A CHAIRWOMAN and deputy chairwoman has been selected for Copeland Borough Council’s final year.

Copeland Council’s Annual General Meeting was held on Tuesday and it will be the last as Cumberland Council will replace the authority, along with the county council and Allerdale Borough Council on April 1, 2023.

The borough council is now in its final 12 months following the election of the first Cumberland councillors last Thursday.

Tuesday’s meeting saw the selection of councillor Linda Jones-Bullman to serve as chairwoman, maintaining order in meetings for the council’s final municipal year.

Cllr Joan Hully will serve as her deputy, the two Labour councillors were proposed for the roles by the leader of their party Michael McVeigh and the motion passed unopposed.

In her farewell speech, outgoing chairwoman Jeanette Forster said: “For me it’s been such an honour to have served as chairwoman of Copeland Borough Council.

“I can’t thank the member services enough for their tireless work, a special thank you to Clive Willoughby, Stephanie Shaw and Nicola Hartley. Their work has really been cut out for them, I could not have done the job of chair without them.

“Congratulations to all who stood in the elections, especially those who won their seats for the new unitary authority of Cumberland Council, huge changes are ahead and good luck to the new chair for 2022/23 and notably the last chair of Copeland Borough Council.”

Cllr Jones-Bullman took her seat at the top table after officially accepting the responsibility of chairwoman at the mace table.

“I, Cllr Linda Jones-Bullman, having been elected to the office of Copeland herby declare that I take the office upon myself and duly and faithfully fulfil the duties of it according to the best of my judgement and ability.”

She then took nominations for the deputy chair as her first action as chairwoman.

Recommending Cllr Hully for the position, Cllr McVeigh said that Joan has served as a councillor of 30 plus years: “Fitting that she goes out with some recognition, I’m very pleased to nominate Cllr Hully.”

Mayor of Copeland Mike Starkie congratulated the new chairwoman and her deputy on their appointment in his final speech to the AGM, also thanking Cllr Forster for her service.