Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council have confirmed - in an Expression of Interest (EoI) to the UK Government - their commitment to exploring devolution for their areas.
Within their joint submission they said: “We recognise the opportunity presented by the Government’s devolution agenda to help drive forward inclusive and sustainable economic growth and are agreed that this expression of interest seeks to build on the existing working relationship on the Cumbria geographic footprint. This reflects our shared history and areas of strategic interest, as well as the reality of current devolution arrangements in our neighbouring geographies.”
They added: “Westmorland and Furness Council and Cumberland Council are interested in exploring the opportunities provided by all the different devolution governance arrangements.
“We would like to work alongside Government in shaping and understanding the English Devolution Bill to ensure that we have clarity over the opportunities the different models will present for Cumbria.”
The councils’ also confirmed that Cumbria was their ‘preferred economic geography’ but said that they are willing to work with Government on appropriate geographies as the devolution agenda progresses.
Joint working is already demonstrated within the council areas. Earlier this year the councils worked together on the transfer of the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (CLEP) functions across Cumbria. A new Cumbria Economic Growth Board has now been established.
The councils have agreed that a Joint Executive Committee will provide the basis of joint working and collaboration on strategic economic growth across the Cumbria geography.
Leader of Cumberland, Cllr Mark Fryer, said: “Devolution is an exciting prospect, and we are keen to see how it can enhance our collaborative efforts and drive positive change for the people of Cumberland.
“We continue to work with Westmorland and Furness Council on a variety of hosted and shared services. The relationship between the two councils is as strong as ever, and the CLEP transfer is a catalyst for us working together on the economic prosperity of Cumbria.
“We are fully supportive of key developments underway within the wider region and know there is real benefit to us working together to create a strong voice for Cumbria.”
Cllr Jonathan Brook, Leader of Westmorland and Furness Council, said: “This is a real milestone for the two new councils and shows genuine commitment from both to work together and achieve the very best outcomes for the people we represent.
“I look forward to working with Cumberland and Government colleagues to explore what opportunities lie ahead for us.”
Following the general election in July 2024, local authorities in Cumbria received a letter from the Deputy Prime Minister asking each local authority to consider submitting an ‘expression of interest’ to work with the Government on this next wave of devolution. This (EOI) had to be submitted by 30 September 2024.
Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council had already confirmed their commitment to joint working across their council boundaries in April this year.
Devolution does not affect the previous decision by Government to create two new councils.
Submitting the Joint Expression of Interest is not a binding decision or commitment to devolution by either council.