Cumberland Council
Council logo
Type
Type
History
Founded1 April 2023
Preceded byCumbria County Council
Leadership
Chair
Carni McCarron-Holmes,
Labour
since 17 May 2022[1]
Mark Fryer,
Labour
since 17 May 2022[1]
Structure
Seats46 Councillors
Cumberland Council composition
Political groups
Administration (29)
  Labour (29)
Other parties (17)
  Conservative (8)
  Liberal Democrat (4)
  Independent (3)
  Green Party (2)
Length of term
4 years (from 2027)
Elections
First past the post
Last election
5 May 2022
Next election
2027
Meeting place
Civic Centre, Rickergate, Carlisle, CA3 8QG[2][3]
Website
https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/

Cumberland Council is the local authority for Cumberland in England. It is a unitary authority, having the powers of a non-metropolitan county and district council combined. Although legally the council is a district council as set out in the change order that created it. The area has no county council. It was first elected in May 2022 and operated as a shadow authority until taking up its powers on 1 April 2023.[4] Cumberland Council replaced Cumbria County Council, Allerdale Borough Council, Carlisle City Council and Copeland Borough Council.

History

The council was created as part of the 2019–2023 structural changes to local government in England.

Branding

The council logo was approved at a meeting of the shadow executive on 20 July 2022.[5][6] The logo draws on symbols found on the flag and coat of arms of the traditional county of Cumberland.[7] It features a Parnassus flower, the traditional county flower, wavy lines which represent the fells, mountains, lakes and coast of the council area and the colours blue and green, which are the livery colours of the traditional county.[8] The council's flag consists of the emblem, without the text, on a white background.[9]

Politics

See also: 2022 Cumberland Council election

The first election to Cumberland Council was held on 5 May 2022. All 46 seats were up for election. Labour won 30 seats, giving it a majority.[10] Conservatives have 7 seats, Liberal Democrats 4 seats, Independents 3 seats and Green Party 2 seats. Turnout was 36.1%.[11] In March 2023, one Labour councillor defected to the Liberal Democrats.[12] In June 2023, councillor Trevor Allison defected from the Liberal Democrats to the Conservative Party citing "a drift in the direction of the local liberals, away from community and towards petty politics and trying to score cheap political points".[13]

Composition

Affiliation Members
Labour Party 29
Conservative Party 8
Liberal Democrats 4
Independent 3
Green Party of England and Wales 2

References

  1. ^ a b "Inaugural meeting of the Shadow Authority for Cumberland Council". Shadow Authority for Cumberland Council. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  2. ^ "Agenda for meeting to be held at Cathedral Room, Civic Centre, Carlisle" (PDF). Shadow Authority for Cumberland Council. 17 May 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  3. ^ "New Cumbria councils to hold inaugural meetings - cumbriacrack.com". 12 May 2022.
  4. ^ "The Cumbria (Structural Changes) Order 2022".
  5. ^ "Agenda for Shadow Executive on Wednesday, 20th July, 2022, 5.00 pm". www.cumberland.gov.uk. 20 July 2022.
  6. ^ "New logo for Cumberland Council agreed - cumbriacrack.com". 21 July 2022.
  7. ^ "New logo for Cumberland Council agreed". ITV News. 22 July 2022.
  8. ^ "Agenda" (PDF). Cumberland Council. 20 July 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  9. ^ "Cumberland Council".
  10. ^ "Cumberland election result". BBC. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  11. ^ "Results of the Cumberland Council elections | Shadow Authority for Cumberland Council". www.cumberland.gov.uk.
  12. ^ "Former Labour councillor joins the Lib Dems - but won't be having a by-election". News and Star.
  13. ^ "Cumberland councillor Trevor Allison leaves Lib Dems and joins Conservatives". News and Star. 2 June 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2023.

External links

Ceremonial county of Cumbria
Unitary authorities of England
Categories