Cumbria and Cheshire say yes to devolution and mayor
Westmorland and Furness Council and Cumberland Council have committed to pursuing a devolution deal for the county, as have Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council, and Warrington Council.
The councils have opted into the government’s Devolution Priority Programme, aimed at ensuring areas that want a deal get one by 2026.
The deal would see the creation of strategic authorities in both Cumbria and Cheshire and would be headed up by a directly elected mayor.
Cumbria and Cheshire and Warrington’s push for devolution follows the publication of Labour’s devolution white paper in December, which sets out plans to deepen and widen decentralisation across England.
A new strategic authority would not take responsibility for the two unitary authorities in Cumbria’s case and three in Cheshire and Warrington, rather it would have additional strategic responsibilities, like the combined authorities in Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region.
Cllr Mark Fryer, Leader of Cumberland Council, said: “We have made it clear that we want to be part of the devolution discussion with government. It is the best way to secure future investment in our area and secure the funding needed to support our communities and our economy.
“It is important that we are part of the plans at the early stages.”
The Leader of Westmorland and Furness Council, Cllr Jonathan Brook, said: “We are very much focussed on achieving the best outcomes for the people we represent and today’s decision recognises the Government’s intent to prioritise areas that are progressing with devolution.
“We look forward to continuing to work with colleagues on the best opportunities for this area and encourage local people to respond to the Government’s consultation and will carefully consider local opinion when it comes to the final vote at our full council in the autumn.”
A letter to the government signed by Cllr Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cllr Hans Mundry, Leader of Warrington Council, and the Leader and deputy leader of Cheshire East Council, Cllr Nick Mannion and Cllr Michael Gorman, states: “It’s clear that devolution would bring significant power and funding to the Cheshire and Warrington region. We’re ambitious for our region and we want to seize this opportunity to benefit our residents, communities and businesses.
“Devolution would allow us to make more decisions here in Cheshire and Warrington, rather than decisions about our region and its almost one million residents being made in London.
“Being part of the Government’s priority programme would put us at the front of the queue for the potential benefits of devolution – and reaffirms that we are working together to get the best outcomes for our region.”
So that’ll be Cumbria and Cheshire & Warrington top and tailing the NorthWest, so where are you Lancs…..?
By Rich X
Hi Rich X. Lancashire is further on in its devolution journey than both Cumbria and Cheshire & Warrington, albeit they have chosen not to have a mayor. Best wishes, Dan
By Dan Whelan
So they got rid of the two tier authorities to create these 2 larger unitaries and now they want a combined authority which then means a good few of the council areas that have only just been split up (County Council functions which are now sorted at unitary authority level) will be joined back up again under the combined authority. What a colossal waste of time, money and effort the last load of reorganisation was for this to now happen.
By Anonymous
has there been statement from the opposition at each council?
By Anonymous
@January 10, 2025 at 5:51 am
By Anonymous
That’s incorrect. The two unitaries – essentially a revival of the old counties of sorts – will still have the same powers. The new combined authority will take powers from Whitehall. I’d also devolve further powers down to town level and fully parish Carlisle.
By Rye
Another layer of costly bureaucracy and unsustainable public sector pension commitments
By Council Tax Payer
Lancashire is a mess , a 3rate devolution deal .local government reorganisation vital . 3 large unitary authorities, a combined authority and a mayor. Thank goodness it looks like the current government is going to take on the vested interests os the small districts and the county council. These changes will move Lancashire out of the slow lane
By George
So what happens to Warrington’s £2bn debt if it merges into one Cheshire? Can’t see the other 3 wanting to be saddled with that !
By Mark My Words
Hi Mark My Words. Warrington Council, along with Cheshire East Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council, will continue to function as standalone councils and will not merge. The Cheshire combined authority will be a separate entity just like the 10 GM councils are separate from the GMCA. Best wishes, Dan
By Dan Whelan
Anon 05:51
I think you’ve misunderstood devolution. These are additional powers that central government is delegating to new combined authorities. The unitary authorities underneath will continue to operate as they have done, but will in future collaborate on devolved matters rather than go individually to Whitehall to bid for funding in wasteful competition exercises.
By Mancunian
So pleased Cheshire will finally be getting powers and funding locally and not in whitehall and a directly elected mayor to be accountable and get us the visibility and voice Andy Burnham give Manchester etc.
By Observer
Another tier of government less accountable than the tier they will replace. Re-arranging the deckchairs.
By Anonymous
George
The Lancashire devolution deal isn’t third rate – we got on the ladder. It would have got deeper, like pervious deals throughout the country including Greater Manchester. One you hand people powers and responsibility, they don’t tend to give it back.
And ‘vested interests’ is, to my experience, often valid concerns on whether something is done right.
A way to address that is establishing towns councils across the board underneath the unitary authorities, like they’ve gone in Wiltshire, Cornwall et al. These can run things like parks, allotments and museums etc. Double devolution in action.
By Rye