Councillor Tim Pickstone

Cumberland Council met on 9 September 2025. Full Council is the main meeting where all 46 councillors are in attendance. Full papers for the meeting are here: cumberland.moderngov.co.uk+2cumberland.moderngov.co.uk+2

The Deputy Leader paid tribute to Lesley Sanczuk, a long-serving senior manager in children’s and adult social care, announcing a book of remembrance in her honour. cumberland.moderngov.co.uk

The Portfolio Holder for Lifelong Learning & Development reported on the latest positive joint Ofsted / Care Quality Commission inspection of SEND services, thanking families and partnership staff for their input. cumberland.moderngov.co.uk

The Portfolio Holder for Public Health and Communities reminded members of World Suicide Awareness Day on 10 September and reflected on the “Baton of Hope” event held across Cumbria on 7 September. cumberland.moderngov.co.uk

The Chief Executive emphasised the council’s commitment to staff equality, inclusion and compliance with the Equality Act 2010. cumberland.moderngov.co.uk

One member of the public submitted a question to the Leader under Procedure Rule 10. The question referenced the Nolan Principles (honesty, accountability, integrity etc) and asked:

• What was the council’s total employer contribution rate and cash amount to the Cumbria Pension Fund in 2024/25 (including any deficit recovery payments)?
• Will the Leader confirm that any funding shortfall caused by divestment decisions relating to Israel would be met by taxpayers via higher employer contributions? cumberland.moderngov.co.uk+1

The Leader responded in the published Q&A sheet. (See my separate appendix of all questions and answers.)

Nine written questions were tabled by councillors, covering themes such as:

• Pension fund contributions and fiduciary responsibility;
• Accommodation and housing for asylum-seekers;
• Repeated flooding and back-garden sewerage/flood issues in the Botcherby area;
• Completion of the £2.7 m remedial works programme at Durranhill Viaduct;
• “Fly-camping” in landscapes and open-access land;
• The role of the Cumbria Pension Fund in divestment strategy;
• Any other local infrastructure or environment matters.

The questions and answers from Liberal Democrat councillors are here:
https://timpickstone.mycouncillor.org.uk/2025/10/09/answers-to-questions-9-september-2025/

The Leader provided an important update on the devolution programme to establish a Mayoral Combined Authority covering the Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness areas. Key points:

• The council’s request to delay the planned mayoral election was approved by Government. cumberland.moderngov.co.uk+1
• The statutory tests required for creating the new authority have now been confirmed as satisfied. cumberland.moderngov.co.uk
• The next step: the Executive meeting on 14 October will consider the formal consent from this council. A special Full Council meeting is scheduled for 7 October at 4pm (Allerdale House) to allow full member debate. cumberland.moderngov.co.uk

Committee & Panel Appointments A report was brought forward recommending new allocations of seats and Member appointments to Committees and Panels, in accordance with political balance. An amendment was moved by Cllr Pickstone (seeking to adjust Liberal Democrat/Conservative seats between Place Overview & Scrutiny Committee and the Harbours Assurance Committee) but was defeated. cumberland.moderngov.co.uk The original recommendations were then approved.

Motions

Two Notice-of-Motion items were debated:

1. “Stop Profiteering from Children with SEND” – proposed by Cllr Pickstone. The motion noted concerns that private equity-backed SEND providers are making large profits while councils face mounting costs. It called for an 8 % cap on profits by private SEND providers and urged the Leader to write to ministers on behalf of the council. cumberland.moderngov.co.uk+1
2. “Consistent, Safety-Based Rules for Lamppost Flags” – proposed by the Conservative Group. This motion asked the council to adopt a clear, safety-based policy for lamppost flags (e.g., St George’s/Union flags) to ensure consistency rather than ad-hoc arrangements. cumberland.moderngov.co.uk