Senior councillors in Cumbria have given the green light to a proposed draft 20-year economic strategy designed to keep the region growing as "a modern and entrepreneurial economy".
The report titled 'Going for Growth: Cumbria's Economic Strategy 2025-2045' was approved by members of Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness Council in Penrith this week. They also backed the creation of a delivery plan to ensure its successful implementation.
The strategy outlined in the report envisions Cumbria by 2045 as a "a modern and entrepreneurial economy where world-leading sector strengths and an outstanding natural environment drive shared prosperity for all people and places" The document details Cumbria's growth ambitions by highlighting its contribution to the º£½ÇÊÓƵ's industrial strategy, economic productivity, and net-zero goals.
Key investments fuelling this vision include leading the next generation of the nuclear deterrent; a £250 million injection into town growth and regeneration; a £4.9 million initiative towards a new nuclear robotics and AI cluster; and the development of a new plutonium immobilisation facility set to sustain thousands of skilled jobs.
The report highlights: "This strategy builds momentum to deliver economic growth as well as innovating how we deliver services and supporting nature recovery."
It outlines that the strategy focuses on sectors and clusters ripe with opportunity, such as advanced manufacturing, robotics, defence, clean growth, and the visitor economy. The report also addresses critical constraints on Cumbria's growth and investment barriers, including:.
- Infrastructure enhancements to bolster growth projects – aiming for reduced travel times, better grid connectivity, and support for significant investments in nuclear decommissioning and the nuclear deterrent;.
- Accelerated productive growth – leveraging sector strengths and growth prospects, while aiding all businesses to innovate and become more competitive;.
- Defence and energy security – preserving the º£½ÇÊÓƵ's crucial role, preparing for future investments, and boosting local supply chain spending;.
- Nature enhancement – creating a growth plan aligned with the 30×30 initiative, fostering increased investment, skills, and jobs in land-based industries;.
- Public service innovation – redesigning and delivering public services to prepare individuals for these opportunities and ensuring businesses have access to the required skills.
The acceleration of significant housing developments in flourishing areas is being supported, with the two local authorities working to deliver sites such as St Cuthbert's Garden Village, which will provide 10,000 new homes, and Barrow Marina Village, set to offer 800 new homes. These projects aim to create desirable locations for living, working, and studying, with plans incorporating elements of creativity and culture.
Isobel Brown, programme director at Enterprising Cumbria, informed the committee about the extensive efforts that have gone into reaching this stage and mentioned the positive reception the strategy has received from staff and organisations within the county. She emphasised the significance of the delivery plan, stating: "Because that's what will bring the strategy to life."
Cllr Jonathan Brook (Kendal South, Lib Dems), the leader of Westmorland & Furness Council, acknowledged the comprehensive consultation process behind the strategy and remarked: "This document will be very important as we go forward."
Cllr Emma Williamson (Kells and Sandwith, Labour), deputy Leader of Cumberland Council and portfolio holder for children's services, family wellbeing and housing, called for clearer language in public communications regarding the strategy. She pointed out that she had to resort to an online search to understand one of the terms used in the report.
Cllr Andrew Jarvis (Windermere and Ambleside, Lib Dems), Westmorland & Furness Council's deputy leader and cabinet member for finance, said: "I broadly welcome what is in this strategy." He emphasized the need for clear communication with residents and highlighted, "They would feel that it doesn't talk to them."
The committee agreed with Cllr Brook's proposal to endorse the report's recommendations.
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