Cumbria Resilience Forum

One of the key requirements of The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 was for Category 1 and Category 2 responders to form a 'Local Resilience Forum' based on Police areas. In Cumbria, this is known as the Cumbria Resilience Forum.

The Cumbria Local Resilience Forum (CLRF) consists of all organisations and agencies involved with emergency response in our communities.

The Cumbria Local Resilience Forum was formed in 2005 following the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 which required organisations across specific areas to work together to prepare, respond and recover from different emergencies.

The aim of the LRF is to make sure that the duties stated in the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (CCA) are achieved within a multi-agency environment. These are to:

  • co-operate with other local responders
  • share information with other local responders
  • assess the risk of emergencies in the area
  • put in place business continuity management arrangements.
  • put in place arrangements to warn, inform and advise the public in the event of an emergency.
  • provide advice and assistance to businesses and voluntary organisations about business continuity

The Civil Contingencies Act divides responding organisations into 2 categories:

Category 1 responders - the organisations at the core of the response

Category 2 responders - the "co-operating bodies" that are less likely to be involved in the core planning work but may be heavily involved in incidents.

Member organisations - LRF Partners

Members of the forum are governed by key pieces of legislation:

Cumbria Local Resilience Forum Executive and Programme Board meet throughout the year. Although attendance is restricted to the Local Resilience Forum Membership enquiries about meetings can be made to crf.secretariat@cumbria.gov.uk. 

Diary of meetings.

Cumbria Local Resilience Forum Executive Board sets out a Strategic Plan every 3 years - Cumbria Local Resilience Forum Strategic Plan 2020 to 22 (PDF 870KB)

Freedom of Information requests regarding Cumbria Local Resilience Forum should be made through Cumbria County Council.

1. Name:

Cumbria Resilience Forum Programme Board

2. Aim:

The Cumbria Resilience Forum Programme Board, hereafter referred to as the Programme Board, is a practitioner group selected from Category 1 and Category 2 organisations and Voluntary Agencies. It is responsible for the coordination of Cumbria Resilience Forum Delivery Plan and Work Areas. The Programme Board will provide assurance to the Cumbria Resilience Forum Executive Group that the Cumbria Resilience Forum is meeting its obligations with regards civil protection as vested upon it by the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.

3. Objectives

a) To undertake an assessment of hazards and threats that may give rise to an emergency that may result in a challenge to the population of Cumbria or its environment.

b) To coordinate civil protection planning amongst Cat 1 responders, Cat 2 responders and Voluntary Agencies for the response to and recovery from actual or potential emergencies that may impact on the population of Cumbria or its environment.

c) To coordinate the multi-agency validation of plans and other arrangements to mitigate the impact of an emergency that may impact on the population of Cumbria or its environment.

d) To receive reports from Work Areas and any Time-limited Task Groups established by the Programme Board.

e) To provide updates to the Cumbria Resilience Forum Executive Group in respect of the Programme Board  in respect of Cumbria Resilience Forum Work Plans and Strategic Objectives.

4. Accountability

The Programme Board is accountable to the Cumbria Resilience Forum Executive. The Programme Board will submit an update to the Executive, prior to the sitting of the Executive Group, with regards actions arising and with regards to progress towards achieving the Programme Board Work Plan. Minutes of all meetings will be published on Resilience Direct and be available to all Cumbria Resilience Forum Members.

5. Meetings:

The Programme Board will meet approximately every twelve weeks to enable updates to be provided to the Executive in a timely manner. Additional meetings can be convened as required.

6. Venue:

Meetings held within Cumbria.

7. Membership:

The Programme Board will operate on an inclusive basis whereby any Category 1, Category 2 or partner organisation can request a seat.

8. Chair and Deputy Chair (refer to section 10):

Three Year tenure, with maximum of two concurrent terms.

Appointed from Programme Board Membership

9. Secretariat:

Cumbria Resilience Forum Secretariat

10. Cumbria LRF Programme Board Chair and Deputy Chair

Cumbria LRF Programme Board Chair will serve a term of up to three years. A chair can be nominated for a second term.

Process for appointing and selecting Chair and Deputy Chair 

The LRF Programme Board's favoured position is normally to appoint to vacant Chair or Deputy Chair positions from within the LRF Programme Board. 

LRF Programme Board members who are interested in becoming Chair or Deputy Chair are invited to apply once a vacancy is announced by the Cumbria Local Resilience Forum Secretariat. The nomination must be made using the paperwork provided or by providing the same information by email within a specified time frame which will not be less than 30 days. Self nominations are allowed but those nominated by others must have had their permission sought before the nomination is made.

Those who have been nominated for the vacancies will be spoken to prior to the next LRF Programme Board Meeting to discuss the following process and confirm nominations:

  • If the number of nominations match the number of vacancies the LRF Programme Board will be asked to ratify the appointment/s without the individuals present.
  • If the number of nominations is greater than the number of vacancies each applicant will be asked to address the LRF Programme Board for up to five minutes before a vote takes place. A separate vote for each vacancy or a single vote for both positions can be taken; this will depend on the nominations received and members will be informed prior to any vote taking place. Those nominated will be illegible to vote and will not be present. 

The nominee with the most votes will be offered the available vacancy. Normally, in the event of more than one vacancy being available, the Chair position will be filled first. Each agency will have a single vote and are required to be present at the LRF Programme Board meeting.

  • If the number of nominations is less that the vacancies available the existing Chair will seek volunteers during the LRF Programme Board Meeting. Any volunteers can be ratified by the LRF Programme Board at the time. In the event no LRF Programme Board members volunteer for the vacancies the Head of Cumbria Constabulary Civil Contingencies and Cumbria County Council Resilience Unit Manager will notify the Cumbria LRF Executive Chair and Deputy Chair to consider next steps. These may include in the interim seeking an interim Chair or Deputy Chair from Cumbria LRF Executive to act as LRF Programme Board Chair. 

1. Name:

Cumbria Resilience Forum Executive

2. Aim:

To determine strategy and policy matters relevant to emergency planning and the management of joint training and exercising

3. Objectives

3.1. To promote the harmonisation of plans and procedures of organisations that comprise the multi-agency response

3.2. To provide a forum for Category 1 and Category 2 responders to consult, collaborate, disclose information and co-operate in order to review the implications of a multi-agency response to major incidents, and thus develop and enhance the working practices of those agencies

3.3. To fulfil obligations under the Civil Contingencies Act and associated guidance in relation to the operation of a Local Resilience Forum

4. Meetings:

Biannual, or more frequently if required.

5. Venue:

Meetings held within Cumbria 

6. Membership:

The membership of the forum will include representatives who hold executive position in their organisation and will include;

a) All Category 1 responders or their agreed representatives as defined within the Act and agreed by the forum.

b) Category 2 responders or their representative wherever practical and appropriate and as required to attend to discuss issues relating to their duty under the Act.

c) Other organisations as agreed by the forum to promote the effectiveness of the forum.

7. Chair and Deputy Chair (refer to section 9.):

Three Year tenure, with maximum of two concurrent terms.

Appointed from Executive Membership

8. Secretariat:

Cumbria Resilience Forum Secretariat

9. Appointment of Cumbria LRF Executive Chair and Deputy Chair

Cumbria LRF Executive Chair will serve a term of up to three years. A chair can be nominated for a second term.

Process for appointing and selecting Chair and Deputy Chair 

The LRF Executive's favoured position is normally to appoint to vacant Chair or Deputy Chair positions from within the LRF Executive. 

LRF Executive members who are interested in becoming Chair or Deputy Chair are invited to apply once a vacancy is announced by the Cumbria Local Resilience Forum Secretariat. The nomination must be made using the paperwork provided or by providing the same information by email within a specified time frame which will not be less than 30 days. Self nominations are allowed but those nominated by others must have had their permission sought before the nomination is made.

Those who have been nominated for the vacancies will be spoken to prior to the next LRF Executive Meeting to discuss the following process and confirm nominations:

  • If the number of nominations match the number of vacancies the LRF Executive will be asked to ratify the appointment/s without the individuals present.
  • If the number of nominations is greater than the number of vacancies each applicant will be asked to address the LRF Executive for up to five minutes before a vote takes place. A separate vote for each vacancy or a single vote for both positions can be taken; this will depend on the nominations received and members will be informed prior to any vote taking place. Those nominated will be illegible to vote and will not be present. 

The nominee with the most votes will be offered the available vacancy. Normally, in the event of more than one vacancy being available, the Chair position will be filled first. Each agency will have a single vote and are required to be present at the LRF Executive meeting.

  • If the number of nominations is less that the vacancies available the existing Chair will seek volunteers during the LRF Executive Meeting. Any volunteers can be ratified by the LRF Executive at the time. In the event no LRF Executive members volunteer for the vacancies the Head of Cumbria Constabulary Civil Contingencies and Cumbria County Council Resilience Unit Manager will notify the Chief Constable, Cumbria County Council Chief Executive and Chief Fire Officer to consider next steps. These may include in the interim seeking an interim Chair or Deputy Chair from Cumbria LRF Programme Board to act as LRF Executive Chair. 

Cumbria LRF Executive Chair will serve a term of up to 3 years. A chair or Deputy can be remain in place for up to 2 terms.

Process for appointing and selecting Chair and Deputy Chair 

The LRF Executive's favoured position is normally to appoint to vacant Chair or Deputy Chair positions from within the LRF Executive. 

LRF Executive members who are interested in becoming Chair or Deputy Chair are invited to apply once a vacancy is announced by the Cumbria Local Resilience Forum Secretariat. The nomination must be made using the paperwork provided or by providing the same information by email within a specified time frame which will not be less than 30 days. Self nominations are allowed but those nominated by others must have had their permission sought before the nomination is made.

Those who have been nominated for the vacancies will be spoken to prior to the next LRF Executive Meeting to discuss the following process and confirm nominations:

  • If the number of nominations match the number of vacancies the LRF Executive will be asked to ratify the appointment/s without the individuals present.
  • If the number of nominations is greater than the number of vacancies each applicant will be asked to address the LRF Executive for up to five minutes before a vote takes place. A separate vote for each vacancy or a single vote for both positions can be taken; this will depend on the nominations received and members will be informed prior to any vote taking place. Those nominated will be illegible to vote and will not be present. 

The nominee with the most votes will be offered the available vacancy. Normally, in the event of more than one vacancy being available, the Chair position will be filled first. Each agency will have a single vote and are required to be present at the LRF Executive meeting.

  • If the number of nominations is less that the vacancies available the existing Chair will seek volunteers during the LRF Executive Meeting. Any volunteers can be ratified by the LRF Executive at the time. In the event no LRF Executive members volunteer for the vacancies the Head of Cumbria Constabulary Civil Contingencies and Cumbria County Council Resilience Unit Manager will notify the Chief Constable, Cumbria County Council Chief Executive and Chief Fire Officer to consider next steps. These may include in the interim seeking an interim Chair or Deputy Chair from Cumbria LRF Programme Board to act as LRF Executive Chair.