Cumbria has passed the Government’s devolution tests – which means it can move on the next stage of the process to give more power to the region.
Devolution means that the county could establish a mayor-led authority alongside the existing two Cumbrian councils.
It would have additional strategic responsibilities, 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.
The Government wants to transfer more decision-making powers and funding from Westminster to local areas.
But Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness Councils now need to formally decide if they want to proceed.
This will happen in September.
The Government has agreed to that request, which will save around £1 million in election costs.
In a written ministerial statement, Local Government Minister Jim McMahon confirmed the Government believed the introduction of a mayoral authority for Cumbria would improve people’s economic, social and environmental well-being and reflect the identities and interests of local communities.
As part of its assessment, the Government published a summary of the public consultation it ran in the spring, which received over 1,300 responses from groups, business and individuals.
The feedback will be considered as part of September’s decision-making process for both councils.
If the councils do agree to setting up a Mayoral Strategic Authority, it is anticipated this would become a legal body early next year, with leadership until May 2027 coming from the two constituent authorities, Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness.
Last week, the Government published its English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill which sets out in detail the powers and responsibilities that will be available for new Mayoral Strategic Authorities.
These include key areas for economic and community growth such as transport and local infrastructure, skills and employment support, housing and strategic planning, economic development and regeneration, health, wellbeing and public service reform, and public safety.
