ALLERDALE Borough Council could soon be a thing of the past after a consultation was launched on the future of local government in Cumbria.

In October, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Robert Jenrick invited councils in Cumbria to submit proposals for moving to a unitary system of local government.

May’s county council elections have been pushed back 12 months in order for the consultation to be completed.

Copeland and Allerdale borough councils submitted a solution that would see Cumbria split in two across the east/west divide, with two separate unitary authorities in place.

West Cumbria council would comprise the area covered by Allerdale Borough, Carlisle City and Copeland Borough Councils and East Cumbria would be made up of the area covered by Barrow Borough, Eden District and South Lakeland District Councils.

Mike Johnson, deputy leader at Allerdale Borough Council, said: “The announcement is fabulous news for Cumbria as it signals the start of real progress for the county on how local government could be run in the future.

“I’m pleased to have that opportunity to now put this case forward to the people of Allerdale and the rest of Cumbria.

“Local government reorganisation will deliver better services for our residents, better value for money and create jobs post-Covid through a new approach to economic development and inward investment.

“We believe that our model create organisations that are large enough to drive our ambition for growth and excellent service delivery.

“The approach taken by Allerdale and Copeland will also ensure that our are most vulnerable residents are better supported to improve their lives, that businesses get the support to expand and create jobs and that local communities will keep their identity and have influence on what happens in their areas.

“For too long residents have had to negotiate a complex system where different councils provide different services.

“I urge people to respond to the consultation and choose the east/west option as this is the best for residents, the best for business and provide the best future of our children.”