MEMBERS of Cumbria County Council's Local Committee for Barrow met to discuss pressing issues affecting the town.

County councillors from the area attended the Nan Tait Centre to outline future developments in Barrow.

Items on the agenda for the meeting, chaired by Councillor Kevin Hamilton, spanned issues from the appointment of governors to the installation of new disabled parking bays.

The committee announced the new Dalton Library would be reopening in a matter of weeks - with work already under way to fit out the interior of the new building.

Positions to act as a governor in schools across the area are still open to applicants. Information on which schools are searching can be found on page 103 of the meeting's agenda, which is available at cumbria.gov.uk.

A matter many of the committee members felt strongly about was the creation of a safe crossing zone outside the entrance to Walney School.

The committee agreed to commit £53,845 to road safety schemes in the area, to be decided in conjunction with the highways network manager.

The hope is that a pedestrian crossing will be installed to work at the end of the school day, to reduce the danger posed to school children in Central Drive.

Councillor Mel Worth said: "The suggestion is that money could be spent to put double yellow lines outside the school and have pedestrian lights manned by a member of the school."

Councillor Jane Murphy spoke about the importance the council places on supporting young people when it comes to mental health.

Cllr Murphy said: "We are all aware of the difficulties young people have with mental health. I think any initiative we can take to enhance support for them is going to be essential."

The councillors all voiced their anger at the continued cutting of health budgets by health secretary Jeremy Hunt.

Cllr Hamilton described his actions as "disgusting".

The deep concerns regarding poverty in Barrow caused a passionate response from the committee members.

Throughout 2015-16 the Money Advice Service in Barrow closed 690 cases which represented a total of more than £2m of debt.

Councillor John Murphy said: "I heard on the radio that Central Barrow is the most deprived ward in the UK. I think we need to start looking closely at Central Barrow and what we can do to help people there.

"I find it absolutely abhorrent in this day and age there are children in this town going hungry."