Tim Farron says residents oppose idea of a mayor in Cumbria

MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale Tim Farron told Parliament the progression of devolution discussions in Cumbria comes ‘barely five minutes’ after local government reorganisation in the region.

Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness councils have agreed to progress discussions with the Government on devolution in Cumbria.

The two councils submitted a joint expression of interest in September and have continued to discuss opportunities that might be created by a devolution deal.

Now the leaders of the two councils have jointly written to Jim McMahon, Minister for Local Government and English Devolution, expressing their commitment to progressing discussions that could lead to the creation of a combined authority for Cumbria.

The letter is not a binding decision or commitment to devolution by the councils. Agreeing to continue discussions will allow the councils to fully engage in the devolution policy in order to understand more about the governance and funding arrangements before making any formal decisions.

Speaking to MP for Lancaster and Wyre Cat Smith in Parliament, Mr Farron said: “The hon. Lady says that local government reorganisation is sometimes done by the Government to suit the Government, rather than the communities that councils are meant to serve.

“In Cumbria, we had a unitary reorganisation only last April. Does she understand why businesses and residents in Westmorland and the rest of Cumbria are heavily opposed to the idea that a mayor might be imposed, and another reorganisation carried out barely five minutes after the last one?”

In response Ms Smith said: “I understand very well why the hon. Gentleman’s constituents feel that way.

“I was very involved in the consultations around the reorganisation in Cumbria, not least because there was a strong bid by the Lancaster district within Lancashire and a desire to go in with South Lakeland and Barrow councils to form a bay authority, which would have matched what the community looks at and where its identity lies.

“The north of Lancashire has always looked to the north, into what we now call Cumbria—which, of course, was fictitiously created in 1972.

“In my opinion, much of the hon. Gentleman’s constituency to this day remains part of the red rose county but I would certainly not support his constituents being further inconvenienced by a local government reorganisation.”

Devolution gives regions more powers and decision-making over what happens on matters such as transport, employment support, planning, and housing.

According to the council, it does not affect the previous decision by Government to create Cumberland and Westmorland Councils to run top tier local authority services in the county.

It is expected a Devolution White Paper will be published shortly that will provide more detail on powers and funding to be devolved and how the relationship between national and local areas will work.

Leader of Westmorland and Furness Council councillor Jonathan Brook said: “Devolution presents a significant opportunity for local areas to play a stronger role in making decisions that respond to local needs and opportunities.

“We will be working closely with Government to develop a devolution arrangement that is right for Cumbria. We also look forward to working with partners over the coming months and years to develop plans that enable Cumbria to realise its ambition for inclusive and sustainable growth.”

In Parliament, the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution Jim McMahon said: “It is important to separate out the different roles and responsibilities. We do not see mayors as being super-councils.

“We see mayors as regional leaders that have a strategic responsibility. That is very different from councils that provide a public service delivery responsibility. We are seeing mayors begin to make a difference where they are in place. For instance, York and North Yorkshire is highly rural, with one of the biggest geographical combined authorities in the country.”