Westmorland MP Tim Farron has launched an online poll to ask the public what they think the name of the new unitary council for the area should be.
Following an announcement last month, Cumbria’s six district councils and the county authority are set to be scrapped and replaced by two unitary authorities covering the east and west of the county.
According to Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick, the new councils will help ensure that people and businesses across Cumbria can have the sustainable high-quality local services they deserve.
Allerdale – which covers Keswick, Cockermouth, Workington and Maryport – will become part of the west council, along with Carlisle and Copeland. The east council – which includes Mr Farron’s constituency – will cover Barrow, Eden and South Lakeland.
The options in the poll are: Westmorland and Furness; Westmorland, Penrith and Furness; Lakes and Dales; Barrow, South Lakeland and Eden; and Cumbria East. Residents can also submit their own ideas.
The name with the most votes will be then presented to the government by Mr Farron as the option with the greatest public support.
He said: “Our new council is going to be responsible for so many vital local services, so it’s really important that local residents have an input in how it’s run – and that starts with its name.
“I know from conversations that I’ve had on the doorstep, many people are excited about the fact that this new authority will see the old county of Westmorland being reunited.
“But whatever your view, please do take part in our quick online poll to help decide the name of our new council.”
The poll can be found at https://digitallibdems.typeform.com/council-name
