A new era in Cumbria’s local government structure begins 12 months from today.
From April 1, Cumbria’s seven existing councils will be abolished and replaced by two new unitary authorities: Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council.
Cumberland Council will govern Carlisle, Allerdale and Copeland with all the responsibilities and decision-making powers of both a county council and borough council.
Cumberland will have 46 councillors and Westmorland and Furness will have 65 councillors.
Eden, South Lakeland and Barrow-in-Furness will be governed by the Westmorland & Furness Council.
Elections will be held on May 5. Those elected in two months’ time will form a shadow authority, serving alongside the existing councils for one year.
Once the transition is complete, Cumbria County Council, the city and borough councils will cease to exist, handing over to the new authorities on vesting day – April 1 2023.
Joint committees made up of representatives from each existing council, have formed to make recommendations to the shadow authorities on matters such as councillor allowances and how services will operate from 2023 onwards.
They met for the first time this week. The Westmorland and Furness Committee met on Tuesday in Kendal and the Cumberland Joint Committee met on Wednesday in Carlisle.
Discussion took place in Carlisle on how council services such as social care, highways and fire and rescue could look after the reforms.
Programme director Kim Rennie told councillors that this could involve separating those services which are currently handled by one authority, so that they are delivered separately by each new council in their area.
However, where there is a strong case to do so, Ms Rennie said that services could be delivered in a joint way between the two councils if it makes operational sense.
Some concern was expressed by councillors that the programme was treating the splitting up of services as a starting point.
Carlisle City Council leader John Mallinson said: “Although I sit here as a leader of a district council, as many of you know I’ve been a county councillor for a lot of years and I do have concerns about disaggregating some of the services and I think we know we’re talking about the big crucial high risk services that the county deals with.”
Notices of Election have been published and anyone intending to stand as a candidate in May is being advised to submit their nomination papers ahead of the deadline of 4pm on Tuesday, April 5.
To vote on May 5, residents must be on the electoral register. The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Thursday, April 14. It takes five minutes to apply online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
