About Britain's Energy Coast /
West Cumbria – Partnerships for the future.
Partnerships in economic development change with differing circumstances affecting local communities. West Cumbria is no exception.
Too often the term “partnership” is over-used or misunderstood. However, West Cumbria should be very proud of its own pioneering role in the development of the notion. It may not be widely known but West Cumbria was the first sub-region in the country to set up such a phenomenon, way back in early 1986. It consisted of Copeland, Allerdale and the County working closely together with BNFL, Government agencies and the private sector to further economic development in the local community. This was at a time of declining industries in coal, steel, chemicals and heavy engineering, including uncertainty over the future of the nuclear industry.
Despite these structural challenges to our industries, the pioneers of partnership achieved much to be proud of – and which are still of direct relevance today and for the future. The achievements included the creation of a new science and technology park at Westlakes (outside Whitehaven), Westlakes Research Institute, the regeneration of Whitehaven, early developments at Lakes College, Lillyhall, and support for many small and medium sized businesses. That partnership, through the West Cumbria Development Fund and the West Cumbria Development Agency, achieved so much in the face of industrial decline. We owe a considerable amount to those early pioneers and leaders of our communities.
Those achievements provided the foundation for today’s’ “partnership” – which rightly takes on a very different format, in order to address the new challenges of the 21st century. For several years, not least based on North Sea oil and gas, and abundant coal supplies, the UK has been self-sufficient in energy. That is no longer the case. And even only a few years the science of climate change - and the dangers that rising carbon emissions are posing for the world - was not widely accepted. It now is. So some of the biggest challenges now are the need to significantly reduce carbon emissions, to achieve secure sources of energy, and to provide energy affordable prices. West Cumbria, with its nuclear heritage, its manufacturing base, and the potential of renewable and other low-carbon forms of energy is well placed to take the opportunity to help the UK rise to these challenges, showing leadership to the world.
There is also the challenge for decommissioning at Sellafield and the need for operational efficiencies in a restructured nuclear industry. A challenge that recognises the necessity of change, but in a way that minimises negative impacts and maximises opportunities for current and future generations in West Cumbria. An opportunity for Sellafield to build on its strengths and skills, and the support of the local community.
New partners have emerged. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, working in partnership with local leaders and interests, has since its inception in 2005 already made a significantly positive impact on the local scene. Investments by partners in higher education, vocational training, schools, healthcare, research and development, and skills and training have all taken off, and real appreciation is due to these very real developments. The University of Cumbria, Energus, the new National Nuclear Laboratory and others are also playing an increasingly import role in developing partnerships across and between the public and private sectors.
Much is already being done by the current “partnership” workings between the leaders and staff at Copeland, Allerdale, the County, parts of the private sector and the development agencies locally – West Lakes Renaissance in particular and West Cumbria Development Agency – and at regional level with the North West Development Agency and the Government Office for the North West. However, as always, there is scope for improvement and raising our game.
In just the same way that in the 1980’s there was “leadership”, so today there is an even stronger brand of leadership that “truly” comes from within.
As an academic looking inside from an external perspective, I can assure you that both local Members of Parliament have formed a very special team to influence and achieve incredible benefits for the local community. Similarly, the elected leaders and Councillors of the local authorities, often characters, are having a positive impact.
You may be inclined to ask about partnership arrangements for the future. Many of the answers lie in the “Britain’s Energy Coast” master plan, which not only sets out the future aspirations for West Cumbria over the next 20 years, but also how these are to be taken forward. Again, the answers very often come down to “leadership” and “partnership”, with different players taking the lead role for different targets for “real” delivery.
There are also “new” opportunities for the partnership already taking shape in West Cumbria.
At County-wide level, Cumbria Vision is playing an increasingly important strategic role for Cumbria as a whole, and ever closer working arrangements between West Cumbria and the County as a whole are being developed now.
A critical development will be the strengthened role that the private sector is poised to play in the partnership. After 50 years under public sector ownership and management, both Sellafield and our national low level waste repository are moving into private sector operation.
At the same time, these changes have increased our “international” partnerships, with the new operators comprising consortia from the UK, United States, France, and Sweden. These changes are welcome, and we await with anticipation the benefits they will bring to the economic development and transformation of our communities.
Another “new” development, and another important “first” for West Cumbria is the “partnership” being developed with National Government and across Whitehall Departments. This stems from a Memorandum of Agreement for the West Cumbria “proofing” of Government policy decisions affecting West Cumbria. An agreement that your local MP’s have striven earnestly to have put into practice, with “real” success – such as the recent announcement about the local tax office in Whitehaven.
We can help Government to implement its policies for the benefit of the nation, but again in partnership we can secure positive benefits and outcomes for the people of West Cumbria.
So our new partnerships continue to operate at local level. But increasingly there is a sub-regional, regional, national and even international dimension. We must embrace this not shy from it. Our canvass is now a global one.
Yes, there are of course challenges ahead in the midst of change – with employment and social issues to tackle. But these can be “managed” and through the partnership approach change can be faced up to positively, with the challenges converted into opportunities for the current and future generation of West Cumbrians.
Let’s keep at it !
PROFESSOR JOHN FYFE
July 2008
