Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council have written to the UK Government to request a deferral to the proposed 2026 Cumbria Mayoral Election.
They have requested that, if required, the election is held in May 2027, a year later than planned.
The Government has yet to confirm that statutory tests have been met and that Devolution in Cumbria can proceed. If it can, both councils then still need to make a formal decision to agree to a Mayoral Combined Authority, which would then require an election.
In a letter requesting a deferral to Rt Hon Jim McMahon MP, Minister for English Devolution and Local Governance, the councils state:
“This request is made in the spirit of constructive partnership and with a shared ambition to ensure the strongest possible foundations for a successful new governance model that delivers for the people of Cumbria.”
Local elections for Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council are both scheduled for 2027. Holding a Mayoral Election on the same date would save significant resources, around £1 million if held as a stand-alone election, and would support a higher turnout of voters.
The deferral would also provide more time to prepare for the establishment of a new combined authority, in particular the emerging Industrial Strategy which sets out how Cumbria’s economy can grow in the future.
It was announced that Cumbria was included in the Government’s Devolution Priority Programme in February.
Both councils were invited to join the Priority Programme after earlier expressing interest in exploring what greater devolution of powers could mean in Cumbria. The new Government set out its intention to widen devolution across England, giving regions more powers and decision-making over matters such as economic development, transport, employment support, planning, and housing.
The Government has not yet reported back on the public consultation exercise it held earlier this year.
Editors’ notes:
The English Devolution White Paper published in December last year sets out the Government’s proposals for a new approach to local devolution, ahead of new legislation becoming law through an English Devolution Bill later this year.
It is one of the Government’s flagship policy initiatives and is being driven by the Deputy Prime Minister as a critical component of their wider growth mission, recognising that national growth cannot be achieved without local growth.
Strategic Authorities will have defined areas of competence, set out in law, covering: 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.
Mayoral Strategic Authorities will also have a seat on the Council of Nations and Regions and the Mayoral Council, offering an opportunity to influence the future development of devolution in England.