A new website has been launched to explain more about a major reorganisation of local government in Cumbria.
The website – newcouncilsforcumbria.info – has lots of useful information about the complex process to create two brand new councils for the county.
From 1 April 2023, the current six district councils and Cumbria County Council will be replaced with two new ‘unitary’ councils. The intended names for the two new councils are :
- Cumberland Council will cover the current Allerdale, Carlisle and Copeland council areas.
- Westmorland and Furness Council will cover the current Barrow, Eden and South Lakeland council areas.
The two new councils will be responsible for services currently provided in those areas by the district councils and the county council.
The changes aim to:
- Improve services for local people, making them more effective and efficient with a greater integration of planning and delivery activities.
- Provide greater clarity for residents on their democratic representation, making local authorities even more accountable to the people they serve with more effective governance arrangements.
- Provide a stronger voice to central government.
- Attract inward investment into our communities.
Since the UK Government announced its decision in July to reorganise local government in Cumbria, work has been ongoing on the first steps of this huge transition.
All seven existing local authorities, supported by the Government, are collaborating on the programme to create the new Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness authorities.
This entails a considerable amount of work to ensure that people in Cumbria receive the high level of service and delivery they expect and deserve.
The new website explains the process and the timeline and will include updates on the work of the Local Government Reorganisation Programme.
A spokesman for the Cumbria Local Government Reorganisation Programme Board, said: “We know there is a great deal of interest in the reorganisation process, among residents, businesses and organisations.
“This is a hugely complex undertaking and will affect everyone who lives, works, does business or studies in Cumbria. It is the most significant change to the structures of local government in this area for a generation.
“The programme will involve officers and councillors from all seven existing councils and we are determined to create the right platform for the new Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness councils to thrive.
“All those involved in leading this project are committed to ensuring that local people are engaged in this process as we move towards April 2023 and the new website will be an integral part of that.’’
