Historic elections take place today across Carlisle, Allerdale and Copeland
Last updated 5th May 2022
A historic day is taking place across the county today as the public go to the polls to elect the first members of Cumberland Council.
Local elections are taking place across the UK but in Cumbria, the public will elect councillors to the new unitary authority.
Cumberland will comprise the new Local Authority Area of Carlisle, Allerdale and Copeland.
Those elected on Thursday will serve as a Shadow Authority for the first year, co-existing alongside the county, city and borough councils.
But from Vesting Day, April 1, 2023, Cumbria County Council, Carlisle City Council, and the borough councils of Allerdale and Copeland will be abolished and Cumberland Council will take over as the single responsible authority in the area.
Those you elect today will then serve for a further four-year term.
The new council will be a unitary authority, this means that it will carry all of the decision-making powers and responsibilities of both a county and district council.
46 councillors will be elected for Cumberland in total with one elected member of the council for each ward.
Polling stations will be open today from 7am until 10pm.
In Allerdale there is 102 polling stations to choose from including the Cockermouth Titans ground on Highfield Road; Moorclose Community Centre in Workington and Thursby Parish Hall.
Carlisle has 114 polling stations including Kingmoor Business Centre; Botcherby Community Centre and the village hall in Wreay.
Copeland has 63 polling stations to choose from including Cleator Moor Civic Hall, Egremont Bowling Club and Seascale Library.