THE newly elected Labour councillors have appointed a leader and two deputies for their party on the shadow authority for Cumberland Council.

Emma Williamson, who will represent Kells and Sandwith on the new authority, has been elected as one of the deputy leaders for the Labour group.

Mark Fryer, the newly elected councillor for St John's and Great Clifton, has been appointed leader. Lisa Brown, who was elected for Currock, will be the other deputy leader.

Labour will be the largest party on the new Cumberland Council, after winning 30 of the 46 available seats in Thursday's elections.

The Conservatives took seven seats, Liberal Democrats four, Greens two and independents three.

Emma, who won the Kells and Sandwith seat with a 744 majority on Thursday, said it was a "privilege" to be selected for the position.

She said: "It is a fantastic privilege and as always I will represent the people of Cumberland to the very best of my abilities.

"The community have given us a mandate. They want change and Labour is the party to deliver this change.

"We are committed to improving the lives of our residents by working tirelessly to improve opportunities and access to services."

The first meeting of the shadow authority for Cumberland Council will be held on May 17.

The shadow authority will be overseeing the planning and preparation for the new unitary council between May 2022 and April 2023.

The existing county, borough and district councils will continue to operate and deliver all current services until vesting day of the new council.

On April 1, 2023, the shadow authority and its 46 councillors become the new Cumberland Council and it will take over responsibility for services.