Cumberland Council | |
---|---|
Type | |
Type | |
History | |
Founded | 1 April 2023 |
Leadership | |
Andrew Seekings since 31 December 2022 [3] | |
Structure | |
Seats | 46 councillors |
Political groups |
|
Length of term | 4 years (from 2027) |
Elections | |
First past the post | |
Last election | 5 May 2022 |
Next election | 6 May 2027 |
Meeting place | |
Civic Centre, Rickergate, Carlisle, CA3 8QG [4] [5] | |
Website | |
www |
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. [a] It was first elected in May 2022 and operated as a shadow authority until taking up its powers on 1 April 2023. [7] Cumberland Council replaced Cumbria County Council, Allerdale Borough Council, Carlisle City Council and Copeland Borough Council.
The council was created as part of the 2019–2023 structural changes to local government in England.
The council logo was approved at a meeting of the shadow executive on 20 July 2022. [8] [9] The logo draws on symbols found on the flag and coat of arms of the traditional county of Cumberland. [10] 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. [11] The council's flag consists of the emblem, without the text, on a white background. [12]
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. [13] Conservatives have 7 seats, Liberal Democrats 4 seats, Independents 3 seats and Green Party 2 seats. Turnout was 36.1%. [14]
Following the 2022 election and subsequent changes of allegiance in March and June 2023, the composition of the council was: [15] [16]
Party | Councillors | |
---|---|---|
Labour | 29 | |
Conservative | 8 | |
Liberal Democrats | 4 | |
Independent | 3 | |
Green | 2 | |
Total | 46 |
The three independent councillors sit together as a group. [17] The next election is due in 2027.
The council inherited various offices from its predecessor authorities, including Allerdale House in Workington, the Copeland Centre in Whitehaven, and the Civic Centre and Cumbria House in Carlisle. Full council meetings are held at the Civic Centre, and Cumbria House is the council's official headquarters, with the other buildings being retained as local area offices. [18] [19]