a successful event in the Raffles area.

Highways and Transport Strategic Board Minutes

The Panel reviewed the minutes from the Highways and Transport Strategic Board meeting held on 30 January 2024. Discussions included bus services in the Carlisle West area and a request for a review of the resident parking scheme. The Cumberland Network Manager provided updates on upcoming highways work in the area.

Date of Next Meeting

Members noted that future meeting dates for the Panel were still to be agreed by the full Council.