A COUNCIL is set to lay out its commitments to reducing inequality and tackling discrimination among its residents.

The Westmorland and Furness Council plan says the unitary authority will work to enable 'everyone to reach their full potential'. 

It vows that the 'golden thread' of being a caring council will 'run through everything we do'.

The document is to be presented to a full meeting of the Westmorland and Furness shadow authority today (Monday). The meeting has been advised to adopt the council plan.

The shadow authority is overseeing planning and preparation for the new council that is to begin operating from April 1 of next year.

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The council plan says the Westmorland and Furness authority will 'maximise the potential of our natural environment' and provide 'open spaces for activity and recreation, and improve footpaths and cycle routes'.

"We will support everyone to start well, live well and age well," it says.

"We are committed to reducing inequality in Westmorland and Furness.

"We will seek to reduce some wide inequalities in health outcomes.

"This means tackling the wider determinants of health such as access to good-quality housing, jobs, training and local environmental quality."

The plan says the council is 'committed to tackling discrimination actively in all its forms'.

"We will ensure that our young people and adults are protected from harm," it says. 

"We will work closely with all schools to ensure that young people have enough opportunities to access the best education."

It emphasises that the council will be 'inclusive' and will work to 'increase participation in local decision-making within under-represented communities'.

The document outlines the council's intention to have a net zero carbon Westmorland and Furness area by 2037. 

It says the authority will tackle biodiversity loss by 'encouraging better land management, habitat creation, tree planting and net biodiversity gain in new housing developments'.

In the foreword to the plan, Cllr Jonathan Brook, leader of the Westmorland and Furness shadow authority, said local government reorganisation provided a 'huge opportunity' to 'create a fresh vision for our communities and residents'.