Cumbria County Council has today confirmed that it will not be pursuing any further legal action as part of an attempt to stop the local government shake-up in the county.
The authority launched a judicial review after the Government decided that the existing councils should be replaced by two unitary authorities – Cumberland Council, covering Carlisle, Allerdale and Copeland and Westmorland & Furness Council, covering Eden, South Lakeland and Barrow. The county council will be abolished.
The county council said the decision was unlawful and launched the legal challenge.
A spokesman for Cumbria County Council said today: “After careful consideration Cumbria County Council has decided not to pursue an appeal.
“This follows a decision by the High Court on Tuesday to refuse Cumbria County Council’s application for permission to proceed with its judicial review.
“This now concludes the judicial review application process.”
The initial refusal saw the county council landed with a £60,000 bill to pay costs.
The two new councils will come into being next year and elections are set to take place in May.
