The Westmorland and Furness Council Cabinet met to discuss key strategic and financial issues, including budget monitoring, waste management, and social care. The Cabinet agreed to a joint working arrangement with Cumberland Council for addiction services and approved a plan for harmonising waste and recycling collections, alongside discussion of financial performance and strategic risks.

2025/26 Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring Report

The Cabinet received a 2025/26 Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring Report to 30 June 2025, which indicated a projected overspend of £10.130m. Councillor Andrew Jarvis, Cabinet Member for Finance, highlighted that Adult and Children's Services were facing demand pressures, while Treasury Management had an underspend due to higher interest rates and reduced borrowing. The cabinet agreed to increase the Thriving Communities gross budget by £0.114m to recognise funding from Integrated Care Boards towards tackling oral health inequalities. The report also covered the council's role as the accountable body for the Team Barrow Social Impact Fund and Work and Health Fund, and the Barrow Transformation Fund. The cabinet delegated authority to the Director of Resources to negotiate a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for the Barrow Transformation Fund. The cabinet also recommended to the council project changes and updates that total (£4.457m).

Strategic Risk Management

The Cabinet reviewed the Quarter 1 Strategic Risk Report, which identified 17 strategic risks, with 8 rated as high. The report noted the register of identified strategic risks and how internal controls were responding to these risks. The Cabinet noted that three risks had been removed from the register, including risks related to insufficient capacity to meet the needs of children with special educational needs and disabilities¹, management of significant contracts, and the cost of living crisis. Two new risks were added regarding the financially unsustainable special educational needs system and school system.

Corporate Performance

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Jonathan Brook, presented the 2025/26 Quarter 1 Corporate Performance Report, highlighting that 57% of performance metrics were rated green, indicating that the council was functioning well against its agreed objectives. The report provided an overview of performance against the 10 Westmorland and Furness Council Plan Delivery Framework missions.

Cared for Children and Care Experienced Young People's Sufficiency Strategy

The Cabinet approved the Westmorland and Furness Cared for Children and Care Experienced Young People's Sufficiency Strategy 2025-2028. The strategy outlines the council's approach to providing sufficient local, safe, and appropriate placements for cared for children and care experienced young people. Key strategic priorities include prevention, fostering, children's homes, supported accommodation, unaccompanied children, children with complex needs, adoption, commissioning, and quality assurance.

Waste Change Programme

The Cabinet approved the roll out of an in-house waste and recycling collection service, as detailed in the Waste Change Programme: Options for Harmonising the Waste and Recycling Collections Service report. This included transferring the current contracted services in the Eden area in-house upon contract expiry, adopting alternate weekly residual waste collection using a 240 litre wheeled bin, and adopting an alternate weekly recycling kerbside collection scheme utilising 2 x 180 litre wheeled bins. The Cabinet also approved the provision of bespoke services in areas that cannot adopt wheeled bins and agreed to harmonise charges for garden waste for the 2026/27 financial year.

Award of Contract – Revenue and Benefits Software

The Cabinet approved the award of a call off contract for Revenue and Benefits Software to Civica UK Ltd, as detailed in the Award of Contract - Revenue and benefits Software report. The contract, procured via the Crown Commercial Services RM6259 Vertical Application Solutions Framework, is for a period of 7 years with an optional extension period of 3 years, with a maximum value of £161,000 per year with annual increases for indexation, excluding up front costs. The new software aims to consolidate existing systems and enhance digital service delivery.

Procurement of a Cumbria-wide Addictions Service

The Cabinet agreed to enter into a joint working arrangement with Cumberland Council to commission a Cumbria-wide Addictions Service, as detailed in the Procurement of a Cumbria-wide Addictions Service by way of joint working agreement with report. The Cabinet delegated authority to Cumberland Council's Executive to procure, award, and enter into contractual arrangements with providers on behalf of both councils. The term of the contract is for six years, with two optional two-year extensions, and Westmorland and Furness Council's contribution to the total contract value is £30.2m across its maximum term.

Disposal at an Undervalue of The Abbey, Staveley for Affordable Housing

The Cabinet approved the freehold sale of The Abbey, Staveley to Home Group on less than best consideration terms, as detailed in the Disposal at an Undervalue of The Abbey, Staveley for Affordable Housing report. The disposal will facilitate the development and management of the site as an affordable housing scheme. The Cabinet delegated authority to the Assistant Director of Corporate Assets, Capital Programme and Fleet to approve the detailed terms of the disposal.

Public Participation

Claudia Watson, a resident of Askam, addressed the Cabinet regarding land behind her property leased by the council, expressing concerns about its maintenance and requesting support for its transfer to her. The Leader of the Council, Councillor Jonathan Brook, responded that the land was designated as public open space and of ecological value, but he would provide a full response to Ms Watson as soon as possible.

Wendy Maddox from Dalton Town Council raised concerns about the narrow main road in Dalton and requested that the Council discuss widening it. Councillor Brook responded that the Council would give the proposal due consideration and provide a written response to the Town Council.

Statements from the Leader and Cabinet Members

Councillor Brook provided an update on the Council's involvement in the Devolution Priority Programme and the forthcoming decision on whether to consent to the creation of a Mayoral Combined Authority in Cumbria.

The Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Education and Skills, Councillor Janet Battye, announced the end of school year results, highlighting improvements in early years development and GCSE results, and praised the achievements of cared-for children.

The Cabinet Member for Communities, Customer Services, Culture and Communications, Councillor Helen Chaffey, addressed the issue of immigration and increasing racism, reaffirming the council's commitment to inclusivity and community cohesion.

The Cabinet Member for Climate, Biodiversity and Environmental Services, Councillor Giles Archibald, provided an update on the Local Nature Recovery Strategy and the forthcoming Westmorland and Furness Nature and Biodiversity Strategy.

Questions to Cabinet Members

Councillor Bev Morgan asked about the council's use of glyphosate as a herbicide weed killer and requested a glyphosate reduction plan. Councillor Archibald responded that the council was committed to looking at alternatives and was trialling hot foam alternatives.

Councillor Andy Coles asked about support for households on a low income that include someone living with a terminal illness. The Cabinet Member for Finance responded that each case was considered individually and that the council provided support through the Household Support Fund and discretionary housing payments.

Councillor Bill McEwan asked about the state of B and C roads in Westmorland and Furness and what the Cabinet Member was doing to ensure that all roads were safe and well maintained. The Cabinet Member for Highways and ICT responded that the council was committed to improving road conditions and had allocated £19.9 million for carriageway improvements in 2025/26.

Monitoring Officer Report

The Monitoring Officer presented a report, which was discussed in private. The Cabinet agreed to the recommendation contained within the report.