This week marked a new era in local government in Cumbria, with the first days of operation for the new Cumberland Council.

On 1 April 2023, the new council took over responsibility for all services in the area previously served by Allerdale Borough Council, Carlisle City Council, Copeland Borough Council and Cumbria County Council.

The changes mean that there is now one main customer service contact number for council services. This is 0300 373 3730. Residents can find information about all council services at www.cumberland.gov.uk.

Image description: Cumberland Council sign

A promise to put people at the heart of decision making will be supported by the creation of eight Community Panels.

Cumberland Council leaders voted overwhelmingly in support of the proposals which will see the Community Panels decide on the priorities for their area and offer grants accordingly.

Each Community Panel will be supported by a Network Panel made up of partners, residents, businesses and third sector organisations. They will help shape and guide the panel’s investment plan.

The panels will have some funding and will be made up of the councillors from the Wards within a particular area.

The role of the Community Panels is to encourage community engagement and local decision making. Each panel will work with the community to develop a plan which can have sections bespoke to the communities within that particular area.

Image description: Cumberland Council logo

Cumberland Council will continue to provide key services over the Easter period, but some of its offices – will be closed on Good Friday, 7 April and Easter Monday, 10 April 2023.

The main switchboard number (0300 373 3730) will close at 5pm on Thursday 6 April and reopen on Tuesday 11 April at 9am. There will be a recorded message out of hours advising of the closure period and contact numbers for Highways, Homelessness, Adults and Children’s Social Care should anyone be calling about an emergency.  Our website, Cumberland.gov.uk will have all the key information listed.

Find out more about Easter opening hours

Image description: graphic showing painted eggs with text reading 'Easter Bank Holiday. Find our about your services'.

Carlisle and Allerdale area - Bins due to be collected on Friday 7 April, will be collected as normal; however, there will no collections on Easter Monday, 10 April, and bins will be collected one day later throughout the week (Tuesday 11 to Saturday 15 April). Collections will return to normal from Monday 17 April onwards.

Copeland area - There will be no change to household recycling and waste collections that are scheduled for Friday 7 and Monday 10 April.

Residents can check out specific waste collection dates, on the Cumberland Council website.

Image description: person in high-vis clothing stepping into a Cumberland Council branded bin lorry

For the first time, residents in the new Cumberland Council area will need to show photographic ID to vote at this year’s local elections. Residents are being urged to make sure they are ready to vote in May by checking they have an accepted form of ID.

The reminder comes in the week that details of those standing for election have been published. A full list of contested elections can be found on the Cumberland Council website.   

Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a UK or EEA drivers’ licence; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.

Find out more about local elections

Image description: Polling Station sign

There is lots of work taking place to reduce the amount of packaging and make it more recyclable -  but we can all play our part at home too.

The delightful treats that come with Easter can also bring boxes, foil wrapping and plastic, but which of these items can be recycled?  We want to make sure you have all the information you need to recycle effectively this Easter.

  Here are our top tips for a more recycling friendly Easter:

1. This one is easy – your cardboard boxes can be flattened and recycled.
2. Most packaging will have all the recycling information on it, it will help you pick out which parts can and cannot be recycled.
3. Supermarkets have some great recycling facilities, and some will take the recycling your doorstep collection may not, so check out your local supermarket for instore recycling.
4. It’s not just chocolate egg packaging, if you get lots of Easter cards these can be recycled in with your card and paper – just rip off any glittery bits!
5. Clean aluminium trays will be collected for recycling from your doorstep, but please put the foil from your Easter treats into the bin.

Cardboard and plastic containers and clean aluminium trays are accepted at the kerbside for recycling across Cumberland. Why not check out Recycle Now which gives answers on what else your local collections will be able to take away for you.

Image description: Egg box with painted eggs

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