[I]t’s just three years since Penrith Town Council was formed. The first elections to the council took place on May 7, 2015. A good deal has been achieved in that short period.
Currently in development, the ‘Neighbourhood Plan’ will give residents a meaningful say in future developments, for example,where new homes, shops and businesses should be built, also providing a framework to guide future regeneration and conservation of the town. Initial consultation has taken place and the first draft is being prepared prior to the next stage of consultation, when the local community will again have a say in the direction of the plan.
To date, a number of assets have been devolved from Eden District Council to the Town Council, including benches, war memorials, play areas, gardens, the Cornmarket bandstand, the Musgrave Monument and Fairhill playing field, as well as the allotments. More will be coming under consideration as time goes on.
The council recognises the great worth of local community based groups and organisations and believes they make a huge difference to Penrith socially, culturally and economically. The council has, therefore, provided funds to help some groups raise the profile of the town further, for example: the Winter Droving Event, Eden Food and Farming Festival, Penrith Goes Orange and the Penrith Lion’s May Day Festival. To further increase footfall to the town and support the local economy, the town council has also supported the Chamber of Trade and the Penrith Business Improvement District (BID) as well as the Christmas Lights.
Penrith’s entry to Britain in Bloom, which the Council is also sponsoring, focuses on environmental issues as well as horticulture, and the 2018 May Day event, co-incidentally held on the Council’s third birthday, gave volunteers from Keep Britain Tidy, Penrith Action for Community Transition (PACT), the Penrith Lions, the Garden of Eden Community Gardeners and individual members of the community an opportunity to work together, take action and highlight their shared goals to reduce litter in the town as well as the use of single use plastic. To highlight the problems, litter collected by volunteers from different areas of Penrith on Saturday 5th May was pulled along in a cart as part of the May Day Parade. In addition, a wire frame whale packed with single use plastic illustrated the dangers to marine animals, many of which are killed each year as a result of plastic pollution.
A number of other innovative and worthwhile projects in the town have received town council support, including: the 106 Partnership, Penrith Bee Keepers, Eden Mencap, Penrith Remembers, Eden Credit Union, the Triple A project, Cumbria Children’s Dyslexia Project, the Aspirations Project, Penrith Cricket Club, and the Fairhill Group. In addition, the North West Ambulance Charitable organisation was given assistance to install three fibrillators around the town.
Mayor Scott Jackson highlights other areas of involvement in the Town Council’s Annual Report:
“We have made sure the town is heard on the issues of Eden’s Local Plan, their Master Plan and their Vision Document as well engaging positively with Cumbria County Council to ensure resident’s day-to-day experiences inform decision-making at every level.”
Ever more exciting challenges lie ahead for Town Councillors and staff working together with the community to achieve what’s best for Penrith.
More information about the Town Council’s activities and support for the community is available in the Town Council’s Annual Reports which can be found online at: http://www.penrithtowncouncil.co.uk/council-business/annual-report/
