Carlisle City Council and Eden District Council are urging local residents and businesses to back their proposal for local government reorganisation in Cumbria.
An eight-week public consultation is now underway. The Government is seeking views and is asking for responses by April 19.
Late last year, the Government invited all councils in the county 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, which the councils say will improve local government and service delivery, whilst giving greater value for money and providing stronger strategic and local leadership.
More information is available at www.carlisle.gov.uk/unitarybid and www.eden.gov.uk/unitary-plan
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 urge local residents, businesses and partners to consider our proposal and give their views.
“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.”
Leader of Eden District Council, Virginia Taylor, added: “Eden and Carlisle are in agreement that, if reorganisation is to happen, then it should be based on the two unitary councils outlined in our joint submission to the Government.
“This model strikes the optimum balance between local government being close to the communities it serves, while having the resources and influence required to drive positive change.
“Our proposal also supports the establishment of a mayoral combined authority that has a genuine strategic purpose and provides the basis for the devolution of powers away from Westminister and to the people of Cumbria.
“I want to secure a sustainable 21st Century rural economy for Eden and beyond. I believe this will be best achieved through this new model for local government in Cumbria and I encourage residents to make sure their voices are heard by participating in the Government’s consultation.”
To take part in the local government reorganisation consultation, visit https://consult.communities.gov.uk/governance-reform-and-democracy/cumbria/
Alternatively, you can email your response to the questions in the consultation to [email protected].
If you are responding in email or writing, please make it clear which area and questions you are responding to.
Written responses should be sent to:
Governance Reform and Democracy
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
When replying as an individual or submitting an official response on behalf of an organisation, you should include:
- Name
- Are you responding as a resident or on behalf of an organisation? Please indicate as below:
- Resident living in area affected
- Resident not living in area affected
- Business
- Education
- Local government
- Police
- Fire
- Health body
- Other
- Your position in the organisation (if applicable)
- An email address
