Leading members of the new council set to take over in Carlisle, Allerdale and Copeland have agreed on its new headquarters
Cumberland Council is set to take over in the area from the existing county, city and borough councils on April 1.
And at a meeting yesterday, the new council’s leadership agreed to make Cumbria House on Botchergate in Carlisle the principal headquarters, while keeping the Civic Centre in Carlisle, Allerdale House in Workington and Whitehaven’s Copeland Centre and Market Hall as anchor buildings.
Councillors agreed that it was the best way forward to ensure the authority has a presence in each of the areas it will govern and represent.
The council offices will work together as a joint headquarters for the new council, offering a ‘front door’ for members of the public, a place where democratic activities take place; a central point for senior leaders, a place to host service teams and a legal address for official communications.
Statutory deputy leader of the new council, Lisa Brown said that residents will want a recognisable base in their communities as they have under the existing councils.
She said: “I’m more than happy with the recommendations and I think it is a good reflection of how life has changed for everybody post-COVID, we’re not just ripping up the plans and doing something new, we’re thinking about those people who need those services as well.”
Cllr Barbara Canon, portfolio holder for finance and assets, said: “I actually think we have demonstrated that unitary doesn’t just mean one, it means everyone.
“Whilst we have these four anchor buildings, it doesn’t mean there isn’t further devolution outwards with that.”
Cllr Emma Williamson, non-statutory deputy leader said: “I know some of our residents in places like Millom, some of our rural communities will be quite nervous when they see these plans but actually we have hubs in every area, in Millom we’ve got the Millom Network Hub. We have got places where we can do satellites and I think when we’re talking to residents we need to stress that.
“Although these are anchor buildings, we are still going to be accessible in all the communities, it’s just to put people’s minds at ease. We can’t have a council building in every community, but we can have a presence.”
