Westmorland and Furness Council has approved new governance arrangements ahead of the creation of the Cumbria Combined Authority (CCA).

The council met in Kendal Town Hall on November 27 to approve joint committee arrangements in creating the new body.

One of the officer recommendations approved by the council reads: “Agree that the joint executive committee be the main decision-making forum to drive forward the move to a Cumbria Combined Authority and Mayoral Strategic Authority for Cumbria and authorise the joint committee to exercise any appropriate non-executive functions, such as the appointment of staff.”

The joint executive committee is a pre-existing inter-authority arrangement between Westmorland and Furness and Cumberland councils to tackle Cumbria-wide activities.

An amendment was made during the meeting to create either a panel or a sub-committee rather than just a sub-committee for staffing appointments.

This would depend on an agreement with Cumberland Council.

The delegations of functions will cease upon the establishment of the CAA as a legal entity.

During the meeting, council leader Jonathan Brook said: “In essence, it is taking a pragmatic approach to the development to the combined authority.”

Deputy leader Andrew Jarvis said: “It’s clear that the joint executive committee is the most appropriate body.”

In the report, the reason for the recommendation is given as: “These recommendations have been proposed to progress the arrangements for a Cumbria Combined Authority as swiftly, efficiently and cost effectively as possible.”

In October, both Westmorland and Furness and Cumberland councils gave their final consent for the creation of the CCA.

The CCA is expected to be created in early 2026, it will operate for a year without a mayor before the first mayoral election in May 2027.

This was done so the mayoral election would coincide with the council elections.

The mayor would have powers over transport, skills and employability, economic growth, the environment and climate change as well as public safety.

Other high profile regional mayors in England include Andy Burnham (Manchester), Sadiq Khan (London), Andrea Jenkins (Lincolnshire) and Ben Houchen (Tees Valley).