A CUMBRIAN MP has launched a broadside against the new Cumberland council - due to the numerous cost disparities that will exist for residents across the newly-formed area.

The costs of a range of services - from burials, solar panels and memorials to bingo hall and taxi licenses - will initially vary depending on where people live in Cumberland.

The shadow executive for Cumberland Council met on February 16 and agreed the details of the budget, which outlines the spending plans for the new Cumberland Council over the coming year. 

And whilst the budget proposals do include an agreed below-inflation rise in council tax, MP Mark Jenkinson took to social media to slam the authority's message that 'it's important to ensure all residents in the Cumberland area pay the same'.

Taking to Twitter, the MP pointed out that a first offence fly-tipping fine will cost £120 in Allerdale, compared to £250 in both Copeland and Carlisle. 

Exclusive rights for the burial of a child is £116 in Carlisle, compared to £853 in Allerdale and a huge £1,419 in Copeland.

Building control for solar panels or solar heating in Carlisle, as it stands, is at £155, compared to £275 in Allerdale and £248 in Copeland. 

To replace a memorial, in Carlisle it stands at £109, in Copeland £106 and in Allerdale just £28.

'This council has done nothing to iron out disparities'

The Workington MP claimed Labour councillors will say anything to 'justify daylight robbery' - harmonising tax but not all costs and fees.

"They have made the nonsense claim that they had 'no choice' but to harmonise council tax on day one, penalising Allerdale ratepayers," he said.

"Yet they don’t think it is important that being buried in any part of the new Cumberland Council area should cost the same; they don’t think fly-tippers should pay the same fine across the board; and they don’t want staff doing the same job to be paid the same wage.

"So much for fairness and equality. This Labour council has done nothing to iron out disparities whether it comes to bins, building control or burial of a loved one.

"They have had the best part of a year as a shadow authority to get their house in order.

"Labour claim to speak for ordinary working folk, but actions speak louder than words – all they have done so far is raid their pockets and refuse to listen to the people who put them in charge.". 

'Our ultimate aim is to harmonise wherever we can'

Responding to the criticism, Cllr Barbara Cannon, portfolio holder with responsibility for finance and assets, said the complete intention is to 'harmonise' - but the council needs time.

"It's been discussed in council back in October and in scrutiny twice. A lot of proposals are harmonised and some because of geography and staffing issues have not, just for the time being.

"People have to give a new council time from the day they first start to catch-up.

"We had to do council tax prior to April 1, as by law and by which Mark's own government expected us to do.

"Our ultimate aim is to harmonise wherever we can, unless of course there are some legal obligations that prevent us from doing that," she said.

READ MORE: Proposed council tax rises branded 'callous' by MP