A package of measures aimed at delivering and financing regeneration work in West Cumbria was approved today by Cumbria County Council's cabinet.
Cabinet members agreed that the county council's own in-house regeneration project development teams should manage the delivery of £64.5million worth of projects in Furness and West Cumbria on behalf of West Lakes Renaissance and Cumbria Vision.
The schemes that will now come under the management of the regeneration unit's teams include: £4.2million spending to develop employment sites in Allerdale and Copeland, the £12million Waterfront Business Park project in Barrow, the £5.2million investment in the Port of Workington and £3.5million spending on public realm improvements in Maryport, Wigton, Whitehaven, Cleator Moor and Egremont and £3.1million on renewal of the West Cumbria housing market.
Following the decision the county council will work with West Lakes Renaissance and Cumbria Vision on arrangements for delivery of the schemes set to come under county council management.
The close involvement of the county council will help make regeneration money go further by allowing the recovery VAT on its expenditure.
Cabinet also confirmed the council's support for a ten year investment plan for the Port of Workington and agreed to sign, with Allerdale Borough Council, a Memorandum of Understanding which sets out a framework for a ten-year programme of investment and improvement at the port.
The Memorandum of Understanding between the county and Allerdale Borough Council sets out our shared commitment to creating a sustainable future for the port with the marina development on the Town Quay.
Cabinet also approved spending £130,000 from the county council's 2005/6 Development Works budget. The spending includes £25,000 to help create a new store where Maryport fisherman can store their gear when the new harbour bridge is built, £10,000 to study the feasibility of a new cycle way at Flimby and £10,000 towards the first phase of the Derwent Corridor improvement scheme.
Tim Heslop, cabinet spokesman for enhancing economic well being, said: "The decisions taken at cabinet today represent real progress on the road to securing the economic well being of West Cumbria.
"Our own teams of experts have an excellent reputation and are overseeing more and more of the millions of pounds being spent regenerating the county's economy. This is a good example of important organisations involved in regeneration working together for the good of the county."