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South Lakeland Community Unit
Neighbourhood Forums - South Lakeland

The Community Support Team works with the South Lakeland Local Committee. The Committee, comprising eighteen local county councillors manages, a number of County Council services locally. These include highways, youth, early years, neighbourhood development. The reason these services are managed locally is to secure the greatest possible involvement from communities in planning and improving local delivery. The Community Support Team works with local residents, community groups and businesses to influence and improve services and the quality of life for residents of South Lakeland. 

Name
South Lakeland Area Office
Address
County Offices
Kendal
LA9 4RQ
Phone
01539-713180
Fax
01539-773183

Staff

Area Support Manager:
Dianne Whitehead, Tel: 01539 713157

Neighbourhood Development Officers: 
Debbie Binch, Tel: 01539 713180
Vacant, Tel: 01539 713448 
Kelly Alty, Tel:01539 713447

Community Involvement Worker: 
Vacant

Administration Officers:
Kath Craig, Tel: 01539 713180
Gae Hicks, Tel: 01539 713419

Partnership Working

The South Lakeland Local Committee works in partnership with many other organisations that are active in the area. These include South Lakeland District Council, Cumbria Police, Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service, Cumbria Primary Care Trust;  Parish Councils, South Lakeland Council for Voluntary Action, Cumbria Association of Clubs for Young People (Young Cumbrians), Cumbria Association of Local Councils, South Lakeland Youth Council, the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks authorities, Lakes and Low Furness & Ulverston Market Towns Initiatives. 

Involving and Supporting Local People

The team undertakes the following work to support local communities and individuals: 

  • Community grants 
  • Information to individuals and groups including routing to local services and support organisations
  • Advice on a wide range of issues
  • Support in local project development
  • Project management                   

Neighbourhood Forums
There are 9 Neighbourhood Forum areas in South Lakeland that hold meetings bringing local people together to discuss community needs, new projects and to network. The forums also allocate community grants to local voluntary and community groups to help with their projects   

Supporting Community Groups
Core work of the team includes supporting community groups by 

  • Helping with projects to improve your local area
  • Advice and grants for local community groups
  • Friendly public meetings (Neighbourhood Forums) covering local issues, ideas and concerns                   

Further details about specific projects are included in the Local Committee Plan. 

Services To Young People
The team is actively involved in developing services and facilities for young people aged between 13 and 19 in South Lakeland including: 

  • Involving young people in local democracy
  • Grants and training for youth groups and voluntary youth leaders
  • Involving young people in identifying needs and delivering services to young people
  • Coordinating services to young people                   

Early Years Services
We work closely with the Early Years team to develop childcare (including after school) services and facilities for younger children in South Lakeland including: 

  • Increased out-of-school provision for 5 -14 year olds
  • Information and support for existing groups
  • Improvement of quality & standards                   

Other Consultations   

There are regular surveys of residents using mail, telephone and public meetings. We work closely with other organisations, particularly local parish councils  and voluntary groups 

Local Projects Which The Team Supports 

Through the Local Committee the Area Support Team is currently supporting a number of local projects. Details can be found on the Community Projects page.

South Lakeland Local Committee website