![Tony Lywood](https://keswickreminder.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/tony-lywood-1024x731.jpg)
Keswick is set to lose key voices at the decision-making table as the town’s elected representatives are cut from four to one under the impending shake-up of local councils is the concern from local politicians this week.
Cumbria’s six district councils are being reduced to two in an “east and west” split, with the west unitary authority expected to be named Cumberland Council, and the east Westmorland and Furness, the Government has told the county.
The shake-up also sees Cumbria County Council abolished, although Keswick Town Council is unaffected by any changes.
Local councillors believe the new single role for Keswick will be too large a portfolio for one person.
Given the case load and requirement to attend meetings as far apart as Carlisle, Whitehaven and Workington – it will involve many hours on the road, opponents say.
Keswick is not the only area to see a number of councillors lose their positions.
The total number of councillors currently serving authorities across Allerdale, Carlisle and Copeland numbers 117, but will be cut back to just a 46-seat chamber for Cumberland.
Cllr Tony Lywood, who serves as Keswick’s representative on the county council, said he was not in favour of the reforms and believes the two-council arrangement will fail and require government intervention within 18 months.
Cllr Lywood said: “The natural boundaries of Cumbria are the natural boundaries of Cumbria and there was a reason why in 1974 it was put together that way.
“To now come along and try to divide the roads, child care and social services in the way they have, is going to turn out to be a chaotic nightmare.”
Cllr Lywood, 65, also ruled himself out of standing to represent Keswick on Cumberland Council – which will bring down the curtain on his time as a borough councillor, county councillor and making a run for parliament as the borough’s Labour candidate in the General Election 2019.
Instead, he will see out his term of office as a county councillor which ends in 2023 when the flag is hoisted on the two new councils on April 1, and hopes to stay on at Keswick Town Council.
He said: “Even though I love problem solving and helping people with issues, I am 65 and I wish to have more of a private life. I enjoy my life without the pressures of political life and there are also other equally as good young people, if not better. There will be a single representative for the area but how that single representative is going to work is going to be quite difficult.
“Effectively what I fear will happen is the council officers will run the show and the local politicians will have far, far less input into what goes on.”
Of the Cumberland name returning, he said: “The new west council does form almost what was the traditional county of Cumberland, so I like it.”
Cllr Allan Daniels, who currently represents Keswick on Allerdale Borough Council, sits on its planning, licensing and scrutiny committees.
“The Cumberland name resonates with people brought up in the area and it is something they welcome and many are glad we have got Cumberland and Westmorland back.” he said.
“It’s lovely as it’s nice to keep the tradition going of the old counties.”
His term of office on Allerdale runs until 2023 and he too has no plans to stand for the new Cumberland Council.
His concern is that one councillor representing Keswick would spend most of the time in the car travelling to meetings in Workington, Carlisle and Whitehaven.
Despite the roll-out of virtual meetings, his understanding is that the new authority will require attendance in person.
Cllr Daniels said: “It’s quite an ask if you only have one person representing Keswick having to go up to Carlisle and it will be impossible for a person with a job to do both.”
Elections for the two new “shadow authorities,” to oversee the run-down of the existing councils, will take place in May 2022, then 2027 and every four years afterwards.