Devolution

The government published a white paper in December 2024, to set out plans to move power out of Westminster and back to local communities. Devolution will lead to the establishment of a Mayoral Combined Authority, with the first election for a Mayor taking place in May 2026.

The Cumbria Combined Authority will potentially have greater local control over housing, as well as areas such as planning, transport, adult education and skills. 

Areas of housing responsibility would include:

• control of funding to support regeneration and housing delivery
• a strategic place partnership with Homes England
• powers to drive regeneration in their area, for example, powers to establish Mayoral Development Corporations
• work on a Spatial Development Strategy (SPD)
• following the implementation of the SDS, the Mayor would also be given powers to 'call in' planning applications of 'strategic importance'
• the ability to charge new developments with a 'Mayoral Community Infrastructure Levy', the revenue collected is used to help deliver local infrastructure