Cumberland Council met on 13 January 2026. Full Council is the meeting where all 46 councillors attend to debate major decisions and policy matters affecting the whole council area.
Full papers for the meeting are available here:
https://cumberland.moderngov.co.uk
Written Questions
The Liberal Democrats asked our full quota of questions to members of the Executive – details below:
Portfolio Holder Updates
Council received the regular Leader and Portfolio Holder reports, updating members on progress across the council’s priorities.
Among the updates:
- Work is continuing on plans for Pioneer Park, with proposals being developed that could include Small Modular Reactors alongside data, technology and robotics investment, aimed at supporting future economic development. 1c2a9a99-752c-47cf-9f45-2f5ff26…
- Progress is continuing on the Cumberland Sports Village, with a planning application submitted for the new sports and community facilities. 1c2a9a99-752c-47cf-9f45-2f5ff26…
- Investment programmes in Carlisle city centre, including the redevelopment of Market Square and Greenmarket and the Devonshire Street public realm scheme, were highlighted as part of wider regeneration work. 1c2a9a99-752c-47cf-9f45-2f5ff26…
- Town Deal investment is continuing in Workington town centre, including public realm improvements and the new Workington Innovation Centre, which is expected to open in 2026. 1c2a9a99-752c-47cf-9f45-2f5ff26…
Members had the opportunity to ask questions of Portfolio Holders following their reports. b02796f0-38a6-4dfc-89f6-0c0dd58…
Treasury Management
Council received the Treasury Management Mid-Year Review for 2025/26, covering the six-month period to September 2025.
The report confirmed that the council’s borrowing and investment activities are being managed in line with the approved Treasury Management Strategy, providing assurance on financial governance and risk management. 1c2a9a99-752c-47cf-9f45-2f5ff26…
Cumbria Combined Authority
Council also considered an update on preparations for the new Cumbria Mayoral Combined Authority, which will bring together Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness councils as part of the Government’s devolution programme.
The report set out proposed governance arrangements and committee structures for the new authority, including nominations to the Combined Authority Board, Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Audit Committee.
These arrangements will help ensure Cumberland Council is properly represented as the new authority begins operating.
Code of Conduct Procedures
Council approved updated procedures for handling complaints about councillors under the Members’ Code of Conduct.
The revised procedures reflect best practice recommended by the Local Government Association, and formalise the council’s approach to handling complaints, including arrangements for local resolution and standards hearings where required.
Motions
The Liberal Democrat group submitted a motion calling on the Council to oppose the forced merger of police forces. Sadly the motion was voted down by Labour councillors, but the text of the motion is below;
1. Opposing the Merger of Local Police Forces
Proposer: Councillor Tim Pickstone
Seconder: Councillor Roger Dobson
This Council notes:
- The Home Secretary is considering merging England’s 43 police constabularies into as few as 12 or 15 larger regional forces.
- The need for a commitment to strong, visible, community-based policing and local accountability.
- Evidence that local policing builds trust, improves crime prevention, and ensures responsiveness to community needs.
- Police forces already achieve economies of scale through joint procurement of vehicles, shared ICT systems, and collaborative cross-border operations to tackle issues such as county lines drug dealing.
This Council believes:
- Merging police forces into “mega-forces” would weaken local accountability and reduce the visibility of officers in our communities.
- Investment should focus on modernising technology, improving data sharing, and strengthening community policing—not structural mergers.
This Council resolves to:
- Oppose any proposals to merge our local police force into a regional or national entity.
- Call on the Government to prioritise:
- Increased funding for community policing teams.
- National standards for vetting and technology upgrades to improve efficiency.
- Enhanced rural crime support and local police desks in community hubs.
- Write to the Home Secretary and local MPs to express this Council’s opposition to force mergers and support for localised policing.
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