MP concerned over new council's lack of focus on areas outside of Carlisle
Mark Jenkinson believes not everyone is getting value for money from the council.
Workington's MP Mark Jenkinson is concerned that the new local authority for north and west Cumbria, the Cumberland Council, are not focused on issues facing his constituents.
The new local authority body was formed in April 2023. When it was formed it was hoped it would create a joined up services, able to deliver at a scale that has not been available in the county before.
However the conservative MP has not been left impressed by their start.
He's been a vocal critic of the council's plans to scrap the proposed new swimming pool in Maryport, as well as the handling of the industrial action by the waste collection services in Allerdale.
In an interview with GHR Cumbria he said: "I was a great supporter of local government reform and it should've been a catalyst for devolving more power to town and parish councils, giving locals a bigger say in what happens in their local area. A real catalyst for change.
"I have to say after 3 months in the actual job, I'm less than impressed.
"It's just a lack of vision, a lack of ambition and a managed decline of our towns and our villages, it's really sad to see.
"We can't get the bins collected, the government are knocking on the door with £5 million to get a new swimming pool, their rebuffed, three months in I already feel we need a reset.
"Everything we hear is Carlisle centric. We've got levelling up projects under review across Cumberland, projects cancelled in Maryport, I'm worried about some of them in Workington. But all we hear in Carlisle is this consultation, that consultation, we're doing this, we're doing that, and I just think we've got to share the love. We've got to have some ambition.
"I've offered to sit down with anyone to get over Allerdale's bin strikes. Allerdale had one of the biggest council tax hikes in England because it was really important they said that everyone paid the same on day one. Yet here we are not getting the same.
"We're levelling down in my opinion, but we should be levelling up.
"There is a risk of being seen as all roads lead to Carlisle."
In response, a spokesman for Cumberland Council said: "Cumberland Council are passionate about providing equal opportunities for residents across all areas.
"In regard to Maryport, as previously reported, the creation of a new swimming pool is unaffordable at this time. However, we are hosting public drop in events to get the views of residents on what they want to see in their town.
"In relation the industrial action for waste collection services in the Allerdale area; a dispute such as this must be resolved through the appropriate channels, following established protocols which ensure fairness and transparency. Allerdale Waste Services are in discussion with trade unions, seeking to work towards an agreement through the appropriate channels."