Eden Council leader Virginia Taylor says she has “expressly requested” that the district’s name be included in the title of the new unitary authority which is being proposed for the area as part of a shake-up of local government.
Cumbria’s six current districts and overarching county council are set to be abolished and replaced by two unitary authorities as part of the restructuring.
A draft structural changes order (SCO) from the Government has now been received by the affected councils, which outlines the intention for the Allerdale, Carlisle and Copeland areas to become Cumberland Council, with 46 elected members, while Barrow, Eden and South Lakeland will become Westmorland and Furness Council, with 65 councillor seats.
Following the publication of the draft order, Ms Taylor said the district council had provided a response to government in which it asks for Eden to be included in the new council’s official title.
Regarding the 65 seats, a spokesman for Eden Council said 16 were in Eden, across nine wards.
Penrith would be covered by two divisions, with Kirkby Stephen being joined by Tebay, and Appleby and Brough being linked together.
Alston and Fellside would include the existing district wards of Alston, Hartside, Kirkoswald and Langwathby, while Eamont and Shap would combine.
“Ward names have not been included in the draft SCO and are also considered to be provisional at this stage,” the spokesman said.
Eden District Council’s interim chief executive Ian Frost had written to the Government in response to the draft SCO.
He is seeking clarification on warding arrangements and councillor numbers on behalf of the authority.
Town, district and county councillor Andy Connell expressed some concern at a recent meeting of Appleby Town Council, during an update about the ongoing process of local government reform.
He said current wards of Appleby, Bongate, Warcop and Brough would be grouped together in a division called Appleby and Brough, electing two representatives with each voter getting two votes.
Beyond that he said the process was “clouded in some uncertainty” and whether either authority would have a mayor, separate provisions for transport, fire or children’s services — or even different assets — was still up in the air.
“Westmorland and Furness, which is a wonderful name for an area that includes Alston and Penrith, is going to be the official name at the moment.
“I’m sure it will be greeted with as much enthusiasm as you can expect,” said Mr Connell.
