Councillor Tim Pickstone

At the last full meeting of Cumberland Council, myself and other Liberal Democrats asked our usual full quote of written questions. Here are the answers:

• Councillor Pickstone to Portfolio Holder for Public Health and Communities – 

‘Can Cllr McDermott, the Portfolio Holder for Public Health and Communities describe what actions are being taken to enforce the ban on the sale of single-use vapes – which came into effect on 1 June 2025? How are we monitoring compliance and ensuring illegal vapes (of all kinds) are not finding their way into the market in Cumberland? Single-use vapes banned from 1 June 2025 – GOV.UK’

Cumberland’s Trading Standards team takes a proactive approach to enforcing regulations relating to the sale of vapes. Before the ban came into effect, the team provided considerable advice to local businesses about the new rules, including distributing information leaflets, posting on social media, and visiting shops where there were existing concerns about compliance. Since the ban came into effect on 1 June the team has taken a zero tolerance approach to the sale of single use vapes, and investigations have already led to the seizure of 1500 single use vapes from four premises. A further operation is planned this month to test compliance and the team will continue to enforce these regulations proactively.

(Response to supplementary question)

Trading Standards have received increased funding for vape enforcement, including a dedicated “illicit vapes enforcement squad” backed by £3 million. This is a national “squad” aimed at tackling the illegal sale of vapes, particularly those sold to minors and online. 

A total of £10 million, nationally, has been allocated for 2025/26 to support the enforcement of illicit and underage tobacco and vape sales, and an additional £30 million of annual funding for enforcement agencies like Trading Standards, Border Force, and HMRC, starting April 2024, to implement and enforce laws related to vaping and tackle illicit trade. 

The national funding will support various enforcement activities, including: 

• Targeting enforcement on known illegal vapes.
• Providing resources for safe storage and destruction of seized vapes.
• Centralizing efforts to combat online sales of illegal vapes.
• Stopping illegal vape products at ports of entry.
• Training for Trading Standards officers on new regulations, including the single-use vape ban.
• Supporting businesses in understanding and complying with vape regulations.

In Cumberland Council we consider prevention preferable to enforcement and try to keep both potential sellers and consumers of illicit vapes fully informed of the law, the problems caused by these substances and the potential punishment if abuse takes place. The new funding means we have the opportunity to apply for a Trading Standards Vape & Illicit Tobacco Apprentice. We were unsuccessful in the first round and will apply in the second round. The funding will also mean being able to have the use of the Tobacco Detection Dogs for more days. The focus is on reducing the availability of illegal vapes, particularly those targeting children and young people, and ensuring businesses comply with the law. 

• Councillor Pickstone to Portfolio Holder for Financial Planning and Assets –

‘Could Cllr Cannon, the Portfolio Holder for Financial Planning and Assets inform members how much of the capital investment increase of £120 billion over the Review period (2025–26 to 2029–30) announced in the recent Government Spending Review will be reaching Cumberland?’

As of now, Cumberland Council has not been allocated a specific, confirmed share of the £120 billion capital investment increase announced in the June 2025 UK Spending Review. The Spending Review outlines national priorities and departmental budgets but does not yet provide a detailed regional or council-level breakdown of how that capital will be distributed.

Q6 – During the meeting Cllr Hinton replied to say that discussions were still ongoing.

• Councillor Dobson to Portfolio Holder for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places –

‘Could Cllr Rollo, the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places inform members how much waste from Scotland is expected to be taken by landfills in Cumberland, including landfills operated by private operators?’

The council doesn’t own or manage any active landfill sites. Our waste is disposed of through a 25-year Integrated Waste Disposal contract with Biffa Cumbria Limited. We have no knowledge of what private landfill operators have agreed to accept.

• Councillor Dobson to Deputy Leader (Statutory) – 

‘Could Cllr Hinton, Deputy Leader (Statutory) and Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care inform members why we are ending the 50p per hour ‘market supplement’ for care workers. Does she feel that the new lower wage will enable us to retain and recruit staff in this vital area of council provision?’
Cllr Hinton replied to say that discussions were still ongoing.

• Councillor Wills to Portfolio Holder for Environment and Planning –

‘In the knowledge of chemical runoff from agricultural land being the biggest polluter of our waterways, lakes and ponds, can Cllr Kelly the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Planning explain what action Cumberland Council is taking to reduce the chemical runoff from agricultural land?’

The issue of agricultural run-off is complex, and one that requires a multi-agency approach and close working with our important agricultural industries. 

In this respect, we are working with Natural England, the Environment Agency and DEFRA to promote the Catchment Sensitive Farming programme, an initiative which offers farmers advice, training and grants to help them manage practices relating to healthy soil and water. 

Along these agencies, we are engaging closely with the Rivers Trusts to advocate take up of projects to benefit land management practices that will benefit watercourses. Supporting this, the West Cumbria Rivers Trust have a dedicated Farming Officers working on specific catchments needing particular action such as the Waver-Wampool rover system in North Cumbria.

We are also working through designated landscape partnerships such as the Solway Coast National Landscape and the Lake District National Park to offer farm advice and specific grants through Farming in Protected Landscapes, a Defra funded programme offering grants to farmers for projects that improve nature, climate change mitigation, people and place. Both designated landscapes run the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme and have dedicated officers to offer advice.

The impact of nutrients within our water courses also brings a particular challenge to house building with the requirement for new developments to demonstrate what is known as “Nutrient Neutrality” where they are to be delivered in certain watercourses, including that of the River Eden.  Responding to this, we working with a range of partners and with the support of the Government’s Nutrient Mitigation Fund, to develop a raft of mitigation measures many of which can support agricultural practices that reduce levels of nutrient run-off.

(Not sure whether this will lead to any supplementary questions… But for info, the interactive map Check for Drinking Water Safeguard Zones and NVZs shows that we have nitrate vulnerable zones (NVZs) in Cumberland.  There are additional requirements for land owners and farmers in NVZs- see Nitrate vulnerable zones – GOV.UK. Planners also have a role to play with nutrient rich habitats which while not chemical runoff from agricultural land shows the variety of ways that different organisations may have a role however small – Nutrient neutrality and habitats regulations assessment update is guidance from the Chief Planning Officer (DLUHC) )