Lazonby Parish Council

31/10/2026

News Release
Westmorland and Furness Council support National Care Leavers Month November 2026
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November is National Care Leavers Month and a time to recognise, celebrate and support young people as they move from care towards independence.

The month raises awareness of the unique opportunities and challenges faced by care-experienced young people, whether that's moving into their own home for the first time, building strong support networks, or making important decisions about education, training, and employment.

This year's theme, "Leading the Way: From Experience to Empowerment", highlights the strength, resilience and achievements of care-experienced young people and the valuable contributions they make to their communities.

A range of events and activities will take place across Westmorland and Furness throughout November, including games nights, yoga sessions, regional football tournaments, DJ Set, a film night, and Christmas wreath making. Our Small Steps, Big Ambitions event on 25 November will bring together care leavers and local partners to explore career pathways, training opportunities, and future aspirations.

Westmorland and Furness Council will also take part in the National Light Up, illuminating some council buildings in blue alongside landmarks across the country, from the London Eye to Blackpool Tower, as a visible show of pride, solidarity, and support for care leavers.

Councillor Janet Battye, Westmorland and Furness Council Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said: "Care-experienced young people show incredible resilience, determination and strength, and Care Leavers Month gives us an opportunity to celebrate their achievements and raise awareness of their experiences.

"Throughout November, we will be shining a light on their stories, promoting understanding across our communities and reaffirming our commitment to ensuring every care-experienced young person feels valued, supported and empowered to achieve their goals.

"We're proud of the innovative work taking place across Westmorland and Furness all year round to support care leavers, and this national campaign provides a chance to showcase that work and the positive difference it is making in young people's lives. We are also working toward Care Leavers becoming a protected characteristic within the council. This helps ensure the experiences of care leavers are considered in the decisions we make and the services we provide."

ENDS

20/10/2026

Connecting Cumbria Newsletter October 2026 - Building Resilience Through Digital Connectivity Westmorland and Furness Council sent this bulletin at 20-10-2026 03:02 PM BST Would you like to view this email in a web page? Click here Connecting Cumbria Newsletter October 2026 Building Resilience Throu...

20/10/2026

Weekly News: How capital projects deliver social value | New Adult Social Care strategy | Reliable digital connectivity Westmorland and Furness Council sent this bulletin at 16-10-2026 03:18 PM BST Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. Friday 16 October 2026 In this week's editio...

20/10/2026

Neighbourhood Policing Update - Penrith & Alston View as a webpage / Share Penrith & Alston October 2026 A Message from Temporary Chief Inspector Bibby As we move into autumn, I wanted to take the opportunity to highlight some of the positive work taking place across Penrith and Alston. Over the pas...

14/10/2026

Together Through the Lens is a free community photography and storytelling project. It celebrates the people, places and everyday moments that make Westmorland and Furness our home.

14/10/2026

14 October 2026
Status: For immediate release
News Release

Staying Connected This Autumn: Digital Connectivity Supports Resilience Across Cumbria
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As autumn brings shorter days, more challenging weather conditions and increased pressures on households, businesses and communities, Connecting Cumbria is highlighting the vital role that reliable digital connectivity plays in building resilience across the county.

From accessing essential services and keeping in touch with loved ones, to supporting local businesses, farming operations, remote working, education and emergency communications, fast and reliable broadband and mobile connectivity have become fundamental to everyday life.

With Cumbria now benefiting from some of the strongest rural connectivity in the UK, residents and businesses are increasingly able to take advantage of digital services that help them prepare for and respond to seasonal challenges.

Whether it is receiving weather alerts, accessing healthcare appointments online, monitoring livestock remotely, running tourism and hospitality businesses, supporting home working during adverse weather, or staying connected during power interruptions and travel disruption, digital connectivity provides an important foundation for resilience.

With nearly 97 per cent of premises now able to access superfast broadband, more than 87% benefiting from gigabit-capable speeds, and more than 99 per cent of properties in Cumbria covered by outdoor 4G from at least one provider, Connecting Cumbria is encouraging everyone to take a moment this autumn to understand the connectivity options available to them and ensure they are making the most of the services now accessible across the county.

For Cumbria's residents, strong digital connectivity is no longer a luxury, it is essential infrastructure.

Councillor Peter Thornton, Digital Champion for Westmorland and Furness Council, said: "Digital connectivity is no longer simply about accessing the internet; it is a key part of how our communities, businesses and public services remain resilient throughout the year. As we move into the autumn and winter months, having access to reliable broadband and mobile services can help people stay informed, connected and supported when they need it most. We have seen significant investment in Cumbria's digital infrastructure in recent years, and we want residents and businesses to ensure they are benefiting from the opportunities available."

Councillor Chris Southward, Cumberland Council's Digital Champion, added: "From family farms and rural enterprises to town centre businesses and households, digital connectivity underpins so many aspects of modern life. It supports economic growth, improves access to services and helps communities respond effectively during periods of disruption. As technology continues to develop, ensuring people are connected remains an important part of strengthening resilience across Cumbria."

This autumn don't assume your connectivity options are the same as they were a year ago. Take a few minutes to check what services are available at your home or business and ensure you're making the most of Cumbria's growing digital infrastructure.

Find out more and check your connectivity options at www.connectingcumbria.org.uk.

ENDS

Our programme is dedicated to delivering the Digital Infrastructure Strategy for Cumbria, supporting improvements to broadband and mobile connectivity across the County.

14/10/2026

Your Free RSN Weekly Newsletter - 14 October 2026

14/10/2026

Lazonby Parish Council
Call: 0843 2894416
Email: [email protected]

14/10/2026

Lazonby Parish Council
Call: 0843 2894416
Email: [email protected]

12/10/2026

07 October 2026
News Release

Have your say on plans to improve walking and cycling access and 'double mini-roundabout' junction

People are being invited to share their views on proposals to improve walking and cycling access to the Sandgate area of Penrith town centre.

There are also planned improvements to benefit all road users at the existing double mini-roundabout junction at the top of Sandgate/bottom of Fell Lane.

The proposals aim to address long-standing issues faced by pedestrians on well-used walking routes from the Scaws area into Sandgate. Ideas include widening of pavements and improving crossing opportunities at the junction and on adjoining routes.

The proposed changes would also enhance safety for all road users by changing the junction layout to remove the complicated double mini-roundabout, which is a barrier for pedestrians, confusing for motorists and puts people off trying to cross the road at this junction

Feedback has confirmed these safety issues particularly affect anyone walking or wheeling, including children and parents going to and from Beaconside Primary School and the Penrith Pre-School nursery on Meeting House Lane.

Led by Westmorland and Furness Council, early designs for the improvement project have been drawn-up, informed by discussions with key stakeholders including council partners and other organisations along the route of the proposed improvements.

Now people are being invited to share their thoughts on the proposals through a public consultation, which launches on Monday next week (12 October 2026) and will run for five weeks until 13 November 2026.

You can find more information, look at the initial designs and have your say by completing the online consultation survey (from 12 October) at:

https://consult.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/westmorland-and-furness-council/sandgate/

An in-person drop-in event, where you can pop along and to meet the project team, look at the designs and ask questions, will be held at: Penrith Library, St. Andrew's Churchyard, on Wednesday, 14 October, 1pm to 5pm

Paper copies of the survey will also be available from Penrith Library for the full duration of the public consultation period.

Once final designs are agreed following more detailed design work in 2027, it is planned that construction work on improvements would commence in Autumn 2027 and be complete by Spring 2028.

By improving accessibility and safety, the council hopes to encourage more people to feel confident using the route to walk, wheel or cycle into the town centre, as part of its plans to create better infrastructure to enable more people to choose 'active travel' for everyday local journeys such as going to school, work or to the shops.

Councillor Adrian Waite, Westmorland and Furness Council's Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Transport, said: "This is an opportunity to tackle one of the most difficult and confusing locations for pedestrians in Penrith and turn it into a safer, more welcoming gateway into the town centre.

"Many local people will know how challenging it can be to cross at the Sandgate and Fell Lane double mini-roundabout, particularly parents with young children, older people and anyone with a pushchair, wheelchair or mobility aid. We want to make it much easier and safer for people to get into town on foot, by wheelchair or by bike.

"This project is about far more than changing a road layout. It is part of our wider vision for Penrith, creating better links between neighbourhoods, schools, shops and services so that more people can choose to walk, wheel or cycle for everyday journeys if they wish. By improving safety, accessibility and the look and feel of the route, we hope more people will feel confident leaving the car at home for shorter trips.

"Alongside the recently approved 20mph speed limit, these improvements have the potential to make a real difference to the way people move around this part of the town and support our ambition to make active travel a practical, attractive and healthy choice for residents of all ages.

"These are still draft proposals and we genuinely want to hear what local people think. I would encourage everyone who uses this route to look at the plans and take part in the consultation so we can help shape the final design together."

The council has undertaken feasibility and initial design work and has secured funding to deliver the scheme from central Government sources, including Active Travel England and the Department for Transport's Local Transport Grant.

More information about the project is on the council's website: Sandgate and Fell Lane, Penrith | Westmorland and Furness

This site will help you find, share and participate in consultations that interest you.