Managing Director has agreed to improvements within the contract. One must remember Barrow is not a small village and it will take time to rectify past errors.
Proposed by Cllr M Leach and seconded by Cllr W McEwan.
Cllr M Leach said the Council had been in this same position for the past two years and it cannot be allowed to continue, therefore there is now an urgent need to gather all relevant information. He proposed the Clerk request the information noted under point A of the draft motion, and in addition, to facilitate a clearer understanding of the current situation all Councillors be requested to inspect their Wards and gather information in readiness for the next meeting in September 2026. The remaining requests at B, C and D of the Draft Motion to be deferred to the next meeting. Further, Cllr W McEwan said he would be raising the following question at the Westmorland and Furness Council meeting on 30th July 2026 - "Why have different grounds maintenance contractors been appointed in different areas of the County". Contractors in the north of the County have received awards and acclamations for their work. Sadly, it is a different story in Barrow.
A vote having been taken on the proposed second amendment – 6 for. 1 abstention.
The draft Substantive Motion was approved.
It was resolved that;
Prior to the meeting the Clerk had distributed for information the confirmation received from the CALC Solicitor confirming the Council have owned the land for 12 of the allotment sites since 1st April 2023. The remaining 2 sites are owned by Holker Estates. Upon legal advice she has requested sight of the Land Registry Deeds from Westmorland and Furness Council. An update will be provided at the next meeting.
The Chair expressed her thanks to the Clerk and Cllr F Chatfield for their tenacity and diligence in pursuing this matter.
The mayor was delighted to present a ‘Mayor’s Good Citizenship Award’ to Nicola Appleton for services to the environment in Barrow, having been alerted to her good work by Mrs Julie Cooke. An area in Hindpool that had been looking sad and neglected has been transformed by a group of local people who banded together to make improvements. The raised beds once compacted with weeds and litter, under the leadership of Nicola and her team, are now blooming with fresh soil and summer flowers. The area is now looking its best. The bin areas are kept tidy from marauding seagulls and a close watch kept on local vulnerable residents.
Barrow Town Council are proud of Nicola and the team, and it is an example of how we can all make a difference to our town.
Nominations forms for future recipients of this award can be found on Barrow Town Council's website.
A list of unanswered questions raised by the Town Clerk and Councillors since the inception of the Town Council in May 2023, for which to date no replies/responses have been received, had been distributed for information.
Proposed by Cllr B Elliot and seconded by Cllr W McEwan that the list be updated and presented at future Council meetings and thereafter a letter noting all issues be sent to the Westmorland and