13th   Again I have a clash of commitments, this evening it is the Civic Dinner of the City Council at which my Councillor colleague, Stephen Higgs has nominated two stalwarts of Wetheral Community Hall,  Paul and Celia Diggle , for a Civic Award.   This will be the first Civic dinner I have missed since becoming a City Councillor.   However, I attended the County Council’s Community Grants meeting at the Wetheral Community Hall to meet up with Wetheral’s County Councillor, Nick Marriner, and a County Council officer to determine the allocation of grants.   There were five applications for grant funding including Wetheral Brownies; Wetheral Cricket Club; St. Cuthbert Without Parish Council regarding fence repairs to a play area and two from Wetheral Parish Council, one on behalf of Cotehill Village Hall and the other to support funding for the “Let it Bee” encouraging residents and children to plant wild flower seeds and build insect hives to stop the decrease in the number insects.   Following this meeting I was present at the monthly meeting of Wetheral Parish Council, there were some five planning applications to scrutinise, there being no meeting of the planning meeting this month; there were no observations regarding them.   Updates were given regarding external representation as well as neighbourhood planning and the Clerk, Sue Tarrant , reported on issues brought up my members in each ward.

14th   Today I have two meetings of the Conservative Group on the City Council at the Civic Centre, the first being the Policy Group this being the final meeting prior to the Council’s election on the second of May.   We now have approved the way ahead for when we are hopefully the controlling party on the City Council.   In the evening it had been arranged that we had an update by the City Officer, Garry Legg, Investment and Policy Manager regarding the future development of St Cuthbert Garden Village.

15th   There was a meeting of the Carlisle Conservative Association Executive at their offices in Chiswick Street, Carlisle at 6.30 p.m.   The Member of Parliament for Carlisle, John Stevenson was present and gave an update on the Brexit challenges in Parliament and the possible future outcomes.   The financial report (Accounts) for the year 2018 were presented for approval as well as reports on the Boundary changes; the May elections and candidates; the MCA and finally social/fund raising.   A discussion took place regarding the composition of the Executive Committee that should be confirmed aty the next meeting on the 14th June 2019.

16th   It was with great pleasure that I had been invited to the re-opening of the Down-a Gate Community Centre that had been damaged in the floods of 2015 caused by Storm Desmond.   My wife and I were there for the official opening, by cutting the ribbon, by the Mayor of the City, Councillor Jessica Riddle at 12 noon.   The delay in opening sooner was due to the necessity to raise funds from many sources including £15,000 from Wetheral Parish Council.  The insurance money did not cover the whole of the replacement of the building which is now at a higher level and less likely to flood in the future.   In the afternoon we were at Carlisle Cathedral foe evensong at 3 p.m. but also a special service to welcome The Right Reverend Dr Emma Ineson as Bishop of Penrith.   The first reading was read by her husband The Rev, Canon Mat Ineson with the second by Professor Annie Garden, Warden of Readers.   The new Bishop  Emma gave the sermon and at the end of the service drinks and canapés were served,