A consultation has been launched on proposals that will decide the future of local government in Cumbria. 

In October, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Robert Jenrick invited councils in Cumbria to submit proposals for moving to a unitary system of local government.

Cumbria's seven councils have returned with four proposals. Cumbria County Council's plan would see a single unitary authority encompassing the entire county, while the three proposals made by district councils would each involve establishing two unitary authorities. 

Under a unitary authority, a single tier of local government is responsible delivering all of the local government services for the area - from social care and maintaining roads down to rubbish collection and planning. 

Full details of the proposals are available here, while residents can have there say via the consultation document here

More to follow.