In a move local council leaders believe will promote local and inclusive growth, Cumberland Council have joined forces with Westmorland and Furness Council to launch Enterprising Cumbria.
The news represents another step in the transfer of function from Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (CLEP) to the two unitary councils, building on previous work and continuing to champion the voice of business across Cumbria.
Supporting economic growth, investing in skills, and promoting Cumbria as a great place to live, work and do business are all priorities.
Significant step
Isobel Brown will lead on the project after taking up her role as interim programme director last month, where she will spearhead the Enterprising Cumbria team which transferred from the CLEP in April. She has worked across local and central government in addition to the private sector.
“Cumbria has amazing resources and potential as a place to do business, across a whole range of sectors and we all look forward to the opportunity to drive economic growth forward as a single Cumbrian voice for our region,” said Brown.
Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, has said that Enterprising Cumbria gives both his council and Westmoreland and Furness a chance to build on the “exceptional work” done through the CLEP and “further champion the strength of the Cumbrian economy”.
Westmorland and Furness Council’s leader, meanwhile, sees the launch as a “significant step forward” in developing business in the region. Cllr Jonathan Brook said: “The launch of Enterprising Cumbria is another significant step forward in promoting business opportunities and ensuring we maximise economic growth, investment and skills across Cumbria.”
Only the beginning
Council leaders have thanked Jo Lappin, CEO at the CLEP, and her team for their work over the last 12 years.
Speaking back in March on the eve of the initial handover to the councils, Lappin said it was “essential” the good work being done by the CLEP was continued.
“CLEP has made a real difference to Cumbria by investing in the necessary infrastructure to support growth, getting Cumbria recognised as a credible contender for national competitions and by bringing the business community together to address the things that really matter,” explained Lappin.
“Our activities have been focused on making sure that everybody benefits from economic opportunities. It is essential that this work continues.”
A new website for Enterprising Cumbria is expected to be launched soon, which will feature regular updates from the team over the summer and early autumn.
The move to transfer functions from the CLEP comes in the wake of the UK Government’s decision last August to stop core funding for LEPs from the April of this year.
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