There are ‘no plans to sell off Cumberland’s heritage’ according to the new shadow authority after a Carlisle City Councillor raised concerns over Carlisle’s publicly owned assets.

On Saturday, April 1 assets currently owned by Carlisle City Council, which include buildings, land, car parks, industrial estates and freeholds will come under the ownership of the new unitary Cumberland authority.

Cllr Gareth Ellis, who is the deputy leader of Carlisle City Council and responsible for the authority’s finances has called on the new council to ensure that ‘Carlisle’s assets’ will ‘continue to be used for the benefit of the citizens of Carlisle’.

“The new council is expected to make savings, it was part of their business plan to justify the new unitary model,” said Mr Ellis.

“But they’ve now said that there’s no way they can even begin making these efficiencies in the first year and asked for an emergency bail out loan from the government of £40 million.

“The new council is not even fifty minutes old and has already acquired £40 million of new debt, which it is using, not to build something or improve something, but to plug a black hole in its budget.

“There is certainly a strong feeling that the priority of the new council will be to strip the city of these public assets as quickly as possible and squander them to put off even further having to make necessary decisions.

“We are calling on the new council to reassure Carlisle residents that their assets and wealth are safe in their hands and to come clean on any plans to sell off the city's heritage."

Cumberland Council passed its new budget last month to ensure continuity of services – such as waste collections, planning, and adult and children’s care services - from vesting day on April 1.

In response to Mr Ellis’ claims, Cumberland Council said that the Carlisle’s assets play a ‘vital role’ in improving the lives of residents.

In a statement a council spokesperson said: “As a new council we will consolidate our budgets and assets of the sovereign councils on April 1.

“Cumberland Council is committed to putting residents at the heart of everything we do. We recognise the value of the assets that we hold and their importance to local communities.

“Our assets will play a vital part in delivering the Council Plan and improving the lives of all our residents. 

“Discussion with residents, service users and partners will play an important part in any future decisions as we develop our asset management plan.

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“We value the City of Carlisle and its historic past, and we hope to make best use of all our resources and assets to enhance the city further.

"There are no plans to sell off Cumberland’s heritage."