An important recruitment process is now underway in preparation for two new councils in Cumbria coming into force next April.
Two new Chief Executives will be recruited to the two new councils - Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council.
Adverts for the new roles are now live at https://newcouncilsforcumbria.info/ and applicants need to apply before 9am on Monday 4 July 2022.
The roles are described as ‘a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape and lead one of two brand new councils for Cumbria’. They will be encouraged to ‘shape public services for the better, build on the best and transform public services for the future’.
Cllr Mark Fryer, Leader of the Shadow Authority for Cumberland Council, said:
“Our focus is the people of Cumberland. We want to create the best set of services for our communities to ensure all our residents will be getting the help and support they need.
“The recruitment of a new Chief Executive is an important step forward towards the new Cumberland Council coming into place next April.
“The successful candidate, working closely with members, will be at the forefront of leading and creating Cumberland Council - a brand new organisation that has been created following the biggest change to local government in Cumbria since 1974.
“We are looking for an inspirational leader, brimming with energy who is committed to driving forward positive change for the area, delivering quality services that will make a real difference to people’s lives.”
Cllr Jonathan Brook, Leader of the Shadow Authority for Westmorland and Furness Council, added:
“We want to ensure that our customers and our communities are at the heart of everything we do and will design services around our communities’ needs.
“While still in our early days we are already focussing on the organisational culture we want, work has already started on developing a new set of values that will be at our very core - values that will include openness, honesty, transparency and leading by example.
“We are looking for someone with the right qualities and experience to oversee an ambitious programme of transformation and be committed to delivering quality services to residents and businesses.
“This is a unique, once-in-a-generation opportunity, to shape and lead a brand-new council. An ambitious council that will shape public services for the better, building on the best and transforming public services for the future.”
From Vesting Day on 1 April 2023, the current six district councils and Cumbria County Council will be replaced by two new 'unitary' councils:
- Cumberland Council which will cover the current Allerdale, Carlisle and Copeland council areas.
- Westmorland and Furness Council which 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.
Two Shadow Authorities are overseeing the planning and preparation for the new authorities.
On April 1, 2023 - Vesting Day - the two new councils will officially take over responsibility for all services and the existing councils in Cumbria will be dissolved.
Until Vesting Day the existing councils will continue to operate and deliver all current services. Find out more about Cumberland Council at www.cumberland.gov.uk
Find out more about Westmorland and Furness Council at www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk