On 30th Sept the LibDems won the by-election in Penrith West for Eden District Council. This is a two member ward and the vacancy was created by the resignation of the Conservative John Thompson. Virginia Taylor is the other sitting member in the ward and she led an intensive campaign for our Candidate [now Councillor] Roger Burgin. There was a good range of opposition but the sound of footfall on the streets of Penrith West came mostly from the LibDems, including at least three visits from Westmorland and Lonsdale MP, Tim Farron. Result - on a very low turn out - was:

On 22nd Feb Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government made a statement to the House of Commons. In this he stated that he has opened a consultation about establishing a Unitary Authority or Authorities in Cumbria to replace the County Council and the District Councils.

EDC have bought Voreda House from the NHS in order to move all EDC services onto one site and to release the Grade II* listed Town Hall and Mansion House for other uses. Voreda House is just along the road from the Town Hall so still in the heart of Penrith.

"A single site has been on the council radar for 12 to 15 years. The two existing buildings are not fit for purpose," said Virginia Taylor, LibDem leader of EDC. "Attempts have been made but the buildings cannot be made more accessible. They cost a fortune to heat and emit ludicrous amounts of carbon."

The long and happy life of former Eden District Councillor Marjorie Cook, who has died aged 97, demonstrates that retirement can be a new beginning. After teaching careers, Marjorie and her husband Harry settled in Penrith, where they were enthusiastic members of the United Reformed Church, Lowther Street, and of the local branch of the Ramblers' Association. Always liberal in her outlook, Marjorie, wh0o also found time to be a school governor, was elected to Eden District Council as a Liberal Democrat in 1991, serving for 16 years before stepping down in 2007. Well into her eighties she continued to deliver leaflets and canvass, and the Cooks' bungalow in Parklands often hosted local party meetings. Her kindness, good humour and optimistic, no-nonsense approach to whatever responsibilities she undertook earned her widespread respect and affection.

Whether you are running a small business or have lost a job or are a vulnerable person or just want to know if the binmen are going to turn up make LibDem led Eden District Council your first port of call. Phone on 01768 817817 or email customer.services@eden.co.uk or look on website www.eden.gov.uk

The leader of Eden District Council, Liberal Democrat councillor Virginia Taylor, has paid tribute to the authority's staff for their dedication and resilience in keeping services running during the pandemic.

Read the full Cumberland and Westmorland Herald article here.

As our local paper is still in full production it is serving the public well by providing an accessible source of information about the Covid-19 crisis. As attached article, Eden District Council is providing information and help. Please check out the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/EdenDistrictCouncil or the council website https://www.eden.gov.uk/ .

Emergency Support Helpline

It's been just over a week since Cumbria County Council and partners launched an Emergency Support Helpline for vulnerable or isolated people in need of urgent help. The emergency helpline has already taken over 1,000 calls (120 in Eden), receiving around 200 calls a day but seeing slightly less on weekends. The helpline exists to provide support to people at 'high risk' who aren't able to rely on neighbours, friends or family members, and may be struggling for food, medicines or other essential supplies. The requests for help are matched with local support which is being offered by a network of community groups, volunteers, redeployed council employees, and local businesses.

In the days before the Corona Virus lockdown no area of Eden was safe from the prospect of a LibDem leaflet or survey. So here to remind ourselves of the normal life of a Party interested in the views of local people is the last report made for the Eden area before tumbleweed started rolling along the High St.