County councillors agreed to oppose the authority’s leader’s bid to launch a judicial review into local government reorganisation.
The motion to oppose the bid was put to council by Conservative member Stephen Haralsden in a meeting at Carlisle Racecourse.
It was revealed earlier this month that leader Stewart Young had written to the Government in the first steps towards a review after it was announced that a shake-up of local government would see two new councils – one for West and one for East – replace the existing authorities.
Cumbria County Council wanted to see a single authority covering the whole of the county called One Cumbria.
It said the decision was unlawful and pointed out that on the same day as the announcement for Cumbria, it had adopted a single authority approach for Somerset and North Yorkshire.
The motion was put forward to make leader of Cumbria County Council Stewart Young aware that members did not support the judicial review and that it would be “a waste of public money and time.”
It was passed 30 to 18 with eight councillors abstaining.
Labour members on the council supported the leader’s right to object, they feel that the public should have been properly consulted on the model of local government in Cumbria.
It was also claimed that legislation prevents the Secretary of State for Housing, communities and local government from separating Cumbria.
Labour councillor Frank Morgan said: “When I saw this meeting being called before the next full council I thought to myself ‘what is going on?’
“Then when I hear we’re challenging a potential judicial review, maybe some local politicians are trying to emulate their national leader in ignoring the law of the land.
“That’s a pattern of behaviour that served his political ambitions well.”
Regardless of whether the motion was passed or defeated, it is for the leader to take the decision into account when considering whether to launch a judicial review.
Some members believe the meeting was a waste of the council’s time and money as the judicial review will be discussed at the next full council meeting.
Liberal Democrat Peter Thorton said: “This really is a wonderful day and a wonderful venue hired of course at some cost.
“So what a wonderful August day this is members. What a marvellous day to be out with the family walking the fells to be relaxing ready for a very taxing Autumn term.
“What a wonderful day to be driving half way across Cumbria to attend a totally pointless meeting.”
Coun Haralsden said: “I welcome the opportunity finally to hear the myriad views on local government reform that we’ve not had the opportunity over the last several years.
“I regret having to call this meeting but it was not unnecessary.
“This meeting was called to protect or try to protect the prize of local government reform from the wrecking ambitions of the leader and the Labour group.
“It’s great to finally hear that the Labour group believe the opinion of this council should and will not have any influence on the leader or executive, we suspected that for years but it’s nice to finally get it at a Jockey Club venue from the horse’s mouth.”
