A CUMBRIAN MP has urged the government to reconsider Cumberland council boundaries 'at the next opportunity' - after he believes that the process of 'streaming' local government was 'constrained' by legislation.

Mark Jenkinson MP has written to Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove urging him to revisit council boundaries at the next opportunity, after the recent process to streamline local government in Cumbria was constrained by legislation to using the boundaries of existing districts.

Cumbria County Council and Cumbria’s six district councils will cease to exist from April this year to be replaced by two unitary authorities – Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness – following local government reform.

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It is understood that there is likely to be a review of ward boundaries prior to the next election in 2027, and Mr Jenkinson has asked the Secretary of State and the Chairman of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England to ensure that residents and stakeholders are also consulted on the counil boundaries.

Mr Jenkinson said: “Whilst I welcome local government reform, I would like to ensure that there will be a future opportunity to revisit the boundaries of the councils themselves, not simply the wards.

“Many of my constituents have approached me to indicate that they would like to see the Cumberland boundary more closely resemble the pre-1974 boundary.

“However, during the recent process of local government reform, it became clear that we were constrained by the existing district boundaries.

“I have therefore asked Michael Gove MP, and the chairman of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, if we can have a fresh look at this as part of the 2027 boundary review.

“My understanding is that this is possible at the request the Secreatry of State. I would like to see these options on the table.”

Mr Jenkinson has launched a survey to garner support for the boundary consultation at markshar.es/cumberland

A spokesman from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said that they had recieved the letter, and said that they would reply to the letter 'in due course'.

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