THE Police and Crime Commissioner has quashed rumours that he wants to be Mayor of Cumbria - saying his enthusiasm for the role comes from the investment opportunities and stronger services it could bring.
PCC Peter McCall has urged political leaders to consider the benefits of the Mayor of Cumbria model.
It comes as leaders of the new Cumberland Council and Westmorland & Furness Council receive details of the benefits on offer through devolution, the process of devolving power and investment from Whitehall.
The two new authorities could create a Joint Committee, pooling services at a local level; a combined authority or a mayoral combined authority.
READ MORE: County mayor deal could bring £29.8 billion to Cumbria, leaders told
Each option is touted as bringing stronger services and more long-term strategic leadership but Mr McCall believes there is no doubt the mayoral model would be best for the county.
“I think the opportunities for devolution and the inward investment from Government are the real prize in that.
"If you look at what happened in Teeside, when you look at what Andy Burnham’s done in Greater Manchester, it’s a shame Cumbria isn’t even at the table when these things are being discussed.”
The Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner said: "I’d rather have a Labour mayor than no mayor.
"If only you could strip out the partisan politics, it gets in the way. I’d like every political leader in Cumbria just to focus on that devolution deal. If you’re in public service that should be your focus.”
READ MORE: Northern Powerhouse Partnership calls for Cumberland devolution
The PCC sought to quash the rumours that he has the metro mayor job in his sights.
"I don’t have any aspirations to be the mayor and I know people think I do, I absolutely don’t. I will most likely be bowing out of politics at the end of my tenure as PCC but I’m very keen to do what I can to help the process along."
Mr McCall said that combined authorities, even without a mayor, deliver strategic thinking, leaving the councils to handle matters such as planning and social care.
"The combined authority could potentially bring together police, fire and the rest of it which leaves the unitary authorities to get on with the day-to-day much more sharply."
If political leaders choose the option of creating a mayoral authority, there are two options for the governance of the police and fire service.
READ MORE: Opinions divided on whether a mayor is the next step for Cumbria
If Cumbria were to emulate the model seen in Greater Manchester, the elected mayor would appoint a deputy to handle the emergency services.
In Merseyside and the West Midlands however, a PCC has been retained.
Mr McCall said: "There’s arguments for both ways of doing it but one of the advantages of retaining the PCC is you’ve got direct accountability."
The Joint Committee or combined authority model could be set to bring £24.1billion into the region if the east and west council choose to join forces, whereas the mayoral model could bring £29.8billion.
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