Ellis Butcher

LOCAL Democracy reporter Ellis Butcher takes a look back at 2019 to some of the big issues which came up in South Lakeland.

WORKMAN by name, workman by nature. Drainspotter. Dullest man in Cumbria and now Anorak of the Year 2019. Seven years ago life changed course for Archie Workman, of Penny Bridge, when he became a self-employed ‘lengthsman’– reviving a parish job dating back to Medieval times. Nowadays he is much in demand - a hero of the highways, a darling of the Women’s Institutes and a reluctant media personality pondering taking on an apprentice. ELLIS BUTCHER meets Archie Workman.

Councillor Ann Thomson was elected leader of Barrow Borough Council in May. Here she outlines her ambitions for a greener, cleaner borough in 2020.

COUNCILLOR Stewart Young is the leader of Cumbria County Council and represents the Upperby ward of Carlisle. Here, he shares his hopes for the New Year.

GILES Archibald is the leader of South Lakeland District Council. Here, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Kendal Town, sets out his hopes for the district in 2020.

CUMBRIA'S police and crime commissioner has pledged to tell the Government that he does not want to over tax residents in the county to pay for more police officers.

LOCAL Democracy Reporter Ellis Butcher takes a look back at Barrow Council's 2019 and some of the big issues and news stories that emerged over the last 12 months.

Councillor Hazel Edwards, aged 72, is the leader of the opposition Conservatives on Barrow Borough Council.

Councillor Kevin Hamilton, aged 60, is the mayor of Barrow and has represented the town on Cumbria County Council for 26 years.

Work on 46 new homes at Furness village will begin in the spring after planners voted through the plans.