Latest news with #MarkusCampbellSavours
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Carlisle school pupils' petition read out in parliament
Stoneraise School in Durdar, near Carlisle, is replacing its traditional school council with a pupil parliament. The project recently caught the attention of Markus Campbell-Savours, Carlisle MP, during a visit to the school, where he fielded questions from pupils about politics, and leadership. Mr Campbell-Savours said: "After a busy week in the House of Commons, I love getting back into the constituency and visiting schools. Stoneraise Primary School's Pupil Parliament (Image: Supplied) "There's something refreshing about the innocence and directness of their questions. "I am grateful that they gave me a petition to hand in on their behalf." During his visit, the MP explained how the UK Parliament works and described the practice of "bobbing"—a way MPs signal their wish to speak during debates. Markus Campbell-Savours, Carlisle MP, talks to Stoneraise Primary School Pupils (Image: Supplied) James Webb, deputy headteacher at Stoneraise School, said: "We were delighted to welcome Markus to Stoneraise School. "He spent an afternoon talking to the pupils in Year 6 who shared a petition with him linked to enabling more school-aged children across the UK to be able to visit Westminster. "The children were absolutely thrilled that Markus shared the petition in the House of Commons and even said each of their names. "It has been brilliant to partner with Markus to demonstrate how Parliament really does work for them, that their voices can be heard, and they really can make a difference." During his visit, the MP explained how the UK Parliament works and described the practice of 'bobbing'—a way MPs signal their wish to speak during debates (Image: Supplied) The petition called for more opportunities for school children to visit Parliament. Mr Campbell-Savours presented it in the House of Commons, naming each of the pupils involved. George, a Year 6 pupil, said: "I felt powerful and important that our petition was read out in Parliament. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. "I feel like we need more people to go on residential to London and get the feeling that we got when we went." Ethan, another pupil, said: "I feel pretty happy that MPs help with schools and children. "It was pretty exciting having my name read out in Parliament. "Everyone should go to Parliament because many people don't get the chance in their life to go with schools." Isla said: "It made me feel excited because if people look back in 100 years, they will see our names in Hansard. "The petition is important because it means people who can't go to Parliament could maybe be able to experience it." Maymi added: "I think it's a good opportunity because if I go there again, I'll be able to point out that my name was read out. "It was very cool to meet Markus because he says a lot of things for his constituents in Parliament. "We have seen him talk about local farmers."
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Owner of Cockermouth's Old Courthouse reiterates flats plan
The owner of a Grade II listed building in danger of further collapsing into a river says he still wants to transform it into of the Old Courthouse in the centre of Cockermouth, Cumbria, fell into the River Cocker in October 2023 and the property has yet to be Samiul Ahmed claims he cannot move forward with his refurbishment plans because of legal notices served by the local Cumberland Council says it deems the building to be dangerous and that it is Mr Ahmed who bears responsibility for the works needed. The Old Courthouse is about 190 years old and had not been in use since Ahmed, of East London, bought it at auction in 2022 for £51, collapse meant a nearby bridge had to be closed to traffic over safety concerns, leading to weeks of disruption through the Ahmed told BBC Look North his intention to turn it into flats was being held up by an Urgent Works Notice requiring a minimum level of repairs and a Prohibition Notice preventing occupation of the latter does not prevent access to the building to undertake necessary repairs as long as risk assessments have been Ahmed said: "It's still the same vision. We would still love to develop and bring the building back to use, but we need those council to remove those notices and work with us in order to get something done for the community."Last month, he denied accusations made in Parliament by local MP Markus Campbell-Savours that he had removed support pillars from the building before it Ahmed also said Campbell-Savours' claim that he wanted taxpayers to cover a repair bill of between £1m and £4m was not accurate. Karl Melville, assistant director of highways and transport at the local authority, stressed the building is privately said: "It's not the council's responsibility to take ownership of delicate or dangerous buildings and to spend public money reinstating them."The council's been working very closely with the owner over the last 18 months to try and resolve the issues."We deem that building dangerous. So unless the owner comes forward with his plans so we can work through that, it's impossible for us to lift those restrictions."The body representing traders in the area has expressed frustration over the lack of progress with Andrew Marshall, of the Cockermouth & District Chamber of Trade, describing the property as "an eyesore over the bridge".Additional concern surrounds the potential for flooding if further sections fall into the Harmer, flood operations manager at the Environment Agency, said a modelling study indicated any significant collapse of the building could obstruct the river channel downstream of Cocker Bridge and "raise upstream water levels during high flows, increasing flood risk to the town centre". Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Local MP attends Gala following busy surgery
A LOCAL MP attended Alston Gala, following a busy surgery with constituents, on June 28. Markus Campbell-Savours attended the gala where there was a strong turnout, despite damp weather on the day. Markus Campbell-Savours said: "Community Development Co-ordinator Sarah Stamford explained the work she is doing with volunteers for Alston Moor Partnership and is keen to hear from anyone who might want to offer help in the community. Markus Campbell-Savours attended the gala following a successful surgery (Image: Markus Campbell-Savours) "Before the Gala, I held a busy surgery where people brought a variety of issues to discuss with me. Now I have a number of things to follow up for them. "Special thanks to Westmorland and Furness Council Councillor Michael Hanley for your company today. And put July 18 and 19 in your diary - for Alston Live Festival."
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Cumbrian odour pilot scheme rolled out nationwide
AN Environment Agency (EA) scheme that was tested in Penrith has been rolled out nationwide. The EA had been piloting an online incidents reporting system, which had included the Penrith area. Residents can use this service to report unpleasant smells from waste facilities, industrial sites and farms. The MP for Penrith and Solway, Markus Campbell-Savours, said: 'The new online reporting tool was one of the first things I discussed with the Environment Agency following my election in July last year. "I hope that this helps the authorities build a clearer picture of the impact the issue has in Penrith.' Markus Campbell-Savours (Image: Laurie Noble)Jeff Thomson, from Fresh Air for Penrith, has been campaigning for an easier way for residents of Penrith to report unpleasant smells. He said: 'This will allow people, including those not too keen to use a direct phone line, access to the EA's reporting system. Some may find it easier, and more convenient, than making a phone call. 'The online system will allow fuller details to be submitted by complainants. Hopefully, this will give more information to the EA to allow them to investigate, and take any necessary action, based on much more detailed intelligence.' Mr Thomson believes the added reporting method will contribute significantly to helping identify the source - and a solution - to Penrith's long running odour pollution problem, the so-called Penrith 'pong'. Mr Campbell-Savours added: 'Jeff Thomson has worked hard for a number of years to ensure local residents know the best ways to raise concerns of odour nuisance issues in Penrith.' Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron visited the Omega Proteins plant last week, with Lib Dem town councillor Susan Davies, where they presented the views of local residents over the odour. Those wishing to report an odour environmental incident can now either phone the EA's designated 24/7 hotline free on 0800 80 70 60 or go to This is a 24/7 online service which can be accessed through mobile phones, laptops or computers.
BBC News
22-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Cumbria analogue phase-out 'would be curtains for me' in a crisis
People in rural parts of Cumbria have said they will be left unable to call for help in an emergency when analogue phones are phased phones still work in a power cut via an electric current from the telephone Bondi, from Alston Moor, said it would be "curtains" for her if she had no analogue phone and she was unable to drive in a companies such as BT say they are making the change because the old copper network is increasingly prone to faults and digital phones are more reliable. A BT spokesperson encouraged customers to get in touch to discuss a "solution". The industry is aiming to switch almost all customers to digital landlines, which use the internet, by the end of January Bondi, who lives a mile from the nearest property, has an analogue phone for said power cuts could last up to four days in her area and added local mobile phone coverage usually failed when outages what she would do without the analogue phone in a crisis, she said, "Who knows?""If the emergency meant that I wasn't able to drive, that really would be curtains for me," she said. 'Not fit for purpose' The Labour MP for Penrith and Solway Markus Campbell-Savours has called for a delay to the said: "I want to know, is there some way we can give those people who are vulnerable a piece of kit where they can raise alarm?" Phone companies have offered battery packs to vulnerable customers to use as a temporary power source, but they last for hours rather than days.A spokesperson for BT said the move to digital landlines was "necessary" because the analogue network had become "increasingly prone to faults and is no longer fit for purpose".They added: "We encourage customers who have any concerns to get in touch. There is a solution for everyone." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
