United Utilities says the average yearly household bill will drop by £23 a year, to £420.
The company says its aim is to cut water bills by 10.5% by 2025, while investing £3bn in water and waste water services, as part of the company’s new five year business plan.
United UtilitiesCopyright: United Utilities
Veteran Cumbrian fire engine saves first life in Africa
A fire engine that spent 20 years in service in Cumbria before it was given to a local fire brigade in The Gambia has already helped save a life.
Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service gave the appliance to Kotu fire station in the Senna Gambia region of the African country, after Cumbrian watch manager Willy Watson went there on holiday and heard of the problems they faced.
Local firefighters from Kotu recently used the fire engine to attend a road traffic accident, deploying cutting equipment to release a woman trapped in a vehicle and save her life.
He was elected the town's Labour MP but fell out with the party under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership and a contested disciplinary issue, and was an independent by the time he backed the area's Tory candidate at the last General Election.
Some Labour members have declared the move as both "unsurprising" and "sickening". Mr Woodcock has declined to comment.
A590 Cumbria both ways severe accident, from Park Road to A595 Askam Road.
A590 Cumbria - A590 in Thwaite Flat closed and queues in both directions from the Park Road junction to Elliscales roundabout, because of an accident.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Builder who charged too much for bad work is jailed
A builder who targeted a vulnerable
92-year-old woman’s south Cumbria home has been jailed for a year by a judge at Carlisle Crown Court.
Zachary O’Connor, 33, presented the disabled householder an inflated quote of £2,300 for roofing repairs, failed to
advise her of her rights and, when he returned the following day, carried out sub-standard work which later cost £1,400 to rectify.
O’Connor admitted two offences
of fraud and one of engaging in aggressive trading, and the court heard he had a record of similar offences.
Recorder Christopher Hudson jailed O'Connor, of Barley Cop Lane, Lancaster, for 12 months and imposed a five-year criminal behaviour order.
He said: "To be blunt, there’s some people would describe you
as a vulture."
Farron: Elected mayor 'should not be imposed on county'
The Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron has come out against the idea of having an elected mayor for Cumbria.
Parliamentlive.tvCopyright: Parliamentlive.tv
Earlier this week the Northern Powerhouse minister Jake Berry held a meeting with council leaders to discuss devolving more powers to Cumbria if there were two local authorities instead of seven, with a directly-elected mayor in charge of both.
Speaking in the Commons, the Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale said he supported the devolution, but "they shouldn’t be forced to accept, for example a
mayor or a particular type urban-type structure in a rural community in order
to get those powers.”
In his response, Mr Berry said the best way to empower communities was through having a “powerful, locally-elected, singly-accountable
individual”.
Afterwards Mr Farron said that people would only feel the benefits of devolution if decisions were being made locally, "rather than by one person sat in an office at the
other end of the county".
Locals plead for new elections for troubled parish council
Calls for a troubled Cumbrian village's council to be dissolved and for fresh elections to be held will be discussed at a meeting next week.
Copeland council is due to consider a community petition with 551 signatures requesting that it takes the action to address public concerns over the way Parton Parish Council is being run.
GoogleCopyright: Google
The move comes after what the borough council, which oversees standards at the lower level of local government, has described as “growing public unrest” and “disharmony” within the village organisation.
A report to be considered on Monday reveals that the police had to come to the parish rooms on one occasion, with meetings often descending into chaos.
Parton Parish Council has an electorate of 680 and the turnout for the recent elections was 37%, equal to about 251 voters.
The two, a woman in her 80s and her son, who was in his 50s, were found when emergency services were alerted by local people yesterday morning.
Police have asked for anyone with information about the two to come forward.
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas that can be produced by faulty gas appliances such as boilers.
WorkingtonCopyright: Workington
Woman arrested after Carlisle fire
A 25-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire in Carlisle early this morning.
A mother and child escaped the blaze on Dowbeck Road, and a dog was rescued unharmed by firefighters, after the blaze took hold in a living room in the house, at just after 02:00.
GoogleCopyright: Google
Cocaine courier caught on M6 failed cannabis test
Police who pulled in a car seen swerving across the M6 near Carlisle found the driver was under the influence of cannabis, and nearly one kilo of cocaine was hidden under a front seat, Carlisle Crown Court has heard.
Cumbria PoliceCopyright: Cumbria Police
Allan Ambrose (pictured), 49, of Crosby Road South, Seaforth, Liverpool, admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply and possessing cannabis.
Kim Whittlestone, defending, said Ambrose was
a “vulnerable” man who had latterly become an active member of a church, and who had significant health problems.
Recorder Christopher Hudson imposed a 40-month jail
term, concluding there must have been “some sort of financial incentive” for
Ambrose making the illegal road trip with the cocaine, valued at £124,000.
Quote Message: It is deliberate, for-reward involvement in the couriering of class A controlled drugs, which has a significant impact on communities." from Recorder Christopher Hudson
It is deliberate, for-reward involvement in the couriering of class A controlled drugs, which has a significant impact on communities."
You can always find the latest, detailed, BBC weather forecast for where you are, by searching for your location here.
Barrow girls first in county to get Wildcats chance
Young girls in the Barrow area will be the first in Cumbria to be able to take part in a new FA project designed to encourage more girls to play football.
Furness College has become a Wildcats Academy, delivering sessions for primary school girls, and working in partnership with the Barrow AFC Community Trust.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Quote Message: It’s a great way to get more girls into the game.” from Matt Jefferson (pictured)
It’s a great way to get more girls into the game.”
There's more information about to get involved here.
Young players out in force to meet inspirational Georgia
The England footballer Georgia Stanway returned to Barrow last night, hoping to inspire the next generation.
BBCCopyright: BBC
She told more than 100 young female players that much has changed for the better in the 10 years since she grew up there.
The Manchester City star had to stop playing when she was 11 because there were no local girls clubs, while now there are numerous girls teams across south Cumbria.
Quote Message: The turn-out today has surprised me in terms of how many people follow the game and follow me, and definitely made me want to do it again." from Georgia Stanway
The turn-out today has surprised me in terms of how many people follow the game and follow me, and definitely made me want to do it again."
Views needed on how Carlisle City Council should tackle climate emergency
A dark skies festival is going to take place in Cumbria later this month, featuring activities including twilight strolls and moonlight bike rides (presumably, weather permitting).
Various organisations are trying to secure "dark sky reserve" status for the county, including Forestry England, which is part of the Forestry Commission.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Quote Message: Cumbria already has some of the darkest skies in England and this festival is all about celebrating the fact that we have those already and that you don't need expensive equipment or advanced physics degrees to get outside and experience the stars above." from Mark Holroyd Forestry England
Cumbria already has some of the darkest skies in England and this festival is all about celebrating the fact that we have those already and that you don't need expensive equipment or advanced physics degrees to get outside and experience the stars above."
The Dark Skies Festival starts on 21 February and will run for three days.
Weather on the fells: Extensive low cloud
Temperatures at 3,000ft (900m): About 1C to 2C (34F to 36F)
Winds: Southwesterly at 15mph this morning, back southerly this afternoon and falling light
Cloud: Extensive low cloud with bases near 1,300ft (400m) through much of today, perhaps 1,000ft (300m) for the western fells
Freezing level: Around 2,600ft (800m) initially, rising just above the summits in the afternoon.
Visibility: Poor in hill fog, otherwise good.
The Weatherline report on felltop conditions says there is still a short stretch of hard snow at the top of Striding Edge that requires an ice axe for safety, but otherwise warm clothing is the only essential.
Live Reporting
All times stated are UK
Get involved
Cumbria's weather: Dry, clear and turning chilly
BBC Weather
It will be dry tonight with clear spells, but some patchy low cloud in places later.
There will be light winds and it will turn chilly with patchy frost, some mist or fog patches forming, and temperatures from -2C to 1C (28F to 34F).
You can always find the latest, hour-by-hour, BBC weather forecast for where you are, by searching for your location here.
Storm Ciara means two Met Office yellow warnings have been posted for the county over the weekend, for wind and rain.
Water bills to fall from April
Cumbria's water company says bills are going to fall by more than 5% from April, after the regulator Ofwat demanded greater efficiency from the industry.
United Utilities says the average yearly household bill will drop by £23 a year, to £420.
The company says its aim is to cut water bills by 10.5% by 2025, while investing £3bn in water and waste water services, as part of the company’s new five year business plan.
Veteran Cumbrian fire engine saves first life in Africa
A fire engine that spent 20 years in service in Cumbria before it was given to a local fire brigade in The Gambia has already helped save a life.
Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service gave the appliance to Kotu fire station in the Senna Gambia region of the African country, after Cumbrian watch manager Willy Watson went there on holiday and heard of the problems they faced.
Mr Watson arranged for the fire engine to be shipped out in December and it safely arrived in West Africa last month.
Local firefighters from Kotu recently used the fire engine to attend a road traffic accident, deploying cutting equipment to release a woman trapped in a vehicle and save her life.
Government 'lines up ex-Barrow MP for a peerage'
The former Barrow and Furness MP, John Woodcock, is understood to be on a list drawn-up by Downing St to be given a seat in the House of Lords.
He was elected the town's Labour MP but fell out with the party under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership and a contested disciplinary issue, and was an independent by the time he backed the area's Tory candidate at the last General Election.
Some Labour members have declared the move as both "unsurprising" and "sickening". Mr Woodcock has declined to comment.
Rogue builder jailed for conning vulnerable woman
Zachary O'Connor gave a vastly-inflated quote to a 96-year-old and carried out substandard work.
Read moreEnvelope update
Severe accident: A590 Cumbria both ways
A590 Cumbria both ways severe accident, from Park Road to A595 Askam Road.
A590 Cumbria - A590 in Thwaite Flat closed and queues in both directions from the Park Road junction to Elliscales roundabout, because of an accident.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Builder who charged too much for bad work is jailed
A builder who targeted a vulnerable 92-year-old woman’s south Cumbria home has been jailed for a year by a judge at Carlisle Crown Court.
Zachary O’Connor, 33, presented the disabled householder an inflated quote of £2,300 for roofing repairs, failed to advise her of her rights and, when he returned the following day, carried out sub-standard work which later cost £1,400 to rectify.
O’Connor admitted two offences of fraud and one of engaging in aggressive trading, and the court heard he had a record of similar offences.
Recorder Christopher Hudson jailed O'Connor, of Barley Cop Lane, Lancaster, for 12 months and imposed a five-year criminal behaviour order.
He said: "To be blunt, there’s some people would describe you as a vulture."
Carbon monoxide probe after bodies found
The bodies of a man in his 50s and a woman in her 80s were found at an address in Workington
Read moreFarron: Elected mayor 'should not be imposed on county'
The Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron has come out against the idea of having an elected mayor for Cumbria.
Earlier this week the Northern Powerhouse minister Jake Berry held a meeting with council leaders to discuss devolving more powers to Cumbria if there were two local authorities instead of seven, with a directly-elected mayor in charge of both.
Speaking in the Commons, the Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale said he supported the devolution, but "they shouldn’t be forced to accept, for example a mayor or a particular type urban-type structure in a rural community in order to get those powers.”
In his response, Mr Berry said the best way to empower communities was through having a “powerful, locally-elected, singly-accountable individual”.
Afterwards Mr Farron said that people would only feel the benefits of devolution if decisions were being made locally, "rather than by one person sat in an office at the other end of the county".
Locals plead for new elections for troubled parish council
Local Democracy Reporting Service
John Connell
Calls for a troubled Cumbrian village's council to be dissolved and for fresh elections to be held will be discussed at a meeting next week.
Copeland council is due to consider a community petition with 551 signatures requesting that it takes the action to address public concerns over the way Parton Parish Council is being run.
The move comes after what the borough council, which oversees standards at the lower level of local government, has described as “growing public unrest” and “disharmony” within the village organisation.
A report to be considered on Monday reveals that the police had to come to the parish rooms on one occasion, with meetings often descending into chaos.
Parton Parish Council has an electorate of 680 and the turnout for the recent elections was 37%, equal to about 251 voters.
Carbon monoxide suspected in Workington deaths
Carbon monoxide is suspected to have caused the deaths of two people found dead in a house in Vulcan's Lane, Workington yesterday, a Cumbria County Council spokesman said.
The two, a woman in her 80s and her son, who was in his 50s, were found when emergency services were alerted by local people yesterday morning.
Police have asked for anyone with information about the two to come forward.
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas that can be produced by faulty gas appliances such as boilers.
Woman arrested after Carlisle fire
A 25-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire in Carlisle early this morning.
A mother and child escaped the blaze on Dowbeck Road, and a dog was rescued unharmed by firefighters, after the blaze took hold in a living room in the house, at just after 02:00.
Cocaine courier caught on M6 failed cannabis test
Police who pulled in a car seen swerving across the M6 near Carlisle found the driver was under the influence of cannabis, and nearly one kilo of cocaine was hidden under a front seat, Carlisle Crown Court has heard.
Allan Ambrose (pictured), 49, of Crosby Road South, Seaforth, Liverpool, admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply and possessing cannabis.
Kim Whittlestone, defending, said Ambrose was a “vulnerable” man who had latterly become an active member of a church, and who had significant health problems.
Recorder Christopher Hudson imposed a 40-month jail term, concluding there must have been “some sort of financial incentive” for Ambrose making the illegal road trip with the cocaine, valued at £124,000.
Cumbria's weather: Dry and sunny in most places
BBC Weather
This afternoon will be dry with further spells of sunshine although some low cloud may plague one or two areas.
There will be light winds and highest temperatures from 6C to 9C (43F to 48F).
Cumbria is now covered by two weather warnings for Storm Ciara this weekend, for wind on both Saturday and Sunday, and rain on Sunday.
You can always find the latest, detailed, BBC weather forecast for where you are, by searching for your location here.
Barrow girls first in county to get Wildcats chance
Young girls in the Barrow area will be the first in Cumbria to be able to take part in a new FA project designed to encourage more girls to play football.
Furness College has become a Wildcats Academy, delivering sessions for primary school girls, and working in partnership with the Barrow AFC Community Trust.
There's more information about to get involved here.
Young players out in force to meet inspirational Georgia
The England footballer Georgia Stanway returned to Barrow last night, hoping to inspire the next generation.
She told more than 100 young female players that much has changed for the better in the 10 years since she grew up there.
The Manchester City star had to stop playing when she was 11 because there were no local girls clubs, while now there are numerous girls teams across south Cumbria.
Views needed on how Carlisle City Council should tackle climate emergency
News and Star
Newspaper
A public consultation on how climate change could be tackled is set to get under way.
Festival offers a chance to see stars
A dark skies festival is going to take place in Cumbria later this month, featuring activities including twilight strolls and moonlight bike rides (presumably, weather permitting).
Various organisations are trying to secure "dark sky reserve" status for the county, including Forestry England, which is part of the Forestry Commission.
Weather on the fells: Extensive low cloud
The Weatherline report on felltop conditions says there is still a short stretch of hard snow at the top of Striding Edge that requires an ice axe for safety, but otherwise warm clothing is the only essential.
Secondary school tables: How did your school do?
By School League Tables Team
BBC News
Use the BBC News postcode search to see how your school has done in this year's secondary league tables.
Read more