A logo for the new Cumberland Council has been given the seal of approval.
The leadership of the new authority, which will represent the areas of Carlisle, Allerdale and Copeland, met in Carlisle on Wednesday.
It officially takes over from the existing district authorities and the county council from April next year.
Members of the executive met and agreed to the concept design. It pays homage to the historic flag of Cumberland with a Grass-of-Parnassus flower and the waved parallel lines representing fells, coast and lakes. The logo has been designed flexibly so that it can be tweaked to show support for national events like Pride month or neighbouring nations in times of international crisis.
A series of focus group sessions will now take place to further refine the design and develop a corporate identity manual ahead of its adoption in the autumn.
Mark Fryer, council leader, said: “We went through a really good process to bring this forward. The best idea that was put forward to us was for it to go out to the staff.”
Statutory deputy leader Lisa Brown said: “Just to say well done to everybody, they were really good submissions and I think the one that we’ve chosen is really reflective of Cumberland.”
Councillors also agreed on the process for the development of the Council Plan. The document will set out the vision and priorities for the council for its first four years.
People are encouraged to have their say on the draft plan when it is published in a few weeks’ time. The draft plan will also be considered by the Shadow Scrutiny committee ahead of adoption at the meeting of the Shadow Council on October 18.
Coun Fryer added: “This is a document which sets out our stall and will go to the very heart of what our new council will be about. It will outline what we will focus on, describe how we will work and, crucially, what residents can expect from us. I look forward to developing the plan and hearing what local residents and partners have to say.”
