TWO Cumbrian unitary councils are planning for the possibility of devolution in the region following a change in government policy.

The move follows receipt of a letter from Angela Rayner, the new Deputy Prime Minister, which outlined the new Labour government's policy on the subject.

Members of Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness councils' joint executive committee yesterday (Wednesday July 30) at the Civic Centre in Carlisle considered a report which outlined an enterprising Cumbria and economic growth update.

It was presented by Isobel Brown, the enterprising Cumbria programme director, who mentioned receipt of the letter and that it is hoped to have a plan in place relating to any potential devolution by the end of September.

Members agreed a revised list of recommendations, to take into account of the changed government policy which included:

to note the programme update for the LEP Integration Programme;

to agree with the recommendation in regard to the joint executive committee governance as an interim approach;

to note the transition plan and the need for further review in light of the emerging changes to government policy;

to note and comment on the approach in developing the future economic strategy.

Councillor Jonathan Brook (Kendal South, Lib Dems), the co-chairman of the committee, said: "Clearly there is a lot of work to do."

And councillor Andrew Jarvis (Windermere and Ambleside, Lib Dems) asked if there was an indication when the proposals had to be completed and Ms Brown confirmed it was by the end of September.

Cumberland Council's chief executive, Andrew Seekings, suggested that an extra meeting could be arranged to discuss the proposals if it was needed and councillor Lisa Brown (Currock, Labour) proposed that they agreed the revised recommendations to which the committee agreed.

Relating to establishing a new economic growth body the report states that, ahead of April, council leaders and senior officers agreed there would be a transition period of six months to ensure that the governance arrangements were in place and well-embedded.

It adds: "The interim governance structure has led to the Cumbria LEP Board being the economic growth advisory board and associated sub-groups in the interim, with the joint executive committee assuming decision-making responsibilities.

"Since April 1, both authorities have established a governance and decision-making workstream with a priority to deliver a new governance framework including establishing the joint committee, any relevant sub-committees and the economic growth board by October 1.

"This, then, represents the end of the sunset phase, which also aligns with the approval of the economic growth strategy to provide the strategic direction."

It is hoped that the Economic Growth Board will provide a strong business voice in strategy development and successful candidates will be expected to provide confidence in the local business community and have strong networking experience.

The report adds: "Strategic leadership, talent, and skills as well as a commitment to work in the best interests of Cumbria, its people, environment and economy will all be critical components of the successful candidates.

"Both authorities have developed a communications plan to ensure that we communicate this through various channels, including media, to support a fully inclusive culture representative of our community including on age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith and disability.

"In the coming months, we will also be seeking applications on sub-groups to provide leadership to deliver local and inclusive growth across Cumbria.

"By September 30, the CLEP Board will be dissolved and the advisory functions will then be transferred to the Economic Growth Board and sub-groups given its functions as outlined above."