The Eden Locality Board has approved a £6,000 grant to E927 CIC, a company established by four members of Westmorland and Furness Council, to develop a website for the 2027 celebrations marking what organisers describe as the 1,100th anniversary of the birth of England at Eamont Bridge.
Declarations and withdrawals
The four councillors who are directors of E927 CIC left the locality board meeting at Voreda House before the grant application was discussed. Both the chair and vice-chair were among those required to withdraw, and councillors appointed Cllr Connell as acting chair for the item.
Cllr Connell presented the board report and, after a proposal from Cllr Bell, the board approved the £6,000 payment. There was no further discussion recorded by members before the decision, though Cllr Connell made a short statement in support of awarding the funding.
Public funding already moved
Newsroom enquiries earlier this week established that thousands of pounds of public money had already been transferred from Westmorland and Furness Council bank accounts into the control of two parish councils specifically for Eamont 927-related activity, including website creation. That means public funds had been earmarked for the celebrations prior to the locality board approving the separate £6,000 grant to E927 CIC.
The grant award will now allow E927 CIC to proceed with development of the event website ahead of the 2027 commemorations.
- Applicant: E927 CIC (company set up by four council members)
- Grant approved: £6,000
- Purpose: Develop a website for Eamont 927 / 2027 celebrations
| Decision body | Location | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Eden Locality Board | Voreda House | Approved £6,000 grant to E927 CIC |
What this means locally
The award and the prior movement of funds to parish councils raise practical and governance questions for residents concerned about transparency and the use of public money. Locality boards routinely consider community funding, but the involvement of serving councillors as directors of the beneficiary organisation required those members to withdraw under conflict-of-interest rules.
Residents seeking further detail about the transfers into parish council accounts or the board’s decision can request public papers and minutes from Westmorland and Furness Council. The council is obliged to publish records of locality board decisions and declarations of interest for councillors.
Requests for comment about the transfers and the grant were referred to council records and the locality board minutes. The award will enable the company to build its online presence ahead of next year’s activities.
Coverage will continue as further documents and responses are published or provided by the council and the parish councils involved.
