News Autumn 2017 Investing to boost Cumbria s economy
A fascinating time for economic development The last six months has included a balanced mix between setting out new strategies for economic growth and delivering key projects on the ground from investments which we have already committed. The production of a Rural and Visitor Economy Growth Plan for the county was an important milestone. Cumbria s visitor economy is already thriving, but it has even greater potential for growth. It is equally important that we capitalise on our rural strengths and fully exploit the potential of new technologies to do so. It was heartening for the county to receive two visits from the Northern Powerhouse minister Jake Berry this summer, and his visits to Carlisle to see the airport and the University of Cumbria STEM labs gave him a first-hand opportunity to see how our investments are making a difference on the ground. Development work at the airport is getting underway this autumn and we are looking forward to the start of commercial passenger flights in due course. He subsequently visited Whitehaven to see the exciting plans for the harbour and town centre and to meet with business leaders. In this newsletter, you can also read about other key areas of our work and project successes. The next 6-12 months will be a critical time for the county in terms of securing agreements with government which will allow us to take forward the infrastructure projects which we need. We are currently working with partners on a series of sector specific deals, including a joint collaboration with the Heart of the South West LEP on nuclear sector strategies and priorities. There is activity in a range of other sectors such as manufacturing and life sciences too. For transport, we are pressing for additional investment in key projects, with evidence based businesses cases presented to national agencies, government and planning bodies. George Beveridge We are also aiming to ramp up our efforts to secure more foreign direct investment into the county, as well as looking to government to make appropriate alternative provision for skills support for SMEs in Cumbria post Brexit. All of this work involves effective engagement and discussions with the other Northern LEPs, key government departments and agencies and the Northern Powerhouse. Moving forward in what continues to be a challenging economic environment, our aim is to ensure that our strategic economic plans reflect the county s needs and that we are well placed to press Cumbria s case so we can tap into new funding streams as and when they become available. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to colleagues and business contacts. To sign up for future newsletters please email info@cumbrialep.co.uk George Beveridge, Chair, Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership
GROWTH DRIVE FOR RURAL AND VISITOR ECONOMY In consultation with its partners, representative organisations and rural businesses, Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership has produced a Rural and Visitor Economy Growth Plan setting out priorities for growth over the next five years. It aims to tap into the vibrancy of rural communities and ensure market growth in areas such as the food and drink sector and tourism excellence in outdoor activities, events, festivals, attractions and accommodation. It will help underpin future investment by both the public and private sectors, with identified, specific opportunities for growth and a list of stated priorities for both the rural and visitor economies. Rural economy growth priorities Maintaining and enhancing the special qualities of Cumbria s rural areas. Capitalising on our rural strengths: - Exploiting our brand - Adding value to under-exploited rural resources - Deepening existing rural supply chains/ clusters. Building a location for future businesses. Exploiting major new project opportunities for local rural supply chains. Visitor economy growth priorities Growing Cumbria s international visitor numbers. Enhancing Cumbria s adventure pursuits, cultural and heritage offer. Capitalising on opportunities from business tourism. Continued investment in and promotion of existing attractions, accommodation and infrastructure. Improving access to digital information and the ability to get around Cumbria. For further information about the plan, click here
INVESTMENT IN KEY INFRASTRUCTURE CONTINUES Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership continues to invest in a range of key infrastructure projects designed to improve Cumbria s connectivity and help boost economic growth across the county. This includes strategic planning for road, rail and airport developments and supporting their delivery with investment from the Growth Deal programme. Plans to take forward developments at Carlisle airport have been given a welcome boost with a 4.75m investment from the LEP. It will improve the runway and the terminal to facilitate the creation of new passenger routes to Belfast, London Southend and Dublin, an international hub with direct flights to most of Europe and cities in the US including New York, Boston and Washington. The LEP recognises that the development of Carlisle airport will enhance the county s tourism potential, help to increase international visits and allow easier business travel to and from the area. Its future potential role as a key logistics hub will add to its strategic significance as it could enable key sectors like nuclear and renewable energy to move freight by air, easing the pressure on the road and rail network. Working with Cumbria County Council, Carlisle City Council, Eden District Council and South Lakeland District Council, Cumbria LEP has also produced a Strategic Infrastructure Prospectus for the M6 corridor. It highlights development opportunities, gaps in existing infrastructure and recommendations for road and rail improvements and critical infrastructure to nurture economic growth, as well as making the case for future investment. The purpose of the document is to underline the strategic importance of the M6 corridor for the county and also the Northern Powerhouse and the wider UK. Proposed road improvements include dualling work to the A69 east of Carlisle and the A66 east of Penrith, as well as further enhancements to the A590 to improve access from the M6 to the Furness Peninsula. Rail infrastructure proposals feature a comprehensive upgrade of passenger access and rail facilities at Carlisle Station, improvements to railway and access facilities at Penrith station, and additional capacity, quality and frequency of services on the Furness line. Enhanced access to Carlisle Airport is also being tabled to maximise its potential for passengers and freight. The attainment of the aims within the document will be reliant on closer, more effective partnering work between investors, local government and Cumbria LEP, alongside Transport for the North, Highways England and the Department for Transport. To read the prospectus, click here
2017 ANNUAL Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership has published its latest annual report, including progress on its portfolio of investments and major projects to help boost the county s economic growth. Cumbria LEP is currently investing over 60m across the county, with projects including the ongoing work to its flagship Barrow Waterfront site. In conjunction with the Homes and Communities Agency, the LEP invested 2m in the infrastructure improvement scheme at Durranhill industrial estate on the outskirts of Carlisle. The completed project has delivered access improvements and site servicing to attract more businesses to this key M6 corridor employment site. Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership ANNUAL 2017 Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership ANNUAL 2017 Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership ANNUAL 2017 ANNUAL 2017 Road developments on the A595 and the A590 are also progressing thanks to the LEP s economic impact studies on transport connectivity and evidence presented to central government. In 2016-17, Cumbria LEP has also helped to fund various initiatives designed to improve the county s skills offer, with beneficiaries such as Furness College, Newton Rigg College and the University of Cumbria all opening new facilities in recent months following investments in training for advanced manufacturing, STEM and agricultural disciplines. New investments totalling 10.5m were also announced for Whitehaven town centre, Lillyhall North and Carlisle Station Gateway and the Citadels. To read the annual report in full, click here PLANNING FOR FUTURE INFRASTRUCTURE Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership is pressing for additional investment in key transport projects for the county, with the submission of evidence based businesses cases to national infrastructure planning bodies for road and rail improvements. These include several large projects, notably upgrades to the Cumbrian coastal railway line, the proposed Whitehaven relief road, a Carlisle southern link road and another package of improvements along the A590. Cumbria LEP is also supporting a Carlisle City Council and Cumbria County Council bid to the new Housing Infrastructure Fund to secure investment for the delivery of the Carlisle southern link road, which is needed to support the building of St Cuthbert s Garden Village with 10,000 new homes. The LEP has progressed this work now as Network Rail, Highways England and Transport for the North will shortly start planning for their next round of investments in national transport infrastructure. It is therefore timely to provide strong evidence of the case for investments in Cumbria to boost economic growth across the county. Lead board member for infrastructure Jim Jackson says: Securing funding to deliver this new infrastructure is challenging and is set within a highly competitive environment. So it s vital we share economic evidence with key transport agencies as early as possible, and demonstrate the benefits and deliverability of proposals within Cumbria. To read the annual report in full, click here
Northern Powerhouse minister makes dual visits to Cumbria The Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry MP has made two separate visits to Cumbria over the summer. On his first visit as Northern Powerhouse Minister, he met local political and business leaders and saw at first-hand two of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership s key projects, the University of Cumbria s new Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) labs and Carlisle airport. At Carlisle airport, he met Andrew Tinkler, CEO of Stobart Group who own the airport. He was also shown around the University of Cumbria, STEM labs by Sandra Booth, the Pro Vice Chancellor for Enterprise Business Development and Engagement. Cumbria LEP has invested 784,000 in the STEM labs to address the area s skills shortages. The 3.5m labs were created to respond to Cumbria s shortage of graduates with science skills, to support industry requiring skilled staff and to create more opportunities for young people to study STEM subjects in the area. Mr Berry returned to the county in September on a visit to see the growth potential and excellence of Copeland and West Cumbria s nuclear industry, as well as development plans for Whitehaven. Cumbria LEP is investing 4.5m in Whitehaven Town Centre as part of a broader package of town centre developments, focusing on the delivery of a new, high quality harbourside office scheme and offering accommodation to companies moving into the area to benefit from the nuclear and energy sector. The LEP is seeking to engage closely with the Northern Powerhouse and associated projects to exploit new opportunities as they arise and ensure that the county can play a key economic role.
New sheep husbandry training centre opens Seeking improvements to Lake District railway line The new sheep husbandry centre at Newton Rigg College opened in June. The facility at Low Beckside Farm, Mungrisdale, is a national showcase for the best hill farming practice and its latest technology, ensuring young people have the key skills they need and safeguarding the future of the hill farming industry. Endorsed by the agricultural industry and supported by Cumbria LEP, the centre provides a national focus for student learning. Alongside specialist courses, it will host farm events and demonstration activities within uplands agriculture and sheep management to show best practice and encourage professional development. The centre is multi-functional and versatile with removable animal penning areas which can be transformed from a lambing centre to a vast storage space to a livestock handling area. Technology includes the use of hand held scanners which record animal data on or off site - from weight to animal health to ear tag numbers. This can all be analysed and then used to inform the college s stocking regime. Graham Haywood, Director of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership said: Cumbria LEP s priorities include targeting investment to nurture a vibrant rural economy and supporting local skills development. The new sheep husbandry centre is a fantastic resource for the county. It will be a national showcase for the best hill farming practices, reinforcing Cumbria s reputation for excellence in uplands agriculture. Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership has written to the Secretary of State for Transport to ask the government about improvements to the Lake District railway, its services and Windermere station in light of the Lake District s attainment of World Heritage Status. The LEP has requested a meeting with key officials from the Department for Transport to discuss improved frequency of services between Oxenholme and Windermere, including morning and evening services. It has also asked for more details about proposals for additional through trains to Manchester, the technology and types of trains to be used, their passenger capacity, line speed and timings. Other proposals being tabled for consideration include modernisation improvements to Windermere station to accommodate additional capacity, for example, a second platform, passing loop or re-location to open up a rail head gateway to the World Heritage site. The partnership has also been looking at the feasibility for line improvements, station upgrades, and additional services, all of which would benefit the local tourism economy and visitor experiences. Electrification of the line, which has been shelved, was a key part of this infrastructure planning work.
Our board & new board members Private Sector George Beveridge (Chair) Representing energy and nuclear and based in West Cumbria Jackie Arnold MBE (Vice Chair) Representing specialist manufacturing and based in Furness Jim Jackson Openreach Regional Infrastructure Director for the North Rob Johnston MBE FCIM Chief Executive of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce Nigel Wilkinson - Managing director of Windermere Lake Cruises John Coughlan - Managing director of TSP Engineering Public Sector Mike McKinley Lake District National Park Authority Prof. Julie Mennell, PhD Vice Chancellor, University of Cumbria Stewart Young Leader, Cumbria County Council Giles Archibald Leader of South Lakeland District Council Colin Glover Leader of Carlisle City Council Alan Smith Leader of Allerdale Borough Council New board members Nigel Wilkinson Managing director, Windermere Lake Cruises Nigel served as a director of Cumbria Tourism for almost ten years and has been previously involved in the county s Visitor Economy sub group and development of the associated sector growth plan. John Coughlan Managing director, TSP Engineering John has a long background in manufacturing and has supported Cumbria LEP with advanced manufacturing development. He has also worked on a range of senior committees, enterprise boards and liaison groups. Giles Archibald Leader of South Lakeland District Council Giles has extensive experience of local economic development and strategic partnerships, including previous work as a nominated representative for Cumbria LEP. Colin Glover Leader of Carlisle City Council Colin is highly experienced in partnership working and his career has included over 20 years in the rail industry, as well as involvement in the Carlisle Highways and Transport Working Group. Alan Smith Leader of Allerdale Borough Council Alan has a wealth of experience of working with partners to deliver key multi-agency priorities. He also specialises in corporate and nuclear issues, strategy and performance.
EU funding update Cumbrian businesses can still take advantage of EU funding, with the county s programme of investments set to continue until 2020. There are calls currently available under both the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). 2.5m from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is available to help bring low carbon projects to fruition. This ERDF funding call is open until 31st October 2017 to support projects which will deliver low carbon schemes throughout Cumbria. Businesses with ambitious growth plans have a new opportunity to develop and expand premises or move to larger workspace facilities, thanks to the latest round of ERDF funding. 5m is being made available for Cumbria to support investment in the development of business premises, including grow-on space, managed workspace and incubator space. The latest ERDF funding call is open until 10 November 2017. In addition, rural, tourism and agriculture businesses and organisations in Cumbria are being reminded that business development grants are available to support growth in micro and small businesses. This includes social enterprises in rural areas as well as farming businesses looking to diversify into non-agricultural activities. Grants to support rural tourism infrastructure projects are also available, where the aim is to encourage more tourists to come, to stay longer and to spend more in the county s rural areas. In addition, businesses which process agricultural and horticultural products in the food and drink sector can benefit from grants to support their growth plans. The deadline for expressions of interest is midnight on 31 January 2018. For further information about EU funding, www.cumbriaesif.co.uk or contact Corinne Watson at Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership by emailing corinne.watson@cumbria.gov.uk FOR ALL THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS, VISIT THE CUMBRIA LOCAL ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIP WEBSITE AT WWW.CUMBRIALEP.CO.UK