HERE are the latest announcements from our community news correspondent Peter McCabe for Natland and Oxenholme.

Six councillors and Cllr Jonathan Brook (SLDC) were present at Natland Parish Council's March meeting, held by Zoom.

Cllr Doug Rathbone (SLDC) sent his apologies.

The Clerk will write to remind the County Council of the longstanding request for a mandatory 20mph speed limit in the village; there was little enthusiasm among councillors for advisory '20's plenty' signs as an interim measure.

Local cycling and walking infrastructure plans (LCWIPs) are being developed across Cumbria to bid for government funding; the Council has requested that a footway along Natland Road and another along Burton Road between Helm lane and the new extra care housing development be considered for inclusion in Kendal's LCWIP.

It was noted that the redundant phone box has finally been removed and the ground covered with soil.

With regard to local government reorganisation for a future Unitary Authority in Cumbria, of the four options being submitted to central government, Natland parish Council's preference is for 'no change', but if this is not possible, then 'The Bay' bid from SLDC is the preferred option.

The Clerk will respond to the consultation before the 19th of April deadline.

The Chair reported that two road gulleys and a soakaway have been installed by CCC at Helm Lane by the railway bridge, which might marginally reduce flooding on the village green.

Cllr Rhian Peters had inspected the stile on the footpath between Hawes Bridge and Watercrook which some walkers found awkward to use. Ideally a gate would be better but installing it on a massive stone wall would not be a small job.

A hazardous section of the same path is also worn away and muddy and had been reported to CCC with signage requested some time ago.

The signpost at Crowpark Bridge is now pointing in the right direction.

The next meeting is on Monday April 26th, 2021 by Zoom at 7pm.