Where is the transparency in Cumberland council

In 2022 as a party committed to Putting Cumbria First. We forecast the mess that would unfold with the new unitary councils that is now becoming evident to all.

Our members and party pledge to hold the new councils to account and stand up for people and place outside the toxic mess of the new councils.

Our members have over the last few months worked to scrutinise and hold Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council to account on issues effecting people and communities across Cumbria.

Today we announce our latest challenge to the new councils over failure of transparency required by all councils under the local government transparency code.

The local government transparency code promotes democratic accountability and makes it easier for local people to contribute to the local decision-making process.

The transparency code sets out the minimum data that local authorities should be publishing, the frequency it should be published and how it should be published.

Both Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council via the councils own websites states the council “is committed to making its finances clear, so that everyone can see exactly how it is spending money.

As part of this commitment to provide financial transparency, Westmorland and Furness Council and Cumberland Council both state they will publish all expenditure over £250 (excluding VAT).”

Yet the new councils  have now existed as the local authority since the 1st of April 2023 representing over 5 months that Westmorland and Furness council and Cumberland Council have had a duty to publish their expenditure and spending on procurement cards. To date both councils have failed to publish any of the required data under the transparency code.

Members of Cumbria First have submitted questions to be asked at the full council meeting of both councils asking the leader’s of both councils to explain why the respective Council failed to disclose its expenditure to date for public scrutiny what is the council covering up with its lack of transparency on its expenditure?

Team Cumbria remain committed to our pledge of Putting Cumbria First and holding to account local and national government on issues that effect you and your family and our Cumbria.