Find information on devolution and how it will work in Cumbria.
The Government has confirmed that Cumbria is in its priority programme of areas for devolution.
Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness Councils were invited to join the Devolution Priority Programme after earlier expressing interest in exploring what greater devolution of powers could mean here.
Cumbria’s inclusion paves the way for the next stages of looking at creating a new strategic authority for Cumbria with a directly elected Mayor.
What devolution is and how it works
The Government has set out its intention to widen devolution across England, giving regions more powers and decision-making over matters such as:
- economic development
- transport
- employment support
- planning
- housing
Under devolution arrangements, central Government transfer powers and money to regions across the country. This allows people who know their areas best to decide where money is spent.
This has already happened in lots of areas, particularly in the North of England where Greater Manchester, the Tees Valley and more recently, North Yorkshire, have agreed to greater devolution.
A Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA) for Cumbria would be in addition to the two unitary councils, Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness.
While the final scope of the powers transferred to the new authority is still being determined, the expectation is that the vast majority of powers will be transferred to the new authority from central Government. A small number of powers may be transferred from Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council to the new authority.
Devolution will unlock more funding and more powers for our area, with decisions being made in Cumbria rather than in London.
Devolution Priority Programme
The Deputy Prime Minister, Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP, announced on Wednesday 5 February 2025 that six new areas are to join the government’s Devolution Priority Programme.
The programme will support the areas to move towards devolution, becoming mayor-led strategic authorities by May 2026 if they proceed.
Cumbria has been included within the programme, alongside Cheshire and Warrington, Greater Essex, Hampshire and Solent, Norfolk and Suffolk, and Sussex and Brighton. The six successful areas will now work towards devolution, with full government backing.
Devolution revolution: The Government’s press release
Cumbrian councils’ involvement
Both Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council had previously agreed to join the Government’s Devolution Priority Programme.
The councils were invited to join the Priority Programme after earlier expressing interest in exploring what greater devolution of powers could mean in Cumbria.
Strategic Authorities will have defined areas of competence, 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
- public safety
Mayoral Strategic Authorities will also have a seat on the Council of Nations and Regions and the Mayoral Council, offering an opportunity to influence the future development of devolution in England.
The English Devolution White Paper published in December last year sets out the Government’s proposals for a new approach to local decision-making.
What will happen next
The Government's consultation on Devolution in Cumbria closed on 13 April 2025.
We submitted a response to the Cumbria Devolution Consultation.
We are now awaiting the Government's decision as to whether to take forward proposals for a Mayoral Strategic Authority in Cumbria.