THERE were words of thanks, fond farewells and tears as Cumbria County Council (CCC) held its last ever full meeting after nearly half a century of operation.
CCC, founded in 1974, is to be replaced by the Cumberland unitary authority and the Westmorland and Furness unitary authority from April 1 as the county’s local government structure is split into two.
Cllr Andy Connell, CCC chairman and a member of the Liberal Democrats, told Thursday’s meeting it had been an ‘honour’ to serve in the role and stressed he had followed ‘in some distinguished footsteps’.
“When I became chair, I felt the prime task was to keep the show on the road in what was going to be a very strange year,” he said.
Cllr Peter Thornton, deputy leader of the council and leader of the Liberal Democrat group, described a ‘sense of sadness’ at CCC coming to an end but said its ‘institutional memory’ and expertise would transfer to the two new councils.
“What I’m proudest of is that this is a council that cares and a council that’s always put the interests of residents first,” he said.
Cllr Keith Little, cabinet member for highways and a Labour Party member, paid tribute to the department’s workforce.
“[They are] the people who go out day and night in all sorts of weather and all sorts of conditions, who try every day to keep our highways safe and functioning,” he said.
Cllr Hilary Carrick, leader of the Conservative group, referred to an ‘overwhelming sense of occasion’ and said the day was ‘history in the making’.
“I’m immensely proud of everything the council has achieved over its lifetime,” she said.
Cllr Anne Burns, deputy leader of the Labour group and cabinet member for children’s services, paid tribute to Cllr Stewart Young, the Labour leader of the council who did not attend the meeting. Cllr Young has been a vocal critic of local government reorganisation in Cumbria.
“His knowledge and experience in local government, I don’t think we’ll ever see the like of again,” she said.
“He said he can’t stand to see everything he’s built up over the last 30 years be torn apart.
“He said he’s retiring, he’s going birdwatching – I don’t believe it.”
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