THE LEADERS of Cumberland Council’s opposition groups have outlined what they would like to see the unitary authority achieve during 2025.
Conservative
Councillor Mike Johnson (Thursby, Conservative), the leader of the Conservative group, said next year he would like to see the council finish the plan for local government by finally striking a devolution deal, bringing powers from Westminster to local elected leaders, together with a significant financial settlement.
He added: “It is just unfortunate that they’ve had to be dragged to the table kicking and screaming by their new deputy Prime Minister, and in doing so late – and under duress – have probably cost us dearly when it comes to the financial settlement.
“Local government reorganisation, reducing seven councils to two and 328 councillors down to 111, was the first part of a plan that would see a directly elected mayor head up a combined authority looking at the strategic direction of the county and working to attract inward investment.
“With all due respect to both council leaders who do that in their respective areas already, their time is taken up with the day to day running of the councils and all the challenges that children’s services and adult social care brings. It needs an Andy Burnham, or a Ben Houchen, that can focus solely on growing Cumbria – and with it opportunity for all Cumbrians.”
Independents
Councillor Robert Betton (Botcherby, Independent group), the leader of the Independent group, said that despite significant cutbacks, the impact of COVID-19, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, he would like to see the council focus on delivering the frontline services that matter most to the public.
He added: “These include maintaining highways, improving lighting, supporting parks and green spaces, providing elderly and adult social care, improving the lives of children, and ensuring access to other essential services.”
Green Party
Councillor Helen Davison (Belah, Green party), the leader of the Green group, said she believed the council must not only listen to residents but also value the expertise within our community, “working with us rather than doing to us”.
She added: “This is especially crucial as it develops the Cumberland Local Plan, which will determine where housing and other developments occur. I want the council to simplify processes for raising concerns about planning and other issues which impact our living environments.
“I really want our customer service to be easy to access, with residents receiving timely responses to their queries and prompt resolutions to issues they raise. To make this happen needs significant progress merging services from our former councils, to ensure resident queries are efficiently directed to the right team and are addressed as quickly as possible.
“Critically, I want our council to up its game tackling the climate and nature emergencies. It should prioritize doing all it can to make green and healthy choices the cheapest, easiest and most accessible for everyone.
“I want it to lead by example and raise understanding across our community that we are beyond us ‘just doing our bit’ for the environment and that we all, especially influential organisations, need to ‘do our everything’ to leave a liveable future for our children.”
Liberal Democrats
Councillor Tim Pickstone (Longtown, Lib Dems), the leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said: “In April it will be three years since the new Cumberland Council was elected, and two years since the new council took over responsibility for services in our local area.
“I know for everyone involved in the council this will have meant learning to work differently, as part of a new team and for a new organisation with its own issues and priorities.
“2025 will also be the one-year anniversary of our new Government. Again the ‘honeymoon period’ will be over and people will understandably be expecting things to be getting better in our daily lives.
“Liberal Democrats in Cumberland want both the Government, and our local council to start delivering for ordinary people, making people’s lives better. A good start would be making sure the people can access NHS and care services without having to wait, or for everyone to feel that they had enough money to keep their homes warm right through the year.
“Just like our new team of 72 MPs in Westminster, the Liberal Democrats on Cumberland Council see our job as to keep challenging the council to do better and genuinely take action to improve people’s lives and communities.”