Labour has today announced that Cumbria will be among the first to be granted the power to elect a mayor for the first time.
The Government has also signed into law new devolution deals that mean 80% of England is now set to be covered by devolution agreements – around 44 million people.
Cumbria has been included alongside Cheshire and Warrington, Greater Essex, Hampshire and Solent, Norfolk and Suffolk, and Sussex and Brighton.
The new Government has 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 announcement marks the latest stage of a devolution agenda – Labour pledged in its manifesto to transfer power out of Westminster and into the hands of local communities.
Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “Labour promised to give power to local leaders with skin in the game to determine the future of their communities. We’re making good on this promise by introducing the biggest mayoral devolution package in history.
“Devolution is key to delivering our Plan for Change which will drive growth, build 1.5 million homes and improve living standards across the country.”
Westmorland and Furness and Cumberland councils have welcomed the news that Cumbria will be included in the Government’s Devolution Priority Programme.
Westmorland and Furness Council leader Jonathan Brook said: “We are pleased the Government has recognised that Westmorland and Furness, and Cumbria as a whole, deserves this opportunity to drive forward economic growth by being included in the priority programme for devolution.
“This shows they share the confidence we have for the area and we now look forward to working with Government on making sure devolution will deliver the best results for the people and communities we represent.
“We encourage local people to respond to the Government’s soon to launch consultation as we will carefully consider local opinion before a final decision on establishing a strategic mayoral authority is made in the autumn.”
Leader of Cumberland Council Mark Fryer added: “This is good news for Cumberland and Cumbria as a whole.
“Being included in this priority programme is a vote of confidence in our ability to drive investment and deliver for local communities.
“Devolution will unlock more funding and more powers for our area, with decisions being made in Cumbria rather than in London.”
Both councils had agreed to join the Government’s Devolution Priority Programme after they were invited to join it.
They had earlier expressed interest in exploring what greater devolution of powers could mean in Cumbria.
A Government-led public consultation exercise is expected to begin in the next few days with both unitary councils then required to make a final decision later in the year.
Carlisle MP Julie Minns said: “Speaking as the MP for England’s most northerly city and one of five MPs representing the most northern area selected, I warmly welcome today’s announcement.
“The announcement is the first step in delivering the Labour government’s commitment to widen devolution and is one of the largest ever single packages of mayoral devolution in England.
“Greater devolution is key to unlocking regional growth in Cumbria, delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change and putting more money into working people’s pockets, while also empowering them to direct change in their communities.
“It will see Cumbria given sweeping new powers, putting our community on the fast-track to deliver growth, opportunities, transport and housing for local communities.”
Ms Minns also asked the Deputy Prime Minister to ensure the new mayor would work fulltime for Cumbria, and called for a ban on mayors having second jobs.
