A MOTION put forward calling for Penrith to be included as part of the new Cumberland Council instead of Westmorland & Furness has been denied. 

At a meeting between Penrith Town Council on March 13, councillor Jonathan Davies raised the idea for the incoming Westmorland and Furness Council to conduct a community governance review to change the upper-tier administrative authority for the parish of Penrith. 

Evolve Penrith, a community organisation that champions local issues in the area, has launched a petition after the motion was denied. 

A spokesperson for Evolve Penrith said: "We call on Westmorland and Furness Council to take immediate action to commence a community governance review of Penrith as legislation in the local government and public involvement in health act 2007 enables to give the community a say on the governance of Penrith and the diverse range of communities across the area covered by the parish of Penrith."

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The group cites the aim of 'improving transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in decision-making', as well as returning Penrith to its historical home of Cumberland. 

The petition also suggests the creation of smaller parish councils. 

Penrith Town Council has rejected two motions calling for the governance review within the last 12 months. 

Upon the council resolving not to support the motion, in a statement they said: "Whilst we recognise that the name of the new authority isn’t what we perhaps would have chosen or is one that we identify with, there have been consultations, negotiations, and extensive work to deliver the government’s decision to have two unitary authorities for Cumbria and we believe that taxpayers’ money would be better spent fostering an effective relationship with the incoming Westmorland & Furness Council.

"We understand that the two new administrative authorities will work closely together and Penrith’s historical and civic links to Cumberland will not be diminished. Cumbria as a county, and Eden Valley as an area, are not impacted. 

"We look forward to working with both authorities when they are constituted on April 1, 2023. 

"It is unfair to pre-judge how effective either new authority will be," they said. 

Cllr Margaret Clark, who supported the motion at the time and has served on the council for 12 years, said: "I seconded the motion for reasons of democracy and to involve people in public debate. I believe in democracy and the residents having a choice," she said.