A PROTEST was held on vesting day of the new Westmorland and Furness council, as people in Penrith continue to campaign to be part of the new Cumberland Authority.

A peaceful protest was staged against the positioning of Penrith within Westmorland and Furness and for a change of the boundary, at the proclamation of the new council today, April 1.

Speaking after the protest, parish councillor Jonathan Davies said: "Today's protest just shows how wrong they have got this whole mess of local government reorganisation in Cumbria.

"Change was needed in the local government arrangements but the best option for Cumbria was and still is the single One Cumbria council option. 

"The choice of names for the new counties and districts of Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness, with the links directly to the pre-1974 counties, have struck a deep nerve with residents in communities across the north of what was, until last night, the area known as Eden district.

"The river Eamont and the historic bridge across formed the boundary between Cumberland and Westmorland until 1974.

"Penrith today finds itself in the new geographical county and district of Westmorland and Furness, without any real choice on the change given to residents in Penrith.

"The town council showed its true colours last month in refusing to support a community governance review that would give the people of Penrith a say on their place in the world.

"But the town council's refusal is not the only voice the people of Penrith hold that power and, through a petition, Evolve Penrith are facilitating with the legally required 1,250 signatures a community governance review which will have to be conducted by the new Westmorland and Furness Council on how Penrith is governed.

"And like the protest at today’s proclamation, [it] shows people in Penrith are not happy with what has been forced on them and demand a say and change."

Upon the council resolving not to support the motion, in a statement Penrith Town councillors 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."