What the levelling-up agenda could mean for Cumbria, Penrith and the Eden Valley was the topic of discussion when members of the Penrith Futures Partnership met with MP Tim Farron.
The group was keen to meet the Westmorland and Lonsdale MP after hearing him speak in a parliamentary adjournment debate on levelling-up rural communities and also because of his role in scrutinising the Levelling-Up Bill which is currently going through Parliament.
Group member Dave Knaggs said: “The main aim of the Penrith Futures Partnership is to make accurate information and contemporary research available to residents so they can meaningfully and constructively engage in discussions about their own area.
“We were therefore very pleased that Tim arrived at the meeting with a copy of our group’s first publication — Reimagining and Repurposing Penrith Town Centre — about which he has made some very flattering comments.”
This report can be accessed on the Herald’s website at cwherald.com/penrith-futures
The levelling-up agenda is about addressing the inequalities between the different regions.
The Government has said that it wants to do this by boosting productivity, pay, jobs and living standards, by growing the private sector, spreading opportunities and improving public services, especially in those places where they are lagging.
However, group member Hilary Snell said: “The reverse to levelling-up is what has actually been happening, with income and regional inequalities becoming even greater.
“The latest A-level results brought into sharp focus the inequalities in educational outcomes. Sadly there is growing evidence that the north-south divide is, unfortunately, alive and well.
“The percentage of A-level A and A* grades is between 30.8 per cent and 34.4 per cent across our most northern counties whilst in the south-west the figure was 39.5 per cent.”
There was a wide ranging discussion that focused on three broad themes: the need for an integrated strategic plan and vision for the Penrith and the Eden District; a community wealth building approach to keep money generated by the local economy within the local economy; and the issue of transport and digital connectivity.
PFP member Peter Ward said: “The area lacks a masterplan developed from the ground up that brings people together through a consensus-building approach, such as a Citizen’s Assembly.”
Those at the meeting share the view that there are currently too many disconnected ad hoc developments and little evidence of a coherent strategic vision that reflects the needs and priorities of local communities. The discussion also covered local control of business rates, actions to stop young people leaving the area, trialling a Universal Basic Income pilot in the region, a tourism levy, an integrated transport policy and the devolution of power to town and parish councils.
Another PFP member, Scott Jackson, said: “We need more devolution of resources and assets and more scope to deliver what local people want, rather than what the Government will allow.”
Stephen Macaulay, president of Penrith Chamber of Trade and Commerce, who also attended the meeting, said: “In terms of retrofitting buildings, instead of using outside contractors, our towns should be given funding direct to establish training academies, raise awareness of the need to retrofit and raise standards of the work.
“Using local people, we can create new jobs and build on the skills we already have to create an expert workforce that can lead the charge in retrofit. This process will act as a catalyst, increasing demand locally and promoting growth in this sector.
“In rural areas, these towns can then export these skills and bring our properties up to the standard required to meet the energy targets set by global needs as well as boosting our local economy.”
After the meeting, Mr Farron contacted the Penrith Futures Partnership to say: “It was great to meet to hear your thoughts on the priorities for Penrith and the wider community.
“There are a lot of challenges facing areas like ours, but there is no doubt that the communities that succeed in the coming years will be those who roll their sleeves up and make their own luck.
“That is very clearly what the Penrith Futures Partnership is seeking to do.
“Your work is hugely impressive, it is an example to others and I am very keen to help you in any way you think I can.”
Mr Knaggs said: “Given what we have heard from Tim Farron in Parliament, it was unsurprising that this was a very positive meeting with a shared understanding and agreement on many of the issues that are currently impacting on rural areas like Penrith and Eden.
“There was also a broad consensus on how these issues could be effectively addressed and we look forward to further discussion.”
