Details of the latest developments on a bid to make local government in Cumbria more efficient, effective and more responsive to the needs of communities has been sent to the Government today, Friday, June 22nd.
The document (please use the link at the foot of this page to see it) sent to the Department for Communities and Local Government builds on formal proposals to restructure Cumbria's current unwieldy system of local government which were submitted to ministers in January this year.
Those One Council, One Vision, One Voice proposals set out bold plans to replace the county council and the six district councils with a brand new single local authority.
This new document submitted today has been drawn up in response to a round of Government consultations with local people and organisations including all local authorities.
The county council's response includes details of ground-breaking plans for new ways of making decisions and delivering services at the most local level:
. Community Stewards: These are individuals who will be dedicated to work in communities providing a range of important services from minor highway improvements, verge cutting, litter. Stewards will be able to use local knowledge to understand community needs and cut through traditional bureaucracy to improve the public realm. One community steward pilot is already in place and due to start work on the ground.
. A network of up to 30 council centres in sizeable settlements around the county - these will be one-stop-shops delivering services at a truly local level. They will be places where people will see familiar faces and can get to know individual staff working in their own area and build a relationship with the new council.
. Community Boards to put decision making and accountability in the hands of communities themselves. We envisage up to 30 boards led by those elected to the new council, but also involving other community organisations, voluntary bodies, parish and town councils and youth groups. Five pilot schemes are already up-and-running around the county to explore the principle of governing in the community.
. Savings for council taxpayers of £22.2 million a year that will be used to improve services and keep residents council tax bill down in the future.
Tim Stoddard, leader of Cumbria County Council, said: "We are grateful for the feedback we have had on the bid and we have modified our proposal in light of what people have told us. We now believe that our case for One Council, One Vision, One Voice is stronger than ever."
One Council, One Vision, One Voice has received cross party support from all Conservative, Liberal Democrat and labour groups on the county council.
Notes for editors
The deadline for consultation responses was end of play today (Friday, June 22nd). This note and copy of the county council response was issued to media immediately after the document was sent to the DCLG.
Media enquiries to Justin Hawkins, Media Officer on 01228 606334.
One council, One vision, One voice - Making it happen (PDF, 2.8Mb)