Keswick’s lucrative pay-and-display car parks could return to the control of the local town council, bringing with it a multi-million pound bonus.
That is the view of Councillor Tony Lywood, who says a shake-up of local councils currently being undertaken nationally is likely to have ramifications for Keswick’s main car parks.
Bell Close, Central and Lakeside car parks are all controlled by Allerdale Borough Council, bringing in up to £3 million a year for the Workington-based authority.
But a switch to a unitary system of local government would see Allerdale and all borough councils abolished, with a single tier at the top – presently Cumbria County Council – above parish or town councils like in Keswick and across the North Lakes.
Mr Lywood is Keswick’s representative on the county council and he said: “We should now all be focusing on the return of assets swallowed up by Allerdale Borough Council in 1972, the foremost of which are our car parks and town hall.
“It is within Allerdale Borough Council’s gift to asset transfer these to Keswick Town Council or a community asset company or local charity.
“This needs to be done quickly before any transfer to Cumbria County Council or its replacement. I would like Keswick Town Council to call for this
and I will propose this at our March meeting.”
Meanwhile, consultation on the different options for the structure of local government in Cumbria will continue for the next two months.
The Labour councillor added: “I support the move to one, unitary system.
“Effectively, in May 2022, Allerdale Borough Council and all the other Cumbrian boroughs will be abolished and replaced by one (or two) larger authorities.
“I will be calling for the return of some of the assets that were taken away in the last local government reorganisation in 1972 from Keswick Town Council.
“Highest on this list should be our car parks and our town hall, both of which our town used to own.
“Our car parks produce nearly £3 million per year for Allerdale Borough Council and often we are left with begging and lobbying to get money back for local projects.”
However, there are several options emerging for Cumbria, with Allerdale, Copeland and Carlisle councils teaming up to provide a “two unitary” alternative for the county.
This would see those three councils form a West Cumbria authority, while Eden, South Lakeland and Barrow would merge for East Cumbria.
Councillor Mike Johnson, Allerdale’s deputy leader, said: “For too long residents have had to negotiate a complex system where different councils provide different services – our two unitary option will provide clarity for residents, be delivered at a lower cost, and get access to funding and investment Cumbria doesn’t have access to.”
