Question 2: To what extent do you agree or disagree with the proposed governance arrangements for the Mayoral Combined Authority?
Answer: Strongly agree
Please explain your answer.
The proposed governance arrangements for a Cumbria Mayoral Combined Authority are equitable. The proposed membership ensures democratic accountability is central to the governance of the Authority.
The proposed arrangements highlight the size of the proposed Cumbria MCA with two councils as constituent members, in contrast to other larger established MCAs with many more constituent councils. In these circumstances the capacity and support available to MCA members will be critical to the MCA fulfilling its functions and making well-evidenced and robust decisions.
As emphasised earlier, early confirmation of capacity funding and other support which the Government will make available to Cumbria as part of the Devolution Priority Programme will be vital to making good progress.
Funding from the Government to fully cover the costs of holding mayoral elections across Cumbria, in addition to the capacity funding referred to above, will be necessary. The capacity funding needs to be focused on establishing the MCA, its governance and its functions. The costs of holding mayoral elections in a county the size of Cumbria would be likely to use all and more of the confirmed capacity funding to date, and would pose serious risks to the establishment and functioning of the proposed MCA.
The option for appointment of non-constituent and associate members is welcomed. This will enable the constituent members to explore how best to ensure a diversity of input informs effective decision-making.
The requirement for an Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and for an Audit Committee, as part of the proposed governance arrangements is also welcomed as those bodies will enhance the democratic accountability processes. These, with the right legislative and constitutional arrangements in place with sufficient support, will enable a wider input into the decision-making process from locally elected representatives.
In the context of the small size of the proposed MCA and the capacity requirements referred to above, the Deputy Mayor role will need to be carefully considered and scoped out in the constitutional arrangements to ensure that the role can provide the required contribution and gets the support the role needs.
In relation to the proposed voting arrangements, we are comfortable with the principle of simple majority voting; however, the implications of this approach are different to those in a larger MCA with a higher number of constituent authorities. In confirming the voting arrangements in advance of legislation being laid, we would welcome conversations with the government on reviewing voting arrangements on key strategic decision-making, and specific functional decision-making, where necessary.