At our October AGM we noted the wide range activities of the previous year.
- Elections: We prepared for the Cumbria County Council election in May 2021, but it was postponed due to local government reorganisation. We stood candidates in Eden District Council by elections in Skelton and Penrith West. We re-established our election group and have begun our build up campaign for the May 2022 election for the new single Tier Council. We revised and clarified principles for candidate selection.
- Supporting our councillors: We helped them to maintain contact with electors with two newsletters in Penrith North and one in Carleton and used time in Branch meetings to comment on issues they are identifying
- Local Government Reorganisation: We monitored and commented on the proposals and adjusted our thinking to the likely new situation with two single tier Councils replacing Cumbria County Council.
- Lobbying and campaigning: We have taken up several issues.
- West Cumbria Coalmine – supported Ali in her campaigning through letters to the press and the County Council
- Planning – response to consultation on the Planning White Paper and objection to the gas peaker power station in Shap including presentations to Planning Committee and letters to press
- Refugees – Supported Penrith and Eden Refugee Network campaign “Together with Refugees”
- Lobbied Neil Hudson MP – we met with him in November and have written to him and the press about: Green Homes Grants and Future Homes Standards, the Planning White Paper, climate action targets and actions, the Nationality and Borders Bill, our Green recovery survey, environmental education, Newton Rigg college closure. We have noted his opposition to the West Cumbria coal mine, Cambo oilfield, cuts to international aid and universal credit, and raising National Insurance as basis for social care.
- Green Recovery Survey – though completed the previous year we invited responses to our Green recovery report from councillor in District, County and Parish Councils
- Climate Action – we conducted a petition calling for faster action on the climate crisis in context of Climate Change Committee Report and COP26. In all nearly 900 people across Eden signed it.
- Learning Together: We Initiated an on-line webinar series led by members of the Branch. Topics included food, farming, electoral systems, refugee action, integrating environment and social issues.