Transition

The transition programme will facilitate the development of two very different blueprints and the creation of two distinct councils focused on the specific communities they will serve.

Vesting Day - the first official day of the two new councils - is April 1, 2023. Though this is a significant milestone, it will not be the end of the journey with a process of transformation continuing for many years after this point.

Work to create two distinct new unitary councils within the area currently covered by seven separate authorities is a complex process and already underway.

A clear timeline is in place with key milestones set by the Government.

This includes:

The laying before Parliament of a Structural Changes Order (SCO). The SCO provides the legal basis on which to implement change to local government structures and was adopted in March 2022
Creation of Joint Committees by March 2022 to consider the design of the new authorities.
Elections to Shadow Authorities on Thursday 5 May 2022.
Vesting Day - the day when the two new councils become operational - on April 1 2023.
Continued transformation beyond this point.

A transition programme is now in place including a full governance structure.

This structure comprises:

The Cumbria Leaders Oversight Forum, made up of the Leaders of the county's seven local authorities with their respective Chief Executives also in attendance.
The Chief Executives Programme Board, made up of the senior officer within each of the seven councils, supported by a Programme Director and Programme Management Office.
The Workstream/Programme Boards, chaired by the theme/workstream sponsor and involving senior service/functional leads from the seven councils.