District in Cumbria, England
District and unitary authority area in England
Cumberland is a district and unitary authority area in Cumbria, England.[5][6][7] It borders Scotland, Northumberland, Westmorland and Furness, and the Irish Sea. Part of the area is in the Lake District National Park and notable landmarks include Carlisle Cathedral, Carlisle Castle and Hadrian's Wall.
In comparison to the historic and former administrative county of Cumberland that existed before 1974, the district covers 77% of its area (excluding Penrith area) and 90% of its population. When created, in April 2023, it took over the northern and western part of the 1974–2023 Cumbria non-metropolitan county's administration and the corresponding former Allerdale, Carlisle and Copeland districts, while the new Westmorland and Furness district took over the remainder.[8][9]
History
Elections to Cumbria County Council were due to take place in May 2021 but were postponed by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government for one year due to a consultation on local government reorganisation in the area.[10] In July 2021, the government announced that the current authorities in Cumbria would be abolished and replaced with two unitary authorities in the form of an 'east/west split' of the county.[11]
Opponents of the reorganisation claimed that the proposal was pursued to benefit the electoral prospects of the Conservative Party. Cumbria County Council, which would be abolished under the plans, sought judicial review to prevent the reorganisation from taking place.[12] The judicial review was refused by the High Court in January 2022.[13] Draft statutory instruments to bring about local government reorganisation in Cumbria were subsequently laid before parliament.[9] The Cumbria (Structural Changes) Order 2022 (2022 No. 331)[14] was made on 17 March 2022 and came into force the following day.[15]
Governance
The first elections to Cumberland Council took place in May 2022, with the council acting as a 'shadow authority' until the abolition of the three former district councils and Cumbria County Council on 1 April 2023.[16] Labour won a majority with 30 seats.[17] Conservatives have 7 seats, Liberal Democrats 4 seats, Independents 3 seats and Green Party 2 seats. Turnout was 36.1%.[18]
Cumberland, together with neighbouring Westmorland and Furness, continues to constitute a ceremonial county named "Cumbria" for the purpose of lieutenancy and shrievalties, being presided over by a Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria and a High Sheriff of Cumbria.[19][20]
Police services are provided by Cumbria Constabulary and fire services by Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service. These are both overseen by the Cumbria Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.[21]
High Sheriffs pay attention to the work of such statutory bodies as the Police, the Prison Service and the Probation Service.[22]
Twinnings
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