A Cumbrian council’s ruling cabinet has agreed to press ahead with plans for a county mayor.
Cabinet members confirmed at a meeting that they were minded to consent to a new mayor-led authority to be created.
Its recommendation will be discussed by the authority’s Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee tomorrow, September 30, and a full council meeting on October 9.
Their views will be fed back to cabinet to make a final decision on October 14.
The new authority would be established alongside the existing Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness councils.
The mayoral authority 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.
It would have access to a £333 million 30-year investment fund.
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 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 mayoral authority, 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 mayoral authority 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 October 14, Cumbria Combined Authority would become a legal body early in 2026.
Leadership until mayoral elections in May 2027 would come from the two existing authorities.
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.
