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Cumberland Council
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Cumberland Council

Unitary authority covering Carlisle and Harraby South in Cumbria.

Last refreshed: 24 August 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Timeline for Cumberland Council

#16 20 Aug

Certified the Harraby South ward result

UK Local Elections 2026: Reform gains Harraby South from Labour
View full timeline →

Background

Cumberland Council is the unitary authority for Carlisle, Allerdale and Copeland. It began delivering all local services on 1 April 2023, replacing three district councils and taking over functions from Cumbria County Council. The council says its 3,012-square-kilometre area has about 273,300 residents. Its 46 councillors each represent one ward.

Councillors were first elected to the shadow authority in May 2022, before the council assumed its powers. Labour won a majority and still controls the authority. Open Council Data records 46 seats, with 24 required for a majority. Harraby South elected Labour's Linda Jones-Bulman in 2022.

Reform UK gained Harraby South from Labour in August 2026, winning 560 votes against Labour's 469. The result reduced Labour's council majority by one seat.

Common Questions
When was Cumberland Council created?
Cumberland Council began delivering services on 1 April 2023.Source: Cumberland Council
How many councillors are on Cumberland Council?
Cumberland Council has 46 councillors, each representing one ward.Source: Open Council Data UK
Who controls Cumberland Council?
Labour holds a majority on Cumberland Council.Source: Open Council Data UK
What did the Harraby South by-election change?
Reform UK gained one Cumberland Council seat from Labour.Source: Lowdown event 5780
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