Former Copeland Council leader Mike Starkie has been chosen as the Conservative Party’s candidate for Cumbria mayor.
Plans are in the pipeline for a new mayoral authority to 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.
The existing authorities are discussing whether to press ahead at the moment. 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.
Mr Starkie was chosen by the Conservative Party on Tuesday.
He said: “As a proud Cumbrian I am both delighted and honoured to have been selected as the Conservative candidate.
“The opportunity we now have in Cumbria is significant and one I have been advocating for over the last decade.
“The formation of the mayoral combined authority will give Cumbria a voice at the top table and put it in a stronger position to attract the investment we need to drive the County forward.
“This is a big role. The future direction of our area – jobs, skills, local transport and even housing. If we just get these basics right, we can unleash Cumbria’s potential so that everyone can feel the benefit.
“I know Cumbria has the potential to punch above its weight and compete with other leading regions. But it’s going to take leadership – and proven experience to get there.
“I have had a 32-year financial services career in very senior leadership positions managing multi-million-pound budgets and being responsible managing teams in excess of 400 people with huge success in a very competitive field, with huge multi-national companies such as AMP /Pearl, Axa Sun Life and Zurich and have also owned and managed my own wealth management business based here in Cumbria.
“I have also led a council as elected mayor taking over a bankrupt borough and overseeing a multi-million-pound increase in both revenues and assets, wiping out debt and reducing liabilities by multi-millions and handing it over debt free from my term of office.
“I also worked successfully with industry and government to secure unprecedented levels of investment. That’s why I know I can bring people together, to just get stuff done.
“Over the coming weeks and months, I will be out speaking to voters about my plan to deliver for Cumbria and what their priorities are for a new mayor.”
