Meet the councillors – your newly elected representatives on Cumberland Council

Voters selected 18 new councillors to represent the Carlisle area on the new Cumberland Council in May in a historic local election.

A shadow authority has now formed, which is overseeing the planning and preparation for the new unitary council which will take over in April 2023.

Labour will be the largest party on the new Cumberland Council, after winning 30 of the 46 available seats in May’s elections.

The Conservatives took seven seats, Liberal Democrats four, Greens two and independents three.

Each week, The News & Star will introduce some of the Carlisle area’s newly elected councillors, who have opened up about themselves and shared what they hope to achieve in their new roles.

Brian Wernham - Liberal Democrats - Stanwix Urban

"I have been working hard all year round for residents in Carlisle as a volunteer since I moved here from Ennerdale Bridge in Copeland, West Cumberland.

"I live in the centre of Stanwix, just off Scotland Road, with my partner who works in mental health. 

"I founded and ran the Stanwix coronavirus support group during the pandemic and I am a volunteer vaccinator.

"I have personally vaccinated over 1,150 citizens from Workington to Harraby, and I was sent on emergency shifts in Bolton and Sunderland as well.

"I have worked both in the private sector and in Government.

"I was a board member of the association for project management, a project director for Ford Motor Company, and now I lead courses on agile project management for Sellafield.

"I also have worked as an auditor for the national audit office, my speciality being ‘value for money’ on government projects.

"My reports were published by the NAO and were used by the parliamentary accounts committee when grilling permanent secretaries on waste and inefficiency in government.

"I really enjoy rambling on the fells, live music at the Old Fire Station, the Carlisle Music Society classical concerts and gigs at the Sands Centre.

"I support the theatre at the Green Room in Carlisle, and he played the Detective Inspector in ‘The Thrill of Love’ in Workington.

"I have spearheaded initiatives to set up the Stanwix Village Council and to improve pharmaceutical services in Stanwix."

Christopher Southward - Labour - Denton Holme

"I have the privilege of representing Denton Holme on the new “shadow” authority for the soon to be Cumberland Unitary Council.

"Firstly I have to thank everybody who took part in the election whether they voted for me or not, I feel this local democracy is important.

"I’ll represent the people of Denton Holme whether you voted for me, or somebody else, or not at all but it’s good to know that these things matter to people.

"This unitary authority is not the preferred shape of many colleagues, but I think even they would agree that it’s the next best thing.

"I’m pleased we’ve regained the title of Cumberland, the County in which I was born and hope to live in for a good while yet.

"We will miss the political expertise of some experienced councillors as the new authority has very much fewer than the previous set-up, none more so than my friend Stewart Young, who understandably couldn’t take part in an exercise which necessarily disaggregates services he has spent years protecting.

"I’ve been asked to sit on the Executive Committee of the new Council under our very able leader Mark Fryer.

"This puts me in a unique position as I’ve worked for the County and City Councils and sat on the ruling executive of both of them and now this third replacement.

"I’ll be as available as possible and continue to hold my twice-monthly surgeries."

Chris Wills - Labour - Upperby

"My background is in business, local and central government, farming and working for the National Trust.

"My family is rooted in the world of business from both my father`s and my mother`s side and I believe women make great business leaders.

"I ran my own Business promoting walking and cycling; and scootering before it became popular and a bit mad.

"I brought innovative and highly successful schemes in road safety and sustainable travel to Cumbria, Raised rare breed Soay sheep near the village of Irthington, rode horses through parts of Cumberland other quadrupeds don't reach, and was part of the general management team that looks after the Lake District.

"I represent Upperby in Cumberland.

"Combining authorities gives a great opportunity for improved efficiency and better public service – if we get it right. So, we`ll benefit from cross-party working to make sure Cumberland gets off to the best start. Plus, we need to ensure service integration.

"I live with my family in Upperby and have a vested interest in the place.

"I`m keen to make all sorts of improvements that many people in other areas will relate to including housing, youth provision, litter, roads – oh, and cycle routes – but I`ll stop the list there as it is a long one and most people can imagine what is on it.

"What I would be very proud to contribute to is the recreation of Upperby as a village community, in which people look after others and is very safe to grow up in."

Jeanette Whalen - Labour - Yewdale

"Politics has been of interest to me since a young age when I gave my toy horse to the miners' campaign as children my age were unable to get Christmas presents from their families due to the strikes.

"I was raised in a Christian family and my faith is important to me.

"My dad was the late Cllr William Whalen and he is one of the people who has influenced me in becoming a councillor.

"I am a single mum of twin daughters who are about to start their third year at university.

"Outside of council, I work in the civil service, support Carlisle United and enjoy the odd cup of coffee or two.

"My main focus as a councillor on the Cumberland Council is to serve the residents and neighbours of the Yewdale ward and the wider Carlisle district.

"My main focus is to ensure that good care services are provided, streets are clean and in good repair, bins are being emptied, effective community funding and a well-managed education service for the benefit of all children.

"I would like to see the health and wellbeing of our residents be the centre of all decisions made by the new Cumberland Council.

"Since the Covid outbreak, mental health has affected residents in a variety of ways and I believe that it is the responsibility of the Cumberland Council to address the effects of the pandemic through policies on leisure, culture and education going forward."