THE appointed chief executive of Westmorland and Furness Council has discussed some of the challenges that will be faced by the unitary authority.

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

The unitary authority, which will begin operating from April 1, will have a number of obstacles to contend with. 

“Sometimes service delivery in sparse rural areas is an issue, I know isolation can be an issue, access to work, access to good culture and leisure opportunities can be an issue," said Ms Plum.

The formation of the new council will result in a dramatic reduction in the number of councillors serving residents. 

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron has previously spoken on this, saying it was ‘bad news for democracy, accountability and, ultimately, for local residents’.

READ MORE: Slash in councillor numbers 'bad news for democracy' - MP

Mr Farron said fewer councillors would mean those that were operating had less time ‘acting to fix streetlights, repair footpaths or fill potholes’.

Ms Plum acknowledged that elected members were 'likely to be busier' but said: “It’s how we set it up and how we ensure that our elected representatives are accessible to our constituents.

“It will be some kind of area committee structure at a more local level.

“I don’t have concerns if we set it up right, but I do believe we need a strong democratic core for local government. I think it’s really important."

Ms Plum described the Westmorland and Furness area as 'really diverse' and said that 'diversity is something that we should celebrate and be proud of'. 

“One of the jobs that we have from April is to really start to tell the story of what Westmorland and Furness is," she said.

“It hasn’t got an identity at the moment.

READ MORE: 'Next few months are going to be tough', says council chief executive

“I think the council plan [approved earlier this month] is the start, I think the council plan starts to give us the identity.

“I think that’s the start of the story and it’s how we work across the patch over the next 12 months and more.”