New Website for Local Government Reorganisation of Cumbria

NEW WEBSITE

For Local Government Reorganisation

A new website has been launched to explain more about a major reorganisation of local government in Cumbria.

The website - newcouncilsforcumbria.info - has lots of useful information about the complex process to create two brand new councils for the county. From 1 April 2023 the current six district councils and Cumbria County Council will be replaced with two new ‘unitary’ councils. The intended names for the two new councils are :

• Cumberland Council will cover the current

Allerdale, Carlisle and Copeland council areas. • Westmorland and Furness Council will cover the current Barrow, Eden and South Lakeland council areas.

The two new councils will be responsible for services currently provided in those areas by the district councils and the county council. The changes aim to: • Improve services for local people, making them more effective and efficient with a greater integration of planning and delivery activities. • Provide greater clarity for residents on their democratic representation, making local authorities even more accountable to the people they serve with more effective governance arrangements. • Provide a stronger voice to central government. • Attract inward investment into our communities.

Since the UK Government announced its decision in July to reorganise local government in Cumbria, work has been ongoing on the first steps of this huge transition. All seven existing local authorities, supported by the Government, are collaborating on the programme to create the new Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness authorities.

This entails a considerable amount of work to ensure that people in Cumbria receive the high level of service and delivery they expect and deserve.

The new website explains the process and the timeline and will include updates on the work of the Local Government Reorganisation Programme. A spokesperson for the Cumbria Local Government Reorganisation Programme Board, said: “We know there is a great deal of interest in the reorganisation process, among residents, businesses and organisations. “This is a hugely complex undertaking and will affect everyone who lives, works, does business or studies in Cumbria. It is the most significant change to the structures of local government in this area for a generation. “The programme will involve officers and councillors from all seven existing councils and we are determined to create the right platform for the new Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness councils to thrive.

“All those involved in leading this project are committed to ensuring that local people are engaged in this process as we move towards April 2023 and the new website will be an integral part of that.’’

QHR Looking Back at 2021

Well, what another interesting year it has been! Whilst the Pandemic has continued to present enormous challenges, it has also afforded us opportunities and encouraged us to think a little differently about the way we live and work. Agile and hybrid working arrangements have continued for many, hopefully allowing us to achieve a better work life balance. Many of us have also developed our IT skills with having to get used to remote working – I must say that my IT skills have improved dramatically over the last 18 months!

Reflecting on 2021 – my work and the articles I have written for the Eden Local, this has also been quite different, not least as I took on a new and exciting part time role in April, teaching adult HR apprentices. It’s been a fantastic opportunity and I am incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful group of students.

We began the year in February’s Eden Local suggesting it was probably a good time to review employment documents, to update them to reflect any new working arrangements, such as hybrid and agile working.

In the March/April Eden Local, we confirmed the new, increased National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates that would take effect from April 2021, as well as the other statutory rates of pay that would increase, such as Statutory Sick Pay and Statutory Maternity Pay. about the EU Settlement Scheme – the new points-based global immigration system, and the importance of applying in good time for settled status, to ensure the right to live and work in the UK was maintained.

In June, Long Covid was the topic, and the symptoms people may suffer for weeks or even several months. We provided some guidance on the sorts of things employers need to think about when supporting staff.

In July, we talked about Quinn HR and reminded readers of how we are able to support businesses with employment matters, through ad hoc support or on a retained basis – employment support tailored to your business.