THE FIRST meeting of the Cumberland Council Shadow Authority is set to take place next week.

Cumberland Council will take charge in Allerdale, Copeland and Carlisle by April 2023.

But first the new unitary council must complete the transition process as a Shadow Authority, co-existing with the existing county, city and borough councils for the next 12 months.

When preparatory work is complete the existing councils will be abolished and Cumberland Council will become the single responsible authority in the patch.

The Shadow Authority will meet in public to take key decisions on the set-up of the new council, its first meeting will take place on Tuesday May 17 at the Civic Centre, Carlisle at 10.30am.

A chairperson and vice chairperson will be elected for the coming year and members of the Shadow Authority will be asked whether they wish to adopt a Code of Conduct prepared by council officers.

READ MORE: What's next for new authorities in Cumberland and Westmorland?

A draft implementation plan, members’ allowance scheme and calendar of meetings will also be laid before councillors

Nominations for the council leader will be taken and voted on. The council will then hear the names of the elected leader’s deputy and portfolio holders.

The Labour Party won a clear majority on the new council at the ballot box last Thursday taking 30 seats in contrast to the Liberal Democrats’ four and the Conservative Party’s seven. Independent councillors took three seats and the Greens took two.

Council will also receive the names of the leaders and deputy leaders of each political party.

For more information on the local government shake-up, visit: https://www.cumberland.gov.uk/