Carlisle City Council, in partnership with Eden District Council, has formally responded to the Government’s invitation to all Councils in Cumbria to submit proposals for creating unitary authorities in the county.
Eden, Carlisle, Allerdale and Copeland Councils all share the view that the best outcomes for the people of Cumbria would be delivered through establishing two new unitary authorities and a mayoral combined authority.
Carlisle and Eden’s preferred option is to form two new authorities on the footprint of the existing Eden, Carlisle and Allerdale councils in the north and Copeland, Barrow and South Lakeland councils in the south.
The submission to the Government sets out how this proposed unitary authority model, along with a Cumbrian mayoralty, will improve local government and service delivery, whilst giving greater value for money and providing stronger strategic and local leadership.
Leader of Carlisle City Council John Mallinson said: “We want a positive future for Carlisle, this will be best achieved by this new model for local government in Cumbria.
“We believe that the north and south unitary model for Cumbria is the best option for our residents, businesses and the wider region.
“It would result in effective and convenient local government with a strong sense of place. It’s the best way forward for Carlisle and Cumbria.
“Local government reorganisation is a golden opportunity which we need to seize.”
Carlisle and Eden’s final proposal was submitted to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick MP, yesterday.
The Government will review all the proposals made by Cumbria’s local authorities before beginning consultation with communities in the county over its preferred options in early 2021.
Carlisle and Eden’s submission can be found at https://www.carlisle.gov.uk/news-and-events/local-government-reorganisation-proposals
