Westmorland and Furness Council has expressed concerns over Government plans to transfer more decision-making powers and funding from Westminster to Cumbria.
The Government is inviting views from residents, businesses and organisations across Cumbria about its plans for potential devolution in Cumbria and has been running a consultation on the devolution for Cumbria, which closes tonight at 23.59pm (Sunday 13th April), that will help inform final decisions to be made by Government on establishing a mayoral combined authority for Cumbria in the autumn. This could lead to an election for a mayor of Cumbria in May 2026.
A new mayor-led authority for Cumbria would be in addition to Westmorland and Furness and Cumberland 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.
On Friday Westmorland and Furness Council submitted its response to the consultation and raised concerns over the viability of Cumbria due to the large geographical area but substantially lower population numbers than those set as a minimum by government for devolution and Mayor to be financially viable.
The levels set as a minimum population in an area considered for devolution by Government is 1.5million people providing the ‘critical mass’ needed for devolution to succeed, Cumbria has approximately a population of 500,000 just a third of the ‘critical mass’ number.
Government has described Cumbria as an exception due to the unique geography of Cumbria.
Westmorland and Furness Council in its official response to Government has said the council believe the question as to whether Cumbria eventually becomes part of a larger devolved geography, recognising the important economic linkages Cumbria have with surrounding areas, should remain open.
The Council has also raised concerns about the way devolution that has worked to date in other areas that may be sub-optimal for areas like Cumbria giving and example, about public transport it believes is fundamentally different in Cumbria compared to Manchester given the large, sparsely populated, and geographically largely rural area.
Westmorland and Furness Council LibDem leadership also expressed concerns about the possibility of political power imbalances and the risk that one area could be disadvantaged if the Mayor and one authority both consistently vote in opposition to the other council’s priorities. Our strong preference would be for governance
arrangements that allow for veto to be exercised by Westmorland and Furness Council or Cumberland Council over the new mayor and strategic authority.
The Leader of Westmorland and Furness Council, Cllr Jonathan Brook, said: "Our response provides a measured assessment of the Government's proposals, recognising both the potential benefits and issues for our area.
"We would urge anyone with an interest in Cumbria's future to take part in the consultation and share their views so that Government has a really representative view of the thoughts and feelings of individuals, groups and businesses across the county."
The government consultation closes at 11:59pm tonight (Sunday 13th April 2025) https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/cumbria-devolution
Then select "Add to Home Screen"
