2024 News
Farmer’s Market
Following feedback from customer’s it has been agreed that the monthly Farmer’s Market will change to the first Friday of each month. This will start in November with the trader’s being present on Friday the 1st of November. As usual this will take place on The Square.
23rd October 2024
Handyperson Scheme Roll out
A scheme that supports elderly or vulnerable residents with practical help around their homes is being rolled out across Westmorland and Furness.
The popular Handyperson Scheme has run for several years in the South Lakeland area, offering eligible residents assistance with small jobs around the home to help them maintain independent living and support quality of life.
The service, which is operated by Westmorland and Furness Council, can provide help with anything from changing a lightbulb to putting up shelving, hanging curtains, installing handrails and small repairs such as unblocking sinks or replacing a washer on a tap.
Fitting of minor security measures such as door and window locks is also available under the scheme, helping people feel safer in their homes and reducing the fear of crime.
All work is carried out free of charge. The resident provides the items and materials and these should be purchased prior to requesting a job. Sometimes materials may be supplied by a partner agency like the police, such as home security items.
The scheme has now been extended to cover the whole of Westmorland and Furness.
It applies to all residents, whether you rent privately, own your home or are a social housing tenant.
For tenants, the scheme covers minor works that are not normally the responsibility of the landlord. If a tenant requests a job that is the landlord's responsibility, they will be redirected to contact their landlord.
Assistance under the scheme is available to people who are unable to undertake the task themselves and have no other person available to help them with the task and reside in the Westmorland and Furness area, who:
are aged 65 and over; or have a disability or are vulnerable; or are being discharged or have recently been discharged from hospital; or are at high risk of falling due to a medical condition
Gardening and decorating works are not included in the scheme and the scheme is for pre-booked jobs only – it is not an emergency call-out service.
Works are limited to a maximum of three hours on site if one handy person visits, or 1.5 hours if two handy persons visit. Eligible households are able to utilise the service up to six times in any 12-month period.
Councillor Judith Derbyshire, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Customer Services, said: “This scheme has been running successfully for a number of years in the South Lakeland area. We are delighted that under the new Westmorland and Furness Council it is now being extended to all eligible residents in the Barrow and Eden areas as well.
“It is a fantastic scheme that provides valuable help for people to carry out those little jobs or repairs that make their lives easier, safer or more secure.
“This helps to support people to live healthier, happier and more independent lives, in line with our key Council Plan priorities around helping our communities to thrive.
“We supply the labour free-of-charge with any materials being paid for by the householder.’’
For more information and to request a job under the Handyperson Scheme, visit the website: Handy person scheme | Westmorland and Furness Council
Alternatively you can call the Housing Standards Team on 0300 373 3300, email housingstandards@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
4th September 2024
Right to inspect Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2023/24
25th May 2024
Notice of Public Right to Inspect Parish Council Accounts, Click for PDF
Annual Goverance and Accountability Return 2023/24
April 21st 2024
Farmer's Market Change
With effect from May, the Friday Farmer's Market will change to the third Friday of the Month (currently it is held on the second Friday of each month). This market now includes two farmers selling meat etc, a bread/cake stall, stalls selling specialist wine and other alcohol as well as the usual market stalls.
April 10th 2024
Parish Election Update
Following the closing date for nominations for the Parish Council Election it has been determined that NO election is required. There were 9 vacancies and 9 candidates were nominated. All were existing Councillors with no new nominations from village residents. All nominations were elected unopposed. Nominations can be found here and results can be found here
March 25th 2024
Parish Election 2024
An election for a number of Parish Councils has been called. It will take place on Thursday the 2nd of May. This includes Milnthorpe Parish. Full details can be found here
Planning Application No SL2022/0305 - UPDATE
On Wednesday the 20th of March the Chair and Vice-Chair of Milnthorpe Parish Council attended the strategic planning meeting for the Beetham Road development. The meeting was to consider updates following the previous meeting where the decision was deferred pending further information on a number of points.
After a long debate, with 4 members of the public speaking, there was a proposal to refuse the application on the grounds of sewage, but the Council solicitor said that it needed proof, and the sewage problem can be approached via the Environment Agency, outside the realms of this application. There followed a proposal to agree with the recommendations of the Planning Officer. This was to agree the application as:
1) This is an allocated housing site
2) There were substatial improvements on access, especially with the filter lane.
3) United Utilities, have responded, with a consultancy firm reiterating that the system can cope.
4) The alterations confirm all properties now comply with planning regulations.
Before work can commence there is legal work to take place. This webpage will provide an update when the commencement date is known. The Construction Statement can be found on the W&F website or here
February 27th 2024
Public Toilets - The Square
From Wednesday 28th February, entry to the Public Toilets on the Square will change. Entry will be by contactless payment only, no cash will be accepted. In line with other Parishes and Towns in the County, the cost will increase to 50p per visit. The cost of providing the toilets is in excess of £10,000 per annum so the income will help towards this and potentially reduce the Parish share of the Council Tax.
February 8th 2014
Planning Application NoSL2022/0305 - UPDATE
Land Adjacent to Beetham Road
Draft minutes of the Planning Minutes relating to the Beetham Road Development, can be found at this link:
The papers that accompanied the agenda made it clear that the recommendation was that the committee grant permission, as follows:
“In summary, it is considered that the proposed development is in accordance with the development plan, there are no material considerations that indicate the decision should be made otherwise and with the planning conditions proposed, any potential harm would reasonably be mitigated. Therefore, having regard to the presumption in section 38(6) of the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, and having considered the impact on heritage assets in accordance with sections 66 and 72 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (LBCA Act), it is recommended that planning permission is granted, subject to necessary planning obligations and conditions.”
All the papers for the meeting can be found on the Westmorland & Furness website at:
Milnthorpe village was represented by a number of residents and the Parish Council. Thanks to their input, highlighting a number of concerns, the outcome of the Planning meeting was that the decision was deferred pending further information on a number of areas