The council’s Deputy Leader, Cllr Mike Johnson submitted the document last week (Monday, November 9) to Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government The Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP. 

The proposal details the case for change in Cumbria and outlines the council’s vision for local government in the county which would include adopting a two unitary model. 

A full proposal and businesses case will be submitted by December 9, 2020 which will include details of the council’s preferred model for reorganisation, including geographical split.  

The submission follows on from a formal invitation from Government in October to councils in Cumbria to submit locally-led proposals for unitary local government. 

Cllr Johnson said: “We believe that making changes to the way local government is delivered in Cumbria will bring improvements to the services that residents and businesses receive and present a real opportunity to bring greater powers and investment to the area through devolution. Devolution has driven economic growth, jobs and training in other areas that Cumbria has missed out on, this is our time to level-up and support our communities in recovery. 

"This is an opportunity for Cumbria to develop dynamic, strategic leadership with a strong voice representing our interests into the wider region, nationally and globally. 

“We are at the beginning of this process and there is more work to be done on developing these proposals, but I can assure the people of Allerdale that their interests will be at the forefront of our plans and we will do what’s right for our community.” 

The proposal is available to view on the council’s website at https://www.allerdale.gov.uk/en/council-and-democracy/local-government-reorganisation/. 

The council’s Executive are due to further consider proposals for local government reorganisation at a meeting next week. The agenda can be found at https://democracy.allerdale.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=11&MId=4771.