Cabinet members today confirmed they were ‘minded to’ consent to the establishment of a new Mayoral-led authority for Cumbria.
The decision is a significant step towards the establishment of a Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) for Cumbria with new powers devolved to it from central Government and access to a multi-million pound investment fund over the next 30 years.
Cabinet’s recommendation will now be discussed by the council’s Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee and a Full Council meeting. Their views will be fed back to Cabinet to make a final decision on 14 October.
Cabinet members meeting at Kendal Town Hall said they had taken careful consideration of whether they agreed with a Government assessment that the introduction of a mayoral authority would improve people’s economic, social and environmental wellbeing.
They also assessed results from a Government-led consultation and the latest information on the powers, responsibilities and potential funding that would be available to a new authority.
Council Leader, Cllr Jonathan Brook, said:
“This is clearly a very important step and, having weighed up all the available evidence, we believe that establishing a Mayoral Combined Authority would be in the best interests of our residents, communities and businesses – and ensure that Cumbria is 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. We are also mindful 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.
“The sooner we have a combined authority, the sooner we will get the benefits, not just of a MCA, and a seat at various regional and national bodies, but we will move more quickly towards additional powers reserved for an established authority.
“We have been given the opportunity, of a year to prepare and to shape things and make use of funds and MCA staff, to undertake much of the preparatory work. This will be lost, if we say no.
“Government have indicated that they are open to further discussions on finance and we know that the funding on offer, is a floor rather than the ceiling.”
If consent is confirmed by both Westmorland and Furness and Cumberland Councils on 14 October, Cumbria Combined Authority would become a legal body early in 2026. Leadership until mayoral elections in May 2027 would come from the two constituent authorities.
A new authority would have a range of powers, responsibilities and opportunities not available to individual local authorities. They would cover strategic, Cumbria-wide responsibilities on transport and local infrastructure; skills and employment support; housing and strategic planning; economic development and regeneration; environment and climate change; health, wellbeing and public service reform and public safety.
After a Mayoral election, the authority would take over the powers and functions of the Cumbria Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and that role would be abolished.
A Mayor for Cumbria would also have a seat alongside other Mayors at the Council of Regions and Nations and the Great North Mayors’ group, bodies that will shape debates on energy, transport, rural growth and defence.
Cabinet’s recommendation will now be discussed by the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 30 September and a full council meeting on 9 October.