Meet the councillors –your newly elected representatives on Cumberland Council

Voters selected twelve new councillors to represent Copeland on the new Cumberland Council last month in an historic local election.

A shadow authority has now formed, which is overseeing the planning and preparation for the new unitary council which will take over in April 2023.

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

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

Each week, The Whitehaven News will introduce three of Copeland’s newly elected councillors, who have opened up about themselves and shared what they hope to achieve in their new roles.

Emma Williamson - Deputy Leader - Labour

Kells and Sandwith

“I am married with a 15-year-old daughter. My family are so supportive of my political and community work. This enables me to work hard to ensure young people get to live in a society that provides opportunity for all. I have been a councillor for five years and I have worked tirelessly to support our community, securing much needed youth provision, family focused activities and initiatives to reduce financial hardship.

“I have a master’s degree in social policy and a rewarding job at Copeland Council as a social inclusion and community resilience team leader. This enables my continued support of those in need  ensuring our residents are included within society.

“I must stress that nothing is given for free, you must work extremely hard to achieve your goals and if the past five years have taught me anything, it’s that. Hard work and dedication are an incredible tool; and a strong ethos surrounding the values of honesty, integrity, loyalty and community are vital.

“I want to inspire people to achieve and believe anything is possible with the right guidance and support. People are my passion, particularly our young, whose voices must be heard. Recently I was elected the deputy leader for the incoming authority and the portfolio holder for children and families.

“I will ensure that all children get the best beginning in life are supported and encouraged to thrive. Equally it’s important that we have good education, public health and our communities are an equal partner.”

Joseph Ghayouba - Labour

Bransty

"Both my mother and father worked in the NHS, as a nurse and doctor respectively, so I grew up with respect and appreciation for the tireless dedication of our NHS staff,  the importance of free health care for all and the value of public service.

“Although it’s upsetting to see how government cuts, privatisation and outsourcing has hit the service for patients and demoralised staff.

“I'm now settled here with my wife and two young children. I work in the local nuclear sector which supports our local economy but it's future is now in a precarious position without sufficient state support as Sellafield works towards its mission to remediate the site.

“My priority is to ensure the local services are  protected as much as we can in the face of underfunding, cuts and privatisations being made by central Government onto council and non-council services alike and represent local residents on the issues that matter to them as best as I can.

“I'm also trying to help residents make the initial steps to start working towards a play park in Bransty and I am supporting residents in Harras Moor with their concerns around a planning issue. Anti-social behaviour remains an issue in town and I'd like to explore options to alleviate that problem because it is a detriment to the town."

Gillian Troughton - Labour

Howgate

“I’ve lived in Moresby Parks for 23 years. My children grew up here.

“I’m involved in St Bridget’s Church, and have been a governor of Moresby and Parton schools. I am a member of the Patient Participation Group at Distington surgery.

“I’m a volunteer with St John Ambulance: I support the ambulance service doing 999 shifts; I’ve vaccinated over 1,000 people and trained nearly 100 others to volunteer on the vaccination program; and I'm Unit Manager of Whitehaven unit, leading adults and Cadets (under 18s).

“I started my working life as an NHS doctor, but after a career break having children (and with no return to practice courses available for doctors) I worked in Cumbria Children’s Services, developing children’s centres and partnership working across Cumbria.

“I now work part-time as a supermarket delivery driver: starting during the pandemic to help out, and continued since because it's so enjoyable and valued by our customers.

“I'm active in my trade union, USDAW, and am a rep in my store and chair of the branch.

“Politically, I have represented Distington (which includes Parton, Lowca and Gilgarran) on Copeland Borough Council (until 2019, when I didn't re-stand for personal reasons) and Howgate on the County Council. I am starting to rebuild the good relationships I had with the four parish councils, although obviously I have continued to be involved in community activities such as litter picks and weeding when not elected.

“Howgate is my home; I care passionately about the area and am excited and honoured to be given the opportunity to represent the area. I am determined to improve our facilities and lives for the amazing people who living in our communities.”