Council unites for Barrow's future

County Councillors from across Cumbria unanimously agreed to give full support to plans to secure a prosperous future for Barrow and the Furness area, in an effort to overcome the dreadful impact of this week's announcement of 700 job losses at the BAE shipyard in the Town. 

An Emergency Motion calling for greater Government Support and proposing a range of action was supported by all political groups at a meeting of the Council in Kendal earlier today. 

Rex Toft, Conservative Group Leader and Leader of the Council says: 

"The knock on impact of this announcement upon the whole of the Furness area will be catastrophic. The whole of South Cumbria is reeling from the shock of the announcements of job losses since the beginning of the year. 

We must all use whatever influence we have to explain to Government the social consequences on the community of Barrow. We must not tamely accept the BAE announcements. We must ask Government to use its considerable muscle to influence BAE to change it's mind and keep work for the Type 45 destroyers in Barrow and ensure Barrow gets a share of the Aircraft Carrier programme work. 

There is a real need for a major injection of new money from Government into the Furness area to alleviate the distress which has been caused by this week's announcement. We must convince Government to argue Cumbria's interest in Europe and increase the level of support fees from 10% to 20% for the Objective 2 Intervention Rule, to encourage new investment into Furness. Currently Cumbria is at a disadvantage, even against near neighbours Lancashire. 

In the longer term the work of the Westlakes Renaissance Regeneration Company will be crucial. We will continue to lobby Europe for continued assistance post 2006 when current Objective 2 funding streams run out." 

Stewart Young, Leader of the Labour group says: 

"We must campaign against BAE's decision to concentrate submarine work at Barrow and shipbuilding at the Cylde. Where is the evidence to show that will improve matters. We must also lobby Government that irrespective of who is finally awarded the Aircraft Carrier programme, work from that programme is secured for the Barrow yard. 

We must increase the campaign for dualling of the A590 and use our direct influence on CAPITA to direct a significant proportion of the 1,000 new jobs they are contracted to bring to Cumbria into Barrow and the surrounding area." 

Mike Ash, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and Deputy Leader of the Council says: 

"As the Council's Director on the Urban Regeneration Company, Westlakes Renaissance, I will do all I can to ensure the company is successful in tackling the huge task ahead. I will work closely with Barrow County Councillors and other local representatives to ensure all voices are heard, information is considered and all ideas given the greatest chance of success. As a Council we will also look to increase our funding for the Money Advice Service delivered for us by the Citizen's Advice Bureau."