Dear all
The final report produced after the "Broadband meets Localism" conference is attached for your interest and will also be available on the Carlisle City Council web pages - link below

http://www.carlisle.gov.uk/business/rural_communities/broadband_meets_localism.aspx

Best wishes

Lynne Hutchinson
Rural Support Officer
Carlisle City Council
Civic Centre
Carlisle
CA3 8QG
Tel: 01228 817355
Email: Lynneh@carlisle.gov.uk

Creation of the Office for Nuclear Regulation

On Tuesday the Government announced the creation of the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR). A joint initiative between the Department of Energy and Climate Change and the Department for Work and Pensions, the ONR will retain the best of current practice whilst creating a modern regulator based on the better regulation principles of transparency, accountability, proportionality and consistency.  The ONR will be well placed to respond quickly and flexibly to current and future regulatory challenges.

 A link to the Written Ministerial Statement is available here:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm110208/wmstext/110208m0001.htm#11020828000008

Plutonium Management consultation

In his Annual Energy Statement to Parliament on 27 July 2010, the Secretary of State announced that Government intended to review its current and anticipated holdings of plutonium and consider plans for its long term management. Currently the UK’s plutonium is stored in facilities designed to meet high standards of safety and security, however there is a need to consider how it should be managed in the long-term.

 A consultation setting out for public scrutiny Government’s preliminary view on the long-term management of the UK’s plutonium was published on Monday.  The consultation covers the security and proliferation sensitivities associated with continued storage of plutonium and how we can best manage it in the interests of future generations.

The consultation closes on 10 May. A copy of the consultation and relevant documents can be accessed here:

http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/plutonium/plutonium.aspx

 Consultation on the implementation of changes to the Paris and Brussels Conventions on nuclear third party liability

Published on 24 January, this consultation seeks views on the UK's proposed implementation of amendments to the Paris Convention on nuclear third party liability and Brussels Supplementary Convention. Among other aims the Conventions ensure that victims of a nuclear incident can easily get compensation for damage as a result of a nuclear incident.

The aim of the proposals is to update of the Nuclear Installations Act 1965 in order to incorporate changes agreed in 2004 to the Paris and Brussels Conventions. The main changes proposed are in three areas:

• Increase in the categories of damage for which operators are liable including damage related to the environment
• Widening the geographical scope of those that are eligible to claim compensation
• A significant increase in the financial liability of the operator from currently £140 million to €1200 million 

The consultation closes on 28 April. A copy of the consultation and relevant documents can be accessed here:

http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/paris_brussels/paris_brussels.aspx

The revised draft energy National Policy Statements (NPSs) for energy infrastructure

The consultation on the revised draft energy national policy statements, including a nuclear national policy statement closed on 24^th January 2011. Government will be considering all the responses received and the results of the Parliamentary Scrutiny that has been undertaken so far. The Government intends to lay final energy NPSs before Parliament for ratification from the Spring.

 The OND would like to thank those who took the time to attend the various events and meetings which took place and for responding to the consultation.

Please find attached the latest e-bulletin from the West Cumbria Managing Radioactive Waste Safely Partnership.

The e-bulletin contains information on what has been happening this year so far including:

• What was discussed at the Partnership meeting in January.
• Updates on the Residents’ Panel and the Stakeholder Organisations Workshop.
• The latest newsletter that has been delivered to households in West Cumbria

The dates/venues for the next two Partnership meetings are also included.

Please note that if you have received a copy of the Partnership’s Discussion Pack, the deadline for submitting your responses (either by post or on-line) is 11^th February 2011.

The e-bulletin contains information about the current public and stakeholder engagement programme, including updates on:

• The growing communications and engagement activities that are taking place.
• The community drop-in events that have now taken place throughout Cumbria.
• The discussion packs which are still available for small groups and organisations to be able to find out more and submit their views.
• The Stakeholder Organisations Workshop in January.
• How to submit your views on how the Partnership should take public and stakeholder views into account.

 The dates/venues for the next two Partnership meetings are also included.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has written to all MP's outlining its intention to fundamentally reform the public forestry estate. This proposes a “new approach to ownership and management of woodlands and forests, with a reducing role for the State and a growing role for the private

Defra says that they will ensure that existing access will be unaffected. However, this only covers access on foot where the forest has been dedicated as “Open Access Land”. You should be aware that not all our forests have been so dedicated. Moreover, a future owner would is not required to provide or maintain

facilities for members of the public, such as car parks, toilets or permissive paths, or provide for cyclists or horse riders (except on public bridleways).

Selling off our public forests in England may save money in the long run – but at what expense to the rights and liberties of members of the public – you and me, our friends and families, tourists, visitors and generations to come?

Please take note and consider that any future private owner can change the management of our forest – without having to consult the local community - in the way that the Forestry Commission have long been doing with us.

If you are concerned for the well-being of our forests and would like to object to the government's proposals, you can sign the petition at ttp://www.38degrees.org.uk and write to your local MP, Mr Jamie Reed at the  Phoenix Centre, The Square, Cleator Moor, Cumbria, CA25 5BD. 

A very important announcement was made this morning.