Council closer to mayoral devolution plan

Westmorland and Furness Council's leader Jonathan Brook said Cumbria "must have a seat alongside other areas of the North"

A council has said it would be "minded to" establishing a new mayoral-led authority for Cumbria.

Bosses at Westmorland and Furness Council said a devolution deal would "ensure Cumbria was not left behind when it comes to investment".

The decision - which means residents could be asked to go to the polls in May 2027 to elect a mayor - is due to be made on 14 October.

Council leader Jonathan Brook, Liberal Democrat, said Cumbria needed to have a "seat alongside other areas of the North".

Westmorland and Furness Council and Cumberland Council jointly wrote to the government last October to express interest in the process.

Cabinet members in the south of the county met at Kendal Town Hall to discuss whether they agreed with a government assessment that introducing a mayoral authority would improve people's economic, social and environmental wellbeing.

If both councils agree to the deal, Cumbria Combined Authority would become a legal body early in 2026.

Leadership until the election would come from the two constituent authorities.

Brook said the authority believed the move "would be in the best interests" of Cumbria's residents, communities and businesses and ensure that the region was "not left behind when it comes to investment".

"Moving decision-making away from Westminster and closer to the people whose lives those decisions will affect is a very positive step and one we welcome," he continued.

He added that "Cumbria must have a seat alongside other areas of the North on important national forums if the ambitions we have for a better, stronger, more inclusive economic future for all are to be realised".

What is devolution?

It is the biggest change to local government in a generation.

It would see the creation of a new super authority that takes power and money from Westminster.

Alongside the combined authority, there is normally an elected mayor.

With local council leaders, they would make decisions about how to spend a pot of money in a regional area.

Greater working together across boundaries works best in areas including transport, skills and employment support, housing and planning and tackling climate change, the government has said.

Cumbria is one of a few areas in the North not to have a devolution deal.