Business leaders from across Cumberland took part in the area’s first ever Economic Summit today (Thursday 29 February).
More than 300 delegates attended the event at Carlisle’s Civic Centre.
The full-day event, organised by Cumberland Council, included The Rt Hon Ed Miliband, Shadow Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero as the keynote speaker.
Rt Hon Ed Miliband, Shadow Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero said:
"The clean energy transition is the economic opportunity of the 21st century and would be at the centre of a mission-led Labour government. Cumbria has a proud energy history. From the skills of its workforce to a world-leading nuclear industry, to the potential for renewables across the region, it can lead the way again and Labour's Green Prosperity Plan would harness this potential to make Cumbria a clean energy superpower."
He was joined by additional speakers including Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, Carlisle MP, John Stevenson, Cumberland Council’s Chief Executive, Andrew Seekings, Professor John Fyfe, Emma Porter, MD Story Contracting and The Rebuild Site, and Tom Lloyd-Goodwin, Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES).
Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, said:
“Our Cumberland Economic Summit was a great success and I would like to thank everyone involved in organising and taking part in the event. Working with local businesses and organisations, we want to build on our priority to deliver an inclusive economy that works for local people.
“We need their knowledge and expertise so that we can put in place an economic strategy that works for Cumberland. We need them to be part of the conversation.”
John Stevenson, MP for Carlisle added
“I was delighted to be part of today’s economic support. Cumberland has a great deal to be positive about and Carlisle as a regional capital has seen a great deal of change for the better. We need to focus on the future now through education and skills, apprenticeships, infrastructure improvements, the environment and boosting the private sector.
“We must also work hand in hand with Whitehall and grasp the offer of devolution for Cumbria and a champion and spokesperson in the form of an elected Mayor.”
Panellists at the event included Rhianydd Griffith, Grantham Research Institute on Climate and the Environment, Deputy Leader of Cumberland Council Cllr Lisa Brown, and Sarah Taylor-Howe, Cumbria Health plus Cumberland Council Directors Darren Crossley, Colin Cox and Chris Jones-King.
The MC for the event was Phil Laycock, Director of UKREiiF/Built Environment Networking Limited.
The Summit discussions linked in with Cumberland Council’s Cumberland Plan and the council is keen that strategic partners and stakeholders get the opportunity to help them develop a clear vision for the area.
They want to unlock and generate opportunities for residents, businesses, social enterprises in addition to community and voluntary sectors.
The full day event was held at the Civic Centre, Rickergate, Carlisle between 9am and 4.30pm.
The Summit included a series of facilitated breakout sessions themed around six key areas. These sessions explored and developed future actions to address the challenges and maximise the opportunities for Cumberland. The sessions were based on:
- Clean and Green Investment in Cumberland.
- Climate Change and Nature
- Place Making.
- Destination Management and Place Promotion.
- Transport and Infrastructure.
- Skills and Enterprise.