MEET THE COUNCILLOR: Here are some of the people who will be representing you from next year

Voters selected sixteen new councillors to represent areas of Allerdale on the new Cumberland Council last month in an historic local election.

A shadow authority has now formed, which is overseeing the planning and preparation for the new unitary council which will take over in April 2023.

Each week, The Times and Star will introduce four newly elected councillors, who have opened up about their lives and shared their intentions for the council in the future.

Cumberland Councillor (Labour) Mark Fryer, St John's ,Stainburn and Clifton Ward and Cumberland Council Leader 

Mark Fryer

I only stood for election at the very last minute, I made the decision after walking through Workington Town Centre, Sue knew, she had clearly sensed something.  I spoke to people within the party that night and within 24 hours I was interviewed and put on the list and as they say the rest is history.

Politics has changed with social media, I wasn’t bothered about myself, I was more interested in the kids, they did get a little bit of attention during the election, but that’s for others to  judge and live with. 

Like all of us the kids are at the heart of everything we do, they go to Workington Academy which has improved immensely.  We just want them to do well and give them what we didn’t have.

Since the election family life has turned upside down, the realisation of the work involved to bring four councils together sank in pretty early in May, the scale of the task is huge.  It’s early mornings and late nights at the minute, where everyone wants a piece of you but our ordinary life has got to carry on as well

Saying all that it’s clear that the staff are the key to any changes needed.  They are also front and centre to further innovation of some of the most important services our communities need.  The funding of councils have been on the decline for over 10 years and all councils have had to work on diminishing budgets year on year over that period.  The reality check of budgets shaved to the bone are with us here and now.

Cumberland Councillor (Green) Jill Perry, Bothels and Wharrels 

Jill Perry

There are two Green councillors on the Cumberland Authority so making a difference to council policy will be hard but we aim to have as big an effect as possible. We will work councillors of any party on issues where we agree. 

My job will be to  represent the wishes and aspirations of the people of the villages in Bothel and Wharrels as best I can. At the moment I am going to as many Parish Council meetings as I can so that I'm aware of what needs to be done when April 1st comes and we take control of services. I'm also starting to work with individuals and groups within the villages on projects that are close to my heart.

Obviously climate change is the biggest issue facing us all right now and the one I have been championing for the last 30 years. I want us to stop talking about 2030 or 2050 and start talking about what we can do right now. But I'm also really interested in social justice, equality and caring for the vulnerable in society.

I grew up at Loweswater, where my father was a tenant farmer. I trained to be a teacher of German and French so I was really disappointed when the EU referendum produced a leave result. Since graduation I have only lived and worked in West Cumbria with brief periods abroad - Germany, Poland, China and it is a place that has either been neglected or exploited. I hope that the new council will start to change that.

Councillor Bill Pegram (Labour) Maryport South Ward

Bill Pegram

My name is Bill Pegram, currently Allerdale Councillor for Maryport South. I would like to begin by thanking the people of Maryport, Broughton Moor and Flimby for electing me to represent them on the new District Authority of Cumberland.

I have lived in Maryport for over 50 years and in that time, I have actively been involved within the community taking on roles such as Mayor of Maryport Town Council and Deputy Mayor of Allerdale Borough Council. 

As with most jobs the role is about the people, the people we work with, the people we work for and the people we serve.  I believe the most important thing is that we reach the right decision that benefits us all regardless of our differences.

We need to showcase our heritage and build on what we have, a beautiful coastline, the lakes on our doorstep boasting unbelievable scenery therefore facing green issues and protecting our environment is vital.

The challenges ahead are huge but also exciting, we have the opportunity to take the Cumberland Council in a new direction and tackle the inequalities that exist in our area. We cannot change things overnight however; I believe that by facing and overcoming financial challenges and working better with local businesses is vital for success.

I am looking forward to meeting with the people in our local area to discuss any issues that concern them and as your Cumberland Councillor my aim will be to address these to the best of my ability.