'Next few months are going to be tough', says Sam Plum

Sam Plum pointed to the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on both residents and councils. 

She said staff were in some cases 'working round the clock' to support the public. 

Ms Plum, currently chief executive of Barrow Borough Council, will take on her new role from December 31.

The unitary Westmorland and Furness authority will begin operating from April 1. At this time, Barrow Borough Council, South Lakeland District Council, Eden District Council and Cumbria County Council will be dissolved.

“We know that there’s never enough money to go round in local government,” said Ms Plum. 

"We are going to have to make savings, there is a gap.

"Local government reorganisation can give us an opportunity to start redesigning services in a different way. 

“We are in the process of budget-setting at the moment and will be taking a budget to full council in February.”

Ms Plum has worked in all models of local government. Past employers include Bradford Council and Rossendale Borough Council. She joined Barrow as executive director in 2019.

She described unitary forms of government as 'more effective' and 'more efficient' and said: “I think it can be close enough to people to really make a difference but strong enough to really have that clout to change things.

"It makes it more straightforward for residents."

She gave an example of a person calling up their town hall to speak about parking permits. The caller would be directed to speak to the county council.

“We just pass people around a little bit and now we’ll be all one council,” said Ms Plum. 

“I think it does give us an opportunity to work in a different way."

She said she felt 'really privileged' to have been appointed the first chief executive of Westmorland and Furness Council and described it as a 'real honour'.

“It feels like a real once-in-a-lifetime, once-in-a-career opportunity to set up a brand-new council,” she said.