West Cumbria's political leaders will come together later this week to set out how they intend to work together over the coming years to improve the area's economic, social and environmental sustainability
Whitehaven's Copeland Civic Hall hosts the The West Cumbria Partnership event this Friday (2 November) which will see leading councillors from Cumbria County Council, Copeland Borough Council and Allerdale Borough Council join the area's MPs to launch the plan called 'Next Generation –The Strategy for Sustainable Communities in West Cumbria.'
Recognising the importanance of education and lifelong learning in the drive to improve West Cumbria's sustainability, the event will hear a keynote address from the University of Cumbria's vice chancellor Chris Carr.
Speaking ahead of the event, Cumbria County Council leader Tim Stoddard, said: "We are working hard across the West Cumbria to set out a framework of priorities for the next 20 years.
"The plan we are launching this week, sets out our plans for the economic, social and environmental sustainability of West Cumbria, and encompasses in one document the main aspirations of West Cumbria’s partners."
Elaine Woodburn, leader of Copeland Borough Council, said: "This Sustainable Communities Strategy sets out our vision to 2027. It takes us through the key period of change in the nuclear economy of our area. It is absolutely essential that we are focussed on creating conditions in which West Cumbrians can thrive."
Joe Milburn, leader of Allerdale Borough Council, said: "Next Generation lays out a set of goals for a period in which our children will be growing up, and many more of our residents will be moving through their retirement years. It is vital that we lay out our priorities for their quality of life."
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Media enquiries to Mark Graham, Media Officer on 01228-606337
Notes
The West Cumbria Strategic Partnership (WCSP) provides an opportunity to significantly improve public services, and through them, the quality of life for people who live and work in the area.
The Partnership is known as a 'local strategic partnership' or LSP. It is not an organisation, structure, board or executive committee, but a way of working among a network of community, voluntary, private and public organisations to improve the social, economic and environmental well being of the area.
WCSP has three key roles:
•Supporting community and political leadership in West Cumbria, through the Sustainable Communities Strategy;
•Engaging public, private, voluntary sector partners and communities to work together to create a better quality of life in West Cumbria;
•Ensuring quality public services are delivered to local people.]