Labour politicians across Cumbria have united to call on other parties in the county to back an ambitious devolution package and an elected mayor for Cumbria.
In a joint column, Whitehaven & Workington MP Josh MacAlister, Barrow & Furness MP Michelle Scrogham, Penrith & Solway MP Markus Campbell-Savours, Carlisle MP Julie Minns, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner David Allen, Cumberland Council leader Mark Fryer, and Derek Brook, Labour Group leader on Westmorland and Furness Council, give their backing to the government’s new English Devolution Bill, which promises a ‘devolution revolution’.
The bill sets out a strong preference for mayors to be elected in every part of England, with those areas opting for a combined authority led by a mayor getting the most resources and additional powers to deliver for their communities.
They said some of the opportunities for Cumbria included: “Taking buses back into public control; a new statutory role in governing, managing, planning, and developing the rail network; control over adult skills funding and a role in employment support programmes; and new powers over strategic planning to build the homes we need.”
Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness councils would be kept, but a combined authority led by a directly elected mayor for the county would be introduced, they said.
It should mean merging the role of the Cumbria-wide Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner into the mayor’s office and they added: “This would mean no extra politicians in Cumbria, but access to a lot more funding than we currently have.”
North East, Tees Valley and Greater Manchester are already moving ahead with the powers and resources that come with a directly elected mayor and Cumbria was being left behind, the Labour leaders said.
They said: “We are passionate advocates for devolving as much power and money as possible out of central government down to our county.
“Local problems can and should be solved locally and residents and locally accountable decision makers who know our areas best should be in the driving seat coming up with solutions to the challenges we face.
“A Mayoral Combined Authority with the right powers and resources is our best route to improving local bus and train services, upgrading roads like the A66, A595 and A590, driving forward major regeneration projects, improving the health and wealth of our population and expanding access to opportunity in every corner of Cumbria.”
Labour leaders will be meeting Devolution Minister Jim McMahon early in the new year to press their case.
