COUNCILLORS have accepted a new report outlining the work of the final Police and Crime Panel for Cumbria.

It covers the period 2022 to 2023, during a time when six district councils and one county council were replaced by two unitary authories – Cumberland as well as Westmorland and Furness.

The panel also changed, and it is now known as the Police, Fire and Crime Panel and the current members considered the report at County Hall in Kendal last Friday (July 21).

In his report Westmorland and Furness councillor Bill McEwan, who is the committee chairman, said: “The context in which we are operating in has significantly changed over the last year.

“Local Government Reorganisation created two new local authorities – Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council, replacing the seven sovereign authorities in Cumbria.

“Alongside this, the commissioner’s business case to take on the governance responsibility for fire and rescue services was successful, making Peter McCall the Cumbria Commissioner for Fire and Rescue as well as Police and Crime Commissioner.

“This will be reflected in the Panel’s additional role of providing both support and constructive challenge to the Commissioner, ensuring on behalf of the public that the Commissioner’s plans for our police and fire and rescue services deliver effective and efficient services across Cumbria.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all Members of the Panel over the last year for their commitment and contributions, and to the commissioner and his staff for the co-operative and proactive approach to the panel’s work.”

Members accepted and noted the report.