Delek Humphreys

Councillor Derek Humphreys has retired for personal reasons and the Parish Council would like to extend their thanks for his dedicated service to the Parish.

Parish Precept 2021/22

At our virtual meeting using Zoom on Wednesday 20th January 2021, the Council agreed its precept and budget proposals for the Financial year April 2021 to March 2022. The Council has agreed a precept total  of £13,000 which is the same as last year, and in fact, the same amount which the Parish has requested for a considerable number of previous years.

This precept works out at approximately 47p  per week for a Band D property which is around  the middle band of the Council Tax Table.

The budget agreed for the 2021 / 2022 financial year has been agreed at £16,000 with £1800 being taken from reserves.

The Council will continue to use Parish Council Tax Payers money in a responsible and prudent way, and hope to ensure we strive to do our best for all residents of the Parish.

My thanks go to all our  hard working members, and our Clerk, Gillian Threader, all of whom are necessary to run the Council. My thanks also goes to Donna McGhee who runs our website, without seeking any reward or thanks. Donna has carried out, and continuous, to do an enormous amount of work relating to our Parish Council website.

Sam Meteer

Chairman. 23rd January 2021.

Christmas Greeting

COVID-19 Notice - Beckermet Playpark Opening

The Playparks in Beckermet are now open again. Please read the Notice on the playpark gates before use.

COVID-19 Notice - Cumbria County Council Trading Standards COVID-19 Scam advice

Two documents have been posted to the Local Links page giving advice regarding common scams that have arisen during the COVID-19 crisis. Click on the documents to view them full size.

COVID-19 Notice - Playpark closures

The Parish play parks in Thornhill and Beckermet (School Green and Millfields) have been closed until further notice.

New Copeland Age and Advice Service (CAAS) information.

"Giving our older generation the opportunity to live fulfilled and independent lives, through providing personalised advice and support".

Copeland Age and Advice Service's (CAAS) new, not for profit, Social Enterprise provides information, advice and guidance to over 55's in relation to financial matters, housing issues and in enabling people to live safely and independently wherever they choose.

CAAS provide:

• Benefit checks and assistance with making relevant benefit applications
• Advice and help on money matters
• Help to understand and access relevant Housing Options
• A form filling service i.e. Blue Badge applications, Power of Attorney forms, Disabled Facilities grant applications, completion of housing forms etc.
• Support with Independent living through an assessment of a client's home in relation to the recommendation of relevant aids, equipment and adaptions.
• General advice and information on later life issues

Local ladies Becky Goddard and Lesley Amor decided to set up CAAS after they were made redundant from their roles when funding ceased for the Place Based Prevention Project, previously ran by Age UK West Cumbria.

Lesley Amor, Financial Director says "We knew what a huge impact this service had on our clients and letting it go just wasn't an option for us".

"We believe that to assess a client's needs fully we need to carry out a full holistic assessment in their home environment, currently no other organisation provides this specialist support locally" said Lesley. "We know from experience that client's often do not know about the help and services available, and so will never approach anyone to ask for assistance, making them vulnerable and at risk".

Operations Director Becky Goddard added "With a large proportion of the population living rurally, access to services can be challenging. Many areas have poor transport links and therefore a service that provides home visits for clients who are unable to access an office base, whether due to difficulties with their health or their remote location, means they will still be able to access our support".

The staff have many years' experience in supporting the over 55's in Copeland along with a large network of contacts in relevant fields such as Health Care Professionals, Health and Social Care staff and a variety of third sector organisations. They are qualified Trusted Assessors as well as agents for the DWP and have a shared passion to support the vulnerable older generation in a caring and compassionate manner.

Copeland Age and Advice Service are funded through Copeland Community Fund, Cumbria Community Foundation, The National Lottery Community Fund and Sellafield Charity Snowball.

For more information on this service please contact the team on 01946 552166, or email, alternatively visit their website or view their Poster or Leaflet.